I found this cool article on music therapy in the NICU.
Here are the findings.
“Experimental babies went home an average of 12.9 days sooner than control babies. Differences were found by gender with experimental males going home 8.2 days sooner and experimental females discharged 15.7 days sooner. Experimental males who were only sung to went home 15.7 days sooner than experimental males who received guitar in addition to singing. On the other hand, experimental females had an opposite response to the type of music paired with the developmental multimodal stimulation. Experimental females who received guitar in addition to singing went home 12 days sooner than females who were only sung to.”
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355184112000245
“There is someone that I love even though I don’t approve of what he does. There is someone I accept though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is……me.” - C.S. Lewis
“I think above all, I need to make that heart adjustment toward anyone that I somehow feel superior to for any reason. That’s the real issue right? The age old “hey, I’m not as bad as THAT guy” mentality. God doesn’t grade on a righteousness curve using the guy next to us, He uses His own righteousness alone and that is a standard we can never meet without the blood of Jesus.” - Brina Harwood
http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/jesus-called-me-the-n-word/
It’s finals week again.
1. Med Surg - Results: pending
2. HESI Exam - Results: good enough
3. Med Surg Clinical Eval
4. Gerontology
5. Mental Health
6. Research
I have five tests and one evaluation in one week, but I’m still not freaking out. Why? Who knows. Maybe I’m over school; maybe I’m too exhausted to focus. The latter is probably more true.
This semester has been challenging, yet I have enjoyed it. I have faced a full gamut of emotions, from feeling I wouldn’t survive the week to laughing until I nearly vomited. I have slept less than ever. I have learned so much about nursing and caring for people. I have learned about myself and been challenged to grow as a leader and as a friend.
I feel different.
It’s starting to hit me. If all goes as planned, I am graduating a year from now. Woah. If I have changed so much just in one semester, how much will I change in a year. Who will I be?
I am excited to see what God has planned this year. As I take my finals, I realize He has it all in control. I still struggle in my heart to let go. So as I approach my last year of college, what I really want is to rest in knowing He knows my future. I can trust Him. I am going to enjoy the time He has given me in college and the people He has placed in my life.
More Life Lessons from LOTR
In preparation for the soon to open finale trilogy, The Hobbit, I have been watching The Lord of the Rings movies. I started with The Fellowship of the Ring last week, and am finishing up today with The Return of the King. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate these movies more. I can’t wait to have a love like Arwen and Aragorn’s, willing to give up all that is comfortable and all expectations for the other person.
But that’s not what stuck me most as I laid on the sofa, getting some much needed rest after staying up until 4:15 last night to finish my nursing care plan. I was struck by Sam and Frodo, by Sam’s undying love for Frodo. Sam has always been my favorite LOTR character. I desire a loyal friend like him, one who will pull me off of the edge of the cliff after I make a stupid mistake and just feel like giving up. I want a friend who will implore, “Don’t let go. Don’t you let go. Reach!”
Today, as I lay on the sofa, Sam and Frodo reached Mordor, and Frodo’s strength was diminished. Frodo couldn’t go on any longer. His tired legs would not take another step. This is, in my opinion, the best part of the trilogy. Here, Sam declares, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” Sam scoops his friend into his arms and carries not only his burdens, but all of his friend’s weight.
Then it struck me, that friend I long for isn’t one who will physically walk alongside me, but one who will carry my heavy heart, my whole life. Sam is a picture of Christ. He carries us through the trials of life, when we are about to collapse, He scoops us up onto His shoulders.
In my life, I’ve been slowly loosing strength, just as Frodo slowly loses his strength to the ring. The trials of school and friendships have worn me down to the point of collapse, but MY GOD is here to scoop me up into His arms. I don’t have to walk up the mountain. I can rest my head on His perfect shoulder.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30
Unexpected
I should have learned by now not to put all of my eggs in one basket; things never turn out the way I expect. The second week of my junior year of college is starting, and boy is it different than I thought it would be.
I started the year excited to live with my friend, Bri. Bri is an awesome girl, always cheerful, yet still genuine and deep. Last weekend, only a few days before class started, Bri was hit by a drunk driver. Her pelvis was fractured and she is now faced with a long recovery at home. Plan change number one.
Monday was my first day of classes. I started the day off right with an exam, a calculations exam to be exact. It was nothing to be scared of; nursing majors must take this exam every semester. I was excited to see all of my nursing friends, and therefore just wanted to finish the test. Papers were turned in and before I knew it, we were all done. I went to talk to my friend from church, who also had to take the dreaded test, and she said she was feeling ill and was going to go home for the rest of the day.
I didn’t see her the next day either. The next day I saw her walking on campus. She told me she had switched her major. Plan change number two.
I have other nursing friends, but Mandy is awesome.
So week one of my junior year of college has been nothing like I thought it would be, but I know God is drawing me nearer to Him and challenging me to reach out to others who need a friend, whose plans have changed.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” - Jeremiah 29:11
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
“Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” - Revelation 21:3
“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.” James 5:13
