Main image
18th May
2010
written by Mandy

Hey yall!
Just your favorite graduate nurse here. Not quite RN yet, gotta get my license first. Which is why I’m blogging, I’m avoiding studying for the NCLEX. Or taking a break, yeah, it’s more of a break. Well I’ve graduated. Again. It’s still surreal at this point, don’t know when it’ll hit me. Maybe when I can STOP STUDYING.
It’s a little odd to be thinking that I’ll be a typical grown-up within the month. Going to work, making money (PRAISE THE LORD!), catching up with friends when I can, etc. I mean, I’ve never really done the “typical” thing or taken the “typical” road. I mean, even just looking back to my undergrad years. Went to school out of state at a college where I voluntarily signed a covenant that I would not drink or have premarital sex (among other things). Then I upped and moved to DC to live with strangers and help raise their children. Also, got a job at Starbucks to pay for a trip to Australia. Then back home to voluntarily give up my sanity for a year. And now, here I am, on the brink of “typical adult land”. And you know what? I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED! I mean, I knew the Lord had good things planned, when does He not? But this past weekend, talking with Cecilia, I just got so excited because there are really so many opportunities. This job and life will give me countless chances to love people, whether during my shifts, or mission trips I can afford to go on now or spoiling my family and friends in a small effort to repay them for what they’ve done for me the past year (and past 26 years).
He is so good!

Thank you Lord for carrying me through this past year. Honestly, I know I couldn’t have done it without the hope I have in You.

Mom and dad, thank you for the financial support, safe place to live, sleep and study, for the endless prayers you prayed over me and, most importantly, the food you fed me. No really, most importantly, thank you for your unconditional love, which I know I tested the limits of this past year. You’ve shown me what it is to be the hands and feet of Christ!

Alex and Kaitlyn, thank you for the stethoscope, countless dinners out and amazing support you offered. I know that I was grumpy and demanding, but you always met that with love! You always seemed to know when and what I needed, whether it be a loving text on a Monday morning or a movie with popcorn, peanut butter m&ms and a Snapple.
I had to put this picture up because it is just so “us”. Alex looks goofy and I look slightly confused, but in a happy way!

Cecilia, I hope I never know what it is like to live without you for a year, but you dealt with this past year swimmingly (YES, swimmingly!). You never complained when I didn’t have time to talk or couldn’t come see you, but instead continually offered support, even when you were going through your own pain. I hope that someday I can show you what a marvelous friend you are.

Kelly, you were an amazing example of Jesus’ love for his people through service. You’ve definitely shown me love through acts of service and I am so very grateful. Again, I’ll never be able to repay you, but I know you wouldn’t want me to anyway. And somehow I don’t have a picture with you :( We’ll have to reenact the party or the pinning or something!

Julie, you pulled me through this with you! If it wasn’t for your constant encouragement, jokes and musical references, I’d have been A LOT more inclined to quit throughout the program. I saw sooo many instances where God used you because you were willing to be a vessel for Him. Thank you for your love for Him and for me. And don’t you dare think you are rid of me now! And I need a picture of you and me too!
I love you all!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

3 Comments

  1. mom
    18/05/2010

    Thanks for the sweet words sweets, it was a crazy year ! It has been wonderful to see you gain confidence in your experiences as a nurse and to trust your instincts. Your patients will know they have been blessed while under your care, they will get to see and feel the love of Christ. I can hardly wait to see where you will go from here ! I will love you to infinity and beyond…mamacita

  2. Julie
    19/05/2010

    Awww!! I love you too, Mandy! I am now avoiding NCLEX studying as I read your blog :). We do need a picture together! Let me lose the weight I’ve gained during this past 2 weeks of celebration eating. But yeah :) I’ll talk to you later!

  3. Kate
    01/06/2010

    This is so lovely that it brought a tear or two (for real) to my eye. Congrats congrats CONGRATULATIONS on holding onto your sanity despite the odds. You’re going to be a spectacularific nurse (I know this even though we’ve never met in real life). If I ever find myself in need of urgent (but not so urgent that I can’t be picky) and I happen to be within 100 miles of your workplace, I would so say, “Take me to Mandy Riester! I trust nobody else with my care!” Seeing as that scenario is highly unlikely, I’ll just be glad that you have the medical skills necessary to cope with potential bear maulings and such when we move to Alaska.

    Congratulations again :)