RE UPLOAD -I never got the chance to really introduce myself to the forum as a whole and tell my story, so here it is:

My name is Noah. I was born in October of 1989 in Portland, Oregon, but raised in Medford, OR. I don't have a father. I've known Jesus since I was 2.

 I am married to my beautiful wife ( December, 2009), and we have a 19 month old son!  
 

I've gone through lots of hard times in my life, but I've always been able to use them to help, care for, and comfort others. I counseled a lot of rape victims in high school (girls trusted me for some reason, despite being a guy), and I was able to empathize with many people of various situations. 

I also grew up studying science constantly. Even when I was a few years old, I was reading books on the solar system, body organ-systems, paleontology, among others. Therefore, I've begun to understand that I want to help and care for others using the knowledge of gained, of which both I'm passionate about. 

I had a hard time deciding on a career path. I entered college seeking to go into echocardiography, and possibly medicine. I was denied by OIT, so I attended a CC, where I achieved a GPA that got me into OIT. I ended up having to withdraw because of family problems (surgeries, etc.) and the stress with wedding planning. I ended up having several hiccups in school afterward, and stopped going all-together. 

I started attending school again in the winter of 2011 with a strong dedication toward becoming a physician. So, now I'm on a crazy and strenuous path toward medicine. It's been hard, especially with a child, and a wife who works and is going to school (for dental assisting) too. God has really helped me through it even as I have struggled constantly. 

My drive to be a doctor (ultimately a surgeon) has been from the realization that God has healed me much, and used me to heal others. To be honest, I could never stand sitting around and grading papers (not that it isn't important), or doing anything else, when I could be repairing people. 

So, now here I am exhausted, but I wouldn't have it any other way, even when I would technically graduate until 2019, not including a 5-year residency. 

I've really enjoyed being on the RF, and really enjoy the friendly and warm community that has been so kind and welcoming.