Rations

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:52:00 +0000

Yesterday I experienced perhaps one of the hardest days I will ever have to experience as a nurse (at least I hope so.) Seriously....am I made out for this?

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Blessings.

God has poured out his blessings on our family. We are blessed! I remember a time when we were tredding water up stream to no avail-- yet we still tredded as if there was some hope of making it against the flow. But when you finally give into to the flow of the river of which God has placed you-- and 'go with it' the blessing pour out like rain. In the river you are surrounded by water- but when it rains you suddenly realize ow dry you have really been. God is pouring out his blessings on us- and we praise him for that!

So enough of this tredding- it is time to open my heart to my Father who has never abandoned me- even in my rebelious ways- and praise him for his blessings.

So whats new? We have moved into a sanctuary of community. We have never felt so at home before. Jacob is thriving into an amazing young man of wisdom and strength. Pat is continually self sacrificing and offering hope to a community of hurting people- who in return strengthen his faith. And I am finished the most gruling year of school to be rewarded with a my first nursing job in the PAR for the summer.

and exciting change is in the air :)

NEW SINS

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Okay- so the pope has come up with new sins. The article is interesting- Ill keep my own comments to myself---but the comments following the article are truley what caught my attention....good times.

The Vatican has unveiled some new sins for the 21st century, such as genetic manipulation, pollution and social injustice.

Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, the Vatican's number-two official for sins and penance, told L'Osservatore Romano that he saw bioethics as posing the greatest risks for the human soul.
"(Within bioethics) there are areas where we absolutely must denounce some violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments and genetic manipulation whose outcome is difficult to predict and control," he told the Vatican's official newspaper on Sunday in an interview headlined "New Forms of Social Sin."

The Roman Catholic Church has previously spoken out against stem cell research that requires the destruction of human embryos, believing that life begins at conception.
Girotti also attacked drugs, saying they "weaken the mind and obscure intelligence."
On the growing gap between rich and poor, he said it causes "an unbearable social injustice."

Pope Benedict has made several strong statements on the environment in recent months, saying problems like climate change had become critical to humanity's future.
Catholicism has two basic types of sin: Venial, which are relatively less important and forgivable, and mortal.
Mortal sin can include acts like abortion and murder, although the church doesn't keep a well-defined list.

Mortal sins can cause a person to go to Hell unless confessed to a priest, who then absolves the sinner in God's name.

Comments:

DerekGood. Maybe now the religous right will stop thinking that global warming is the much anticipated Apocalypse. Now it's a sin to pollute.
msamourThere are less and less people in Canada that even pay attention to the Pope or anyone else in the Vatican. I was born Roman Catholic, but I have realise how much nonsense religion is. Why is this even newsworthy, isn't there anything else worth reporting news on?
Tom CroozeSome days, SCIENTOLOGY makes more sense.A priest can't forgive sin. That one goes to J.C., and J.C. only.
Steve"Social Injustice" as a 21st Century sin? This is the Roman Church we're talking about here right? Hmmm, gotta wonder what their next experiment with hypocrisy will be. Give me a break.
AmandaBecause condemning condoms was not enough, now the Church wants Catholics to fight global warming and poverty. Good for them for exhorting people to action; but if the Vatican truly wanted to fight poverty perhaps it should consider novel ways of helpings its impoverished congregations in developing nations.
John"Mortal sins can cause a person to go to Hell unless confessed to a priest, who then absolves the sinner in God's name."Wow, CTV News Staff. You've got me trembling in my boots. I'd better get to the confession booth!Given the church's own human rights record throughout history, I find it baffling anyone would look to them as a source of moral authority.
davidWhat about sex crimes against children?
RonThis institution has not recovered from its sins of the last century so I don't believe they have the moral authority to dictate sins of the next century.
JeebusDid God speak to the Pope in his sleep? The Catholic Church needs to clean up its own backyard first.What about condoms for the control of AIDS?How can these be mortal sins?
ScottTwo words: SPARE ME. I wish the Catholic church would hurry up and acknowledge its own obsolescence.
elizabethI wonder if the Iraq invasion would be considered a mortal sin - the Bible speaks about war mongers. Bush who claims to be a Christian and on a mission might want to read that part of the Bible and repent.
JamesWhat I would like to see is the Catholic Church call all of its past sins, such as cultural and intellectual genocides and its current sins of hatred against homosexuality and supression of women's rights, what they are; attempts by men in robes to dictate how others should live. Similar to the KKK! Coincidence, I think not.
JackI find this a bit hypocritical. For one, I would like the Vatican to release it's net worth. I believe it is the richest organization in the world. So commenting on gaps in wealth and pontificating about it is laughable. Second, the comment that drugs weaken the mind and obscure intelligence is laughable as well. The Church has grown by brainwashing third world nations. Saying the only escape is salvation and believing in God, rather than helping yourself.
Michael (Ottawa)As a follower of Christ and well versed in His scriptures I find these pronouncements from Rome totally outlandish and completely outside the realm of scripture reference. It's little wonder why our culture rejects "man made religion" when they put out with this sort of stuff. This distorts the gospel message and is not a reflection of Christs message.
SteveThe Church taking the high road when it comes to social injustice. This is the joke of the day, right?
Whop DedoOh...the Catholic Church says its a sin to pollute, well that makes all the difference ! I'm sure China, India and the US will all be on board the Kyoto Express now...Not! Let's file this religious edict with all the past Catholic drible under "I" or "H" for irrelevant or hypocrisy, take your pick.
DMAI guess it is politically correct to bash the Roman Catholic Church today. So be it... freedom of speech and all that, however when critique is aimed at the Jewish or Muslim faiths it is seen as 'Hate propaganda'. I guess it is just a safer alternative for those with a lack of respect for the faith of over 1.086 Billion people worldwide ( I know that 'cause I googled it)
LisaWow, the catholic church finally decided that it's a good idea to show respect to the earth. How novel. Maybe now that they got that tidbit of enlightenment out of the way, they can start working on making amends for their own sins. What a crock!
StefanWow, I find it incredible how fast people are to attack the church. Please tell me something that was so incredible ludicrous and wrong about the Vatican's statement? People are very quick to hold a grudge against an institution that has admitted its failings and publicly apologized for its sins of the past centuries. If people are in our society are as tolerant as they claim to be, perhaps they should be open to other points of view.
JBWhile the church may not be perfect (far from it) does that make asking people to better humanity moot? Encouraging people to treat themselves and others with respect, encouraging a clean environment, etc., is always good, isn't it?
george h.Has science gone too far? Is science trying to defeat nature. Is science taking away faith? My opinion yes. Trying to extend life, with quality of life at the back ground. Has mankind done enough to destroy nature. Yes, technology is destroying, peace, compassion, respect, the art of giving (the secrets to happiness). Communication has become bit and bytes. not heart and soul. Work longer rush here rush their, no time to smile at each other, no time to care, finding happiness in material things take don't even matter. Big homes that keep families farther apart. Trying to be first, why we are all going to pass on sooner or later. Why be in a rush? Then it won't matter. When it come down to it no science in the world is going to make you happy on your death bed. But having to say I spent time being good, helping people, giving to others respecting everybody for who they are, that is what will make you happy and successful. Not fighting against the laws of life. Religion and science the razors edge.Someday they will meet for the better. But until we look at both together, science will destroy faith and it's own work. Is already started. Just for the record, I am not of religious faith. I'm just a man that is finding happiness through faith in the goodness of mankind.Health and happiness to all.P.S. A question to ponder. What brings pleasure to you. Hearing about new technology or hearing about someone saving a life. Now be honest.
FreakAlertNext to a global central banking scheme, a corporate governance system of human control, the Vatican is one of the most corrupt institutions history has seen and lived under.Interesting, Washington DC(power), The City of London(money), and the Vatican(religion), all three have a standing obelisk monument.
BillI'm not much of a religious person but I do believe in "Freedom of Religion", instead of bashing choose another religion.
Mikey GCatholism,First the priests have to be celebate. Then all things that aren't biblical are sins. Next we need to find patience and forgiveness for priests that bugger our children. Historically, a priest on a voyage was nothing more than an ethics guide with fear factor. Many people live in fear of hell. Personally, I think spirituality is internal, which does not need a church. I remember working through an aircraft disaster, and the priest said that God needed them. Lack of words that day Padre? What....was he throwing a cocktail party and needed more help? I am sick of the philisophically self-perceptive rhetoric of theology reading what the Bible "really" meant to say". The Bible is an old story with non-scientific entity's. Immaculate conception, dividing of water, rocks to fish, water to wine...why? What's wrong with water? The Vatican is story central. No one knows if there's a heaven. Anyone that does has not returned to spill the beans. Now, not being green is a sin. I call these sins of convenieince. By the way...I wonder what the power bill is at the Vatican ?
davey boyI see a church that means well but seems to be a little behind and spinning it's wheels. That's what happens when a church is led by man and not divine revelation.
KenI wish that we could send all of the above comments to the Vatican.
Scott L.It's very interesting to see the very widespread anti-Christian, particularly anti-Catholic, attitudes so prevalent today. It's no surprise since society as a whole has exchanged the truth for a lie, absolute truth for relativism, God for the worship of individualism. Remember it is Christ which makes the Church holy and not people who make it holy. If that were the case, then this world in its entirety would be condemned to Hell.
DeanNo - what is really sad is that all of these people are so insecure in terms of what they themselves believe in that they wasted their time posting here and condemming those that choose to have faith and belief. What did Christ say - let s/he who is fee of sin cast the first stone? Very sad commentary on the bitterness and lack of depth of character for many who have commented here.A person of faith who knows that not all is right with the world.Dean
David #1Did the pope forget to add wearing extravagant designer footwear as in the "Prada" shoes he wears? With the cost of those shoes he could probably use that money to feed 5 families their evening meal. Even Jesus made due with sandals.
JeremyYou know what else weakens the mind and obscures intelligence? Religion does, Catholicism in particular.
Henry WysmulekActually, most of these new ones are already covered by the original moral laws.But who needs moral laws when Humanity has become such an enlightened species now that we are in the 21st century.We've already solved all our social, sexual, moral ills!So who needs religion telling us what's right or wrong!
BradHa, I always thought it was the Catholic Church that weakened the mind and obscured intelligence. I think it is funny how the church can decide any time it wants, what is acceptable and what is not. No wonder that people are losing faith in religion.
Mary AnnEvery time stuff like this comes out, I understand more and more why I left the Catholic church and never raised my children catholic(or any other religon). The vaticans wealth, jewelry, art alone could help poor countries. The church I found to be "do as I say not as I do"
AnthonyThe Vatican has unveiled some new sins for the 21st Century, such as genetic manipulation, pollution and social injustice...Not bad for an organisation which in the past certainly had not been very egalitarian. As for genetic research - they are way out - and pollution - maybe they should make a decree prohibiting Italians drive their Fiats like nuts... Won't go to the church this sunday either..
StephenI am saddened but not surprised by the comments I have read here today. Our biggest single problem today is the we have turned our backs on God and His church and embraced worship of the self as god of the new millenium. As to newsworthy news, perhaps we should give our email and blogs a rest and pick up a Bible. May God bless us all.
DawnHow can they 'create new sins' when they don't allow for any free thought on the book they base an entire religion on? I really want to know the 900 number they call God on to get all these nifty little updates. I have a few questions for him myself.
Paul GriffithsI'm always amused to see the way people rail against the Catholic Church with ludicrous generalizations and arrogant condemnations. They did the same sort of thing to Christ.The Church will always be relevant because the truth will never die. Our smallish human desires and winds of doctrine are meaningless diversions from the truth of Christ. Our modern culture is so steeped in sin and self-righteousness, it's little surprise that the Church takes so much flak.
SallyIt is a sin to pollute, it's in the Bible God will ruin those ruining the earth.
PatriciaI was born and raised a Catholic but at the age of thirteen a priest in the confessional invited me over to the rectory to talk further about my sins. Luckily for me, my mother told me that I would do no such thing. I have not been to confession since, nor do I pracice Roman Catholicism. However, I believe in God, a non punishing and kind God, and pray regularly.
DougI doubt many people think the Vatican as a real authority.But,if you forget the source and just consider the list,it's not totally out of line.It's been said that "if you like someone,everything they do is OK.If you don't like them,nothing they do will be satisfactory.Is it possible some are dismissing the ideas simply because they don't like the Catholic Church? Aren't ideas worth considering no matter where they come from?Personally,I am not a person of deep faith.I do,however,find there are teachings in many faiths that could make this a better world.I just take out the religious aspect,and use them to try to make myself a better person.I think it's possible we need ALL the help we can get in our efforts to reduce crime,alcoholism,child abuse,hunger,etc,etc.How rational is it to dismiss ANYONE who wants to help promote effective advancements on any of these social concerns? If real progress is to be made,we will need ALL kinds of people,in EVERY area of endeavour.Dismiss the church,if you dislike them so much.Just "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater".
Joanne from BarrieWow, just the fact that people kneel and kiss the ring of the Pope is enough to break my heart. Scads of third world nation villages could be fed for years if the Pope would just SELL that ring and feed them.Number two on my heart breaker hit list is the crimes between Priests and young boys......its a wonder they dont get struck down by lightning for being the hypocrit's that they are.Popes in glass houses, shouldnt throw stones...Sickning
Ki-SomHow about this for a new sin: Priests will not sexually abuse children then have the church protect these criminals.
DarwinWhat a bunch of hooey! Religion has helped with social structure but that's all. The rest of it brainwashes people into believing in superstitions and warps their creative thinking. Millions of people throughout history have been killed and tortured in the name of religion.There is not one shred of evidence of any god or any creator. Time to wise up people, this is the 21 century. Priests have committed 14000 molestations since 1950. They are the worst to listen to. Bush is next. Keep religion out of politics and schools.
GCIf you don’t believe in the Catholic Church or religion as a whole, then why wouldn’t you keep your negative comments to yourself - they serve no useful purpose here. Maybe you should ask yourself what are you doing to create a better world???
TreeclimberJoke: A priest who had been studying ancient texts came up from the Church basement yelling "no, no...the word is CELEBRATE not CELIBATE"Wonder what other things they got wrong LOL
Defender of the Faith!Interesting comments - but the usual uninformed opinions.1. Priests don't fogive sins in the RC Church - they provide the vehicle through which Christ forgives sins.2. There is no "well defined" list because you must consciously understand that you are about to commit a mortal sin - if not then you didn't commit one.3. Its newsworthy because Catholics like to know this stuff - but more so so that secularists can in turn do their own grandstanding about their moral viewpoints - much like they accuse the church of doing4. Hypocrisy happens every day - by eveyone on this earth - the Church is full of humans - when was the last time you told your kid not to do something that you in turn do yourself all the time? Doesn't have an impact on the questions at all.5. Sex crimes against children is already a serious sin obviously.6.Moral Authority has nothing to do with your past immoralities - see #46. John Paul II condemned the invasion of Iraq. All popes of the 20 21st centuries sought peacfeul resolutions to world conflict - some were condemned for it! (Pius XII)7. The ol' net worth argument is truly laughable. The RC Church has the largest membership of any other world religion but people would like it if the Vatican operated out of a shoebox or something. The RC Church is also the single largest Charity in the entire world - look it up!
JenniferCut out the unneeded middle man and go directly to God.
Joanne from BarrieFor the record.....I do believe in God, however, the Catholic institution is a scary, scary thing.I can believe in God , and teach my children just nicely thank you, but, never, never would I enter a Catholic Church.When my 2nd son was born, my own Prodistant minister would not Christen him, as I was not a member of the congrigation.......can you all hear me.......he turned his back on an infant.I DONT THINK GOD WOULD LIKE THAT!
TimThe things they talk about are wrong but come on now....did god come down and say add these to your list. Is it any wonder why less and less people are following that religion.
GlennI'd like to know how the Pope got this new information from God? Email or phone?
Deacon Thomas J. BulgiaTo Tom Crooze...Read the whole sentence...It says the Priest absolves you of your sins in God's name. He is not absolving you, God is.
SAMI am not here to bash religion. I don't really have an issue with the church wanting a clean world...etc. I just don't like some of the more religious comments found above about it being basically a sin to find happiness in myself and what myself and my family accomplish or have. I find it hard to believe a superior being has let this happen. If this is going to cause me to go to hell then put me on the first train. Religion and faith have cause alot of hatred and violence in the past. I don't find it worth while to pratice such items. I do not look down on anyone who follows a religion but if you can't be happy with yourself because you bought a car and a big tv then I don't want to be part of it. Thanks
Bob WoodI believe in God, but have no part in Organized religion and its hypocracy.My problem with the Roman Catholic Church is that its edicts etc. derive from one man, the Pope. Someone that, declared himself infallible, during the 18th or 19th century. How did he achieve this status? Did God beam it down to him one day? Why not to any of the previous Popes?The Catholic church is an autocracy, which would be better served if the Bishops and Cardinals were allowed to use their God-given intelligence to ponder, discuss and debate these issues to arrive at a majority consensus before making pronouncements.
Mark G.I agree with the Pope.Stem cells can be taken from other sources scientists have discovered and pollution is really unnecessary and is litterally poisoning us and social injustice is the root cause of many terrible things in the world such as war.The world needs a moral compass and the Pope is just one of many good people who try to steer us in the right direction.I appreciate that the Catholic church has been and is somewhat controlling and that many people may resent this,but being a RC is voluntary and the church does not have a monopoly on control.We live in a world where corporations and others control our every day life and many of these enities have few morals.It is the Popes duty to point out things that are destructive to humanity.
GJGC ..I believe most people here are mostly disgusted with the hypocrasy the church exudes.If you hold yourself out to be holier than thou, then expect the comments when it turns out that your organization is responsible for centuries of misery, which includes murder, torture, and child molestation.Never mind that every one of these goes against the 10 commandments, with the exception of the last one (must be a holy loophole). Regardless, my understanding is that God outlines what 'sins' are , not some earthling in a funny hat.Possibly with all the genetics research, we can isolate the gene that somehow seems to eliminate the power of rational thought as it relates to organized religion.
B WI've got an idea, stop jumping on the Church - at least they are saying something about what's going on today. It is newsworthy, it's important, because like it or not, they are leaders in our world, and someone needs to finally stand up about the way the world is heading now. It's not about the Church, it's about the problems in society and the environment today - look past your prejudices for a moment and think about what is being said, not just who is saying it.
IANGod created the world and the Pope feels man can destroy it with global warming or whatever. Well to true believers such a thing isn't possible. Seems we have a secular Pope.
Let the truth come out....Scott L:Biblical theology states that Christ doesn't make any "church" holy, He exchanges mans sins for HIS righteousness and holiness. We only believe, He does the rest. Believers in Christ are the church not buildings or organizations.The comments for the most part here today are accurate. Yes they point out the hypocrisy of the Roman church and rightly so. The Roman church falsely claims to represent the vanguard of the Christian faith. Fact is it isn't the spokesman for Christianity. Rome speaks for Roman Catholics not Christians at large and that difference is important for us who follow Christ not man's religion.
garySins1. for politicians obviously common sense is a sin.2. For subprime defaulters financial responsibility is a sin.And finally for religion in general War and Death is quite obviously not a sin. Vatican would be more apt to cast their stones with alittle more insight!
ValTo Gc We do not have to believe in religion or go to church to do good in this world. I live my life every day without hurting anyone and trying to help who I can and I don't believe in church or religion.
FrankaI will gladly keep my critiques on organized religion to myself the moment organized religion (the Catholic Church included) stops bombarding me with their propaganda. I will keep my comments to myself when I am no longer accosted in the street and bothered in my home home by religeous zealouts trying to convert me. I will no longet critique the church when it stops trying to control the lives of everyone through public policy. If you believe in the church and choose to live by its doctrines, then do so, but stop trying to convince/force the rest of us to do so as-well. If people truly believed in the church, they would see it's faults as well as well as it's virtues and would be detrmined to unciver its mistakes and work on correcting them instead of hiding them under a web of secrecy. If you believe in your institution, let it be transparent for ua all to see the virtue you say it has. I believe in God and I believe that he cringes at the hypocrisy of institutions that claim his name.
JDFolks, H Y P O C R I S Y - please spell it right... and while I'm at it: Protestant, Congregation. God Bless!
MelissaThey should add "Pre-emptive War" to sins for the new century.
cloHow sad to see so many people so ignorant of and so angry with the Catholic Church. Why don't you attend a Mass with an open mind to see what the Church teaches - love, forgiveness, how to carry our 'crosses' and help others carry theirs. We try our best, but we are not perfect - none of us are. Come and see for yourself before you cast stones.
Forgive us allSeems to me it is easy to bash a faith and make excuses for not having to follow it, or at least an easy way to feel justified on not having to follow any moral compass at all. Yes the history is jaded, but maybe if you all looked into some of the good aspects of the Catholic faith and it's people you would find much good is derived by following this faith, as in others, as well. Maybe we should all worry more about our own paths instead of just writing off something you may not fully understand or are to lazy to look into more than what you hear in the media. Much of the Catholic faith is based on forgiveness, maybe you could all try it.
KLSAs a Roman Catholic who gave up on the church and it's archaic ''because I said so'' mentality long time ago, it appears to me that the Vatican is now targeting the middle and upper classes of the world, making up new sins that people with money are supposed to feel guilty about. Genetic manipulation means little to the poor and impoverished as advances in this area cost money and the poor are not the ones who can afford to benefit from it. The poor and impoverished are not typically the ones responsible for polluting the earth and it's atmosphere to the point of climate change. And clearly, since you can't have less than nothing, if it weren't for the rich getting richer, there wouldn't be the gap between rich and poor creating the unbearable social injustic which they say is now a sin. I'd like to see how the Vatican would get along without the financial support of the middle to upper classes.
Ryan I am encouraged by some of the comments written here by my fellow Canadians. It is nice to know that there are logical people in this Country. Religion is an insult to one's intelligence. I remembered a quote I had read while reading everyone's comments; "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”
AlyssaThe demise of the traditional family unit through the greed of lawyers and abuses by judges in Family Court was left off the list. The children become the abused victim by the system's sins. Social change that honors fathers is needed.
ScottTo "clo" and "Forgive us all" - How absolutely repugnant that you immediately assume that because people here disagree with, or even outright despise the Catholic Church, that we are somehow "uneducated" and "immoral". THIS is why we are so against your religion! I was raised Catholic I'll have you know, and that is why I despise that religion - because you Catholics literally think you have a monopoly on morals. That, in and of itself, is utterly immoral, because it means you have a swelled sense of arrogance, which, by the way, is one of the seven deadly sins (pride). I hope you remember that this Sunday when you are asking a MAN to forgive your sins.
JesusLove one another.....please.
A ticket to heaven?Catholics are taught from an early age that RC membership their ticket to heaven... that is FALSE along with a lot of other teachings they adhere to as tradition. If people only took the time to read the scriptures for themselves they would see just how far the Roman church and others have deviated from the gospel message. The devil isn't stupid.. get the people to reject man made religion and its hypocrisy and they will reject Christ in the process. Fortunately God is smarter than that.
JakeHow can so many believe in a religion that has been proven wrong so many times… From the Sun revolving around the earth, to shunning something as transparent, and divine as evolution, to the earth being less than a few thousand years old. The only thing they haven’t had to turn around on is the God itself, that’s because we’ve yet to prove he doesn’t exist either. So if you do feel inclined to line the Roman coffer with your money, go, confess, and pay for your sins. I’ll recycle, and be good to my brothers and sisters; I don’t need to fear damnation to be a good human, thanks for the offer though!
Victor Only Jesus was without sin, and not any of his followers. That includes all Christian faiths. I can see that attacking on this particular thread is very fashionable.If it were a story about Muslims or Jews it would have had no opportunity for responses and would have been closed off.Tolerate those that are not the same as you, or you hate.If your hearts are really hard on the words coming out of the Vatican on this matter than you are not really paying attention.Funny, when a lying politician talks about the Environment, he/she doesn't get this type of hate responses.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Has it really been 4 MONTHS! Officially I am lost in the maze of large nursing textbooks-and materials like long syringes (hehe) and various tubes with multiple purposes....the things we do to people! (ILOVEIT)

What the HELL!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:59:00 +0000

Okay, so Malibu is burning. 500 homes destroyed by fire, roughly 500,000 people evacuated. Result: a personal comment and pledge from Bush for Federal aid! A state of emergency declared. Free YOGA and RELAXATION classes for those displaced. And a statement made on international television that, "We have learned from Hurricane Katrina-and the same mistake's will not happen again."

I repeat...what the HELL!!!!!!!

Malibu 500homes destroyed-500,000 people TEMPORARILY displaced
Orlando-hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed- Millions PERMANENTLY displaced!

Malibu- high class majority white.
Orlando-majority (effected) African American poor.

Need I say more.

Grind

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:59:00 +0000

Well thats it back to the grind, and how I long for the beaches of Samoa! This year is rather crazy, school mon-tues-wed, hospital thurs-friday, work sat-sun. Time for me...nil. I recognize that perhaps I should quite my beloved job, but thats just it, I LOVE IT! Sat/sun are so rewarding and refreshing, even as 12hr shifts.

So whats needed, prayer. Mostly for Jacob and Pat as I have become the late night goodnight bidder over a mountain of techinical medical textbooks. speaking of which.......

Long Beach Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:05:00 +0000

Deliverence

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:39:00 +0000

A friend I grew up with/ went to school with died last week. She was 28 my age. She died from the complications of long term anorexia. At one time I too gave into such thought patterns and became addicted. But I persevered, formed new habits and became "delivered" as a christian view point would suggest. But really, the term deliverance means to be freed from the bondage of slavery. Everyday I am bound by the choices presented by free will; some morally correct-others not so. So in fact, I am not delivered but rather I am maintaining some form of half deliverence in this free willed life. Yet my friend who is now gone, is truly delivered...from addiction and the common struggles of life.

My high school friend was an avid competitor....she has won. She succeeded in carrying out the actions, obsessions and thought processes of anorexia. But as one visit I recall she begged and promised to strive for deliverance from her addiction through life. She has succeeded (though in death)and I rejoice in her deliverance though her memory will persist of a brilliant mind and a very caring individual who constantly seemed to seek out those in need of care and atension; which she gave unselfishly.

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:02:00 +0000

It is all grand. I am home, like really home and facing reality. Work. Future school. Student loan. Wow how I long for the bright blue beaches of Samoa! Thank God for such an increadible few months. Pat Jacob and I headed off to explore the western United States for three weeks. Our travels were safe and we quite enjoyed ourselves. By far our day trip into Mexico was a highlight. But alas, work begins tomorrow. Pictures to come.

From all my travels I have learned one very important things about myself:

#1 i HATE bugs.

Clinics

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:14:00 +0000

I can't believe it has been only a week since Eua island, when so much has happened. This last week we spent one day each at four different clinics around Tongatapu. Tuesday I stayed at the hospital and worked in the emergency department and outpatient. What and experience! I actually got to do the vitals on patients coming in as the triage nurse! We also saw one man come in with a broken tibia and fibia. That was fascinating. Once the Tongan nurses left the room the patient and his brother turned to us and said, "You guys are the Canadian nurses?" I guess we are famous...haha. Wednesday we headed out to a far off clinic in a village called Mua. There we did dressing changes and then went out with the nurse in her van as she made house calls....That is, she slowed down in front of the houses of her patients and yelled out her window at them. We did get out once to see a patient that was a paraplegic. Also on the rounds she would pull up to peoples houses that she new and instructed them to go pick coconuts, sugar cane, and papaya's for us. What a treat! Then, she took us on a tour of the island....hard day at work! Thursday we worked at the diabetic clinic. After seeing a few patients they took us out to another village far from the hospital. Unfortunately I forgot my e-pi pens at the hospital so after I spotted three wasps in the room I was in, I chose to sit in the van...that sucked! Friday we went to another clinic where we watched the nurse give cortisone treatment, Ventolin to an 8 week old baby....it was cool. Then at 3:00pm, it was official; first year of nursing complete! I am now a second year nursing student...YAHOOO! Which meant a night of celebrating.

Saturday the nursing students here took us out to the beach for a FEAST! Amazing incredible food. Then today, we went out in a catamaran to an island off the coast....beautiful resort, excellent food, great beach...could not have asked for anything more! In there somewhere I got sick, I think I might have a parasite...nice :) But all is well, nursing year one is complete, and we leave Tonga on Wednesday :(

Eua Island

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sun, 27 May 2007 23:32:00 +0000

We have just returned home to Tonga's main island from another large island off the south/east corner Tonga. What and incredible adventure! It began with a 2 1/2 hour "ferry" ride. The ferry resembled a larger trolling fishing boat and as it had to cross a five mile trench (called the Tongan Trench) it was very very wavy! We sat on the top of the boat and hung on as we were tossed forward, back and far to each side. Watching the large rollers take over our boat was intimidating but completely exciting and adventurous!

Eua island is a steeper island full of tropical rain forest that is home to parrots and a herd of wild horses! We stayed at "The Hide away" in these fala cabins. Honestly....the mould was putrid, there were no mosquito nets and many many bugs of all sorts....and many very large spiders! i chickened out and slept in a smaller room that was very clean and "bug free". But three of us had to sneak in there late at night and leave early in the morning as we were not willing to pay extra for the room...I guess that's the Tongan way! Still, we got away with it. And the food.....WAS AMAZING!

On Sunday we took an 8hr tour of the island. Best day EVER! We saw sink holes that were 150 meters deep with a beautiful waterfall going straight down into it, under ground rivers bubbling up...and disappearing, cave like sink holes, a natural land bridge, sharp cliffs, wild horses, human remains inside a cave on the edge of a cliff, beautiful beaches......and enormous tropical trees that I cannot remember the name of at the moment. For this 8 hr adventure five of us sat in the back of a pick up truck while our driver drove through a tropical paradise, and even went 4X4ing. At one point I was ready to bail out of the truck as our driver drove us straight up and down rolling hills toward the edge of a 200 meter cliff...AHHHH! It was at this place that we saw the herd of wild horses. In all the Eua tour and 4 day adventure was a great success...now back to work for our four last days of practicum.

Oh yes...best moment of the adventure, was playing spoons with our group including our instructors. Who ever lost each round had to drink a shot if tequila or rum. We went through two bottles and I do believe that our two instructors ended up drinking the most. At one point one of our instructors got up on the table to imitate a "dead bug" pose. The next minute she was down on the ground talking to a cochroach.....very.....very ....very funny :) I only managed to take one shot and by default at that!

Tonga: week 3 Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Thu, 24 May 2007 05:28:00 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23498&l=6b723&id=763685197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23506&l=efa31&id=763685197

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sun, 20 May 2007 07:19:00 +0000

I guess its about time for another update. What a week it has been.....where to start?

Wednesday and Thursday of last week I started working on a new ward in the hospital. This ward is apart of the old hospital building and mould is crawling up the walls and curtains that surround patients beds. I began working with a new patient who had seriously life threatening low potassium and sodium levels. Her heart was a mess and her stomach and intestine's had stopped functioning. Crazy thing was....the reason for her near death state was due to the hospital giving twice the dosage of a medication that flushed these vital electrolytes from her body. Potassium was being given to this lady at three times the "normal" rate for someone with an electrolyte imbalance to save her. The whole time the patient and her family was left in the dark never being informed of the reason for her condition, in fact; the patient and her family believed her to have a stomach ulcer...harsh. Of course being the nurse it is not my position to disclose any information to her, rather I confirmed with the patient the clinical reason for her condition and explained what treatment she was receiving clearing up the whole ulcer belief. By the next day her heart arrhythmia was better and her stomach pains had lessened. Still, I was left with ethical questions. There was no record in her chart or in discussion with the hospital staff of the medication error. Its like it never happened even though this lady could have lost her life. It makes me wonder how this situation would have been treated in Canada. Generally speaking, Tongans don't seem to seek answers; they wait until someone informs them of information.

Thursday night we went over to an English Gentleman's house for a night of Cava drinking. It wasn't really a cultural experience though there was some Tongan dancing and of course; cava drinking. On a whole I was not overly impressed. A few of our girls ended up buying a few kilo's of cava to take home with them.

Friday morning we left for the resort island of Atata (Royal Sands Resort) which was a half hour boat ride off of the main island that we are living on. What luxury! We shared four girls to a fala (luxury like cabin) that had running water, flushing toilets, a fridge, coffee and even hot showers. I think we had forgotten how we have been roughing it. For three days straight we sunbathed, kayaks, snorkel and swam. Each day a boat would take us out to a coral reef for more adventurous snorkeling. I have never seen anything like it! Hundreds and hundreds of fish or all shapes sizes and brilliant colors. At one point I was in awe of the schools of fish surrounding me when out of the murky blue a shark came sauntering around closer to the bottom of the ocean!!!!! At first I thought I was seeing things, then I watched in shock and amazement....then I totally freaked out. Another girl with me saw the shark as well and we kinda got out of there pretty fast. Now in hindsight, I guess we were more afraid of the stigma that goes with a shark and we were in no danger at all. I am not good at judging the size but I would guess it was about 3 1/2 to 4 feet long and a light grey color. We also snorkeled around giant clam beds. Some of these monstrous clams would have easily provided me a nice shell to curl up in...(though it would have eaten me alive!).

In all it was a grand experience with one exception. Growing up on the ocean I think I became a little cocky and ventured out too far while snorkeling from shore. Myself and a friend snorkeled across the lagoon and over a smaller reef that attached to a point of the island, it was farther that it appeared. As the reef shallowed the current picked up especially considering the tide was going out, thus all the water from the lagoon was making its way over this reef and out to open ocean. There was also a channel beyond the reef that carried quiet the current. I guess I am not as good of swimmer as I used to be. I reached the reef and a little beyond fine but when we turned around to go back....I realized the danger I had gotten myself into. We immediately felt the strong current, I was exhausted from snorkeling so far out in the first place, and there was no place shallow enough to rest at this point. I began swimming toward the shore and felt the struggle ahead, at that point my flipper slid off and I grabbed it before I lost it completely. Then I completely panicked and realized that if I didn't get my cool together I could easily be taken out into the open ocean, and I was too tired to swim. I swam around searching for a coral reef that reached higher up to the surface while calling out to my friend who was a bit away from me. Thank God....I found a piece of coral just shallow enough that I would stand on it with my head still above water. There I calmed down and my friend came to me. She recommended that she swim while I hang on to her foot and she would pull me. But even standing there the current was hard to fight. I really thought I was not going to make it back to shore. There was a deep gully before the lagoon would start to shallow and I did not know if I had the energy to swim again the current to a place where I could eventually rest. I prayed, I actually peed myself from fright and the thought of drowning, then my adrenaline kicked in. I swam with all my might again the wind, white caps and current about forty feet where I found one more piece of coral high enough to rest on. From there I swam with all my might until the current lessened. Even though we could not yet touch down, I knew I would make it back to shore.

Now looking back, I do NOT find this adventure humorous. It was sheer stupidity on my part. There was one point in the strong current that I tried swimming on my back to rest. Within seconds the current turned me the other direction and I was swimming out to sea! The girl with me called out and set me straight.

The funny thing, the whole time I was out there I could hear Pat telling me off. I seem to have a habit of getting into precarious situations. So thats the adventure for now. Next weekend we are heading to another island that has somegreat hiking in the rain forest....nice solid ground!

More Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Mon, 14 May 2007 10:59:00 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21016&l=a14af&id=763685197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21011&l=194a1&id=763685197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21003&l=06526&id=763685197

Oh yes....I just came back from obstetrics where I watched two Tongan babies being born.....WOW!

Week Two

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:39:00 +0000

We have been without Internet for four days now, and with out our only connection to Canada, I am definitely feeling a little on the homesick side. Thursday night we had all the Tongan nursing students over for cake and ice cream. Friday during our day off we again headed out to a resort island and further browned ourselves. Then Friday night the Tongan nursing students took us out to a Tongan night club. What a blast! I actually danced most of the time and had a wonderful time. Saturday we spent rummaging through market places and Sunday we took a day long tour of the main island. I will add a couple of links of the new pictures as there was breathtaking scenery. My favorite by far was the "blow holes." The open Pacific crashes in to a ridge not far from the shore. There are holes in the ridge and the underwater waves comes spouting up and crashing over the ridge. It was so beautiful and looking down the coast all you could see was white water crashing up the ridge. Monday morning, back in the hospital where I begin with a new patient. She is only 38 and has a very large tumor in her right breast and in her uterus. Her uterus tumor is the size of a five month pregnancy. The woman is scared thus is refusing surgery, regardless of her decision she is deemed palliative. I find it very sad and difficult to observe and care for here, she is so kind and gentle. This week is mid term evaluations and this weekend we are heading out to another resort island where we will spend the night. I hope all is well, I am settled, but missing home and family.

PICTURES

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Thu, 10 May 2007 06:10:00 +0000

I just discovered that I can post a link here to my facebook where anyone can view the photo albums. I'll post the links below and from now on when I make a new one. ENJOY!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18831&l=02d40&id=763685197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19002&l=1e3de&id=763685197

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:18:00 +0000

Yesterday in the hospital I had the opportunity to help a new patient with pre-op (meaning preparing her for surgery). I observed two catheters being inserted and walked my patient through the series of questions and procedures. Then I was asked to accompany her through her surgery in the OR!!!!!!!!!!! My patient was having a laporoptomy and having her ovary removed. While waiting in the surgical waiting area an OR doctor came out to introduce himself to me and bring me into the back to get dressed in a mask hair net, shoe covers and OR scrubs. After I was dressed he said, "Follow me, there is something you should see." I obeyed and the doctor took me right into an operating room where they were about to begin a C-section!!!! I could not believe my eyes. I stood at the foot of this patient who was having an emergency C-section. there was nothing obstructing my view and the doctor waited beside me as I watched them cut through the layers of skin, fat, sheath, muscle, sheath and uterus. Finally as they cut into her uterus a wave of blood came as it mixed with amniotic fluid and the products of the placenta. At one time their were 6 hands inside this woman's abdomen and another set of hands holding up her stomach and putting pressure on the baby inside to force it out. Finally with some prying this little head and face came out of her uterus. The staff suctioned the nose and mouth then pulled the rest of the baby out. It was a boy, and he wasted no time taking his first out of utero pee. The staff cut the cord and transported the infant to another table where they gave it O2 and washed it off. At this point the doctor turned to me and said, "Follow me." From that operating room the doctor took me into the next where genital warts were being removed. This patient was in stirrups and under general anesthetic. The warts were very flat and large and were spreading into her vagina. The surgeon was burning and scrapping them off with some sort of device.

After all this excitement I never did have the opportunity to accompany my patient in for her surgery as I was due back at class and there had been a delay due to the emergency c-section. What an incredible day! Today on the ward I had the opportunity to complete post -op observations with my patient; again, very rewarding.

Aside from the hospital work, all is well here in Tonga. Finally the sun is shining and we are once again sweltering in the heat. We spent the afternoon at the market yesterday purchasing gifts and tomorrow we head back to the beach for yet another day of toasting and snorkeling. I miss home incredibly much and simple things here are starting to rub me the wrong way. We have not had running water in our dorm for days now. This means we must go elsewhere to shower and use the washroom or do dishes. We have also been served sweet potato every mean with the exception of breakfast and one or two suppers so I am feeling a little starched out. We also purchase samosas from the market yesterday, very scary but they were delicious. Thank fully no one suffered any consequences.

Tongan Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Tue, 08 May 2007 03:00:00 +0000

These first couple of days working in the hospital has absolutely stunned me! Here we follow the doctors on rotation and I am working on an acute care surgical ward. The first patient I saw had her right leg almost severed and then reattached. There was a gaping wound where the injury had taken place and her left leg was mangled with open deep wounds. The poor lady would wretch in pain when the doctor removed the dressings or attempted to reposition the right leg that had pins holding it together. There are no road rules here and the next patient I saw was ridding in the back of a pick up truck...(as I have seen a lot) and his bum was hanging out when a passing vehicle going in the other direction torn off his left buttock with its side mirror. I have never seen such a large open wound before, and the doctors and staff were laughing openly at this mans predicament, I felt so bad for him. I saw many patients who had open wounds after their toes, feet, or portions of the legs have been removed due to infection. One lady had a big ulcer where a mouse had bitten her toe causing it to be amputated. I was also present when the doctor informed another patient that she would be loosing her foot. I felt so helpless and Tongans do not like to show pain or hurt.

My first personal patient is 20 years old and is having a miscarriage.........wow. Am I qualified to help her through this, medically, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually? Today I accompanied her to her tests which confirmed a complete abortion (natural). She was very open with me and respected me as a nurse with authority...but I am only a student. I love the people here as they are so incredibly gentle and honest with their circumstances. At the same time, I am in shock of the scenes I have witnessed. The Chinese are not respected nor welcomed in this country and this attitude was displayed when a Chinese gentlemen with a fracture and open would was admitted. Before questions of his condition were asked his passport and status was demanded. For some reason the Tongans blame the riots on the Chinese presence here as well. One of the girls on my team is part Chinese so she befriended him attempting to speak to him in his native language.

On another note, it has been raining incredibly hard here for the past three days which is a nice break from the intense heat. We spent last weekend on a smaller island off the coast which provided opportunity for snorkeling around coral reefs and an abandoned ship. I swear it was like I was inside those tropical saltwater aquariums back home. There were brightly colored fish on all sides of me when I was around the ship and I even saw an Eal in the coral. I still can not believe how warm the water is here.

I have posted a bunch of pictures on my facebook account so you can see them there. Oh, yes. We attended the Free Weslyan church here in Tonga...wow best church service I have been to in a LONG time!

Tonga

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Fri, 04 May 2007 04:43:00 +0000

After 16 some odd hours in an airplane we arrived in Tonga! It is absolutley amazing, very humid and hot! Tonga is experiencing many transitions and political tensions right now which is becoming very apparent as we travel around and speak with the residents. Here the country is run by a monarch, meaning a king and his nobels. Everyone else is considered a commoner. All land is owned by the king and he allows commoners to live on portions of the land. Riots broke out here in November and many people were killed and buildings burned as the commoners are angry that they have to submit to the king and his nobles. Basically a nobel can demand anything from a commoner and they have to obey. As of right now there are 800 people awaiting trial for the riots and the economy is suffering. Eggs alone here cost $17 or about $8 canadian! Tonga is leaning toward democracy but as you can imagine, the king and his nobels do not want to give up power. At the same time, many of the large companies and legal system is run by the king so it is proving to be very difficult for change to be implemented. Cultural rules here are facinating as well. Women are not allowed to own land and must be covered neck to ankle! Wow so much for the bikini! (We go out to other beaches where they are acceptable) Brothers and sisters are also not allowed to sit in the same room as each other and the nursing students cannot marry or get pregnant or they are kicked out. At the same time, women are respected in society and are always placed first on a bus for example....interesting! Strangest of all, it is extreemly rude to eat or drink while walking or standing in public! And the concept of time is, "Its just 15 min away" In fact, an hour and a half!

As for our living quarters, they are comfortable though extreemly rustic! The toilets do not flush, we are resposible for providing our own toilet paper, no telephone access for us, the buildings look very old and run down as does the hospital but, it is all clean. The hospital is in the process of rebuilding but the old build has thee condemed floors but the bottom floor is still in use. There are also dogs and pigs running wild all over the place. Tongans eat both! I on the other hand, will not!

There is a line up for the computers so I will update when possible. There is so much to write and even more pictures to share, in time.

11 MORE SLEEPS!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:29:00 +0000

Been a while

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:15:00 +0000

I think I'm going through the slack phase cause this blogging thing is just not happening at the moment. Life is extremely wonderful and over whelming at the moment. I leave for Tonga & New Zealand in just over two weeks, and will not return for almost two months: feelings? Excited, thrilled, sad...cause I will really miss Pat and Jacob :( It's also end of semester and I am becoming a little shocked of the school grades. Some how I managed to receive a 95% average, I guess all that hard work is paying off, though I think the standards need to be lowered a little to keep the stress factor in check. We are also planning a Disney land vacation for Pat, Jacob and I when I return from the south pacific soooo ya, life is extraordinarily NUTS!

Pray for Pat and Jacob that they would have a blast while I am gone. Pray that I will not wither away from a "missing family" broken heart and, wow I am in awe of God's faithfulness!

Well, Here it is....

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:49:00 +0000

THE ONLY BRACE FACE PICTURE, for soon, they will be no more :o)

Hope...that someday, it will in fact, stop raining?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:20:00 +0000

Life is good :)

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:46:00 +0000

What can I say: its been a while, but life is good, God is great.

During clinical I had the opportunity of observing the preparation of an elderly woman who was 4 hours post death. As she lay there totally organic and lifeless smelling of something foul I have never before breathed, I was calm. I realized that some day my body would be lying in the same state, dead. I looked closely at the woman's eyes which remained visible as her lids remained a little open (as did her mouth), and I even held her stiff, cold hand; it was a surreal experience. But, I'm totally okay with this, actually aside from the smell I was totally excited. I am relieved that I have a Saviour and faith that contains hope of eternal life, for with out it, this experience would have been mortifying.

In other news, the count down is on:

33 days till my last exam is complete,
44 days until I hop on a plane for Tonga and New Zealand,
98 days until I am reunited with my family and head for Disneyland and,

most importantly,
16 days till the brace face comes off,

p.s. rigamorgis is very interesting!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Humble) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:23:00 +0000

I've thought a lot lately about God's faithfulness. I have cried to God explaining away my pathetic state accentuating the need for God to reach out to me "for a change." I rationalize that I am in no position to be running to him, rather he must come find me, pick me out of the slum and carry me to a safe secure place. And yet, with my stubborn demands, my God has done just this.

I have not broken in years. Yet many occasions for brokenness have occurred since any last confession of brokenness. The last time I broke I was in War college, others were holding my hands in the air as Moses's when he no longer had the strength for the battle to be won. So much has been left "undone" because God has carried me out of the slum. He has been more than faithful and I am in awe of the blessings he is pouring out over my head, and my family's. Now that I am standing on my own two feet, I recognize that now is a time for brokenness, because standing with out it is an image of deceit. Moses stood, yet others supported him in his exhaustion. I fear brokenness and as a result, I avoid God or anyone who would keep me accountable because now its my turn to play a part in my rescue from sin.

so many words--but pride keeps me silent.