#nursingstudentsarah

From July through October of this year, I picked up some extra work by cleaning house for an elderly couple. (Because of HIPAA, I will protect their real names and call them John and Jane Smith.) I knew I was being called by God to do it for a few reasons. 1) I needed extra money to help save for nursing school and I had prayed that God would provide me with an opportunity; this was it. 2) I prayed about getting the volunteer position at the hospital in outpatient oncology and I did! There was an opening for me just as I was starting... which never happens. I was very fortunate. I met this couple at outpatient oncology. Jane was a patient. 3) Jane and John were looking to pay someone to clean their house. I visited them and their adult children interviewed me. I found out that John and Jane go to THE SAME CHURCH as me. God's will was definitely unfolding!

So I took the job and began cleaning their house twice a week. Sometimes it was hard because there were days where I literally worked one job from 5am-9am, volunteered from 10am-2pm and then cleaned for them from 2:30pm-5:30pm. I would clean the kitchen, the bathrooms, vacuuming, mopping, etc. Most people probably wouldn't have considered it very glorifying work, but I really enjoyed doing it for them. I felt like I was serving them and serving God. As a bonus, I earned some money, learned a few cleaning tips from Jane, and most of all, a relationship formed between us.

Over the past few months, I learned a lot about this couple and often after I was done with my shift, I would stay for a while and just talk and visit with them. They had so much wisdom to share! I won't say their exact ages to protect them, but they were in their 90's. They had been married for almost 70 years! It was so wonderful to learn about their history together and about their life experiences. I really have a respect for older people and love to learn from them. John and Jane became my friends. I loved them.

Last Thursday was the last time I cleaned for them. With nursing school starting, we agreed that I wouldn't clean as much. On my way out, as always, I thanked them for paying me and giving me the opportunity to clean for them. They thanked me for doing a great job and then-- they told me I was an angel sent from God and they felt extremely blessed to have me. It really touched my heart. I know our bond is special.

Today, a realization came full circle. God really does open windows when he closes doors. This morning, Jane went to heaven. She was surrounded her husband of nearly 70 years and her five adult children; her last wish. I was fortunate to see her yesterday. One of her children called me the night before and informed me that Jane endured a heart attack but her time was limited. I went the hospital the next day (yesterday) and although Jane wasn't awake and I didn't get to talk to her-- I didn't need to. I knew from just a couple days before that she loved me and I, her. I had been praying for her and some scripture came to mind in regards to her witness to me. I decided to read the scripture to her family in her hospital room. I chose Proverbs 31:25-29 and Philippians 2:3-4. We all wept tears of joy for Jane. She was truly a wonderful woman and a witness to all of us in her lifetime.

<<<<<Fast forward one day>>>>>

Today was my first day of nursing school.

It was bittersweet.

I had a wonderful day and found out when I can home this evening. That's when I became overwhelmed by God's plan and the realization hit me.

Knowing Jane and cleaning for Jane actually helped prepare me for my future as a nurse. I believe one of the reasons God placed her in my life was because she indirectly prepared me for the days ahead. John and Jane were my only elderly friends. This side job taught me to listen to her and tend to her needs. As a nurse, this will be an essential component to patient care. God closed a door in my life and opened a window, all in 12 hours' time. Even though I am grieving at the moment, I'm also trying to see the light of the situation. Jane is now in heaven. She lived her life for God and now she gets to spend ETERNITY with Him. I will always remember her and she is now another pivotal reason for why I want to be a nurse.