How Faith Saved a Life...

It's been quite a week to say the least...in a good way. I experienced a beautiful first Christmas morning with my husband, my first white Christmas, and  first Christmas working at the hospital, and first Christmas not in sunny California. Such a beautiful day to celebrate Christ's birth and reflect on the blessings in my life.

What Gift to I Gift?

I think back to when I was a child and my mom used to have us write prayer intentions and gifts we would bring to Jesus on strips of paper, the "straw" we would then lay in the manger my dad had built out of wood with our baby doll Jesus inside it. It was what we were going to bring to Jesus to celebrate his birth. This has always stuck with me. I mean, you can't buy Jesus a present, but you can give of yourself and give back the gifts he has given you. Maybe it's sharing your voice in the choir, sharing your good sportsmanship in the sport you play, cooking or baking for those in need, visiting someone who's lonely, sharing your writing to inspire those around you, being an example of integrity and compassion in the workplace....there are so many ways to share your gifts in a given moment.

 Story from this week...Know when to use your gifts...

The day after Christmas I was working out at the gym before heading to work. I had finished my run and was walking to the water fountain when the man in front of me fell to his knees, then his face, and slid off the treadmill. I ran over (remember I am an RN), helped position the man on his back and assessed his alertness and injury. He had hit his head but was alert and oriented. In speaking with this stranger he then became unresponsive and demonstrated seizure-like activity. A medic had come over to assist and we got the man on his side. The man's face began to turn gray, he stopped breathing, and I could not palpate a pulse as he went into cardiac arrest.  The medic began compressions and someone grabbed the AED. We initiated 2 rounds of CPR and one shock when a pulse was then palpable and I called off CPR as the man began to breathe and speak to us. The paramedics showed up at this time to transfer the man to the nearest hospital. 

In the midst of CPR, and compressions a woman came by, knelt down next to the patient, and placed the sign of the cross on his forehead. She didn't look up or say a word, and then she quietly walked away. This struck me most after the fact. The medic and I were able to coordinate the small team present to get this man's heart to pump again. That is our profession, that is what we do, we have been blessed with professions that allow us to practice medicine. In this moment it was our responsibility to exercise this gift to help this man. That woman may or may not have had medical background, but she had faith. In that moment she was called to pray and to share her gift of faith. By the grace of God that man's heart began to beat. Sure we initiated the recommended medical treatment, but that man's Guardian Angel was working overtime that day with the help of the prayers of a stranger. That was Powerful.

Just remember that gifts can be big and small. Don't be afraid to share those gifts, whatever they may be. God gave you certain talents for a reason. We are all here on this earth and in places at times on purpose. There are not accidents, just God's hand at work. View life and events by looking at the gifts and opportunities that each present. Every situation has a door to shine God's light and He shines through you.

Go be a light in the world. 

Being a Team Player

TEAMS OF LIFE...
 
I recently started working in my "dream job" position as an ER nurse and have finally settled in to my crazy new schedule of working 3pm-3am. Yes, I know, insane. I like to think of it as the schedule for the life of that college kid that I never was...up super late and sleep the day away. For the morning person I am, waking up at one in the afternoon after a super late shift is a new reality. But, life, and nursing especially are all about being flexible.

I have been warmly accepted in my new position and in this new job, and it has really opened my eyes to a new level of teamwork and what it means to be a team player. I am assigned a team for the day to care for a hallway of patients and it is my job to be on the same page with my teammates, be sure they have enough support, and in turn let them know if I need help. The more each of us reach out to help throughout the day there is better patient care, less stress, and higher staff morale.

It is important to feel supported in day to day life. Thinking about my work team caused me to reflect on my position as a teammate in life. I am on God's team, but how do I act as a good team member in life as a good Christian/Catholic? I think there are three factors that make a good teammate:

• Communication

• Leadership

• Action

How do I apply these to being on God's team?  

1. Communication: Everyone has to know what is going on and what the plan is. Do I communicate with God? Do I pray? Do I open my heart to what His plan is for my life or is there a disconnect between what I am doing and where God is calling me?

2. Leadership: Someone has to step up and be a leader on a team. In addition, each person needs to recognize when it is best to step back and allow another to take the lead. If everyone stepped back and followed the crowd we would be sucked in to what society tells us is right and good. It is my responsibility to stand up for my faith, to take the lead in saying no to sin even when society tells me it's okay and socially acceptable.

3. Action: No team is successful without action. To be an active Catholic I need to go to church, go to confession, pray, and "walk the walk". I need to be kind to others, treat others like Jesus would. I am not perfect and these are HARD things to do!! However, I need to actively strive to follow Christ and ask for forgiveness when I fail. 


You have teammates around you in life. Family, friends, etc. Be sure you are surrounded by good people who help you become the best you and stay on track to following Christ in your life. It's hard to walk it alone. Keep God close, live out your faith, and stand up for what you believe. Take it one day at a time. It will be hard at times, but there is no better team to be on than the one led by Jesus. 



Feel free to comment! -Christina Marie

What's in a Smile?

Today I'm posting my first music video associated with my song "John's Smile", and my question to you is, What is in a smile? I mean a really good, genuine smile.

People smile all the time. I smile to say hello, because something great has just happened, because I'm happy....I also smile to cover up hurt, to fake it to make it, or to just keep someone from asking the questions of "Are you okay?"

John Sikorra is a dear friend and a man I have grown up with my entire life. When we were in 1st grade John began to steadily lose his sight. He was diagnosed with a neurological, degenerative disease called Battens. Battens is a rare and genetic and slowly works to take over brain and muscle function over time. John lost his sight first, then his muscles began to decline and his brain began to slow. Most children diagnosed do not live past late teens to early 20s. John is now at the end of his journey at age 24 and I firmly believe it is because he never stopped living. Lori and Joe, John and Ben (John's younger brother also with Battens)'s parents never let them see themselves as incapable of living. They knew they had restrictions, but pushed every line to ensure John and Ben lived life to the fullest.

You want to see a genuine smile? Look at a kid who cannot see and is weakening year to year, but goes out and water skis, snow skis, boogie boards and swims in the ocean, camps, joins his high school baseball team, indoor skydives, goes to high school, runs cross country, is crowned homecoming king, and wakes up every  morning up for a new adventure. John lived the most beautiful, genuine life because he lived without fear. He lived without abandon. He trusted God, trusted all who guided him, and never stopped smiling. 

Never once did I hear him complain about his situation. John simply embraced the cross he had to carry on this earth and smiled every darn day with it. So humble, so loving, so kind....always.

What's in a smile? I tell you as a wise friend told me: "joy is the proof of the presence of God". John's smile was always pure joy. I think he could see things we never could, and I think he knew God's love far greater than we will ever know until we are in heaven one day. John was an angel sent among our small community to remind us about the importance of life. Every day is a gift and a day worth living and therefore it should be lived with a smile. 

When I look at John, I see God smile.  

Here is the link to the song: https://youtu.be/yQdbmIb0sa8


Please pray for John and his family (Lori, Joe, and Ben) as John is in the ICU ready to go home to God. 

Stop and Pray

Being a nurse there is something so special about the ability to physically and spiritually touch people's lives every day. I get up and my first prayer in the morning (it helps me roll out of bed) is "God, let me remember that this work is not about me, and help me to be Your hands and feet today"

It's important to stop and pray...

This past week at work I was drained. I had a lot of patients with a lot of movement and turnover and needless to say those darling patients were wearing on my patience! I had to stop and take a breath: everything would get done and each one deserved the best care and the best part of me that I could offer. I asked God, "help me to breathe and remember this is not about me"

It's important to stop and pray...

My one patient was down. She had her bible, prayer books, and journals lying at her side and was trying to hard to cling to Jesus in her difficult situation. We began to discuss music, Christianity, and found that we both shared a love for Jesus and music. She would quote encouraging scripture and was trying so hard to stay positive. At one point she expressed her frustration, her eyes begging for reassurance that everything was going to be ok and that God was there and with her. I asked if I could pray with her.

It's important to stop and pray...

I took her hands and from my heart offered up a prayer to God aloud. I asked Him to comfort her, to hold her tight and reassure her that everything was going to be ok as long as He was in her heart. I prayed from the depths of my soul because I knew He was listening. Her eyes welled with tears as she prayed with me and we concluded with the Our Father.

What a special moment. There is always time to stop and be with God. He is always there. It is important to recognize Him and take the time to stop and pray.

It's important to stop and pray....

Balancing Gifts

God has given each one of use special gifts and talents that we are called to spread to the world. Matthew 25 tells the parable of the talents which concludes with: 

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:19

 We are called to steward the gifts we were given and spread them to the world. Those that we "hide under a bushel" are wasted. We are given abilities so that we might spread the light of Christ through them as we share what we have to offer with the world. This is something I struggle with. I think there are multiple gifts that God gives each of use and they carry different purposes. What if one gift is neglected to foster the growth of another gift? And what if the gift that was neglected is actually the one that brings more glory to God and should be paid more attention. How do each of us know? This always brings up the thought of what is my purpose in life? Why am I here? 

I pulled up an old email from 2011 last night which was sent to my mom from a family friend. The sender, a beautiful, spiritual woman of God, had been praying for my family and received images to pass along. The segment about me read:  

For Christina ... I heard the strong message that she has been endowed withspecial and generous gifts, but needs to learn to steward what she has beengiven. We have seen many obvious lovely gifts as she has matured, but thereare more, and she needs to learn to care for her mind and body inpreparation for what it is the Lord has in planned for her future.

June 26, 2011. At this point in my life I was  struggling. I have just finished an awesome volleyball season at Regis University and a jam-packed filled year of every activity the university had to offer, but I was sick. I was battling constant fatigue and headaches that only worsened with exercise. My focus at this time was my athletic ability and using that to glorify God through hard work, presence with my team, and thus providing for a faith-centered education. It was right around this time (in the midst of fighting fatigue and illness) that I decided I would diagnose myself and enter the medical field. I began to study nursing. In the coming years my health inhibited my ability to continue as a collegiate athlete, but opened a whole new world of healing and ministry that I had never anticipated entering. These were hidden gifts. 

In taking time to heal I began to foster my musical talent by writing songs, I developed my people skills and practiced mentoring through an on campus job as a peer minister, and I tapped in to the gift of my brain that had the capacity to soak in medical knowledge and apply it in the clinical setting. 

Gifts...and I graduated healthy, strong, and determined to set off into the unknown...
So my focus switched to nursing, to finding that oh so important job that I needed to be considered successful in life and as a result of my studies. In the midst, the music was lost. 

God brought music back to me in the Spring of my senior year to connect me with another Regis grad who needed a vocalist for a song he had written. I soon found myself deep in song writing and recording for this song designed to bring hope to people. Pat, the songwriter, had lost his dad from cancer when he was in high school. He wanted to write something meaningful and give it to the "Ray of Hope" foundation to use as a theme song and to raise money for families affected by cancer. Summer, Fall, Winter and now the song is complete. The first project I've worked on to be copyrighted and to be released...

Here I am a nurse, working music on the side, and praying that God gives me the eyes and the wisdom to see His path. I love my job as a nurse and I love what I do. I am passionate about music and love bringing joy and meaning to lives around me in that realm as well. I can do both. Can I do both well? Only time will tell, but I am open to these gifts, ready to use them, and pray that God then uses me as a vessel so that I may be a light to the world and use these gifts to bring Him glory. 

The one song evolved into two, the second being a rap version I have the honor of singing the chorus to. They will be released April 18th, 2015 and we will be opening for a band (who is to remain unknown at this time) at Regis University that afternoon. Admission is open to the public. 

So gifts evolve and time opens and closes doors to allow those gifts to flourish. What is it you bring to the table and how can you serve God in everyday life? In the ordinary and the extraordinary. 

I pray: God, today I am your hands and feet. Help me to remember this and to extend your love through everything I say and do. Amen.