Death and the Heart

So I've noticed a few things about working in a veterinary clinic...you deal with death pretty much every day. And you deal with near death even more.

Yes, they are animals, but death is death. It does something to the human heart. There is a mystery to it of course. We all try and think of something to make ourselves feel better about losing something beloved. I guess that makes death easier. Maybe that's why people think that people who believe in God and Heaven are pathetic. It kinda seems like a cop out...but...it's a good thing that it's about a relationship with your Creator and not a stamp that says "Heaven-approved."

I digress...what I mean is...how does one deal with death? According to a study done by Psychology Today, "For many years now, physicians have had the highest suicide rate compared to people in any other line of work." This includes GI docs, Cardiologists, Veterinarians, Primary-Care Physicians and Psychiatrists. Why?

Well, my theory is they deal with other people's problems daily and aren't sure how to shake it off. It's hard really. Compassion and taking on your neighbor's trials are two completely different things. I had to learn this lesson a few years ago.

I used to be an ear for a few girls in college and quickly found myself thinking about their issues 24/7. I mean unhealthily...keeping me awake at night...bringing me to tears. What I realized is that you can have compassion on someone without assuming the predicaments they are in yourself.

My husband describes it as "the circle." Never go inside "the circle." The person you may be helping or listening to is inside the circle and there is not enough room for you in it. So naturally, stepping inside the circle has got to be pretty uncomfortable.

One of my NY's resolutions is to continue to practice that....and to blog more of course.

Also, on the list is:

1. Saying "no"
2. Getting in shape (cliche, yes)
3. Sending cards to people when I think of them
4.
5.
6.

I'll complete the list in my next post...

"New Year/New Beginning"

Thanks for reading.

I pray a peaceful New Year to you and yours.

Holly

Hiatus

It's been over a year since I've been here. That is a long...see title :D

Where am I now? Well I'm married to the man of my dreams. From last august until now, a lot has happened. We got engaged about a week after my last post. Interestingly enough, I didn't write about it. Must have been too busy making wedding plans. Which is probably what else I was doing on hiatus mostly.

Then, as you may have predicted...we got married :) Here's some proof:

It was seriously emotional. I can't even explain the joy I felt as I vowed to love, honor and obey this man. Probably because I had dreamed of doing it for about 2 years.

Flash forward about 4 months.

My husband and I moved to Vermont to serve at a local church here that we are madly in love with. As you may have seen, there was a pretty devastating flood here. We arrived about a week after it happened and got to help clean up homes and bring a little light into a very dark situation. Some people lost everything. And some even lost their lives.

Currently, we are enjoying getting ready for Christmas and going home to Virginia for a week or so at the end of December. I'm a little excited about that seeing as I haven't seen my family since August.

I also have a second job other than doing administrative work at the church and co-leading worship with Elias. I'm working at a veterinary clinic. It's full circle for me because I did that in high school as well as a year of vet medicine school and volunteering at a local shelter. Ooo which reminds me...we are getting a puppy in February for my birthday :) I cannot contain the excitement. Considering that the only other time I had a puppy was when I was 3 yrs old and I don't really remember that, this is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking a puppy from the shelter or if no puppies are up for adoption, then a sweet pup 3 yrs or younger.

All this to say, I am loving my life right now. Next on the agenda is buying a house. It all feels a little too "American dreamy" but I have reevaluated myself since my whole "holier than thou" expedition. Missions is still on our minds. Heavily. We are looking for ways to get involved short-term and I believe we will end up there still. For now, this is definitely where God has us. And of that fact, I am confident.

Hope you all are well too. I've missed ya.