Thus begins another semester and yet another blog entry.  Let me first begin by summing up last semester.  I came into the semester charged and ready to fight my way into the battle of long days, late nights and the handing over of my hours to the pursuit of medicine.  Let me begin by saying that God was so faithful to me all the way along.  Looking back, I can see a point in the semester when something shifted in me and I went after this thing with everything I had.  Most days began at 645am and ended at 1130pm.  The extra class (neuro) was initially very challenging and figuring out how to manage more work with less time was difficult.  After a while you learn to adjust, to not waste time and use well the time you have and you learn to streamline the material.  All along the way God has given me courage, strength, resolve and grace.  I kind of view medical school as trench warfare: you hunker down in the ditch, prepare and endure (lecture and studying) with occasional assaults on the enemy line (Mini Exams and practicals).  

     At the end of the semester we had to take our third Mini exam and three practicals (histo, neuro and anatomy).  On top of these we had 5 "Shelf" exams to take, and all of this (9 exams) in 14 days.  Shelf Exams are national exams that are given to all 2nd and 3rd semester students.  There is one for each subject and most medical schools take them.  Here's the catch though: most medical schools do NOT count them toward grades and most medical students do not take all the exams.  For us, the shelf exams counted for 20% of our grade in each subject (except physio which was only 15%) and we had to take all five exams (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Physiology and Histology).  The pressure was on.  Strangely enough, I felt myself gaining momentum and charging through to the end.  I can only attribute this to The Lord.  He supplied me with exactly what I needed to make it through and to do well.  To top it off, I did exceptionally bad in Biochemistry  on Mini III.  I really was afraid I might not pass.  I ended up with a C (fine by me) as well as a B and four A's in my other subjects!!!  I am so grateful!!!!

     So...the first year of medical school is over and done with!  I can hardly believe it at times.  Briana and I talk about how, in some ways, it seems like yesterday we were gathering all we owned and packing it away in storage to head down to Dominica.  We have tread many miles in the past 9 months.  Speaking of Briana, she has been my constant companion, cheerleader and friend on this journey.  Medical school would be so much more difficult and so much less enjoyable without her.  I love my wife!!

     Now it's on to 3rd semester.  We have all new classes: Pharmacology, Pathology, Behavioral Sciences, ICM (kind of like a skills practicing lab) and Microbiology.  It's going to be a tough semester and I want to ask you to continue to pray for me as I take more steps on this journey.  Thank you for your prayers and support to this point, and thank you for reading.

     John