Is My Life Tough?

So tomorrow brings about October...cooler weather, pumpkins, and color changes everywhere you turn.  August and September proved "busy as usual" for the King family.  Back to school went great for all 4 kids (and mom too).  As I welcome fall (which happens to be my favorite time of year), I can't help but reflect on all that is "good" in my world.  Logan is loving color guard with the the high school band (not to say that there hasn't been some tear shed over the hard work at times), Dylan has taken up playing the tenor saxophone, Briggs has taken on first grade with gusto as he has decided he wants to be an engineer that "invents stuff", and Lauren continues to make us laugh, smile, and embrace life as she has settled into kindergarten.  The most EXCITING news on the horizon is the fact that we will be welcoming a new niece/nephew in March next year!  My sister Stacey is expecting and everyone in our house is so excited you would think the baby was going to be living here.  For those of you who know about "the flood", things are slowly but surely coming along and it looks like we'll be moved back in by the middle of October.  Nursing school has been a hand in hand experience of challenges and rewards.  As I move through each 5 week rotation, the desire in my heart grows stronger and stronger to help those who are sick and to be a light in their time of darkness.  As I am human, I have to admit that there are times that I am weaker than weak when caring for my patients.  However, in those weak moments is where I seem to find the greatest reward.  I know that it may sound strange to most "normal" people, but I have to say, there is no greater assurance of knowing that I am in God's will than when I find myself caring for a patient who is critically ill and just by caring for them with all of my heart and all that is within me, seeing a smile wash across their face.  Seeing someone who is more than likely facing death find a reason to smile spurs me on to the next patient's room-making sure to enter with the best I have to offer.  Over the past couple of months there have been several times that I wanted to sit down and have a pity party for how "tough" my life is right now with a family, job, nursing school, and a house "under construction".  But I have to stop myself and ask, how could I dare feel sorry for myself?  Both Jeff and I along with our 4 children have our health and we do still have a roof over our heads (albeit under construction).  So, what I end up concluding after one of my attempted pity parties is, I AM BLESSED!  Although I would orchestrate things differently if given the opportunity (regarding stress and scheduling), I would not trade the opportunities that God has set before me for anything.  Admittedly I can't wait to graduate in a year, but in the meantime, it is my daily prayer that I embrace each day for what it has to offer, and give away all that I have to give.