Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Lessons from the Starfish...


Sunny and I found these beautiful creatures along one of the beaches here in Oregon. They were soooo beautiful to see up close. And they reminded me of a story I once heard:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

I love this story because it reminds me, that while sometimes we may not feel like we are making a very big difference in others lives...if we just keep working, one person at a time, we are making a difference. And to that person, it is all the difference in the world!

*Few stories have gained internet popularity the way "The Star Fish Thrower" has. Most often it's sighted as "author unknown," but it is actually a classic from 1979 written by Loren Eiseley.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sunny days in Oregon...with my sister Sunny!



Boy have I been spoiled the last couple weeks! (Not that the Lee family doesn't spoil me - they do all the time!) But these last two weeks I had my own personal visitors....what a treat!

First my dear Season came (see "Fruit Maniac's" post below)...and incidentally, while she was here, it turned Spring! (Yes, Season comes and the season's go....) Then Sunny came....and the sunshine came out!!!! :-) It had been raining almost all week...and was originally forecast to rain the rest of the week when Sunny was to be here. But I knew Sunny wanted to see the Oregon Coast, and have some sunshine...and God answered our prayers!!!

How nice it has been to have my "little" Korean sister come to visit me here in beautiful Oregon! She actually came to record OYC for Audioverse...but since I'm here now...she came a couple days early so we could spend time together. So I showed her all around and we got to spend a good part of one day driving down the North part of the Oregon coast, walking on the beach...and enjoying the beautiful ferns and greenery of spring. It was heavenly and so peaceful! We even stopped and toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory! (What facinating experience for vegans, for sure! Ha ha! But hey, now I know how they make cheese...it's quite a process.)

Anyway...now...Season has gone...and so has the sunshine...it's raining again! But I don't care...I'm still "Singing in the rain" as one of my favorite line's goes...and I'll soon be off to Canada for "Acts for Christ" which is now only a few hours drive away.

Yes indeed...it is a blessing to be in the Northwest! And I look forward to sharing this experience with many others.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Fruit Maniacs...








We decided to have a special vespers at our place again this weekend! I'm still new here in this community and don't know lots of people, but it was still fun. While Jed (Obba) planned a great Bible study, I set to work planning a special delicious "Fruit-ah-licious" meal! One of my best friends, Season, was in town visiting, so we had a blast working together on food and catching up on life! Irene also helped a lot with putting it all together as well. As you can see...I love being creative...even with food! (ha ha!) And making these fruit pizzas was a blast. I haven't had a chance to be creative like this since Loma Linda days... hosting big groups. What fun!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!! Don't get too hungry...


Think maybe Season and I should go into business together???? I think that would be fun to do, don't you??

Melody & Harmony - what's with my name?



Just this last week, one of my patients at the hospital was telling me I have a unique name: referring to "Melody." I laughed. "Awwww.....thank you!" I replied. "But if you knew my REAL name, you'd really think it was unique!" "Oh? What is that?" they asked curiously. I allowed for a pregnant pause and then replied with a half giggle - "Melodious Echo!" "Melodious WHAT?" they asked in shock. "Yep, bet you've never heard that name before, huh?" They looked at me with big eyes. "And that's your REAL name? Not just your nickname?" This time I had to laugh. "Yep, that's my REAL name!" I assured them...

It's funny...same story over and over again...and it's been this way for many years! While most people go "Wow!" when I share my name...and they usually don't forget it, still I've never had anyone (besides family) call me "Melodious" on a regular basis. Just too weird I guess...it's kinda funny.

Growing up...it wasn't funny though! I use to be sooooo embarrassed about it. In fact, my parents always told me that if I'd had a twin they would have named her "Harmony." Can you just imagine that?? A "Melodious Echo" and a "Harmonious Joy." Then again, I've often thought that if they'd had twins, they should have named me "Harmony" and her "Melody" because honestly, "Harmony" is much more fitting for me! I don't usually sing melody, I sing harmony! :-)

Ah well....I still don't have a twin...so I guess I just have to keep trying to sing "melody."

Anyway, in all seriousness....I don't mind anymore! And where did my name come from? I think my parents were just listening to the old tune, "In my heart there rings a Melody." And with a little creativity added....they had it - Melodious Echo!

Anyway, so much for "Melody Trivia" for today!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Inspiring Creation Thoughts...


Am excited to share with you the link for the powerful Creation series my older brother Jed shared at Advent HOPE in Loma Linda this past February. His three topics were:


For some inspiring reminders of the incredible God we serve, please take a listen!! You will be very blessed, and also reminded that there's no reason we can believe in anything but the Creation story. Evolution just does not work!!! He not only shares some inspiring new Biblical insights that show the LOVE and CHARACTER of God....but He also shares facts and evidence of there being a "Creator" that we can truly build upon!

So.....if you haven't figured it out by now....I'm sooo excited to share this with you, and am recommending it highly! :-)

(Thanks again Obba, for sharing and inspiring all of us! It was such a blessing!!)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I desire "Himself" alone...


"If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all are become new." II Cor 5:17

This is profound and a real eye-opener...

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own.
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.
Once 'twas painful trying, now 'tis perfect trust.
Once a half salvation, now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast.
Once 'twas constant drifting, now my anchor's cast.
Once 'twas busy planning, now 'tis trustful prayer.
Once 'twas anxious caring, now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says.
Once 'twas constant asking, now 'tis ceaseless praise.
Once it was my working, His it hence shall be.
Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One.
Once for self I labored, now for Him alone...

Wow - what a difference, huh??

This is written by the late Dr. A.B. Simpson, and found in the book "They found the Secret" by Edman.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Sharing some laughs from the medical world!

Over the last 6+ years now, that I've been a nurse, I've been writing down and collecting different "medical bloopers" that I've either personally seen, or heard from others. While these bloopers are funny, at the same time, it's sad...for they say that "medical professionals" are one of the last remaining groups of people in the professional world that most people still really TRUST!! We need to live up to that trust...but sadly, even in medicine...people make mistakes.

Anyway...putting all seriousness aside, enjoy the following charting notes. If you live in the world of medicine, you'll enjoy the laughs...if you don't well, just skip on past. :-)

Written Doctor's Orders (I observed myself!)

  • Chest X-ray of the left Hip
  • KUB of the right ankle
  • EGD of the bladder
  • Hem-occult test of the saliva
Sign over toilet at work (Just observed this last week)

  • Toilet paper ONLY in toilet. Nothing else! ;-)
Other charting bloopers I've received, with my reaction following:

  • The patient refused autopsy. (What - how can a dead patient refuse an autopsy!)
  • The patient has no previous history of suicides. (Really??)
  • Patient has left white blood cells at Parkridge hospital. (Oh my....)
  • Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year. (I'm sure I would too if I lay on my left side for a year...)
  • On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared. (The knee did or the pain??)
  • The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed. (So it seems...)
  • The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993. (Looks like she needs to find another doctor!)
  • Discharge status: Alive but without permission. (Oh boy!!)
  • The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch. (I didn't know they served "Anorexia" for lunch! LOL!)
  • She is numb from her toes down. (Good thing it's not from "toes up!")
  • While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home. ("X-rated?" Oh boy, again!!)
  • The skin was moist and dry. (Difficult to happen, but ok!)
  • Occasional, constant infrequent headaches. (Come on folks, get it straight!)
  • Patient was alert and unresponsive. (Again?? What are some people thinking?)
  • Rectal examination revealed a abnormal size thyroid. (Ummmm....anyone know the location of the thyroid?? They probably meant hemorrhoid...but then again, who knows!)
  • She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got divorced. (Yep, stress can constipate...too bad about the husband though!)
  • I saw our patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy. (Hmmmm....why did they leave them under the car?! Shouldn't they get them out of there?)
  • The lab test revealed abnormal lover function. (Is there a test for this?? Ha ha!! No, it's suppose to be "liver" function!)
  • Skin: Somewhat pale, but present! (Good thing...course, this could be a burn patient!)
  • Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities. (ROFL!)
Ok, those are a few of my favorites! Enough laughs for now...gotta get back to work!! :-)