SWEET!!!!

Today was test 3 of 8. It was the more difficult of the three so far. But as you can tell by my title I did well....once again. I got another B. When I walked out of the test room to where you pick up your results, she said, "Way to go SaraJane." At that point she handed me the paper that showed I got a B. I asked her how do others do on these exams and she said, "they either fail or barely pass with a C. You are doing great!" Sweet that is such an encouragement that based on how others are doing I am doing well. I have 2 more exams in the next 2 weeks. I may have to push back the second exam depending on how our move this weekend goes...but either way I am flying through the material and doing well at the same time. What a blessing!

Finally I post! :-)

Sorry I haven't posted recently but for those of you asking...the past 4 posts are brand new. Enjoy!

32 weeks!

I started a woman's Bible study on Wednesday morning through Bible Study Fellowship. This morning was the second week. It is a 32 week study of the Book of John. Wow, if you haven't read through the book of John lately...I encourage you to read it. I have been so challenged this week by it. There are something like 200 woman who come and a waiting list of people wanting to join when they can get more teachers. Each week we do our Bible study independently throughout the week and then we meet with our discussion groups and talk about the questions we answered that week. Afterwards we all meet up and a woman gives a message on what we covered.

This week was an overview of the book of John and we read all 21 chapters of it. John stated in 20:30-31 these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. The whole book is a testimony to this point. Chapter 1 points to the fact that Jesus is God and He is the creator. Jesus came that we might know God. Chapters 2-12 are a record of the many signs that Jesus performed in order that people would believe that He is God. He healed the sick, turned water into wine, walked on water. Jesus' signs prove that He is God. Not only that but He claimed to be God...All people must respond to that truth. He can't be just a good man. He is either as Hesays He is, God, or He is a liar or a lunatic. Lastly the final chapters Jesus prepares His followers for His death on the cross. Jesus, died a brutal, torturous death for the forgiveness of our sins, but He conquered death in raising again.

I know this is a lot but, if you read the book of John everything is in there. It is a book that calls us to action and in one week has impacted me in so many ways. I can't imagine what 32 weeks of this book will do for my life. Some might believe this is brainwashing but this is not something someone is telling me, this is in the Bible, something I read for myself and studied for myself. I pray that these things I am learning won't just be heard but that it will change my actions and my purpose in life.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

Times are good!

So much to blog and so little time. I am keeping very busy these days! I work mostly full-time for the hospital, rapidly finishing up school, and God has blessed me with many great friends and lots of things to be involved in at church. Recently I started working one Sunday a month in the nursery, holding babies while their parents get to go to church. And starting this October I will be joining the Worship team on Sunday mornings. Beyond that I have been really blessed with some great friendships that I have really been encouraged by. What a change from last year when I was so busy with school I didn't have time.

After church there is a big group of us that always go and hang out for lunch. 2 weeks ago 4 of us went over to Edgewater and went to the driving range. The driving range is on the Jersey side of the Hudson river and the view is of the NY city skyline. Afterwards we went and ate at Chevy's restaurant.

We're moving!!!

As of October 3rd my roommate and I will have a new place to call home. It is the second floor of a 3 family home (very common here in NJ). It has 2 bedrooms, a 3rd room for an office, a large kitchen, dining room (or sitting room) and living room. It also has a small porch off the second floor and a small yard that the landlord said we could fix up and use. Boy will Faith be happy. It is all hardwood floors and even has a built in china hutch as well as a stained glass window. I can't wait to take pictures and show you all.

The amazing thing...Apart from paying heat it works out to be about as much as we pay now between rent, renting a spot for each of our cars, and laundry at the laundry mat. This one has free parking, and free laundry facilities and is SOOOO much nicer. And to top it off we get to control our own heat. Praise the Lord for that. Last winter we were freezing in our apartment and I really didn't want to go through that again. Besides, I won't have to listen to BEEP, BEEP, BEEP and the roar of loud trucks as they come and go all hours of the night right outside my first floor window.

18 miles

Well, today I ran my first 18 mile run in preparation for the Philadelphia marathon. Usually I do my long runs on the Saturday but with having to work every other weekend it is a bit tough to do such a long run and then have to go stand on my feet for 8 hours and take care of patients. My job is physically demanding and is posing the biggest challenge in preparing for this marathon. My goal was to break 4 hours this time but now I feel like maybe since it is my first time doing a marathon with such a physically demanding job...maybe my goal will just to finish! I'm to competitive for that but at the same time this was a bigger adjustment than I realized.

18 miles covered 4 towns and a lot of steps. I usually use mapmyrun.com to map out a route which helps me know how far I run. The day was warmer than usual. Usually Faith (my dog) runs all of the miles with me but she has been sick so I only took her for 3 of the miles. As I have said before some days you go out and the run feels great...yes even at 18 miles. And other days it is a fight to just get through it. This run was a mix of both. By the last 4 or 5 miles I was wishing that I could switch feet like you change shoes. That seems to be the biggest problem for me is that because I am on my feet for long hours at work, they are more sore when I run these longer distances. But despite the pain, when I finished it was such an accomplishment. I love to have a goal and to meet it. Less than 9 weeks out from the marathon and I have many more runs like this. I have 2-3 18 and 20 mile runs as well as one 23 mile run before I get to the starting line. But what an accomplishment it will be to be out there running with thousands of other crazy's like me and to cross the finish after 26.2 miles. Can't wait to tell you about it.

Test 2

So Yesterday I took test number 2 of 8 and I rocked it. I got a B on it. YEAH!!! I am already scheduled for the next 3 exams between now and the 14th of October. Then I will just have my last 3 med surg tests to cover. It is going quickly and is easier than I expected. I guess I learned something in that crazy program I was in. Thanks for all your encouragement!

Marathon training

The marathon is 73 days away. By now, I had planned to have at least one 18 mile run done but unfortunately, I had a 3 week stretch with little running. Normally I run anywhere from 30min to an hour during the week and then on Saturday I have my long run which progresses in miles every week. I try to run at least 3 runs in the 20 mile distance before the race. You never run over 23 miles in training because at this distance it really only hurts your training rather than help it. However, due to an injury at work and some other problems, my running stalled for 3 weeks. This week, I was finally able to get out on the road and hopefully this Saturday I will do my first long run since the 1/2 marathon.

Marathon training is an amazing experience and I love to get out on the road and just run. There is no pressure, nobody talking to you, just you, the pavement, and God. It is often when I do my best thinking and processing. Though it is not easy to stay motivated and focused week after week.

I also love to take my dog. Many think I am crazy but she loves the runs. She is so happy out on the road and enjoys every second of it. She is three now and has done lots of running with me. She knows when I am throwing on my running shoes and sits by the door just waiting for me to leash her up and head out the door.

NYC 1/2 marathon

August 16th I ran the NYC 1/2 marathon which started in Central park. There were over 15,000 runners at the starting line...by far my biggest race I have been apart of. It was amazing to be around so many runners. We had an early start, having to be in the starting corrals by 6:45am. We had some famous runners like Ryan Hall and Deana Kastor.

My goal time was to run it in under 2 hours. However, the humidity and heat was so significant that I wasn't able to make it. But I was just excited to do this race. When I crossed the finish line, I was delirious and not making much sense. A medic ended up giving me salt and lots of fluids. In the end I was fine but many people had the same reaction because of the heat. It was ironic that we have had such a cool summer and very rainy...but this was one of the hottest days of the summer. Even at 6 am heading to the starting line it was warm and muggy.
Me at the starting line. Behind me were the corrals.
After running through central park we came out on 7th ave and ran through time square. What an amazing feeling it was when I came out of central park and to run down this street with all the buildings and we had the road to ourselves. Normally this street is packed with cars.

First exam

So I had my first exam for my new program. And I passed with flying colors...and not by the skin of my teeth as I got used to in my other nursing program. This was the first of 8 and it was way better than exams from my previous program. So far it seems to be a great program and I am looking forward to moving through it. My next exam is Sept 15th.

I schedule the exams myself online and then go to a Pierson Testing center a few miles from my house to take the exam. I don't have to go to classes since I already have done all the nursing classes. The hardest part is keeping motivated to study daily but I really want to finish ASAP so that seems to be keeping me going.

Life is good!

Life has been good! I am learning a lot, getting connected and building a lot of solid friendships, back in school, and working. For the most part I have a complete and unexplainable peace about not finishing nursing school in my previous program. However, on days like today when they took their last final...there have been moments when I wish things could be different. I was so close...but I know God had His hand in it all. As the weeks have passed I can see so many things I would not have been able to be apart of because of nursing school. I have finally been able to really connect with people here and find my place here in NJ.

Today, I was speaking to one of the nursing recruiters at my hospital. She was saying that our hospital currently has a freeze on hiring new graduate nurses. This is not just happening at my hospital but many of the area hospitals. While, much of the country is facing a major shortage of nurses...NJ is not facing that currently due to so many hospitals closing down leaving experienced nurses to fill in the gaps. She told me that come January when there aren't many nursing students finishing school the picture will be much different. What a relief to hear that. The reality is that once I finish my nursing I have to give up my job as a tech. I am no longer legally able to work as a tech. So I can see just another way that things are working out for the better.

Tomorrow I am spending the day with my friend down at 6 flags Great Adventure and then Sunday I will be racing in the New York City 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles). This is a good chance for me to gauge where I am at for my marathon. I would love to do under 2 hours but my priority is to run with my friend and enjoy watching her celebrate her first ever 1/2 marathon. I find a lot of joy helping and seeing others run races like this and realize that they just accomplished a major goal.

Here is something that has spoken to my heart lately. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how much I fail or how uncertain I can become...God's promises are faithful. Every morning no matter what happened yesterday...it is a new day and His promises are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Where else can we find such promises.

The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassion's never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
Lamentations 3:22-26

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the LORD.

Calvary Chapel Beach day 08/01/09

Saturday the first was my churches beach day. Unfortunately I had to go to work in the afternoon...but I did make the trip for the morning. It was a perfect hot day for the beach. There were a ton of us just hanging out on the beach and enjoying some fellowship. This is there annual baptism day and I believe 7 people were baptized in the Ocean.

Since I have not been in nursing school I have really had some great opportunities to fellowship and build some good friendships with people in the church.

At one point I went swimming with my friend Saul. We originally only went into our waste level. However, the waves were very big. Considering that not much Surfing happens in NJ, and there were a ton of surfers out...that says something. Well, we proceeded to get hammered by 3 waves in a row. The kind of waves that slam you to the Ocean floor and flip you around. Saul lost his sunglasses so we decided to swim out a little further. Usually this is better because then you aren't where the Waves are breaking. Well after a bit out there the lifeguards were calling us back. He was swimming back no problem. Me on the other hand...I was swimming in place. The Riptide was so strong it was carrying me sideways toward the pier. On top of that the waves were crashing on top of me and pulling me backwards. Before the lifeguard got to me to pull me out...Saul had me hold onto his leg and pulled me out. I was a lifeguard for many years, and I am a very strong swimmer but I must say that one really took me by surprise. I know that the rule is to swim with the riptide till it breaks but I was too close to the pier and the waves were to big. Needless to say I have a new appreciation for the power of water. My friend likes to tell the story as if I really was in the shallow and I was flopping around in the water yelling "Lifeguard save me." He then says he picked me up and said SaraJane your in the shallow water! Trying to make it sound like I was just doing it for attention :-) Sounds a bit like something my big brother Sean would do.

I wish I had some pictures to share but I forgot my camera. I will definitely take some pictures during my half marathon coming up a week from this Sunday. Love and miss you all!

Marathon training 1

Next week I officially start my marathon training for the Philadelphia Marathon November 22. I have already ran as long as 15 miles at one time. Over the next few months I will do weekly runs that are more than that.

Marathons are one of the few races that you don't run that distance or more in your training. They find it to be more of a hindrance rather than a help. My longest run will be 23 miles. So Saturday I generally do my long run...nice and slow. My dog loves these runs! During the week I run 3 or so times and go to the gym to cross train.

Today I ran for an hour...but it was very humid and gross out. That can make a run difficult. I am proud of myself for adapting to be able to run in the summers here. I still try to get up early but the problem is when it cools off, the humidity rises.

A lot of people think that I am gung hoe for every run. I promise you I am not. I have to fight the same battles that everyone else does. The thoughts of "maybe I can just sleep in today", "I don't want to run", "Really if I just skip today will it matter". The thing that motivates me is one...my dog loves to run, two....I like the quiet peaceful time to think and pray, three...I like how it makes me feel.

Philadelphia here I come!

I have officially signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon (26.2 miles) for November 22 of this year. I have been antsy to do another marathon since I ran the Portland Marathon a little while ago.

Training for a marathon is something that requires discipline, focus and desire. But to be honest if you have the desire...the other things will fall into place. I used to help with a program that trained people who never thought they could run a marathon to be able to do so. It was so much fun for me to see people reach their individual goals and do something that very few people ever accomplish by running a marathon.

My longest run currently is 15 miles and I still have lots of time till I have to run it. I am definitely ahead of schedule but with a marathon even the best laid plans may not work. It is so easy to get injured or have something interfere.

Keep posted here to see the ups and downs of training for a marathon.

YEAH!!!!

So I found out that I was accepted to Excelsior's nursing program. A chance to start over and finish the dream that I know was placed on my heart by God. I plan to take my first 2 or 3 exams here very shortly. I have a total of 8 exams. Once those are finished I will take a 2 1/2 day clinical exam which means I will have to travel somewhere and may have to wait 4 months for. My goal is to be finished by January but in all reality I am learning very quickly that my plans are not God's plans. And I am also learning that His plans are much better than my own.