By Mike Peek

Finishing Well A Personal and Professional Reflection By Mike Peek I began my nursing career after graduating from an ADN program in 1997 and later completed a BSN in 2015. Over the past twenty‑nine years, my practice has been rooted in cardiovascular care. My early experience included cardiac telemetry, intermediate care, and the operating room. Since joining Mother Frances hospital in July 2001, now Christus Trinity Mother Frances, I have worked in the cardiovascular ICU, the cardiac cath lab, the electrophysiology lab, and for the past five years, the OPCU pre‑cath area. This breadth of experience has shaped my practice and strengthened my commitment to high‑quality, patient‑centered care for Jesus’ sake. Prior to starting my nursing career, I received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1992 after five years of military service. At that point, I had neither a college degree nor vocational training suitable for civilian work. My first job after the Army was at Target, w...

Everyone Needs a Budget By Mike Peek “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Lk.14:28, NASB95) Budgeting has increasingly fallen out of favor among everyday Americans. Many households now rely on credit to bridge the gap between income and expenses, often using credit cards or loans to cover shortfalls rather than strictly managing cash flow. Very few people set aside money in advance for major future purchases such as a car replacement or vacations. Instead of saving over time, many choose to finance these expenses when the need arises, often resorting to loans or credit cards to make up the difference. This reactive approach can lead to increased financial stress and long-term debt, further highlighting the importance of proactive budgeting and planning. For example, on January 1, 2006, Darlene and I faced a negative net worth. At that time, we owed $22,752.14 more than we had...