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Sunday, April 9, 2017

What a week!

I told you last week that I was going to have a busy week and might not be around much.  Quite a few nurses at our place were going to be gone on Spring Break, and those of us that were left were planning on working a lot.  However, it was worse than we planned on.  We had hired a new 3-11 nurse who was supposed to be done with her orientation on Monday and then starting her week.  She quit saying it was too hard, which was quite surprising because all through orientation she had been saying she felt good about it.  Then, another nurse's dad had health issues and she had to stay with him and then our 11-7 nurse had to go to the ER and had 2 nights off.  That left a very skeleton crew and more hours to work than I've ever done in a week.
I had some bright spots during that time though.

My sister Cheri stopped by one day with my favorite chocolates, to be shared with anyone who was working a lot.  :)   We did enjoy them!



Another day Laura stopped with Ruby and Alaina.
Alaina had drawn me a picture and made this pretty butterfly.



Laura brought this pretty succulent garden which looks so pretty on my end table.


One morning this week, I was so tired.  I had worked 17 hours the day before, then had to get up and was planning on another double shift.  I got up and thought, "I don't know how I am going to get through this day".  I got to work and one of our residents was already sitting up in his wheelchair.  He has serious Alzheimers, but his life long faith shows so frequently!  He often prays out loud and also sings old hymns.  On this morning, as I was preparing my med cart, he was praying out loud and was thanking God for potatoes.  He was saying that he was so glad God had given us potatoes and listing some of the ways they can be prepared.  He then started to sing an old hymn I haven't heard for some time:
"Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.


God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you."

Wow!  This was just what I needed to be reminded of.  God did take care of me.  Someone came in early so I only had to work for 12 hours, and later in the week, someone else agreed to work on Sunday so that I could go to church and we even got to have the girls overnight on Saturday night, which is always good medicine!  Also, in spite of the fact that so many people around me have been sick, I've remained healthy.
This week should be better - the vacationers will be back and our sick people are doing better.  Thanks for the notes I gotten from some of you, and also the prayers.  Please keep praying that God sends some nurses our way. 

18 comments:

Arlene G said...

Oh my...I can only imagine Mari. Prayers that this week will be better.

Anonymous said...

Your patient's hymn was just what you needed to hear....so precious. I am praying for you.

Linda said...

Oh my goodness, Mary...keeping you in prayer.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

God sends what we need, when we need it doesnt He? So glad you will have more help this week....it takes a toll on one to work those many hours. Your 'crowns' are mounting up!

Hootin Anni said...

Gracious sake alive!!! Incredible hours for you...and on top of that you had your girls overnight?!! You definitely need a vacation yourself! Hope soon some time will be for YOU!

Dianna said...

What a precious "I love you, Mari" from the Lord the morning HE had that gentleman praying out loud and singing one of my favorite hymns! Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Mari.

I'm glad that the vactioners will be back this week. Maybe you will get a bit of rest now.

Praying for you, friend.
Dianna xx

Betsy Brock said...

Such wonderful and cute little things to get you through the week!
Sure had me chuckling...

Saleslady371 said...

This blesses me so much. The patient and the potatoes...how cute is that? God is showing up big time! Love the girls' artwork! So much joy here despite the grim schedule. Love your attitude and no wonder God blesses you like He does; you are His shining witness. Praying for that special nurse to come on board!

Changes in the wind said...

May the Lord bless you and keep you and what an amazing thing that even with a terrible mind eating disease the Lord is praised!

Sally said...

Well, Mari, you are really such a trooper. The older man praying and singing brought so much love in my heart as he did for you also. I will pray for more nurses.

xoxo

Jenny said...

Mari you are a woman of great courage and fortitude. I would have been in the fetal position, crying, after a 17-hour day and looking at yet another one. How precious that your family looks after you the way they do. And that beautiful hymn! It brought tears to my eyes, just reading the words. I'm glad you're through with that grueling week and that you had some truly bright spots within it. I pray this week will be easier but no less rewarding. xoxo

Jennifer Hays said...

Mari, you work so hard and you bring so much good into others' lives. Anyone would be happy to have a nurse like you. I loved reading about the man. I guess he likes potatoes? I chuckled because my son haaaates potatoes. My husband had the kids on a bike ride with him recently when they saw a raw potato lying in the gutter. Maybe it came out of someone's trash or something. Our son looked at the potato in the gutter and said, "Good! That's where it belongs!" I laughed and laughed when I heard this story. How can anyone hate potatoes so much? I could live on them!

Amy at love made my home said...

Gosh what a week. I am glad you had some brighter spots in there, and I hope things are easier with more good things this week!

Cherdecor said...

Last week seemed to be a hard week for so many. I have been getting up at 4:30 and praying for so many people. I am so happy to hear how the Lord carried you through your hard week. God's strength shows up best in weak people. That is a version of a Bible verse. I pray for you again today Mari. May you have the strength to see it through.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Hey Sweetie! This made me tear up. The story about the resident with Alzheimers got me. I think Someone else was sending you a much needed message. ;)

I will pray hard that this nursing shortage is rectified soon! The gifts you share as a nurse (& all other caregivers) is such a blessing and I'm so grateful for all of you and all that you do!!

Keep up the great work Sweetheart. Many blessings sent your way and I hope you get to have a wonderful and relaxing family Easter ahead.
xoxo

Laura said...

So glad that week is over for you, and praying the right people come along very soon. So amazing that God uses so many different people to tell us what he wants us to hear! :) I love that story.

White Lace and Promises said...

This brought tears to my eyes. I needed to hear this. God will take care of you. I used to sing this to myself when I was a young Christian. It's been a long time since I've thought about it. I needed this reminder tonight.

Jean said...

Wow!!! That is a lot of hours of work, Mari! I do hope this week is not as crazy.

The story of the man praying and singing really blesses me. What a motivation to fill our hearts and minds with scripture and songs of worship and trust in God!!