Last week in Summitview Family Medicine

This week marks my last week here in Summitview. I've only been working here for 6 months, and as my very first practice out of residency training, I cannot help but be sentimental. I wish that I could have stayed longer and gotten to know better the other doctors and staff. But since it is what it is, I'm thankful too that even for a short period of time, we were able to influence each other in one way or another.

I will especially miss my colleague Vani. She has been a wonderful resource person for me, and a mentor. She's scary smart, funny and very insightful. I enjoy our short conversations along the hallway, during lunch or after work hours. She is a wonderful mother to her 3 children (yes, all of them are going to be doctors!) and just a great friend. Today's her birthday too.

I think that as life goes on, I will be able to look back to this episode in my life and will be able to figure out why God has placed me in Yakima. It seems to me that it is too short a stay for me to have any impact on anyone. But who's to say what is enough time and what is not enough time anyway? God works His plans perfectly and I should be able to trust that completely even though it is, at times, difficult to understand.

Photos above: 1) Summitview Family Medicine Clinic; 2) Medical staff at SFM (Front row L-R: Marlene, Nancy, Linda, Peggy, Dr. Vani; Back row L-R: Tracy, Terri, Diana, Renee); 3) My office nook;  4) My welcome plant! (yes, it's still alive after 6 months!);5) My welcome plant and going-away plant (thanks guys!)

Why refining the walk? The last two years have been a series of whirlwind pockets of experiences, the most defining of which was my realization of the continual need to test and press on my walk of faith. I have had my share of stumbles and picking ups along the way - many of which I'm beginning to forget and since I forget, it is impossible to learn from it. Writing it down would be the wisest way to keep these memories accessible and, maybe, helpful for me and others who may review/read it.

In addition to keeping an online journal, my goal is also to go through the Bible, book by book, as part of my daily walk. My hope is I will be able to draw lessons from the Bible and be constantly on the lookout how it applies to my daily experiences. It's a daunting task, as I've never attempted to read the Bible cover to cover, so this will be an interesting journey. I pray for the Holy Spirit to rest upon me as He did on Jesus when He was doing His ministry.

So here goes.