"Why would you spend so much money on the kids?" My aunt said unenthusiastically. I know she means well, and that she is looking out for me, but I think it is wise for me to treat my younger cousins while I still have the time. I currently attend a nursing program in Peoria in pursuit of getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Now that I'm enrolled in the nursing program, I no longer have the free time to spend with friends or family because of how time-consuming school is. I am grateful to soon be a nurse, but I can't help but think about all of the times I've spent studying instead of being with my family and friends. I know that it'll all be worth it in the end when I graduate, but school right now completely consumes all of my time and energy. While I'm home for about a month this summer, I intentionally use my time to spend with those I care about. $1000 for me would give me the ability to take my cousins out for a short staycation and I would not have to worry about how much I spend on things such as desserts. I want to be present and take advantage of my time here while I'm home. I would buy experience with the money I have because it is the people that matter most.

Being a nursing student requires a good work ethic, resilience, compassion, humility, physical stamina, and mental stability. I feel as though I will never be prepared and equipped enough to serve my patients, but what gets me through hardships is gratitude. Contentment requires a grateful heart that results in being satisfied in every situation and season of life. My relationship with Jesus is the reason I can endure hardships, since there is a purpose in my suffering. I find strength and motivation in every new day because of the Lord, my rock, and my redeemer. Journaling and physically writing down my thoughts has helped me to become more grateful. I want to be more intentional about keeping a list of things I'm grateful for every day, both big and small, to keep myself focused and grounded. I continue to learn what gratitude looks like in my life and how being grateful can shape the way I help others as a future nurse. I am honored to be a student at Methodist College and I am immensely grateful for the many opportunities that Methodist has opened for me to further advance my education and experience in my nursing career. It is such an honor and privilege to serve others, so I wake up in the morning with an overflowing heart of gratitude, knowing that I put my hope in something that won't ever fade or perish.

As he struggled to move from the living room to the dining room, his breathing quickly became short and rapid again after using all his strength to steady himself when he stood up from his couch. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease that my patient, Tom, struggled with, along with diabetes and short-term memory loss. As a caregiver, I was able to assist Tom with bathroom and ambulatory assistance and meal preparation while providing companionship. I made sure he took his half pill when his blood pressure rose above 102, helped regulate his oxygen concentrator, and kept a daily log of what we did so that the next caregiver or nurse who came would know exactly how his days went. Tom provided for his family of nine and was an active gofer. I got to personally get to know who Tom was and what his passions were in life, and I was deeply moved and impacted by the way he cared for and loved those around him. He was the most considerate of me and my time because he noticed the small things I did for him and made sure to thank me for them every time. I felt like he was looking out for me when my job was to be there to help him. Tom inspired me to always try my best to understand human relationships and learn why people act the way they do. I am honored to have been a small part of his life and I am completely grateful for the opportunity that caregiving has given me. I never take caregiving lightly, and I do not think of caregiving as a task that needs to be done, but something purposeful that has weight and impact. I realized how precious human life is and how people go through specific experiences that ultimately impact the way they live for the rest of their lives.  One special lesson being a caregiver taught me was that the smallest interaction between you and someone else can make a huge difference in both their day and yours. Tom understood and saw my intentions and diligence when I took care of him according to the way I talked and treated him. Tom was never afraid to be transparent with me about his struggles because he values understanding in human relationships. Therefore, I want to pursue a career that will help me to better understand and provide care for those in need by effectively using my knowledge and experiences to shape the way I serve others. This experience will only continue to grow my passion for pursuing a healthcare career that further develops my character as a nurse who is capable of providing adequate care.  As humans, we depend on others to provide for and help us in our everyday lives. Having a surplus of one specific profession will create an imbalance of other needed professions. We need plumbers and accountants just as much as we need doctors and nurses. The society we live in is made up of individuals with a variety of specialties and skills that maintain the world’s function. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore my skills and interests while thoroughly enjoying the chance to serve others as a caregiver. I believe that my lens of care can significantly impact those I get the privilege to help and serve.

My heart churned and leaped out of my chest as I heard the news that my friend's dad had passed away. All of my emotions seemed to numb as I slowly came to realize how fleeting life can be. I did my best to keep my composure so that I could comfort her, but my thoughts ran rampage through my mind, making me dizzy and nauseous. It has been a while since we've got together and caught up. I was ecstatic to see her because she was one of my closest childhood friends. I wanted to buy her coffee, encourage her, and live life out together with her since our future seemed so bright ahead of us. However, life has a way of putting you off guard and discouraging your purpose to continue living. As her friend, I feel responsible to be there for her whenever she needs me and I understand that she only needs me to be still by her side as she sorts through her tangled-up emotions and distress. I desire to be consistent in the way I care for my friends. I understand the value and impact of true friendship and how important it is to be surrounded by a good group of friends that pour into you instead of draining the life out of you. I want to put on burdens, grief, responsibility, joy, and share everything in between so that life doesn't feel so lonely or burdensome. We were made not to live in isolation but in communion with others.

The delicate powdered snow started to set outside as the toasty fireplace gently crackled when she stood up to collect all of our cards. The sound of children running and laughing along with the faint simmering of the beef stew in the background became harmonious and distant as she resets the board game for the second round. Sequence is one of our top favorite board games to play as a family during every winter holiday before everyone gathers together in prayer for a big family feast.