Meeting Expectations

For Bliss Orthodontics, last year was a year for the books.  One that came way too early for my liking.  A year, I doubt I'll be able to repeat anytime in the near future.

And yet, that is exactly what Dr Henao and her husband Nacho, have set for my goals this year.

It is normal in the first 5-7 years of a new practice , that the numbers will increase 50% the first year and then tapers down and down and down until it hits a steady increase of about 10-20 every year.  But last year, I hit record numbers - unbelievable record numbers.  and to meet those numbers again, I would have to have more consults and more starts than we've had in 3 years past.  I could say that it's just not going to happen and resign myself to knowing that expectations for 2019 are just not going to be met.  But I can't.  It's just not allowed.

I found this post on facebook the other day.

I felt it appropriate.

'If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit'.

I won't quit.  I will just do the best I can and hope that Dr Henao realizes that 2018 was 'off the charts', not to happen again for awhile.

And I can't beat myself up over it.

January, we had 31 starts as compared to 36 from last year.  My goal for each month is 23.  I only have 11 IB's on the books for February so far.  I need to reach my goal of 23.

I will rest, but I won't quit.

17 Miracles

This is a movie about the Willie Martin Handcart Company.
Del wanted to watch it last night after church .
I had a hard time containing my emotions throughout the whole thing as I watched the early pioneers leave a place of persecution and leave all they had behind to try and reach what they believed would be Zion.
And it was, indeed, Zion: for those that made it.
And for those that didn't, my heart was literally broken for them.
I think one of the very first things, of which I should thank my Father in Heaven for, is that He did not have me live in the day of the pioneers.  I would have died.  I know I would have.  And I would have complained doing it too.  And I'm not even sure I would have had the faith strong enough to leave my comforts and safety zone for the promise of Zion.
The movie has caused me much thought of the trial of my faith.  Have I ever really had my faith tested??  Have a I ever really been through anything that has made me question the truthfulness of the gospel or my desire to be obedient to the doctrine of the church??
No.  I don't think so.  Michael died; yes.  But I still knew the church was true - I still knew I had a loving Heavenly Father and that the Lord loved me.  And I never questioned.
So that causes me to ponder.  Will there be another time that my testing will come???
Yes.  I know the answer is yes.
Now, I must prepare.  I must strengthen my faith - my belief - me testimony of Him and His plan.  I must prepare as to become unshakable  - unphased and un-moveable in my convictions.
I have to be a modern day pioneer: ready to leave behind all that I have, all that I desire of this world; and all that I am asked to forsake....for HIM.