Monday, February 27, 2012

A Silver Lining

When Shaina and I received the Green Light from Stadia (Church Planting Organization) at Assessment in Chicago back in June, one of the things that they encouraged us to consider pursuing was Shaina completing her college degree. She has two years in Music Education, but really got burnt out on the 'science' of music and was cool with working me through undergrad and seminary after we got married. Shaina has talked about going back a few different times, but just didn't have an area that she was passionate about pursuing. Then, we spent 103 days in the hospital and our little girl went from bad to worse, to hanging on, to having a fighting chance, to step down, to home. And that whole process, as hard as it was, had a silver lining, and that was the nurses. Both at Akron Children's and Cleveland Clinic, there were nurses who came and had a significant impact on our lives. You can tell the nurses who actually care enough to enter into your story, care for the whole family, who go the extra mile to walk with you. Then, you can tell the nurses that are just there to punch in and punch out to get paid. In all this hardship, Shaina has felt like becoming a PICU nurse might be in her future. There is no one I could think of who could be more equipped, more sensitive, and more capable of fulfilling a role like that. It remains to be seen how Chaia's story pans out, but a new calling has emerged from a painful journey and perhaps in the coming years, we will see Shaina living missionally in the classroom at OSU as a nursing student! I am a big fan of watching passion capture and direct people's lives. It makes a huge difference to wake up and be thrilled about what you get to do that day. So if you're dreading the day today, maybe it's time to revisit what makes you come alive? Because you've got one shot at this deal...you don't have time to waste your life

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go for it! This is awesome! I am so proud of you two and the encouragement you give others. Now it's time for you to fulfill your dreams. Continue to stay focused on our Heavenly Father and He will lead you in the right direction. You are loved!
Aunt Jill <3

Anonymous said...

I am a big fan of stay at home mums. Our calling to be a mother, with little souls to bring to the Lord, is just as important as going out of the home to work.I am sad to think Shaina doesn't feel her calling as a mum is enough. I continue to pray for wisdom for you both and trust you will obey whatever the Lord calls you to.I have seen women unfulfilled in the home and it is sad, because it has a real knock-on effect on their children......but then so does a mum who is so tired from work she has little left to give her child (or husband)....please be careful.....God Bless you both

Anonymous said...

Shaina would make an awesome nurse! It was nice catching up with you guys at the birthday party on Saturday. We'll continue to pray for your family as you head down to Columbus! Jay, Ashley and Logan

Anonymous said...

Awesome how God can use experiences to take us in directions never to have been anticipated!

Continueing to kneel for you all!

Anonymous said...

Ben and Shaina,

Just wanted to let you know that God worked similarly in our lives when after a six week stay at Akron Children's due to our daughter's heart condition, my husband felt divinely led to move on from his job in sales/construction to pursue a career in nursing! He's currently in his second year of schooling. It's been such a blessing to see how God works! May the Lord continue to lead you and show you
the way He has for you.

Still praying for you and sweet Chaia!

Love,

Keith, Autumn, & Kendall Stoller

Steph said...

Yay for nurses! I can testify to the wonderful calling it can be on one's life. And it's such an awesome field with so many opportunities. If God is calling Shaina to it, He will make it all work out for His glory. And I know it's possible to be a full-time wife and mom in this career/mission field. I'm doing it!

Jackie Thompson said...

Shaina you will make a very good nurse...go for it!!!

Mama Karen said...

Tell Shaina to go for it! I regret when I was fresh out of high school to go to college and follow my heart. I had a dream when I was young to be a nurse and never once pursued it and I have regretted that I never followed up on it. Now I am 51 and I don't foresee that ever happening because I just don't see myself cut out to go to school at my age. So Shaina should follow that dream and she will be a wonderful, passionate nurse! Thank you Lord for dreams and visions that lead to life long vocations! Praying for you both!

Cathy said...

Shaina would make a terrific nurse. She has so much compassion. God has plans for you, go forth. You can be a mom and a student, my sister did it with 5 and is a nurse today. She loves it. Bless you and your family. Prayers continue your way :)

Anonymous said...

I think Shaina would make a fabulous nurse! Praying for you guys.
Becky Gross