Family Update

Now that we are well into Chief Year, I though I would give a little update about how that is going for David and the rest of us.  Today the kids and I actually stopped by David's office at the hospital for a picnic lunch.  We also brought him his diploma and helped him hang it on the wall.  The kids had a great time visiting Daddy at work, especially William when he got to check out the view from the 4th story window.  I think we were quite distracting for the residents trying to work, but we had fun.

So far, David has been tolerating being Chief.  (He would probably be upset that I am saying that, but luckily he never reads the blog so he won't know...).  I don't think it is shaping up to be exactly as he expected.  David's particular role as chief centers around the outpatient clinic and involves A LOT of paperwork.  He was looking forward to the teaching aspect of being chief, but that is mostly in the form of lectures to the residents.  Not naturally inclined to public speaking, David prefers teaching more one on one, like he did during his inpatient rotations as senior resident.  However, I am sure this is a good stretch for him, especially since he wants to go work in academics and will probably be giving lots of lectures down the road.  All of the meetings and scheduling fun can wear on him a little, but I think overall he is enjoying this year.  If nothing else, it has been nice getting to see him at home a little more!  David works very few weekends now and is usually home around 6pm, so it is almost a normal schedule!  We will have to enjoy this year while we can because next year, the first year of fellowship, David tells me will be really crazy.

Speaking of fellowship, David had put in his applications for Hematology/Oncology fellowship, and has been hearing back from lots of places.  Right now he has 11 interviews scheduled, located all over the country!  I'm so proud of him - his hard work has definitely paid off.  David has some excellent programs interested in him including Standford, Duke, MD Anderson in Houston, and Vanderbilt in Nashville to name a few.  The next few months he will be traveling like crazy, sometimes going from one school to the next before coming home.  I try not to think about it too much because there is so much uncertainty about next year.  Fellowship match occurs in December, so once I know where we will be, then I will start worrying about the details.

As far as how my job is going, we have been extremely busy in the NICU.  Almost every day I get a text message from work asking if I want to pick up extra.  I did work three extra shifts the last two weeks, and that has worn me out.  It makes me so grateful that I am able to work part time.  It is a lot of work to raise two children, maintain a house, and work 40 hours a week!  We really are blessed that I don't do that on a normal basis.

I have also been reading a book called Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis which has given me a lot to think about lately.  It is the story of her missionary work in Uganda working with children in poverty.  She is a Christian following Jesus' commandments to love your neighbor and to care for the poor and orphaned.  The book is very eye opening to the extreme poverty that exists in the world, and Katie constantly questions why some people like those of us in America are so blessed while others can suffer so much.  This book has made me look at my own life and ask myself how is Jesus calling me to serve the poor and needy?  I began to look around me and see what luxuries I have, and start to think  - what is it that I can give up so that others can have more?  As I talked this over with David, he made a very thoughtful point.  He said, one of the best things I can do right now is to support him in his work to become a doctor.  While we can continue to support charities like we do now and give of ourselves and our time/resources, what he truly believes God is calling him to do is be a doctor.  (We can't all move to Uganda to be a missionary right out of high school...).  Then by using those gifts once he is a doctor, he will be so much better equipped to make a bigger impact on the world.  David just amazes me so much by how he looks at the world.  His every step is thoughtful, leading him to something greater, following ever closer to Jesus Christ.  I pray that we can use this time of preparation to truly find God's purpose for our lives.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 16:24-25

From our 5th wedding anniversary back in June.