When choosing a needle always pick the small one

Today I've had my fistula for 7 weeks.  Yesterday I had an appointment with the vascular doc to check for maturity (of the fistula, not my own).  The report was very encouraging, the fistula is large, with good blood flow and no apparent strictures.  Praise the Lord!   On his way out the door the doc said they could start using one 'small' needle.  Really?  Did he really need to say 'small', as iff I won't be asking for the smallest of the harpoons :) 
So this is a great answer to my prayers and the start of a whole new prayer!  I admit it, I'm nervous about the first day using my fistula.  The rational me thinks, "how bad can it be, I've had numerous encounters with needles and lived to tell about it -- this will be a breeze."  My inner big-baby wails, "I don't wanna get stuck!"  And the nurse in me says, "They use WHAT gauge needle?" 
So now, not only am I going to get stuck in my fistula for the first time, but now I have multiple inner-voices vying for my attention..... I could use more prayer than I initially thought :)

Sounds like Opportunity

I've been really negligent of blogging with any kind of predictable frequency.  For the longest time my blog has been one of the only ways to share God's work in my life and the journey I've been on for the last 2+ years.  God's still working in my life, but my purpose has become clearer and shifted some.  For 31/2 hours M_W_F I have an audience that can't get away from me.  Being In-center for the third time in less than two years made me wonder if maybe God had something He wanted me to learn from the experience... three times.... doesn't speak well for my grasp of quick-learning.  It's as if my blinders have been lifted (figuratively, literally I still could hide my own Easter eggs).  The difference between this Hemo experience and the times before is night-and-day..  I'm making an effort to know the names of my 'neighbors' (surrounding chair occupants) and making conversation with my care providers.  I've had several opportunities to share with those around me what God is doing in my life and how He sustains me -- and I'm trying to live so others see Christ through me, even on my rough days.
But, just like those around me can't get away from me, likewise, I'm a sitting duck!  I felt especially trapped when I came in close proximity to a particularly noisy, immensely disconcerting chair occupant.  Moans and groans could be heard coming from the adjacent chair as steadily as a heartbeat, only to be interrupted by whining and loud protests.  As bad as I felt for my dialysis comrade, I felt worse for me.  I would often find myself praying for their relief and my own peace.  It took me a while to see the opportunity God had placed within my hearing.  God was giving me the opportuinity to pray for that person and for the care providers, to think beyond myself and for others.