YIPPEE!!!!! I made it through 16 months on Dominica and my basic sciences! I can't believe how fast it went. I will miss Dominica, the friendships I made, my simple life on the island, and healthy lifestyle (hey - it's easy to eat well when there's nothing to eat!)
I am SO happy to be back and closer to home and my family and friends. I leave for Miami next Friday and can't wait to get started on the next part of my journey!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Dear Craig
As I write on my blog, I know you're thinking - "why isn't my wife studying?"
I can't believe I have you. I can't believe you're all mine. I'm amazed that God gave me a husband that is so giving, so patient, so understanding...the list goes on and on.
When I look at you, I'm so happy to see my past, present and future all wrapped into one. I can't believe I have loved you over 12 years and God continually reveals a new reason to love you everyday.
I'm amazed someone in this world sees me - faults and all - as beautiful, worthy of unconditional love, and as their equal as we walk side by side through all our trials and times of joy.
You have become a man of God that I always prayed for. God used this time apart to mold you into a Christian who is still so new in their walk but yet still has insight to how we should live. When you were baptized 3 years ago - I was fearful the transition from being a non-believer to a believer would be difficult for you. Yet again - God humbled me by His power. He continues to transform you and mold you - and you welcome each change with open arms. I know your walk is still fresh and new so you are still learning how to search the Bible for answers, how to talk about the Word without holding back, and how to show the world the light I see in you. I know you are trying and God does to - and that's all He wants from you ....for now. Because, I know He has big plans for you and I am just honored to be by your side as I watch Him work His magic in your life.
I'll be home soon- or at least back in the U.S. This time apart has been the best and worst time for me. I have cried over and over for you, for our marriage, for our future. I have questioned my purpose, my happiness, myself. The journey is not over, although I'll be home. The journey is just starting as I start a new phase. But, one thing is certain, I know I can rely on my God to pull us through. I've learned to cry tears of joy and rejoice in what I do have - a loving husband, my family, my friends, my faith. I have learned to do this because of your unwavering strength for our marriage, in your faith, and your constant, solid love for me.
Saying I love you just doesn't do my feelings for you justice. Thank you for loving me. I can't wait to come home....to come home to you.
- C
I can't believe I have you. I can't believe you're all mine. I'm amazed that God gave me a husband that is so giving, so patient, so understanding...the list goes on and on.
When I look at you, I'm so happy to see my past, present and future all wrapped into one. I can't believe I have loved you over 12 years and God continually reveals a new reason to love you everyday.
I'm amazed someone in this world sees me - faults and all - as beautiful, worthy of unconditional love, and as their equal as we walk side by side through all our trials and times of joy.
You have become a man of God that I always prayed for. God used this time apart to mold you into a Christian who is still so new in their walk but yet still has insight to how we should live. When you were baptized 3 years ago - I was fearful the transition from being a non-believer to a believer would be difficult for you. Yet again - God humbled me by His power. He continues to transform you and mold you - and you welcome each change with open arms. I know your walk is still fresh and new so you are still learning how to search the Bible for answers, how to talk about the Word without holding back, and how to show the world the light I see in you. I know you are trying and God does to - and that's all He wants from you ....for now. Because, I know He has big plans for you and I am just honored to be by your side as I watch Him work His magic in your life.
I'll be home soon- or at least back in the U.S. This time apart has been the best and worst time for me. I have cried over and over for you, for our marriage, for our future. I have questioned my purpose, my happiness, myself. The journey is not over, although I'll be home. The journey is just starting as I start a new phase. But, one thing is certain, I know I can rely on my God to pull us through. I've learned to cry tears of joy and rejoice in what I do have - a loving husband, my family, my friends, my faith. I have learned to do this because of your unwavering strength for our marriage, in your faith, and your constant, solid love for me.
Saying I love you just doesn't do my feelings for you justice. Thank you for loving me. I can't wait to come home....to come home to you.
- C
10 more days.....
I don't know where the days have gone but I only have 10 more days til I am done with my first two years of medical school, my 16 month time in Dominica, my time away from Chick-Fil-A, grocery stores and airconditioned restaurants....wow - how the time has flown.
I plan on posting pics soon its just easier to write then to upload pics.
I plan on posting pics soon its just easier to write then to upload pics.
Monday, April 7, 2008
In the home stretch....
Quickly - I have my first of 7 exams today (Monday, April 7) at 1:30 PM. I need your prayers now more than EVER. Please pray for:
1. Endurance that I can study hard and put in my part of the work because I know God will be putting in His 200% as always.
2. Joyful heart when things get stressful - I don't want to complain and be negative since there is so much I have to be thankful for
3. Peace and to calm my nerves
4. Grade wise - at least 80's on all my exams but SPECIFICALLY - at least an 80 in Pharmacology on my final
5. Health and sleep - I don't take care of myself during stressful times when I study so please p pray that I stay healthy and get at least 5 hours of sleep a night!
I have lots to post in my countdown so stay tuned.....
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! If you can write a comment - please do so that I know you're praying for me (I know many of you will - it just makes me feel good to read your comments)
1. Endurance that I can study hard and put in my part of the work because I know God will be putting in His 200% as always.
2. Joyful heart when things get stressful - I don't want to complain and be negative since there is so much I have to be thankful for
3. Peace and to calm my nerves
4. Grade wise - at least 80's on all my exams but SPECIFICALLY - at least an 80 in Pharmacology on my final
5. Health and sleep - I don't take care of myself during stressful times when I study so please p pray that I stay healthy and get at least 5 hours of sleep a night!
I have lots to post in my countdown so stay tuned.....
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! If you can write a comment - please do so that I know you're praying for me (I know many of you will - it just makes me feel good to read your comments)
Friday, April 4, 2008
So I've been slacking.....
Yeah - well med school right now is NOT my favorite place. I have an intense two weeks ahead of me so I've been studying, I know, I'm actually studying!! But, I have a bad grade in pharmacology so I need to study in order to pass this semester or you will see Czarina's Journey to Dr. Hounsel become Czarina's Journey to Mommy Hounsel....which wouldn't be so bad :-)
But - in order to appease my fans...all 2 of you...let the countdown continue!!
Reason #23 - I'm thankful for the fact that I eat MEAT. Why? Because in Dominica the COWS run rampant. I had a cow - either giving birth or auditioning for American Idol - right next to my window ALL night. I'll post my cow pics as soon I can.
Reason #22 - I am thankful for Cool Whip.
Cool Whip has become a staple in my diet. Dominica does not have grocery stores. The "grocery" stores are the size of a large living room (if that) and they often carry expired cans of Spam and rice with weebles crawling in them. But, the store next to my apartment has Cool Whip and I AM EXCITED!! I freeze it and eat it as icecream. Put it in my coffee in the morning. Eat a couple of teaspoons (FINE - tablespoons) for dessert....its awesome.
Reason #21 - My cleaning ladies.
A great thing about living here is that almost all apartments have cleaning ladies. I don't do any laundry or clean my apartment. Well - I keep it tidy - but my apartment has ladies who clean it twice a week. Mop, scrub toilets, do dishes...and they do my laundry once a week (granted I pay $10 a week to get it done - but its great since time is something I lack here). Not only that - but they pray for me. They know when I have exams and they are always so encouraging and always know when my next exam is.
Reason #20 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
I often forget that I go to school in the Caribbean so when Craig and I take weekend trips to San Juan, I take for granted that we get to hang out by the ocean and sip cocktails in hammocks. We went to San Juan 3 times the total time I've been here. I've been blessed to have him visit me in Dominica 3 times and that I've gone home 3 times in the middle of the semester. I have some great pics from our time in San Juan so I'll post those soon.
Reason #19- Generators
I am blessed that I found an apartment that has a generator. Here, the electricity turns off at random times. So - if you don't have a generator - you sit in the dark and wait until the electricity turns on - or head somewhere (like campus) - that has a generator. I have battery operated fans, lamps, etc. Can you imagine if I had no electricity and I was trying to study (aka - watch the Gilmore Girls on DVD)!!!!!!! The horrors......
Pics will come as soon as I upload the latest ones I have....
But - in order to appease my fans...all 2 of you...let the countdown continue!!
Reason #23 - I'm thankful for the fact that I eat MEAT. Why? Because in Dominica the COWS run rampant. I had a cow - either giving birth or auditioning for American Idol - right next to my window ALL night. I'll post my cow pics as soon I can.
Reason #22 - I am thankful for Cool Whip.
Cool Whip has become a staple in my diet. Dominica does not have grocery stores. The "grocery" stores are the size of a large living room (if that) and they often carry expired cans of Spam and rice with weebles crawling in them. But, the store next to my apartment has Cool Whip and I AM EXCITED!! I freeze it and eat it as icecream. Put it in my coffee in the morning. Eat a couple of teaspoons (FINE - tablespoons) for dessert....its awesome.
Reason #21 - My cleaning ladies.
A great thing about living here is that almost all apartments have cleaning ladies. I don't do any laundry or clean my apartment. Well - I keep it tidy - but my apartment has ladies who clean it twice a week. Mop, scrub toilets, do dishes...and they do my laundry once a week (granted I pay $10 a week to get it done - but its great since time is something I lack here). Not only that - but they pray for me. They know when I have exams and they are always so encouraging and always know when my next exam is.
Reason #20 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
I often forget that I go to school in the Caribbean so when Craig and I take weekend trips to San Juan, I take for granted that we get to hang out by the ocean and sip cocktails in hammocks. We went to San Juan 3 times the total time I've been here. I've been blessed to have him visit me in Dominica 3 times and that I've gone home 3 times in the middle of the semester. I have some great pics from our time in San Juan so I'll post those soon.
Reason #19- Generators
I am blessed that I found an apartment that has a generator. Here, the electricity turns off at random times. So - if you don't have a generator - you sit in the dark and wait until the electricity turns on - or head somewhere (like campus) - that has a generator. I have battery operated fans, lamps, etc. Can you imagine if I had no electricity and I was trying to study (aka - watch the Gilmore Girls on DVD)!!!!!!! The horrors......
Pics will come as soon as I upload the latest ones I have....
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