Singles Event

 Saturday, January 11th, I had the opportunity to attend a singles event in Carroll, IA with some friends from Mason City. In route to Carroll, we joined more friends from Waterloo for lunch at Hickory Park in Ames. When we reached Carroll, we played 9 square in the air, volleyball, and dodge ball, which I did not play. After that, we had pizza then a challenge. The speaker read verses from Job 29, John, and Psalms, which were about His everlasting love. Afterwards, we went to The Trophy Room. It is located near Carroll, in a man's house! He and his wife go on safaris in Africa and Alaska and bring home these amazing creatures to add to The Trophy Room. They have all sorts of life sized and heads of animals like: a giraffe, elephants, lions, bears, wolves, zebras, a wild bore, etc.

The visit to The Trophy Room concluded the activities for the evening. I had a TON of fun and would like to attend another singles event. (The photo was taken in The Trophy Room with my good friend Janette.)

The Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Minnesota

Last Friday, I visited  the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, MN for the first time. It is a very nice facility where parents can stay while their child is a patient at Saint Mary's Hospital or a place where the child and their parent and or family can spend the night if their child has several days of tests at Mayo Clinic.

 The first set of doors are unlocked and the second set is always locked. Visitors and those staying at the RMH have to wait for the receptionist to open the locked door. An important rule while staying at the RMH: Parents must be with their child at all times. There are several floors that hold the 42 rooms. The rooms in the lower portion of the facility has a queen bed, a twin or bunk bed, TV, a computer, and a bathroom. While the upper floor is reserved for those who have stayed the longest and is set up like a suite with a kitchen area and living room.

It is so wonderful that so many companies and individuals donate time and supplies to create a home atmosphere for families that are experiencing children in the hospital or doctor visits at Mayo Clinic.  It was also very nice to have a homey atmosphere to meet to visit!

My Friend Aryanna

Aryanna Wiebke had a successful heart transplant at the age of 21 months. She and I share a sister-like relationship since we both have had similar tests and we both go to the same hospital. Aryanna is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester MN going through heart failure. The Drs. are changing her medication to keep her stable in hopes that she can go home. Yesterday, my family and I went to Rochester to be with a family in our church, who had surgery. While Dad stayed with the family, Mom, my brothers, and I went to see Aryanna. Please pray that her medications can keep her stable and that she can go home soon!

My Sister's Wedding

My sister was married December 14th and praise the Lord I was well enough to attend. I was really happy I was able to attend as I was one of her bridesmaids.

                                                                           My dress

My sister and I

                                                                The back of my hair

My New Years Resolution and Why

As we are into the new year, my New Years resolution is to play piano for an hour everyday. Why, you may ask? With being sick last year, I have fallen behind in my piano skills and overall memory. Also, it is a great discipline, not to mention a wonderful way to praise my Savior!

New Discoveries at Saint Marys

On November 21st I was admitted into Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. While I was there, a really nice PCA (Patient Care Assistant) offered to take me to the library. When we went to the top floor where the library is located, it was closed. So we went to the hospital suites instead. The suites are for dignitaries, and those desiring special amenities and services.  I was able to go into one of the rooms and they are very nice. They have their personal chief and a place where they have afternoon tea. Some of the larger rooms even have a whirlpool. Unfortunately, I didn't have my iPod with me at the time to take a picture of the room I saw, but you can go to their website and see some there. (These pics were taken the day after the visit.)

                                                                      The Hallway

After we were done looking at the room, the receptionist pointed where the meditation room is. (In case your wondering what the thing in the middle is, it is a fountain.)

                                              

Across from the door to the meditation room was a waiting room that had a glass window where you get a fantastic view of Rochester. (In my opinion, it looked way cooler in the night time, when I went the night before.)