Author: egschro12

This isn’t breaking news to anyone, but navy and cream/nude look GREAT together (and also happens to be one of my favorite combinations)! I love these 2 outfits because they bring those colors together perfectly! I love the Lauren Conrad bow top (right) from Kohls because it is light and dainty. The necklace on the right is from Target and has so many neutral colors that it pairs perfectly with navy! I love this necklace because it takes a simple outfit and dresses it up. These are both great (and comfy) outfits that are perfect for work!

(Funny side story – I got the navy dress from Goodwill as a STEAL. I couldn’t believe someone would get rid of a perfect dress! After giving it a good wash, I wore it to church one morning. Unfortunately, it was not until after church that I realized that it had a decent sized hole right in the tooshie area. It suddenly became very clear not only why the person got rid of it but also that I had just flashed my undies to everyone at my not-so-small church. You win some, you lose some.)

When I was a little girl, my brother fell off his bike and broke his elbow. I remember being SO jealous of his cool, lime green cast that all of his friends signed. He kept the cast after he had it taken off, and I used to sneak into his room all the time to wear it and pretend I had a broken arm.

Fast forward twenty-some years, and I finally got a cast of my own – but not for the normal reason. Earlier this semester we had a casting lab, which showed us all of the different ways to cast and splint people with fractures. This was one of my favorite days of school by far, and it was great to get to work with my hands and learn a technique that I will utilize throughout my career.

The main purpose of applying a splint or cast to a fracture is to immobilize the bones. They need to stay in alignment with each other so that they can heal correctly, which can take a few weeks. During this time, the broken bone goes through a complex remodeling process in which the damaged bone is broken down and replaced by new bone cells, allowing the bone fragments to heal together.

In our world of instant gratification, it’s difficult for many people to understand that we have to be patient and give our bones time to heal. Even more so, we find it almost impossible to allow our souls time to heal. When we find ourselves hurting, we try to ignore the pain and “heal” overnight. We act like we are unbreakable, unstoppable, and perfectly invincible, because otherwise we would appear weak. However, our very own physiology tells us that time is key to healing, not only to endure a complex remodeling of our hearts and minds, but to truly come out new and refreshed.

Where, then, does this remodeling come from? As we open ourselves to Him, the Lord guides our hearts through its own complex healing process. In Romans 5.3-4, Paul says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God does not promise believers an easy life, nor does He promise that we will a life without suffering. In contrast, 1 Peter talks all about the suffering that we as believers should expect. For if we did not suffer, how could we be transformed to the hope we have in Christ? 

So then, amidst your sufferings, “cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you (Psalm 55.2).” Allow him to immobilize you in his peace while he shapes your heart and heals your soul.

And in all things, remember the promise Christ gave in John 16.33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I know it has been quite some time since I posted! I am working on a new blog post, but as you all know, school can get pretty crazy, so I work on it in pieces as time allows! In the meantime, here are some recent outfits I wore to class. Enjoy!

The outfit on the left is one of my favorites! I love this adorable little peplum collared blouse that I found at the nearby Goodwill! And even cuter – the design is little anchors all over it. Definitely one of my best Goodwill finds ever. During the summer, I have to find a way to still wear all of my beloved black, so adding a pop of light green or any other pastel brightens it up for the season.

I wore the outfit on the right yesterday because we had been in a different lecture hall last week that was freezing, and I knew I would need a jacket again. I got this grey wrap jacket from Anthropologie years ago, and it has remained useful every year! It goes with such a wide variety of items that I can throw it on over anything and run out the door. I loved adding some detail and a little “business” look by adding a classy belt.

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PS: Bear with me as I learn how to take photos of my outfits while they are ON me. I’m not the best at selfies, so I’m trying to figure it out! It’s even harder to do when I’m up so early that it’s still dark outside and my hubby and pup are still sleeping!

Spring has finally sprung! I wore this outfit to class yesterday to celebrate the beautiful weather we have been experiencing!

Florals are quite the theme this year, and this top is one of my absolute favorites. I got it at Marshalls last summer for a steal! I get so many compliments every time I wear it. It’s perfect because it can be worn with black or white bottoms and is very lightweight. I browsed around Marshalls yesterday, and they have a lot of cute floral tops that are very similar!

White pants are classically considered a “no-no” before Memorial Day, but this trend seems to be falling to the wayside. I felt completely ready for warm weather throwing these crisp white bottoms on yesterday.

A black blazer can make all the difference to your workplace outfit. It can take a casual outfit and turn it into business in a snap. This is a great staple for your workplace wardrobe. This one is from Target – no need to splurge when you can find a nice one for cheap! Nordstrom Rack also has some nicer blazers for affordable prices on the clearance rack.

Some days you’re just really looking for a comfy and cozy outfit! I love when I can find adorable tops that can dress up leggings. This top is very versatile – it can be worn with many different scarves and can be dressed up with adorable jewelry. It is perfect for days like today that are cooler and you have class all day!

As medical professionals, we are always encouraging people to get their annual physicals. These yearly visits are a great way to screen for common conditions and also address any concerns the patient may have. It is a head-to-toe physical examination, and it is most likely the most thorough exam any of your patients will receive in a given year. This is primary care’s pride and joy. You always tell your patients to get their “free annual physical” through their insurance providers. Many of us aren’t fans of our lovely insurance companies, but this is one thing they’ve done right. They give you a chance every year for a free office visit to get a full exam and, hopefully, a clean bill of health.

When we think about our annual physicals, what are we looking at? Mostly, we’re examining the patient since their last visit (which was probably a year ago) and seeing if anything has changed – for the better or for the worse. We get an update on their personal life, medical conditions, new medications, and any new complaints they have. Then we move to the physical exam to get their vitals and look for things that the patient may not see. Finally, we get blood work to get a little better idea of what is going on on the inside. All of these things combined provide us with a pretty good picture of what is going on with our patients.

As healthcare professionals, we are so good at giving (or at least recommending) annual physicals. However, how often do we get a “physical” of our spiritual lives?

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13.5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”

We often forget about how important it is to take account of our relationship with Christ. Have there been any new changes? Any difficult challenges? Have we added any new ways to help our relationship like a new book or devotional? Have we removed any things that were strengthening our walk like decreased church attendance or no longer going to small group? How much time have we spent in the Word or really investing in a deeper relationship with Christ?

This thought was extremely sobering for me. As I examined my relationship with Christ over the last year, I was saddened by the areas in which I had stumbled, but also encouraged by the areas that I had strengthened. This gave me such good direction in areas I need to improve, but also made me thankful that the Lord had blessed me in so many other ways.

It is so important to examine yourselves, but I think this also provides us a good moment to be still and allow the Lord to examine us. So often I think I can see all of the problems in my life and attitude, and so often I miss a lot. Open your hearts to the Lord to let him work inside of you and guide you down his path for the next year. Allow him to mold your heart to do his work through your life.

So, I urge everyone to make sure they get their annual “spiritual” physical. Examine and test yourselves! While weaving through the intricacies of the challenges and defeats of the last year can be taxing, it is a good way for God to guide you in a new path and encourage you in the ways you are serving Him. I love it when the Lord can use His Word to convict me, and at the same time point me in His will. Open your hearts to him so that he may examine and test you.

On these warmer winter days, its always nice to bring out a nice pastel to fit the brightness of the day! But due to my obsession with dark colors, you always need a little black to balance out the positivity 😛

As you know from my new shower curtain, I LOVE stripes, so these striped capris from Loft are the perfect addition to business wardrobe! They are very versatile and go with many different colored tops.

This adorable blue top is from Marshalls. It is very light-weight and is the perfect transition into spring time! As always for us cold-blooded ladies, a light grey cardigan pairs perfectly.

Look for a new blog post this weekend!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4.8-9

I stared at this verse in a whole new way this week. A way I would’ve hoped to never see it.  This verse had always made me feel empowered. It showed me the strength and redemption I had in Cheist. This week, however, it showed me the utter hopelessness that those without Him felt.

Michael was my cousin by marriage. We were never very close, but he and I would have lunch together with our grandparents sporadically throughout college. He lived on the floor above me during freshman year, and we would hang out from time to time in large groups. He was a vibrant young man with amazing ambitions. He was so determined in his school work while having so much fun breakdancing in his free time.

I never would have imagined the pain he felt inside.

My heart was broken last week when I found out he had taken his own life. It was like everything came to a halt. I tried to work through it the best that I could, but one can only comprehend so much of such a terrible thing.

Once we had more details, my mom filled me in on Michael’s battle with mental illness. He had become adept at masking his symptoms, which kept treatment at bay. Toward the end of our conversation, my mom told me that she couldn’t begin to imagine what someone is thinking when they take their own life. In a moment of clarity, I simply replied to her, “Hopelessness.”

You see, Paul’s description of our trials in 2 Corinthians has one small key word – “but.” Despite the persecution we face, Christ’s saving grace is the “but” that keeps us from comelette destruction. We are able to have hope and thus less easily succumb the feelings of abandonment and despair.  He has promised us a life with him, filled with joy and eternal peace. This is an amazingly empowering verse! Paul says in Philippians that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! He has provided us the strength we need to resist defeat amidst our trials.

However, we must also shift our view of this verse to see the world through an unbeliever’s eyes. Without His grace, how can one see beyond the persecution in front of him? How can one not succumb to despair and destruction? For without the Lord’s redemption, there is no “but.”

While I continue to mourn the loss of Michael, I am encouraged by the Lord’s gift to me. He has opened my eyes to see the need among the lost. I pray that the Lord continues to work in my heart that I may show future friends, family, and patients, both with and without mental illness, that there is hope beyond this life.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4.16-18

**If you are currently struggling with mental illness or thoughts of suicide, please seek out help. Your local healthcare provider can help you find medication and counseling to help you with your condition. If you are considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Life: 1-800-273-8255.

New blog post coming soon! But in the meantime, I’ve been meaning to update our bathroom decor since we moved back to Indiana, and I have finally started!! Here is my new favorite shower curtain! I got it from Macy’s, and it is my favorite designer – Kate Spade 😊

I love the black and white theme. And we finally got all white towels! If you’re buying new towels, go white! You can bleach away all stains 😉 I got beautiful gold shower curtain hooks, and now on to some cute gold bathroom accessories! Looking forward to final project.