The White Coat

Last month, we attended Matt's "White Coating Ceremony."  Here, all the med students received their first white coat.  It's a short one.  When they graduate in 4 years, they will receive the much anticipated long white coat.

After the keynote speaker, the students were each "coated" by a doctor.  Here is Matt right after being "coated."

And here is Matt's entire class of 260.  Where's Waldo Matt?

They took an oath that included this line that I particularly appreciated:

I will be ever cognizant of the human and medical needs of each patient acknowledging that healing also involves the spirit and that a physician must exemplify humane, holistic and compassionate care.

I found some vintage medical prints on the cheap a little while back on Etsy that I thought would be perfect for Matt's office.  There were several choices, but in the end, Matt chose these three to represent Body, Mind, and Spirit:

I was relieved that he didn't go for the eyeball one.  Opthamology is interesting, but I didn't want an eyeball staring at us from the wall.  There was also a skull head option, which would have been a bit too "Grateful Deadish" for my taste.  I think he chose well.

Matt's parents came to town for the special event, and we had such a nice visit with them.  So grateful for supportive parents who are cheering us on.

Here is my man after the ceremony.  I think he looks quite dapper.

As I'm writing this, Matt just asked me if he can palpate my clavicle.  I have learned that becoming a med student's wife automatically signed me up for being a perpetual practice patient (how's that for alliteration?).  At any given time, I need to be ready to have my blood pressure taken, my reflexes checked, and my eyes and ears thoroughly examined.  He has informed me that my right shoulder is a tad higher than my left shoulder (probably, he says, due to overuse).  The hard part for him is that I am a very ticklish patient, and this impedes his work a little bit.  When he recently examined the bones of my feet - forget about it - I was nonstop giggles.  He eventually had to give up.  Poor guy.

Jehovah Rapha - The Lord is Healer - is one of God's many wonderful names that I find myself thinking more about lately.

Several years ago, I had a conversation with my college mentor and dear friend Christin about discerning Jesus's voice.  I will always remember the analogy she gave:

When the enemy points out my wrong-doing, it's like he takes a sledgehammer to my heart and brings guilt and shame.  But when Jesus, our Great Physician, examines my heart, He is gentle and skillful, like he is using a scalpel to point out the defects and what offends Him.

I love how He works on my heart but does not ruin it.  He is compassionate and humane in His dealings with my sick sinfulness, not wanting to leave me in my condition, nor destroying me in the process of His expert healing.

I found this song recently and like to just sit quietly and listen to the words, my soul lifted and grateful.

Jehovah Rapha by Sarah Hart Pearsons

Farewell dear Colorado (part 2)

Matt loves animals.  So one of our favorite places in Colorado Springs was the zoo.  The best part about this zoo is that you can feed the giraffes.  Here are some memories from our last outing there before we moved.

The next best part, besides feeding the giraffes, is watching the Grizzlies play.  Right about now, I was wondering how thick that pane of glass is.

Peacocks just roam free in this zoo.  This one decided to give us a little show!

A couple other Colorado Springs "Matt and Liane favorites" worth a shout out are:

Montague's Coffee Shop

Thai Basil - our favorite little hole in the wall Thai restaurant

9 times out of 10, date night meant Thai Basil.  And that was just fine with me.  They have the best green curry.  And we could share one big bowl for 8 dollars!  Can't beat that.

But more precious to us than any of these places is our Colorado friends.

Before we moved, they had a going away picnic for us at the park.

It was a group effort; Jenni (on the left) planned most of the details.  Thanks, Jenni!

Caitlin (above) made this fantastic photo book for us that everyone signed.  So special!  It is now sitting by my reading chair so that I can look through it and reminisce whenever I please.  I'm such a sucker for sentiment.  I love that Caitlin thought to do this.

It's true, I think, that people you encounter leave an impression on you - some kind of impression.  Each of these people have left an impression on me.  I have learned from their different life experiences, observed skills they have been granted, taken note as they share their views.  I appreciate their idiosyncrasies and smile to myself when thinking about them.  We have shared laughs and tears, life's frustrations and joys, with each other. I am forever grateful to the Lord for crossing my path with these, my dear Colorado friends.

And here we are a couple of days later, standing in our empty apartment, about to head into the unknown of Kansas City.

As we were driving away, the Lord brought these promises to mind:

"'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 hope and a future.'"

- Jeremiah 29:11

"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."

- Psalm 32:8

There is nothing like being His and having promises made to you that you know are going to be fulfilled.

So as we say goodbye to our dear Colorado, we say hello to this new place where our Good Shepherd has led us.  I look forward to sharing some "Hello, Kansas City" moments in the weeks to come.