You might call it productive...

This week has been just like any other week in the life of Kirsten, but I think that I have made a few accomplishments, attained a bit of wisdom, and hopefully helped someone along the way...

For starters, I found out that I passed BOTH my Chemistry and Anatomy/Physiology exams. This may not sound like a big deal, but I seriously thought I was going to fail. By no means did I ace the exams, but it gave me a much needed confidence that maybe, just maybe, I could actually get through these classes and on my way to nursing school.

And...this may come as a shocker, but I am realizing that I am a nerd. Yes, a nerd. And I'm admitting it. Last night I was eating peanut M&M's with my sis-in-law Candace, and I came across two M&M's stuck together. My first reaction was "Candace!!! These M&M's look like a cell undergoing Mitosis, during Telophase!!!" Candace stared at me with sadness and maybe something like shock in her eyes. Well thats all for the nerdy stories, because I don't want to scare anyone off. But believe me, there are plenty more.

Also, I joined the gym at the beginning of January, as did the rest of America, for one of my New Year's resolutions. Well, it has become of of the "fun" things I do throughout my busy week, because my dear friend MaryAnne has become my workout buddy. We get a pretty sweet workout, and usually end up staying for up to two hours because we talk so much in between. I actually think we may burn more calories laughing than by any of the exercises we do. I think we might even annoy some of the hardcore fitness people there. Oh and I almost forgot! Well about every six months, I usually attempt to make running "my thing" because I know it is so good for you, and I have always envied people who can run two miles like it's nothing. However, each time I try running, I have had to come to grips with the fact that I will never run. Sad, right? The last time I tried I ended up falling in a hole and spraining my ankle. The other two times I have gotten shin splints, which are so not fun. Well I thought I would give it another try, this time where there are not any sort of holes or ditches, and I am making success!!! This week I ran for the longest time I have ever ran IN MY LIFE!!! I know, It's pretty darn impressive. Well it was only for 16 minutes, but I used to be happy running 4 minutes without stopping. Pathetic, I know.

I realize that each paragraph I write gets more random and possibly hard to follow, but I seem to be poor at categorizing my thoughts, so please forgive me :)

Well tonight I had a very random experience. I was leaving Bakersfield to drive to Tehachapi for the weekend and decided to stop for gas since my gas light had been on for an indeterminable amount of time. As I got out of the car I observed a lady in a wheelchair making her way up to the gas station. I didn't think much about it until I got in my car to leave and saw her sitting by the entrance of the mini-mart. For some reason I got this gut-feeling that I needed to see if she was OK. So I got out of my car and went up to her. She was a young woman (maybe mid-thirties) and she was sobbing while talking on a phone that another person was lending to her. When she got off the phone, I asked her if I could help her and she told me that she had no place to stay and that the rescue mission wouldn't take her in because she had an open wound (she was just released from the hospital). She said all she wanted was a blanket to keep her warm while she slept outside. Unfortunately, I had about three dollars left on my Visa card and wasn't able to help her with getting a blanket, so I bought her some hot chocolate and told her I was really sorry. Seeing as there was nothing I could really do (no money, and no place to take her) I went on my way, still with a sick feeling in my stomach. I ended up driving to a CVS Pharmacy to see if I could write a check to buy her a blanket. However, after seeking the advice of a very wise person, I realized that a blanket was not what this woman needed. I decided that the best thing to do was call 911 and see if they could help her. When I told them that I wanted a cop to patrol over and see if the lady was OK, or possibly take her to a hospital or a different rescue mission, they acted somewhat annoyed but told me they would send someone over.

I realize that the last thing this woman wanted was probably an encounter with the police, and I don't even know if she was there when the police came. But I do know that she needed some kind of help, and if it were one of my family members or friends that were in the same situation I would rather have them under the legislation of the police than at the mercy of harsh weather and/or dangerous people. So I don't really know what will happen to this woman.

I believe that one of the hardest positions for humans to be in is when there is nothing you can do to help someone except to pray. I also know that when we are at our wit's end is when God's plan and miracles are made so much more apparent to our untrained eyes. I felt horrible that the only thing I could do was buy this woman hot chocolate, but I know that just by humble prayer God can do so much more in this woman's life than I could ever hope to do with all the resources in the world.

This subject has been on my mind a lot lately, because I realize that any effort of mine to help people is just grasping at straws if it is not done through Christ. It is extremely humbling and also comforting to know that I am not the one who can change people.

Well thats all for tonight. So if anyone's reading this, I'd love to know what you think about any of these topics. I appreciate all tips and words of wisdom.

Goodnight friends :)