I could use some discipline.

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline,in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." ~Hebrews 12:7-14

Amen.

My name is Lisa. And I like being on vacation.

And all that comes with it.

1. I got a public library card. I haven't had one since I lived in Charleston. Which was over 4 years ago. It was so exciting to be in the library and choose books to read while on vacation. During the last few years, reading consisted primarily of medical textbooks, and now, pediatric journals. But to read a fictional book again. Oh man is it good. I checked out 6 books. How many can you check out at a time? Oh, how about 50. That's what the librarian told me when I asked. No wonder I couldn't find some of the books I was looking for. Someone is harboring 50 of their own. One down, 5 to go.

2. I went running for the first time yesterday in about 6 months. I can't say that I actually "liked" going for a run, but it was nice to have time to actually go. And it was refreshing to feel the cool, crisp air in the early morning. I miss running, and would love to get back to where I was when I had stopped.

3. Baking. It is not much of a secret that I love to cook. And since I have all this time off, I've had more opportunities to bake. Yesterday was zucchini bread, and it was delicious. Today, I tried a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I know, I know. I have sworn by my cake-mix chocolate chip cookie recipes for years. They are delicious, easy, and most people want to eat the whole batch. But, I wanted to try my hand again at home-made, get your hands dirty, flour-mixing, egg cracking cookies. My house has the sweet smell of cookies now. And the taste? Chocolately. Gooey. Moist. Delicious. I think I'm still partial to my old recipe though. We'll see what Adam thinks. Tonight for dinner, we're making roasted vegetable soup. Yumm. Maybe I'll take a picture of it.

There are other things I am loving about being on vacation. But we'll keep it here for now.

Smells of Summer

I love to cook. Being in the kitchen, filling the house with delicious smells, and producing healthy and appetizing food is relaxing to me. Often, when Adam is at work and I'm looking to occupy my time, I go to the kitchen. One of my new favorite cookbooks comes from Cooking Light. It is filled with tons of recipes that are quick, light, healthy, and fresh. And many of them do not require a 20+ item list of ingredients. Fish is not my favorite. But I do like salmon and it is one of the healthiest meats you can eat. This salad is AMAZING. Go try it. It is super easy to make and is perfect for the warm spring weather. Yummmmmm.

Summertime is calling me.

I love being married. I do not love being stuck inside all evening answering phone calls when it is beautiful outside (and 91 degrees according to my car). I want to be outside playing and enjoying creation. I long to do this at the lake where my parents live. I want to go for a ride on the jet ski, feel the sun on my skin, and feel the wind around me. I want to lay on the peaceful dock, listening to good music anddrinking good beer, in the company of my sweet family and husband. I want to watch other boaters, wakeboarders and jet skiers go by, wishing I could do the jumps and tricks too. And I want to get back on the wakeboard and try those jumps. I'm ready for summer.

He Is Risen!

It has been a long time since I have written. Almost a year. And so much has changed. For one, I'm married now. Whoa. But I can write about that another time. It is Easter day, spring is here, and I've had the weekend off. I was so thankful to be off today. Especially since it's Easter. It is so sweet to worship with friends, and to celebrate Christ's resurrection. It is also good to hear that I am not the only who does not always get especially get "excited about Easter." In today's sermon, our pastor said so many believers respond to the resurrection asking, "So what?" I know that is very true in my life, and so often I am overwhelmed by not knowing how to change that response. Which of course, I can't change it without God's help and grace.

And no, these tulips are not in my house. But I want some.

Life is Beautiful.

This is Falls Creek Falls. A beautiful waterfall that Adam and I hiked up to a few weeks back. A hard, strenuous hike, but it was only an hour, and definitely worth the effort. We (or maybe just I) felt a little like Indiana Jones that day after climbing down the waterfalls and across it via the rope that is set up there. Pretty amazing.









"The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." Psalm 24: 1-2

Hope fulfilled.

The most important day of current 4th year medical students' lives was about 3 weeks ago, March 19th 2009. It is a day that is more important than graduation, and a day that generates much anticipation from students, even from the very first day of medical school. Match Day. It is a day where we learn the location of our residency, where we will spend the next 3-5 years and where we will continue our medical training. On Match Day, we discover if all our studying and efforts over the last 4 years have paid off. I woke up on this morning both excited and nervous. But mostly nervous. Not because I was worried about being matched in a respected program where I would learn and excel. I loved many of the programs I had interviewed at and ranked, and knew that I would be happy wherever I matched. And I trusted (or was trying very hard to trust) that the Lord was in control and wherever He wanted me to be, I would go and serve. But, I was also afraid that where I wanted to go might not line up with where God wanted me to be and where I had set my hopes on.

Well, my heart was truly set on staying in Greenville. I have been here for two years and have made a home for myself. I love the city, the art, the culture, the outdoors. I love being close to the mountains and close to my family. I love the residency program, the hospital, the faculty, and current residents. My personality fits with the program. I also love my church here in Greenville. For the first time since high school, I have joined a church in which I feel like I am truly part of a community where I can fellowship and serve with genuine, sincere folks who also want to love and serve God and each other. And very importantly, my beau is here, and after almost 6 months of being together, I cannot imagine living in a place where he is not.

As the time approached for the ceremony to begin, I was becoming increasingly nervous. There were 3 others in my class who all wanted to stay in the Greenville pediatrics program. And while we were all assured from the directors that they would love to have us all stay, I still wasn't comfortable. The ceremony continued, and I naturally was forced to wait until near the end for my name to be randomly drawn from the hat. By the time my name was called, the other 3 had already shared they would be staying in Greenville. I was afraid that I would not be staying. Despite my fears, and futile attempts of trusting the Lord's sovereignty, I am so excited to say that I will be staying in Greenville for at least 3 more years. When I read and announced to the rest of my class that I matched in Greenville, I was so happy and focused on the fact that I was staying that I did not even hear the cheers, and the rest of the day is a bit of blur. I do remember immediately sending Adam a message telling him that I had matched in Greenville. I also remember seeing my father waiting for me as I walked back to my seat. Waiting to give me a giant hug and tell me how proud he was and how happy that I would be staying close. I am so thankful that I can stay in a town that I love, with the family and boy I love close by, and a church that I can fellowship and love God with. Hurray.