Our amazing bodies

One of the recurring thoughts I have while in A&P for two semesters is how amazing and fine tuned our bodies are. Sometimes I wonder how we manage to live at all. Most of the time I'm simply reminded of our Creator and Sustainer and want to give Him praise.

Our bodies have many "check and balance" systems (called homeostasis) in place that keep us from certain death. For instance, if your blood pH becomes slightly acidic one mechanism that kicks in (without our knowledge) causes our breathing rate to up in order to blow off more CO2. Less CO2 equals less acid build up in blood. There isn't much room for pH changes in blood. The normal pH range is between 7.35 and 7.45. If your pH goes below 7.35 you are in acidosis meaning your blood is becoming acidic...not a good thing! If your blood pH goes about 7.45 you go into alkalosis which is less common that acidosis, but non the less just as dangerous. Our kidney's come into play as well in this pH balancing act as they help regulate the release of hydrogen ions (which cause acidity). That's part of the reason having healthy kidney's is so important!

There are many areas in which our bodies have automatic control systems in place to keep things balanced. From blood pressure rates, to body temp, to battling foreign bacteria, our bodies are working hard at the cellular level to keep us alive and well.

Which brings me to a personal question. Now that I know these things, why do I continue to abuse my body when it's working so hard to keep me alive? In fact, the more I abuse it by overeating, the harder my body has to work at keeping me in balance for life. This all brings new meaning to the fact that God created our bodies and that we can glorify Him through our bodies.

Thank you Lord for your amazing creation. May I become a better steward of the one and only physical body You have created for this life. Thank you that in eternity our bodies will be perfect!

Hope...

It seems like the moment I get a little bit of hope that I might...just MIGHT get into TWU's program, or even Brookhaven's progam, I talk to someone who has stories to tell that dash my hope to pieces. The latest was a story of someone who didn't get into TWU who had a 3.9 gpa. For real? I have a hard time believing that one, but at the same time it causes me to doubt that my 3.5 has a snowballs chance in an oven.

Then I'm reminded, by the Lord and through a good friend, that it's not by MY might, but by HIS WILL. Yes...I've had to study hard (and harder still for finals coming soon). Yes, I may have to take a class or two over to bring B's up to A's. But if it's in the LORD's will that I get into either nursing program in the fall of 2009, it will happen! If it doesn't, I have to rest in knowing that God has a perfect plan. He knows the future...I don't.

My hope is not in my own abilities (or lack thereof), and it's not in the school. My hope is in Christ. As much as I want to be a nurse, the mere fact that I've conquered all the science and math and a few other side courses in the past year that I have is HUGE for me! If I can do this, then anyone can. Seriously! I'll write more later, but my story really begins in the 8th grade when I barely passed pre-algebra with a sympathy grade. That was the last math class I had until this year.

For now, I need to make my bed with clean sheets so I can get into it and get some sleep. Thanksgiving dinner is coming in about 36 hours, and before that Pam will be here. I have a lot more cleaning, shopping, and cooking to do, not to mention two classes in the morning.

GOOD NIGHT!

Another semester almost finished

Time seems to fly like never before when classes are in full swing! This semester has gone faster than ever and I've really enjoyed my classes for the most part. I'm bummed that I didn't get an A in an EASY music class, but that was my own fault. it took a back burner to science and math classes so I didn't get all of my work done. So I have a B in that class. I'm on the edge between an A and a B in Chemistry and A&P right now which means I'm going to study harder than ever for good grades on my finals. I've GOT to get A's in both classes in order to feel like I've even got a chance of getting into TWU nursing school.

NURSING SCHOOL APPLICATION TIME! That's right, as soon as I finish taking Statistics over the winter term (argh), I'm eligible to apply to TWU's Nursing program. I'm also apply to Brookhaven, but my first choice is TWU of course. Honestly, I know I'll be near the bottom of both lists as far as acceptance goes, but Lord willing I'll get into one of them for entrance next fall. I'm SOOO excited that I've gotten this far, but I'm also trying to remain realistic about getting into either school the first time around in applying.

I need to take the NET exam next month for the TWU application and will take the HESI exam in Jan/Feb sometime for the Brookhaven app. Then there are the vaccinations to get up to date, a CPR class, background checks...etc.. once I know I've been accepted to either school.

Now it's time to decide what to take for classes next semester. I could take it kind of easy, and I might just do that and then work part time somewhere. I do know I'll be taking Pathophysiology at TWU, another Math class and probably TX history. The question is, should I retake A&P I to get my grade up to an A (from a B)? The only reason I would need to do that is if I don't get into one of the schools next fall, then it will be an improvement in my grade. Decisions. I'll talk to a couple of instructors and get their opinions.

IF...and IF...and IF...

If I get into TWU and IF I've taken the above classes, then there will only be one more class to take over the summer (women's studies)! Then a short break to get my house spic and span clean and organized before going "under the water" with nursing classes. I've heard and completely believe, that once nursing classes begin, there isn't time for anything else. I feel that way a lot right now anyway, which scares the _____ out of me!

I WANT to get into one of the programs next fall so badly!! I'm going to ask everyone I know to pray with me about that. If I don't get in for the fall, I'll definitely retake a couple of classes over the summer for higher grades.

So...that's the future. Right now I need to focus on finals!