In the Land of Jason

  I'm taking a break from reading EKG strips. Just recently I learned that I needed reading glasses (an over correction from the Lasik surgery) and need a few minutes away from the text. I work on a cardiac floor so I'm used to reading my patients EKG strips quickly but since I'm learning and practicing 12 lead its a whole other ballgame. The experience has helped though, I'm picking up things quickly.  I'm in the habit of jumping to the important things and overlooking the intracacies. (That "Oh, crap!" moment).

     This weekend was  a bit of blur. Patrick Mahoney my friend who is a missionary in Equitorial Guinea came into town this week and we've gotten a chance to hang out. Pat, Dave, and I all went to college together and are entering the field a bit late for various reason. Pat is back to finish up his support raising.

       Javier, the guy that I asked for your prayers,  reappeared on Wednesday. It turned around he has given a friend a lift down to his friends kids near Lexington. They'd been drinking and we arrested for drunk driving. When I went to see him he was in a bit of denial until I explained what the breathalizer tests indicated. While I don't mind casual drinking I think like most folks I have  viceral reaction to drunk driving. It was  difficult conversation. He spent the four ngiht in jail and nearly lost his job on top of the fines and upcoming court costs. Plus he is facing the embarrassment in the church. Javier's background is one best suited for a country song or a mexican soap opera. through his shame though he sees that even in jail He was with him. He witnessed to another guy there and he made a decision for Christ though the other guy was paroled that night and Javier has no contact info. Javier is excited about how good things can come out of something so bad. One of things that makes Javier who is he is his dirty faith. Friday we drove down to get his car out of impound, 300 bucks and its sitting in my drive way until hes able to drive again. That was Friday morning.

       Friday evening headed into work but was force on off (low census) after 11pm which looking back was a good things since I was so tired. Saturday night started off slow but by end of shift I was drained. You sort of develop a sixth sense about a patient that being admited. After some talk the grandaughter decided to stay. Glad that she did because the patient ( a very likeable spunky lady) started to take a turn for the worse. While at work I try to be open and supportive, something that is a huge drain for an introvert. At the way home it sort of hit me how drained I'd became from the events of the week and got a little weepy. I think most nurses can attest to this occasional delayed reaction. I sat there thinking that about everything I still had yet to do Sunday after a 12 hour shift. Went in took a shower, grabbed a quick nap, and then off to church. We had gotten last minute tickets from the Hendersons (thanks Gerri and Ron) and so the new minister and 2 other guys headed to watch the Reds narrowly lose.

       Despite the fact that it had been nearly 30 hours by the time I went to bed, it had been exactly what I needed. Sun, baseball, and a completely work/study free afternoon. It was nice to spend the day with guys from church without discussing plans, problems, or needing to listen. We just watched baseball. Sometimes God provides what you need just when you least expect it.

    Alright back to the EKGs, wohoooo.

              JP

PS Please keep Erin Lenihan and her family in your prayers. She has been a member of the Spanish church since the gitgo. Her father, a christian,  passed away last week from a long battle with MS. The funeral is Tuesday.