I really feel like taking these courses will help me to be a better NFP teacher. I wrote an essay for my Ethics class arguing against a group of self-proclaimed pro-life ob/gyns. If you are interested, you can read it at
file://localhost/Users/kimderrick/Desktop/Kim's%20Ethics%20Essay.htm.
(just copy and paste the link)
I'd love to have your feedback after you read it. I enjoy researching such topics, but I cannot say that I am a gifted writer. It is struggle for me to even write on this blog. I just write what I am feeling and hope it makes sense.
The essay had to be written within a two week time frame. It was a lot tougher than I had imagined it would be. However, as I was putting it all together, it really increased my desire to help the medical profession more. I love teaching couples about NFP. I love to see their eyes light up with their new found knowledge. Taking a couple through this process is an honor, and I will never take it for granted.
God lays His Will before us, however it is up to us to decide to follow it. Sometimes, most of the time, that means picking up our cross and doing His will, even when it is easier to do our own.
God has taken me on some wild journeys before, but I have to say these last couple of years have been quite an experience.
I never thought I would ever go to college, especially not Nursing School. I never thought in the midst of being in Nursing School, I would also become a certified NFP teacher. I never thought I would speak before my fellow parishioners about NFP. I never thought I would be invited to be a part of the Aquinas College Lecture Series. I never thought I would be at a point where I am not only understanding the medical language behind NFP, but I am writing about it as well.
If you do not believe that God can do the unthinkable, just look at me... His powers are great.
I know that people look at me and say, "How does she do it? Six kids, and going to Nursing School!" All I can say is, I am amazed as well, but I don't do it. God does. I am just an instrument. It is through virtue and grace that I am able to do what I do. This is not to slight John, and all that he does to make it possible for me to go to school, or my Mom, who plays the role of 'Momma', while I am at school, which anyone who knows me, knows that I wouldn't assign this to just anyone.
Somedays I cannot even grasp the lengths God has gone to so that His Will can be done in my life. By virtue, I was able to see that even the thought of going to Nursing School could be possible. Each step I took towards it, was just another validation that I was doing the right thing. Even when we conceived Rita, I knew God had a plan. Although, I admit I was completely baffled when this occurred, but I knew the birth of a child is always a good thing, and bringing a person into this world, who would love and honor God, was much better than being one year closer to a college degree.
When Rita was born, it was the highlight of our life. Could life really get better than that? Yes, it is always getting better. I sincerely thought I wouldn't return to school. I thought this time it was surely impossible.
I did not really know if God even wanted me to return or not, so I prayed about it. I told Him I was willing to do whatever it takes, as long as it was what He wanted me to do, and I wasn't going to go to great lengths to go back, and if He wanted me there He would have to shove it in my face.
And that is exactly what He did. Rita as born in November. I had to take a timed Reading and Math test in January, to be considered for the fall semester. I looked over the study guide a little, and ended up scoring better than the one I had taken a year prior. I thought, "Well, okay God, but what about my kids. I am not going to leave them with random babysitters. Never knowing week from week who is going to watch them!"
I guess He just laughed and said something like, "Kim, you worry abut the silliest things!" By the end of the month my Mom's company had closed, and she was able to retire, because she was turning 55 that same month.
His powers are great. His Love is mighty.
My Mom immediately said she would watch the kids. I knew this was now something I had to do. God was willing it.
Long story short, here I am, miraculously. This has been a trivial year, but there is no doubt that I have grown more than ever. People told me that if you don't have a strong marriage going into nursing school, it will crumble. I didn't buy it. John and I are stronger than we have ever been. This has been a complete team effort. We are truly working together to accomplish this goal for our family.
People will say to me, "Oh! I am so glad you are doing this for you!" I resist the temptation to say that I am not, but what is the use. The world wants people to think we are in this for ourselves. When in reality, we are in this for each other. I am going to Nursing School for many reasons, and to be honest, not one of them is for me. Mostly, it is because God wants me too, and I have never been so sure of anything.
Do not ever question the power of God. Sometimes we are required to take a leap of Faith. Sometimes that leap of Faith is giving in when you know you are in your fertile time period. That thought of, "Let's just see what happens!" It's so exciting and scary all at the same time, but you feel safe because you are taking yourself out of the driver seat and allowing God to drive. It is so much more relaxing when you realize, "Hey! I don't have to be in control!"
I apologize for the lengthiness of this post. It as been a while since I last wrote, and I guess I just had a lot on my mind and wanted to share this little story about doing the unthinkable, and really it is just about following the Will of God.
In Christ,
Kim
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