All Things Considered

After nearly a month of no updates it is only appropriate to share a few events that have occurred over the last several weeks (along with 3 photo albums). I’ll try to be chronological in my order, but random thoughts may interrupt that timeline.

After returning from New York City I was able to spend some time with Laura and the Duerr family in Warren, MI.  This was a much-needed break in the chaos that has been the norm over the last 9 months of clinical rotations.  Though the break was short it provided me time to catch up on sleep, enjoy food other than PB&J’s, cereal and fruit (my norm for the most part in NYC), and finally have an opportunity to see my wife for an extended period of time.

Following our time in MI we returned to Omaha, NE for “capstone” at Creighton University (a 2-week course which concludes the program at Creighton).  I was fortunate to be able to spend a considerable amount of time catching up with classmates, and, due to afternoons being mostly free, was able to further enjoy time with Laura.  It was great to share stories and memories with friends (all of whom will be missed).  On the weekend between the 2-week course Laura and I headed west to Seward, NE for her youngest brother’s graduation from Concordia University.  Ryan received the “outstanding student in theology” award, and we enjoyed a barbeque with family at Ryan’s following graduation.  (See pics)  The next day (Sunday) I ran the Lincoln National Guard half-marathon – a suitable time, but not what I was hoping for (~7:10 p/mile).  I had suffered a crash in NYC on my bike prior to returning to MI and my knees were still feeling the effects of those injuries.  (Hopefully I will be able to get in some quality training this summer…) 

After 2 weeks of class and presentations graduate hooding and commencement arrived. Ryan (Laura’s bro) and my parents came to support me and celebrate a lot of hard work coming to fruition.  I had been asked to offer a short reflection for the DPT 2012 class at hooding.  A slight microphone malfunction resulted in a rather ‘quiet’ speech…hopefully they were able to take something away from it…  Following hooding on Friday night Dad, Mom and Laura got to sit through commencement on Saturday AM (I told them they deserved an award for sitting through all the ceremonies).  Finally, 4 close friends and I had a barbecue in an Omaha park with family to finalize our celebrations – steak, chicken, salads, beer, etc. along with gorgeous weather helped to make it a great afternoon!! (Pics from the weekend festivities included here)

And the adventures aren’t over yet… Laura and I headed to Sioux Falls after graduation to spend 2 weeks with Dad and Mom Sattgast (included was an impromptu trip the Black Hills for fishing and relaxation – more pics included below).  I think we will keep busy as Dad and Mom could use some help around the farm (mowing, trimming, weeding, painting, planting, digging…you get the idea).  Because of high amounts of rain the mosquitoes are quite bad in Huron – not a fun welcoming gift.

So what now??  After Laura and I spend our summer living the nomadic lifestyle we will be moving to Las Vegas, NV…because, we will be stationed at Nellis AFB.  I have been accepted into the US Air Force and will be commissioned, shortly, as a Captain within the health corp as a physical therapist.  Laura and I are both extremely excited, and a bit apprehensive, about this new adventure.  It is an answer to many prayers (personally and professionally), though many more are still needed for the transition.  I will be attending COT (commissioned officers training) at Maxwell AFB in Alabama the end of August through September, reporting to Nellis following training.  An added blessing through this all is the fact that my Uncle and Aunt currently live in Henderson (a suburb) and have offered to help with some of the transition (my uncle just retired from the USAF after 27.5 yrs active duty).  As always, the Lord continues to provide for us both.

Laura and I both hope this update finds you well and enjoying the spring/summer. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to see many of our friends and family this summer as we travel the Midwest.  We’ll continue to do our best to keep you updated…once a week might be a bit of a stretch though…

“…and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God…” –Micah 6:8b

The Beginning of the End

Its hard to believe, but my time in New York has come to a conclusion, and with it I am finally able to be around Laura and family.  To say I am excited is a bit of an understatement...after 6 weeks apart (with the exception of small reprieve over Easter) I am more than ready to be back with Laura and in the "groove" of things together.  However, it is also sad to be completed with my last affiliation - Chris Johnson PT was far and away a defining experience for me and my career as a physical therapist.  I am quite grateful to him for his kindness in working with me and allowing me to further develop my skills in helping endurance athletes return to training and racing.

The short reprieve over Easter was due to a quick trip by Laura to the city.  She arrived on Thursday and was able to stay for several days, allowing us to explore the city and be "tourists" for a few days.  Aside from LOTS of walking we were able to enjoy a glass of wine and phenomenal Italian, attend Easter services at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, stroll through Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Central Park in Manhattan, attend the 9/11 Memorial, and site-see several other NYC venues. (See pics below...)

Now that my affiliation has concluded I am looking forward to enjoying a few days of R&R in Michigan with the Duerr's prior to returning to Omaha.  Upon our return to Nebraska the days will be flying by - I have 2 weeks of classes in order to finish up my program, at the end of which I will graduate (May 12).  It is amazing to see the culmination of all of the work that Laura and I have put in over the last several years.  I am still finding it hard to fully grasp that I soon will be concluded with my time at Creighton, but I am also extremely excited to be looking ahead to a future outside of school and clinical affiliations.

Both Laura and I have heard from many of our friends regarding how they have appreciated keeping up with everything through following our blog - we have enjoyed sharing our experiences and pictures, and we will continue to work to post news and updates over the next days and weeks.  We pray this update finds you well and enjoying the beginnings of spring.  A blessed Easter to you!  He is risen, indeed.  Alleluia!!

Halfway Through

As of this weekend, my clinical is halfway through, and I'm sad and excited.  Excited because Laura is coming to visit this weekend and then only 2 more weeks till we are no longer separated long-term, and sad as my clinical will soon be over. So far, things continue to go very well.  I am training A LOT and am being pushed outside of my comfort zone daily, both in my clinical and knowledge skills related to physical therapy as well as in my physical fitness and skills as a runner and triathlete.  I can confidently say I am more in tune with my form, my movement and my intentions with training now more than ever...which is a good thing.

When not in the clinic I've been trying to stay ahead of the sleep game (increased training zaps my energy) and the reading game. Chris (my clinical instructor) has kept me very busy reading books, articles, publications, and the like, allowing me and helping me to build a robust library from which to draw on once I am in the clinic.  Ultimately though, "people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care," a lesson I am ahead of the game on coming from the Midwest. 

A little over a week ago I received a package with sour-patch kids (a favorite candy) and a few other items.  However, what particularly stood out was the envelope - see below. Did I mention that Laura is coming to NYC this weekend?  Yeah, I'm excited!  (For those who have lived in NYC or have visited, please feel free to let us know what we need to see and/or experience while she is here.  I have limited my exploring to my neighborhood or Brooklyn in order to experience the city together)

As another week starts I look forward to continued new experiences and challenges.  As well, no matter how long I am in the city I cannot seem to get used to the styles and varieties of people - to say New York/Manhattan/Brooklyn is a melting pot is an understatement.  And even though all the variety leaves me a little awestruck, I find I still prefer the smaller town environment found in the Midwest.  Until next time...

Christ, The Life Of All The Living

It's lent, but it doesn't feel like it. Over the last several weeks Laura and I have been traveling, and changing, and adjusting, and working, and...the list goes on.  To be honest, I have not made it to even one lenten service.  To make matters worse, amidst our travel, and my transition to New York, I have been unable to attend church on a weekly basis.  (Note: I am rather thankful for Hope Lutheran's video library so I am able to follow sermon's and Bible studies on a consistent basis.  As well, I am grateful for my good friend, Paul Soulek's, music from worship at St. John's in Seward, NE)

However, my lack of worship attendance aside, it is lent, a separate time set aside within the Christian church to prepare us for what is to come.  Lent offers a time, set aside from the "alleluias" of the church, to reflect on our own sinful nature, actions and repercussions of our sin - death.  Our disease, sin, is terminal, and only death awaits us.  "Terminal" is the cause of so much fear, anxiety and heartache in our society.  Terminal, within health care, carries a severe prognosis. Terminal: the disease is progressive; death is the end.

But lent is also a time of preparation, and as we reflect on the final consequence of our sin we also look forward to the final reward that awaits us.  Death is our consequence, but since our Lord has already endured death and the grave it is also our doorway to a final reward, more glorious than any earthly treasure.  He took our sins, our terminal diagnosis, to the cross on Good Friday. Therefore, even as Lent is a time to reflect and meditate on the suffering of Christ on our behalf it is also a time to remember the grace and forgiveness shown to us through the cross and our baptism. The focus shifts from my sin and what I have done to Christ's victory and what he has won!  (I know...I'm jumping the gun a little here...Easter is still 2 weeks away.) The diagnosis is terminal, but only in this present life. My long-term prognosis is heaven - thanks be to God.

 

 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Chris is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ  who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ the Death of death, our foe,
Who Thyself for us once giving
To the darkest depths of woe,
Patiently didst yield Thy breath
But to save my soul from death;
Praise and glory ever be,
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee.

Thou, O Christ, hast taken on Thee
Bitter strokes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
O Thou sinless Son of God,
Only thus for me to win
Rescue from the bonds of sin;
Praise and glory ever be,
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee.