Understanding Who God Made You

Just writing a quick post to share some links for some tests that have really helped my family, Alex, and I in understanding how God made us unique and different, and how we can use those giftings and personalities as our part of being part of the body of Christ---molding to Him in His image.

It has also really helped different ones of us to understand how God made other people individually, uniquely special too.

Take caution with these tests though, that you don't use them as 'outs' or 'complacency cards' to say "Well this is the way God made me! So, you just have to live with it!!"

No, because sin entered the world, we are born with sin, and so we much continually strive through Christ, to become like Him, and conquer the flesh. With each strength comes a weakness--thus, we must submit who we are to God and allow Him to mold us more to His image daily.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

~ Romans 12:2 ~

DISC Test - www.ttifamilyfirst.com  (This is a Learning Style Test)

Meyers-Briggs Personality Test - www.16personalities.com
(If you didn't answer the above test accurately and feel that it isn't representing you correctly, try the following link...it's more helpful for some people...like me! www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html

Motivational Gift Test - www.gifttest.org (Following Romans 12)

Love Language Test - www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/ (An awesome test! There are 2 questions per page, and answer it as if you could only have on in the world--which would you choose?)

Apology Language Test - www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/apology/ (Another awesome one!)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."

~ II Corinthians 5:17 & John 15:5 ~

Family Blessings

Well, with my last post finished, I feel much more apt to start blogging more regularly... :)
By the way, have you ever taken time to notice how many smiley and winky faces there are in the New Testament?! We've been going through John at church, and between John and the Apostles....wow, have I gotten some smiles!!

The first Sunday in August, our family escorted Daniel down to WSU where he'll be making his new home for the next 2 years, as he finishes up Pre-Med, before going to Med School to become an osteopath. I liked this picture so much, I just had to share it...

Friday, we had our Client Appreciation Banquet, and I wanted to share some photos from it....it was SO beautiful (albeit, windy!) outside!! Samuel and Rebekah sang 'Put Your Hand Over Your Heart' (Whitney Phipps), with Josiah bringing our flag down at the end, and me accompanying them... If you haven't heard the song, look it up. It is so impactful.

It was so windy, Esther had to hold my music for me!

I don't get to dress up very often, so this was a fun evening to be able to do so. Thanks to David for all the photos.

I realized I forgot to post our 'grand finale' family reunion photos in our my July post, so here they are now... I just love my family!!

Most of the Pinkerton Clan (minus my 2 aunts' families and a cousin)

Our last official family photo for a while

I am so grateful for my amazing family. The older I get and the farther I go, I realize more and more how very, very blessed I am to not only have the amazing, Spirit-filled parents I have, but also such close friendships with my siblings. That is we all hold very dear and want to nourish into the second generation as well.

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~

Autumn Happenings

Where to start...

Well, in September, Esther and I got another milk goat, bred for a February kidding (joining Esther's from last year). David and I sold our incredible herd of goats back in 2010, when God called me to go serve Him in the Philippines... It feels a little odd to be getting my fingers back in that pot again, but it is SO good too!!! We've had cows and cow's milk for a while now, but there is NO comparison in my mind between the two... Goat's milk rules (that is, Nubian milk does).. and, of course I look forward to the multiple kiddings in February and March!! :)

Esther with Katydid and I with Niña

Daniel, Rachel, David, and Samuel all worked with In The Gap in Oklahoma City for 6 weeks during September and October, teaching character in the schools to Middle Schoolers, and conducting after-school Bible clubs. They learned so much and came back with a passion to do the same here in Coeur d' Alene. All of them ran/run with Cd'A Charter Academy during high school, and so they are working towards establishing open lines for discipleship there. Pray that God would throw the doors wide open at Charter!! 

My gorgeous siblings...

I should add that each came back encouraging all young adults to go serve there for a while..it will be well worth it!! Not only for those you work with, but also for yourself!

Samuel (far right) and friends--portrayed as the "Prophets of Baal" for a skit

Left at home, we girls didn't realize how much we have relied on our brothers, and Mama would even go so far to say that we went into a depression with them gone..and, we would have to agree... It is definitely a much more wonderful place with all of them (especially Rachel) home!! {and louder too!} hehe

Meanwhile, relatives from Ohio came over, and we all went on a rendezvous to Whitefish, Montana for the weekend!! That was awesome.. I have always loved heights, and so was excited about zip lining their 7-zip course....incredible scenery!! They sent 2 people at a time, and so you could kinda race each other.... Hehe...of course, since I'm not competitive, I can go as fast as I want... ;D

Mama and James didn't go, as James didn't weigh enough..as it was, the younger ones almost had to hand-haul themselves a couple times.

L to R: Paula, Esther, Sarah, Dan, Oma, Grampaw, Gary, Josiah, Rebekah

One of our highlights was having Oma and Grampaw join us for the ziplining...talk about memories!!

Oma found her new favorite adventure-hobby! :D

One of my favorite parts was landing--that red thing stopped us with a really loud noise as it hit the springs... I enjoyed it so much, I guess I made the record of how scrunched the springs got that day... =D

I made a friend, who just happened to be on our tour..she is a Christian too, and participated with her hubby in the Marathon the next day... Best yet, she has ran in almost all of the US States, and is pregnant to boot!! I want to be like that..

Then there was their ropes course... Though I am fascinated by heights, I was grateful for the double carabineer attaché we had, because as at places, you could be 50 feet above the ground! They had 5 courses with varying difficulty from yellow, green, blue, and black (like ski trails). I did great until I got to the blue, and then my "fun-sizeness" almost got the best of me a few times... Whew.. Suspended bridges, cable walk ways, nets/ladders, trapezes, tube traverses, zip lines, barrels, triangles (that was one of the worst)... There were times the only way I got across was through prayer...talk about adrenaline!

A green course, with the Blue course hanging over head.

Late September was busy for us, with my cousin Ben and Katie's marriage, as well as my childhood best friend-Selah's engagement to my other cousin Luke for a January wedding... Talk about exciting!! It has been such an encouragement to see my cousins seek to glorify God in their relationships..

This Fall, Samuel and Rebekah (and David, though he ended up opting out for In the Gap) ran Cross Country with Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (talk about being a taxi-sister!) ;D. This last weekend, both ended up at the State Competition in Idaho Falls, where Samuel's team placed 2nd, he placed 3rd in the team (18:13), and 17th of 127 overall, and one of his team won 1st place!

Rebekah's team got 5th place, and she placed 4th in the team (23:30), and 44th of 94 overall.

We are SO blessed to have our dad as our life coach--for everything!! I don't know what I would do without him (and neither would anyone else..) I love you Papa!!

Gotta love the girls' tie-die uniforms!! :)

Our teams were at an incredible disadvantage, as Idaho Falls is 5,000 feet above our regular elevation. They did incredible anyway though.What was memorable though, was that the 1st place girls' team: Soda Springs got a perfect score of 15, with all 7 competitors placing in the top 20, and taking the first 5 places!! Wow...

I've been keeping really busy....besides ranch work and home life, I'm continued participating in the women's Bible study led by my friend Katie. We're currently going through Francis Chan's 'Forgotten God', which has been inspiring and life changing. I'm also doing a Bible study with a friend of mine, going through Elizabeth George's ' Beautiful In God's Eyes' : a study on the Proverbs 31 woman. I am immensely enjoying that book..it is refreshing realizing that by God's grace, I can imitate her, but it starts in the heart and at home..old habits die hard!!

I'm continuing my midwifery certificate studies, and still get medical work in at times.. I do in-home care a couple times a month, and am a nanny weekly to this precious family of 4 kids under 7. I've nannied them as the need arose between Philippine trips for the past couple years, and have learned SO much from them...

What is so special about this family, is that they mimic what my family (if God so wills) could look like. Though I want however many children that God would give me, I have always wished for a 2-3 boys before my first girl, because then by the time my daughter needs a "man" in her life, hopefully at least one of her brothers would be mature enough.. (Not that my hubby wouldn't be that...but he'll be mine, and I am so grateful for my older brother, who takes my arm and helps lead my heart...) =D

Mama always told me I would have a girl just like me, and this little girl is just that way.. Which is great, because I understand where she's coming from!! I'm so glad for the Training Book God has given us--for each one of the children we have--and for the grace He freely bestows on those who ask for it!!

That is something I've been learning a lot of.. We always have a choice--even when given the grace, or the way to escape from temptation, we have a choice to accept that grace or the escape!!

Preparations for the Belize trip also takes time, and I am most enjoying my job as Treasurer--I can't describe the blessing it is to see funds come in first hand..The gal that helps me can't help but laugh as sometimes I get almost 'giddy'..who wouldn't when you get to witness first hand the generosity of others??

I'm also taking a book keeping/accounting course, and am enjoying it, despite the difficulty in understanding how it all goes together--praise God for common sense!! (Of which I'm short on sometimes.. ;p)

God is so good, and I am so thankful for all those He has placed in my life to both encourage and be encouraged by. To God be the Glory!!

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

~ John 14:27 ~

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

~ Psalms 30:11 ~

5 Amazing Weeks in Chicago

God opened the opportunity for me to go to to Chicago for 5 weeks from the beginning of March through April 12th. I was able to serve at the IBLP Headquarters for 1.5 weeks, as well as visit my brother-Daniel (who has been working there since January 2012). It was so good to be able to spend quality time with him--the first in nearly that much of time.

It snowed while we were there, and a bunch of the guys made a fireplace..

Another view...isn't it neat?!

Our cousin-Natalie hosted a Black-Tie fundraiser for the St. Jude's Children Hospital,  which Daniel and I had the opportunity to go to... It was a lot of fun, as I had only a couple of hours to find my entire outfit at the Thrift Store!!! (for less than $20!!! woohoo!)

I very, very much enjoyed my time there at HQ, where I worked mainly in the Shipping department, fulfilling orders. I worked right next to Daniel's division, where he is manager of the Call Center, which was kinda fun!!

In The Gap Ministry Training

My dear friend Amy and I (poor dear sprained her ankle badly..)

After that, I went through their 'Vessels of Honor' Program, as the oldest of 13 girls, ages 12 through 19, acting as the unofficial assistant as well...which was fun. It started out with a Journey to the Heart, which was such a special, meaningful time with my Jesus and I.

Mr. Gothard, my dad, and Mr. Zeisemer all prayed over me and anointed me with oil again for ministry. Daniel was also there, which was very special. God wants us to ask the impossible in His name, and I felt prompted to ask Him to give me 10,000 disciples for Him in my lifetime. That number is not one that I can reach myself, but by God's grace, I know He can work that through my obedience to Him.

During VOH, I stepped up to the plate as the 'unofficial assistant', which was a lot of fun. As I thought, VOH was a really good summary of feminine and Kingdom building skills, and though most of it was a review for me (thanks to my amazing parents), there was something new to be gleaned in each class. God worked a lot in my heart during that time as well, including helping me get more readjusted to life in the US.

Classes included cake decorating, baking, sharing the Gospel effectively, scrapbooking, makeup, hair, and clothing workshops, Bible meditation and memorization, health and nutrition, First Aid, hair cutting, proper etiquette, banquets, and much more.

Bread Baking Class

We went to the Shedd Aquarium, as well as The Bean in downtown Chicago, which was a lot of fun... I love frogs, and so these blue ones held particular interest.

Do you see the 3 hidden fish? (Sorry the picture is blurred...blame it on the water/glass. ;p)

Our group of girls with Kendalyn Staddon...what fun!

There is so much I could tell about my time at HQ, but the main thing God showed me is how very, very much He loves me, and how much He is in the 'perfecting' business.... When we let Him mold us into His image, then we can be His vessels unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2  Timothy 2:21)

We serve an awesome God!!!

Because of His Grace,

Sarah Hope

IV's Iv's IV's!!

Wow!! It's been a while!! Quite a bit has happened.....
First of all: I have worked. Really? Yeah. Obviously, that is why I'm here!
This last week, I've worked about 12-13 hours most days, and this next week I'll be working a couple 16+ hour days.

Anyway, 10/6 Swing was slow, and so Karen and I decided to practice IV's on each other (it's been 2 years since my training). Unfortunately for her, I guess I was extremely dehydrated...because, though my metacarpal vein (hand) received the cannula just fine, when she tried my cephalic vein (radial/wrist), both times, my skin buckled impenetrably... So....after more than one lecture (meaning no more needed ;p), I started making it a practice to remember to drink water. ;)
Thankfully, she was hydrated, and I was able to stick her just fine.

Karen about to stick me.

Only God knows that I would need that extra practice, because 10/7 Swing, I was first up to handle, and my G1P0 patient (poor dear!) ended up needing transported after 8 hours of labor care and emotional support, due to fetal tachycardia, as well as her labor had continued too long for protocol here. We did everything we could for her, to give her a fighting chance--gave O2 and a D5W IV.

My Super wanted me to do it, and I was pretty hesitant...unfortunately (fortunately? ;p) she was my super the night before, and knew I could do IV's...that was the best decision ever!! I got it in without any problems using the metacarpal vein.
Here was the frustrating thing--she had consistently been dilating, and right before transport, she was 8-9 cm dilated. She was full of fear, and had had hypertension earlier in labor due to that, but when we got her calmed down completely, she was fine.

Anyway, I transported her to the hospital, and upon hearing from a nurse that we had transported due to fetal tachy, instead of listening to our endorsement, the doctor had her climb onto the exam bed and into the stirrups--without explaining anything to my patient, she proceeded to strip her from the waist down, do an IE, and pour a quart of liquid over that area afterwards. Meanwhile, my patient was scared, asking questions, and getting no answers. Thankfully, I was right there, and tried to walk her through it all...
No surprise, she was hypertensive again, and 'wonder of wonders', she was only 6cm instead of the 8-9cm 20 minutes before!! She begged for me to stay with her, since her bana (they were actually married!) and mom weren't allowed in, and I stayed as long as I could (about 10+minutes), until she was settled in, and I had explained everything in detail of what had happened and what they were doing, and tried to comfort her and allay all fears...but with this type of record and, I'm pretty sure she was on track for a C-Section...
That was SO frustrating!!!! Anyway, in a way I can understand it from the Dra.'s perspective, and it proved to be a good reminder to me about how important communication is.

Swing 10/8, Karissa came early to practice IV's on me--so within 48 hours, I got 5 sticks on the same arm in the same 4" diameter. ;p Praise God, I was much more  hydrated, and she got it in!!

Karissa sticking me (while I'm helping instruct how to do it! ;p)

Gotta go to shift....I'm on Night...I'll try to post more tomorrow. :)

An EMT in Progress

Last week, I finished my EMT Course: my 1500 page EMT-Basic Manual....my beloved "Orange Book"...the handbook all EMTs are supposed to know backwards and forwards.... (I have the forwards part down, but am still working on the backwards) ;p, the Final Exam, and 4 required Certificates (Helicopter/LZO Cert, HazMat, ICS-100 [Incident Command System], & IS-700 [Overview on NIMS]).

Best Online Course on the Market...HIGHLY recommended!

Thursday, I started doing ride alongs (required observations) with our local Fire Department/EMS System. I learned so much, was able to do some hands on, and had an awesome time with the crew...

Sunday evening (also Mother's Day) starts the beginning of my weeklong Skills Camp in Hayden, Idaho.
At the Skills Camp, I will pretty much be getting hands on experience practicing all the skills I've been learning over the last 6 months, and at the end, will take the Practical Exam test, so that all I'll have left is sit for the Adaptive National/State Test.

I have always loved most anything medical, but all that changed and deepened when I stepped into the EMS world, starting at a family member's injury on the ski slope a few years back, when the Ski Patrol had to get involved... Medical and Veterinary books were like candy to me on long road trips, but now, I live, breathe, and even dream of it....in pretty much everything...especially after starting ride alongs. It's a whole new world to me...one that has fascinated me for years, and one that I have now fallen in love with.

Smart...

Rachel and I were teaching my 7 year old brother, James about the value of money today, when I remembered the following poem...."Smart" Proves the point, eh??

My dad gave me one dollar bill

'Cause I'm his smartest son,

And I swapped it for two shiny quarters

'Cause two is more than one!

And then I took the quarters

And traded them to Lou

For three dimes -- I guess he don't know

That three is more than two!

Just thenm, along came old blind Bates

And just 'cause he can't see

He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,

And four is more than three!

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs

Down at the seed-feed store,

And the fool gave me five pennies for them,

And five is more than four!

And then I went and showed my dad,

And he got red in the cheecks

And close his eyes and shook his head--

Too proud of me to speak!

~ Shel Silverstein

For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

~ Ecclesiastes 7:12 ~

An Essay From Samuel

For school today, my 13 year old brother, Samuel wrote the following Essay:

In the colonial days, taking care of the sick was much different than today. The people didn't know what the flu or other sicknesses came from unless it was obvious. Because of their lack of knowledge, contagious sicknesses often proved deadly. There weren't many hospitals and very few doctors, so the mothers would resort to using herbs for remedies. Even though they didn't taste or smell very pleasant, many herbs like Mullein for coughs and Helichrysm for wounds proved very effective. The most popular herb--St. John's Wart--was believed to draw devils away. Herbs, however, were not the only means of treatment. Colonists also used tea for a cure that was made by burning frogs to a crisp and grinding them up into powder. Disgusting!!

There were many rumors about different diseases. Numerous colonists would blame the sickness on spells cast by witches or even evil spirits. There were also many queer thoughts about different cures. One of them was a cure for the fever. They would cut the sick person's fingernails and put them in a bag, which would be tied to an eel's neck. The eel would be put into water and when it died, they believed the patient's fever would leave.

Another superstition was that when babies teethed, doctors would have them wear a necklace with wolves teeth on it which they believed would help with the pain. The most common superstition, however was bloodletting. In trying to help the process of healing, patient's veins were cut open, and the blood was allowed to flow out. They believed in this cure so strongly that if a doctor was unavailable, the barber or the minister would do the bloodletting themselves. Today, we have found out how to heal the sick, but unfortunately we have gone too far.

The main problem with today's medical society is that many doctors care more about money than their patients. They sell them masses of unneeded drugs that take away pain and can lead to addiction without solving the root problem. Unfortunately, the people today don't realize that they are following a shepherd-disguised wolf. Even when information is discovered on how to heal most sicknesses, it is often criticized and suppressed. Home remedies also have their place, and thus the sensible will take the best of both worlds and disperse the love and kindness of mothers and the wisdom of doctors to all.

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

~ Proverbs 23:24 ~

EMT Training......Here I Come

Last Tuesday, I officially signed up for the EMT Class, and completed my first assignment (which was all of writing out why I wanted to become an EMT).
Here is what I wrote below:
"I want to become an EMT, so that I will have the skills to be able to help others on the foreign mission field, as well as here on the home front/ranch, when emergencies arise. I want to have the skills so that if/when something happens, I'll be able to help save life.
My goal is to become well-rounded in all things medical, including midwifery, veterinary, and herbal/natural medicine."

And thus it is, in short.
Even though I know that I have a lot of hard work in front of me, a lot of memorizing (hard for my dyslexic brain), I am VERY much looking forward to it, because I know that it is what God wants me to do.

Taken on my favorite day of the year: Shearing Day 2007

Onward Christian Soldiers!!!