Taking care of myself

Right before Matt and I moved to KC, I scheduled a lunch date with a couple of doctors' wives I knew.  I wanted to hear their stories, ask them questions and take notes on lessons they learned along their journey, and gather tips they may have for me on practical ways I could support my husband during the crazy decade-ish long ride that is med school and residency.

I came home from that lunch with lots of scribbled notes of practical ideas on how I could serve Matt and ways I could be a good wife...  I will never forget my friend Sara's response when I was excitedly sharing some of those ideas with her:

"That's great, Li.  Have you thought of any ways to take care of yourself during med school?"

Huh.

Nope.  I hadn't.

Was I allowed to?

And thus began a little brainstorming session with Sara that night about a few simple things I might be able to do to take care of myself - take a bath, make a treat, call a friend, do something out of the ordinary...

I recently had an extra day off work, making for a long weekend.  Matt had a midterm to study for and was unavailable for playing.  What to do...what to do...


I am pleased to report that I decided to hop into my car and drive the 9 hours across the thrilling state of Kansas to go visit some friends in Colorado.  It was a good decision - good for my heart.

(Please forgive me if you're a CO friend, and I didn't see you during my short visit.  There were certainly others I would have loved to get time with had the visit been longer.)

The drive wasn't so bad.  I had lots of time to think and reflect.  And the timeless music of Billy Joel kept me company.  And as I passed field upon field of wheat, I felt thankful for all the things I can enjoy because of that wheat:  muffins, banana bread, toast, oh the possibilities!

But I was very grateful to arrive

and finally see this sweet friend and meet this little bundle of preciousness.

Sara and Baby Grace

And look who was happy to greet me with a bag of "treats for Li Li"

Sam!

You can imagine my surprise and delight when I opened the bag of treats and found that Sara had picked out personal things that she knew I would love...just...because.  It's not my birthday (though it was hers a couple weeks ago), not Christmas, and I'm not the one who just had a baby!

Sara's treats waiting for me.  Totally unexpected.  I felt so known.  and loved.

She even got us matching pajama pants.  It's the little things in life. :)

celebrating Sara's birthday

I also got to visit with these dear friends during my short stay.  My heart felt so full!

Kelley

Marty

Kristi

Becky

Caitlin and Jack Shephard bobblehead

I am so glad that I just did it.  Got in the car and drove.  It was well worth it to see these friends again.

One thing I have enjoyed about moving around the country is gaining friends to go back and visit.

Thanks, Sa, for challenging me to take care of myself in practical ways.



Speaking of taking care of myself, I stumbled across this book a few weeks ago and have enjoyed reading it.  Here's a little blurb about it:

Every wife of a doctor needs help navigating the unique path of life in a medical marriage. Using the poetry and wisdom of Psalm 19 as an outline, Debby Read has written Prescription for the Doctor’s Wife with openness and honesty about the joys and challenges of being married to a physician. With a tender, humble heart Debby shares her life, encourages the reader with Biblical Truth, and gives practical advice to help women who have the special calling of being a doctor’s wife. 

So for you fellow med school wives out there, this might be for you!

It has been good for my soul to camp out in Psalm 19 lately.

I have experienced that Christ alone is where my satisfaction lies and have learned that spending time listening to him is the best way to take care of myself, or rather experience Him taking care of me.

New Year's highs and lows

Let's rewind back a few weeks, shall we?

This is how we started the new year.

Rest in peace, Mr. Fish-We-Never-Named

He bionically survived a week without food while we were out of town, then - in an ironic twist of fate - died when I changed his water.

A tragic tale.

Fortunately, this was ALSO how I rang in the New Year:  Christin and Aimee visited!

Aimee and Christin toasting the New Year in KC!

All you need to know about Aimee is that she can hunt elk, could be considered an Organizational Leadership guru, is so even and easy to be with, and is just all-around fantastic.

Christin took me under her wing 12 years ago in college and taught me how to study the Bible.  She was the first person close to my age who modeled to me what intimacy with the Lord really looks like and how to give your life away.  I consider her one of my dearest friends today and am forever grateful for her influence in my life.

Here we are tootling around the Plaaaza, having just seen Les Miserable (hence the shameless Kleenex box).

me, Christin, and Aimee paintin' the town red

Then, naturally, we had to go somewhere special to analyze the movie and discuss the characters' different responses to grace and the effects of that.  and Russell Crowe's lacking singing voice.  He tried.
 

It would have been a crime not to let them sample from some of Kansas City's finest BBQ establishments.

So, I took it upon myself to introduce them to a couple of local favorites.

Here we are at Gates BBQ getting acquainted with Ms. Williams.  Sweet lady that Ms. Williams.

And we bumped into Mr. Gates himself!  He was such a kind man, chatting with us for longer than he was probably interested, and even hopping right up to take a picture with us.  He had a Bill Cosby-ish vibe with his warm sweater and even warmer smile. :)

Mr. Gates, son of the restaurant's founder

Nonetheless, Oklahoma Joe's remains my personal favorite.

and happens to be, according to Anthony Bourdain, one of the Top 13 Places to Eat Before You Die

and also happens to be in a gas station, which I think strangely adds to the appeal.  I'm not alone in this - the line is always long (out-the-door long).

See those trophies in the back?  Those are barbecue competition trophies.

full and happy

I am so glad that Christin and Aimee came to visit me.  It was the perfect start to 2013.  You gals are welcomed here any time!