This semester has not been an easy one. When they tell you about nursing school people use words like- stressful, intense, exhausting, draining, and impossible. I hate how negative the world of nursing school has become. Entering into the program, I already had convinced my self that my experience would be the same. I would be miserable for two years until I finally graduated and became an RN. 

The first two weeks I let this be my mindset. I let the negative thoughts take over. In turn I was exhausted and stressed and overwhelmed most of the days. Instead of focusing on the new relationships I was forming with my new professors and classmates I focused on just getting things down and the lack of sleep I was getting. 

Today I am choosing to change. I am choosing to look at this whole experience as a positive one. I am choosing to focus on the wonderful relationships I am forming, the skills I am learning, and the chances I am getting to touch lives. I am in no way saying that there won't be stressful days, or nights, or times when it seems there are not enough hours in the day to complete it all and get sleep. But I can choose my attitude and who I set my focus on.

 Jesus Calling for today was perfect and reminded me of our Sponsor Lisa Carr who passed away after battling cancer for 7 years.  I met her my freshman year and she completely changed how that year went. Unfortunately our bible study ended after her cancer returned but she was the sponsor for Pi Theta Phi and I also looked forward to talking with her at meetings. One thing she always would encourage us to do would be to take our thoughts captive and point them towards God. We have the ability to focus on God. He will guard you and keep you in constant peace, as you focus your mind on me. Seriously how awesome is that. When we are in times our turmoil, in grief, in stress, he is there. He wants us to come to him with our trials and lean on him for our comfort and peace. I know Mrs. Lisa is singing and dancing with our Lord in heaven. Finally pain free. My heart hurts for the fact that she is no longer on this earth with us. I will miss her gentle spirit and the way she knew just what to say when we were hurting and broken. She was a little piece of heaven for every person that knew her and her presence will be immensely missed. 

From now on I hope to make my posts more encouraging. More focused on the positives of Nursing school and not the negatives. I want to keep the focus on God and how he sustains me thorough this process of completing my degree. 

- Kelsie