Catch #9

Praise Jesus!! Three beautiful babies were born last night! There is just one story to tell you though.  There were four of us, plus our supervisor on shift.  We were endorsed 4 labors, but one was sent home, which was later replaced by a very active labor who delivered very quickly.

My labor was doing very well.  This was her "second time around"and she and her husband were handling it like a pro.  They did excellent.  He was a great support for her through her labor and she was diligent to stay focused in the throws of contractions and keep on with labor stimulation.

Our shift came on at 10:00pm and by 11:34pm her precious baby boy was born!  He weighed 2900g.  So, that was my very happy night shift.

Kyn...so adorable.

Such a sweet family!

We all caught babies, me, then Ruth, then Maria!

Catch # 7&8

Hello!  So it has been a while, and well, time has been FLYING.  Since writing last I have caught two more babies.  You can read them both, but honestly, "#8" is far more exciting.  hehe.

Catch #7:

At endorsements (one shift coming on and one shift leaving) we were given a labor (maybe two?).  Joy was endorsing a labor, however, she wanted to stay and assist because  she had spent time with her all day.  Assist she did!  Shortly after endorsement we were both in the cubicle.  Our patient was ready to push!  After some very hard laboring and a little midwifery help, she delivered a baby boy. Precious Jusha.  Everything was fairly normal.

Catch #8 - The Exciting One:

Setting the Stage: It was Friday Swing shift and the Filipina Christmas Party was being held upstairs and overlapping the end of swing shift.  The supervisor on shift was also in a presentation, so she was a bit detained.  We midwives had some details of our own to take care of...so, needless to say it was busy!

After endorsements we had distributed the labors and postpartum patients accordingly.  We were all busily taking care of our patients.  My patient had wanted to go to the hospital, but had been talked out of doing so, early.  She was having a hard time laboring. One of the gals on shift had to run upstairs, so she asked me to just keep and eye on her labor and if anything happened to call her...quick.

So, after a few minutes I headed out to check on her.  All was well.  It was at that point that I grabbed my patients chart to go back in to labor with her that I noticed that, as it happened, I was the only one standing directly in the birth room.  Please understand, everyone is within ear shot...all the cubicles are just curtains separating, it's a hot country, so there are lots of windows.  It's just that I was the only midwife in that room at that moment.

Upon leaving my patients cubical a sound overcame all other sounds of the outside hustle and bustle of a Christmas party, "NARSSSSS, NARSSSS, NARSSSSS!"  So, I pop my head into the other cubicle completely expecting to just tell the patient that I would go get her nurse ASAP.  She and her bana expectantly looked and were releaved when the call was answered, but seeing as I was just going to go out she motioned so strongly that I obligingly went to her.  "Good idea," I thought.  This was I would be able to just to check on things and give Ruth (her midwife) a better account of the situation.

As it turned out, it was my turn to start yelling!  My check revealed a head sticking out.  Within moments gloves were dawned, my yelling continued, and a baby was born!  It wasn't exactly "ideal", but it was exciting.  The baby was a healthy baby girl born.  Her name is Rhian.  People began returning within minutes and we began working like a well oiled machine without missing a beat!

Although every birth is a miracle and it's obvious that God is truly the One presiding over it all, there are certain births that bring this truth to the forefront of everything else.  This was one such birth.  Just amazing.  Thank You Jesus for being in the midst of all I do!!

P.S. it was so crazy, I didn't even get pictures!  Hopefully at a baby check...pray I remember. :) 

So NOT code...

On a light note, this scene captured my interest the other day.  Here's a picture and then I can talk about it:

the "Hut"

My Vantage point from out balcony.

It's not clear if it is a new building being built or if it is an addition.  It's pretty hard to tell.  The only way to see it is from the balcony.  The street on the other side doesn't even offer a view of it.  For months they have been working on it.  You can watch the guys in their t-shirts and shorts (and flip-flops) sometimes boots or jeans working on it day after day.  They sodder with little protection, just the norm.

Do you see the big blue tarp in the top picture.  That one is new.  Apparently, as noted by the clothesline, that is their temporary living quarters!  It just made me laugh.  Oh dear, the things that are just normal.  No one is going to complain, no one is going to notice, it's just what is done.  Of course, no one is living in that building except the workers.

Just one of the many distinctions.  It usually just makes me shake my head and laugh.  It's highly practical.  Why go home just to return tomorrow?  Who cares if you work a little late into the night?  Your already "home" even if it's temporary and it's a construction zone.

There's a little glimpse of the daily surroundings!

Jusha - Precious Baby Boy

Last night, after just an hour and 19 minutes of being on shift a precious baby boy was born into my hands at 11:19pm.  He weighed 3100g. His mom did great even though she had two previous births which had required episiotomies going against her.  Last night she did it all on her own without even a tear!  Hopefully they will come tomorrow for their "one" day (they had to spend the night due to the late hour, so really he's already 2 days old!)  That will be a better time for pictures.  She had quite a bit of bleeding, which required some extra care and of course she was a little more tired.

The parents were so sweet.  Especially the dad.  There have been many sweet couples, but he has thus far topped every dad here yet with his tenderness and attentiveness to his wife and baby boy.  It is their third, so he happily gave the baby a bath (although, I do love giving baby baths and teaching new parents.  It was precious to watch his joy.)

Here is a picture of the little guy:

Jusha (pronounced Joshua)

Pictures!

Even with the rainy weather the one day baby check for Kelly came. :) She is so cute at just over 5 lbs. 9oz.  Was rather sleepy, but looking cute as ever.  Her mom is doing great.  She was all dressed up and looking good.  Here's a couple pictures.

Say-Say, Me and Kelly (who couldn't resist a stretch!)

Just so sweet.

Her footprints.

Heart Hugs from Jesus

Maayong Buntag!  (Good morning)

As i was enjoying my quiet time with Jesus this morning my heart was so very blessed that it is cool.  Like, actually cool.  Hence a cup of hot tea.  Mmmm.

So, I savored the cool of the morning.  The skies are overcast and it rained most of yesterday.  Just a peaceful, constant rain.  Of course, my laundry on the back line didn't dry.  That will have to move to the front line, which is sheltered from the elements!

As I pondered the cool morning and know that this cool season may last for a while or it may change tomorrow.  In fact, it may change today as of yet.  My heart overflowed with thankfulness to my Saviour.  He loves me with a deep love, the depths of which cannot be fathomed.

 "My soul, wait silently for God alone,

         For my expectation is from Him.

  He only is my rock and my salvation;

         He is my defense; 

         I shall not be moved."

- Psalm 62: 4-5

This has become a dear Psalm to me as He is teaching me to daily seek Him in every aspect of the day.  A dear friend and I used to "meet" every other week for tea and prayer.  We did this over the phone, but we always drank tea!  She would always ask how the Lord had hugged my heart.  A fresh, the Lord is causing me to seek Him and pay attention to the "Heart Hugs" He daily gives me.  What a joy it is.  

Yesterday:

- Had a wonderful birth

- Entered the Throne Room often to lift up patients and friends.

- Had a baby named after me.

- Was able to make it through a loong day.

- Gave everyone in class a little laugh as people popped up on Skype to chat, but we were using skype for class, therefore, I could't really chat.

- Skyped with my parents who are en route to Ecuador.

Today (as of 8:00am)

- absolutely LOVING the cool.

- filled with His joy for the day.

- Waiting with great expectation in Him.

- Had lovely Christmas emails
- Enjoying Grove Shark for some Christmas tones (usually the internet is too slow!)

This was on my heart to share with you because He is so faithful.  Even when I don't "see" it or "feel" it.  He is there.  Thankfully, I don't determine His faithfulness.  Whew.  In the midst of learning this, I sure do loose focus and am not always resting in Him, yet, He still pursues me with an indescribable passion.

Blessings to you that you might seek His face and wait on Him with great expectation.

*So, it's still warm enough for shorts, but cool enough for a jacket and hot tea! 

P.s. here is the box my brother and sister-in-law sent...well, they didn't send the current contents.  Ate Elsa is sitting in it.  She is an amazing midwife who is actually an Engineer by education and career, but now works as a midwife.  She's a HUGE blessing.

Honk goes the Taxi!

We have some of the most experienced taxi drivers. They now how to pull up quickly and efficiently while honking their horn to let us know they are arriving with a labor...and sometimes a car that needs cleaning from, well, a car delivery.  It happens.

This morning there was a precious baby whose mom and dad came in one such honking taxi.  She had not given birth yet, so we quickly moved her from taxi to clinic with the aide of a wheel chair.  Just 19 minutes later at 8:06am a beautiful baby girl was born.  The parents both did great.  It is their second baby (their first child is also a girl), but that doesn't always insure an easy deliver or calm parents.

This birth is special for so many reasons, but there are two reason that stand out from the rest.  One is that this is my first baby girl.  She is just 5 days short of being a "term" (at least 38 weeks) baby, but is doing great, praise Jesus.  Secondly, she is named after me!  As was the turn of events for the day, I wasn't even there when they named the baby.  I don't know if they know how much it astonished or blessed me, but it sure did! My prayer is that this little Kelly Zell (yup, she'll have two first names) is a bold warrior for Jesus.

Everyone here has said that at some point you will probably have a baby named after you or you might be asked for a suggestion for the name.  This still surprised me.  Woo!

While I did remember my ink pad to get foot prints of the baby for the parents and me, I forgot my camera. Someone even said I could use theirs but I got so busy...well, hopefully they will come tomorrow for their baby check and we can grab a few snapshots then! They really love to have pictures taken and then we try to print them out for them because that is really their only remembrance of their baby's birth.

That's the latest from "The Birth Room."  God bless each of you!

Chit-Chat all Ends in a Baby!

On November 30 a few volunteers and i were manning the birth room for Swing shift.  It was quiet.  So quiet in fact, that we were each doing our own thing in between little bursts of conversation or laughter as we passed the time.

Soon enough a labor came in.  She came with just her mother and had left her bag of supplies at home, so after establishing that she was already BOW Rup (bag of waters ruptured) we sent her mom home to get the supplies.  In the mean time we had her begin some labor stim.

It was so quiet that I walked outside with her for a good 40 minutes or so, back and forth on the street in front of the clinic.  She chatted away in Visayan.  While I didn't understand her perfectly, it was enough to be able to follow her stories and occasionally ask questions.  Her contractions were just 15 minutes apart and very mild.  Oh, and this was her seventh baby.  We talked about her previous births and how the last two were without hardly any pain, which meant very little warning for her.  How they used to have a karenderia (little restaurant/eatery) in front of their house and now how their kids are growing and learning to have responsibility at home.

Eventually, we headed inside for dinner and her mother and husband (bana) arrived.  For the next few hours, she labored outside with her bana and mother.  She was so nervous that the baby was going to drop out on the floor that she had to move into the cubicle.  So, she did.  I continued to check vitals on the hour or as seemed needed.

Finally at 9:11 after just a minute of pushing a beautiful baby boy was born.  They are now a family of 6 boys and 1 girl.  She did so well for being so nervous.  So lovely!

That's the lastest on the birth room. Thank you all for praying.  The clinic has to be covered in prayer.  We always recognize that without Jesus we certainly cannot help any women through this miracle of bringing new life into the world.  There are sad days, sometimes, not often, but sometimes.  We did just loose two babies.  One was a still born and one died shortly after birth due to respitory complications.  Regardless of all we can do, ultimately, God is Sovereign and we must recognize Him through the sad times and the joyful times.  Please keep praying!

Here are a few pictures:

It's Cultural...

Some days are funny, some are sad, some just are, and some, well, some hold embarrassing moments that often afford a good laugh after the fact (occasionally in it).  Today was one such day of the later.  My friends and I headed out to a coffee shop around 10, since the mall doesn't open open until then.

We had been there about an hour and a half.  The inevitable happened.  Nature called, but because this coffee shop is in the mall there is no CRs (comfort room) in the coffee shop, thus requiring a trip out into the mall to track down one of the CR's there.  No big deal, that's pretty normal and this mall is really nice and new.

I left my friend in the coffee shop to dutifully keep watching over our computers and "valuables."  Upon entering the CR it dawned on me I wasn't carrying any toilet paper, which is always a responsible thing to do in a foreign country.  Then, it occurred to me that this is a well established place and they would probably supply some in the CR.  I passed 5 school girls who were taking up the entire counter and mirror and entered a stall.  Immediately, I realized there was no toilet paper there.  What a conundrum.  I headed back out, but my pride was far to big at this point to even consider the reality that they probably hadn't even noticed me in which case it would be possible to grab some toilet paper from the dispenser.  Instead, I washed my hands...right next to the toilet paper dispenser.

Yup, that's right.  If you are in a public restroom (CR) it's very likely there will be a central dispenser near the sinks, but nothing in the stalls.  Well, I left.  Embarrassed, I went down to tell my friend (both girls appreciate these thing having lived in foreign countries).  We laughed and told each other embarrassing stories.  In the end: by the time we made it back out, well, we had to go to three different CRs before finding one that was stocked.

Just a cultural moment that one must laugh at.  Why was my pride so injured?  Because it's pride and that's what it does.  Now it's a good laugh and a lesson learned. 

First Catch baby!

Marcie, Christian and Me on day one!

Baby Christian Jade, 2900g, 11/15/11

Isn't he precious? I just took his footprints.

Last night was a night shift.  For anyone who knows me you know that it's not my favorite pastime to stay up all night and sleep during the day.  My biological clock is set on morning time to be awake during the day!

As any medical professional knows nights are part of the life.  "Emergency" type of medical care doesn't have hours, it's 24/7.  This was so secret when I started here, but it doesn't mean that I have to look forward to it.  Some of the midwives here really do love the night. That is when they are really awake.  Usually the way our schedule works out people usually have at least one night shift a week, but they can be switched out on occasion too.

Last night was one of those.  It's been a desire of my heart to not complain or dread the night shift.  It's not even the night that is so bad, it's sleeping the next day and getting flip-flopped in schedule.  It's just a challenge.  But, such is life, so my attitude needs to change!

My heart has been changed...at least it's been given a boost.  You see, last night was my first catch!  In a previous post the positions in a birth here were explained.  There are at least three people aside from the mother and a bantay (watcher/friend) of her choice.  The assistant, they will be the working hands to get towels, heart tones, IVs, etc.  The Charter, they will chart all the details with the time in a birth, and finally the Catcher.  This is she who will catch the baby, and eventually the placenta!  (TMI??  Oh, there's more that could be said, but that will be left out.)

My patient had been laboring since 5:20pm at the clinic.  After assisting with one birth it was my turn to be first up!  I had a pounding headache and really just wanted to sleep, but with four labors (until the one I assisted with) sleep was no where in sight!  And it all happened so fast.  Another gal and I checked a postpartum patient and upon entering the birth room again about 10 minutes later (it was about 1:15am) i heard almost unearthly tones, those tell-tale sounds of a women in labor who is on the brink of meeting her baby for the first time to be held in her arms.

With that, the supervisor on shift called my into the cubicle, motioning my to sit on the bed, the "catcher's spot."  Wow.  It was rather surreal.  After only 14 minutes the baby was born at 1:34am.  A precious baby boy.  Everything seemed such a blur, but oh so precious.  The change from a laboring women who is focused on the rolling contractions that keep her riveted to the feelings of her body, then to a loving, beautiful, glowing mother never cease to amaze me.  This mother was no different.  She just glowed.  She had handled the pain and made it through, all to be rewarded with a precious little 2900g. baby boy.  

That's the story!  She just came this afternoon for her one day postnatal  check-up.  She was glowing and so proud.  And, she had finally chosen a name for the baby, Christian Jade.  What a blessing this little baby is.  We will continue to keep in touch over the next few weeks for her other postnatal checkups.

This time, I'm so grateful for night shift.  The precious little life and the sweet mother.  She absolutely melts my heart every time I see her.  here are some pictures to gander at.

The Gospel...it is never an "old" truth

Are we not so blessed to be "covered in the Blood"?  For the past 3 months of being here I have attended a different church almost every Sunday.  Tiring?  Occassionally, however, there is more to church than just going to the same one.  In this current chapter the need seems to change from week to week, but God is always faithful to meet me exactly where I am.  Often, most of the joy in going is getting to spend time with a girl or two or three outside of the daily relm of work that we live in.

Today, I was not only blessed by the girls, but by the message.  It was on the Gospel!!  What a refreshment.  The passages the pastor spoke from where Isaiah 53 and 55 (and, many Cornerstone "kids" memorized Is. 53 this summer...way to go!!)  The Gospel is such an amazing, yet simple truth.  HE died for me and told me to COME to Him and accept His gift of Eternal Life, abundant life.  Wow.  It's well worth your own time and reading to look it up.  Be refreshed today as you dwell on the Gospel.

"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 
“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance." - Isaiah 55:1 - 3
³ “^(H)Incline your ear and come to Me. 
Listen, that ^[c]you may ^(I)live; 
And I will make ^(J)an everlasting covenant with you, 
According to the ^(K)faithful mercies ^[d]shown to David. 

Outreach

And, this is the front!

This says it all. Pretty raw truth.

The symbol for Talikala...do you see the picture?

Some Talikala girls.  Only three of them are pregnant, but everyone can learn a little about Nutrition!

Joy and Hannah giving a health presentation.

Joy talking with a patient (pt.)

Today, you will be introduced to Talikala.  It is an orginization here that was started in 1987 by a doctor,
a missionary and a dancer to reach the prostitutes of Davao City.  It is does not have any religous connection now, it is simply a non-profit orginization.  However, the LORD is using it so powerfully.

We are very privilaged to be able to partner with them to give these girls prenatal care, and hopefully, labor and delivery care.  Prenatal care we are able to go to them every other week.  We will bring all our supplies (scale, BP cuff, stethoscope, medicines, tape measure and fetal heart dopple), health teaching, sing worship songs (in Visayan) and spend a few hours from 2:30 until whenever we are done with them.  We will usually see anywhere from 1 - 4 girls per visit.  They still have to get lab work done for blood and urinalysis just like at the clinic and we keep charts on all of them.

The exciting part, to me, about this outreach is meeting practical needs and trusting the LORD to do His work in their life.  Some of the girls who come are no longer in prostitution, but some of them are.  The staff their realizes that they cannot make a girl just stop, especially when it is viewed as "work" and may be the only source of income, but they also always strive to encourage them in other areas by offering education classes as well as other resources to help them personally work through the damage they have endured as a result of their "work".

 Plus, we have the opportunity to work with a NGO, but have freedom to sing about God, give out Bibles, and share the Gospel.  He is the one that changes lives.  It is very humbling to be reminded that GOD is the One at work, not me, not Christians.  He will raise up anyone He wills to complete the work He desires to be done.

Pictures above.

Musings of Peace

 Halo!  Well, yet another blunder in the blogging sphere of my life...this picture is sideways.  haha.  You wanted to stretch your neck anyway...right?  This mountain is the one mountain that is one the island close to us.  It is called Mt. Apo.  Hopefully i will climb it one day.  It is such a wonderful reminder to me of God's glory in making beauty from ashes.  He is our Redeemer!  Although it is a "scar", of sorts, on this land, it makes the landscape so gorgeous.

This is just a picture of what most of the streets look like.  This is 8:00 on a Sunday morning, so it is not nearly as busy as what it is normally.  See how the tricey cabs wait at the corner.  There is a person's house and a restaurant all smooshed together!  That's life in the city.  What you can't see in this picture is Gaisano Mall (G-mall) directly to the left.

 This is what is to the left.  A HUGE mall.  It's pretty nice.  Because it is a little further away than two other malls we don't frequent this one as much, but it sure is nice.  The currently empty street is normally bustling with cabs coming and going.  It's a little bit of a trick to cross the street, but not early on Sunday!

 So, this is inside a Tricey.  Basically a motor bike (or regular bicycle) with a cab attached.  My friend Eileen is in the front.  The decorations are purely the driver's own addition.  This one also happened to be the loudest.  Whew.  There is a lot of variety in them. Some just have umbrellas, some have just seats, some look really clean and shiney, some look like they've just seen every muddy puddle and dust storm.  Oh, and some have a speaker which constitutes the bench back and they really blast the music...anything from hip-hop to rock to Christian.  You just never know!

 Just another view.  I'm sitting in the back.  The back has two little bench seats.  One of the right side and one of the left side.  Oh, and they really vary in size.  Some easily seat 5 people, some really only sit 2.

 Just another street shot.  Again, it's not very busy at the time this picture was taken because it is Sunday morning.  During the week it is bustling with activity at 8:00a.  The University is also on the street, so that really makes things busy on here.

Ok, so my camera wasn't clicking as fast as I was expecting. So, this was taken a little late as we zoomed by going about 15/20 mph.  Do you see the little hut?  It's right next to the tree behind the fence.  It really doesn't look like much actually.  Well, that is someones house.  Pretty sure that they are "squaters." In other words, they don't actually own that land, hence a lack of a more permanent looking structure.  right across the street is are some major gates around much larger houses.  That is the constant dichotomy everywhere here.

Oh, this is the seat in the tricey.  You just never know how they will be decorated.  There was a Mickey face on every bench seat: the two in the back and even the one in the front.









Ok, that's all the pictures for now...now "Musing of Peace"


"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7

"The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea.  It lies so deeply within the human heart that no external difficulty or disturbance can reach it.  And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm." -Arthur Tappan Pierson
Sometimes in the hurry and hustle and bustle of life here I forget to dive into His peace and drink deeply!  In all our adventures sometimes the deepest longing of my heart is to be in silence!  Not rushed, not wishing for quiet, but in silence.  Yet, God has said we can have peace with Him!  So, even in the busy moments, whether its in a birth room or living in a house with 13 other girls, He has promised peace for my soul.  I will love Him with all my strength, heart and mind.

Those are a few musings recently.  Especially as we don't have fall here or autumn.  And, although my mind comprehends it, sometimes, I don't even realize how much i miss it.  It's a bit confusing sometimes.  Talking to a friend about this, she said to keep an eye out for Scriptures that talk about PARADOXes.  That will be where my focus is.

Prayer Focus:
Continued prayer for the clinic
Safety as the Christmas Season approaches and people become more greedy
For each of our hearts to be content and at peace in Christ!

Praise:
All the new babies!  (really, every week...they are precious!)
Minimal sickness that has not spread through the whole house
Quiet dogs...the neighbor's dogs are sometimes loud ALL night
Wonderful MMC staff

"Fruit Made with YOU in Mind"

Greetings!

Last night we had a great Care Group held at MMC (Mercy Maternity Center) for ALL of the Filipina staff as well as the foreign staff (that means US!)  It was such a blessing to spend some time together to put aside our daily work and praise the Lord through song and a little lesson on fruit.

Manny (one of the staff, who also 'happens' to be married to one of the midwives) gave a great illustration last night that is just too good to keep here in one little corner of Davao City.

We started off by talking about surrender.  Ultimately, we must surrender to God.  You can go ahead and think of some things keeping you from surrenduring to God.  We came up with a few including fear, wanting to be in control, feeling that He will take away "my" Rights...and so the list continues.

After reading some verses and talking about Jesus' attitude towards the Father and how He completely surrendered to God everything!  You might think this is trivial or easy because Jesus and God are one in the same.  Let me share a verse with you:

Philippians 2:6-7
"who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."

Did you catch it?  Jesus does indeed know what it is like to be us and He didn't regard or consider equality with God something to be grasped.  He fully obeyed and fully trusted without fearing what God might do in all of His awesome power.  

What was the illustration?  Glad you asked.  Simple...simply profound.  He had three fruits: an orange, a banana, and an apple.  First, he took the orange and gave us a chance to identify it.  We all recognized it and agreed that it is a wonderful fruit.  He began to describe some of the finer points of the fruit.  It has a protective coating, which we can easily peel off and, wala, there is a yummy fruit inside.  That's not all.

This fruit is not only delicious, but it's already pre-sliced!  The orange is already packaged, ready for you to enjoy one slice at a time without having to pull out a knife and cut it.  That's not all.  Each slice consist of tiny sacs that are bursting with savory, refreshing, nutritious juice!

Next, the banana.  This fruit also has a protective coating.  It needs to be peeled. If you hold your so that the fingers and thumb make an "o", guess what is shaped to fit perfectly inside?  A banana.  It's gets better.  Not only does it fit perfectly inside, but it also fits so that the banana is pointing your mouth and not away from  your mouth.  Try it, the groves in your hand will fit the angles in the banana skin.

Finally, the apple.  This too has a protective skin, but it is edible.  It's delicous, juicey and ready to eat.  Oh, and all of this (the banana is a little harder) have seeds that we could replant to have more!

The orange...it was made with YOU in mind.  The banana...it was made with YOU in mind.  The apple...it was made with YOU in mind.  Ponder it.  God made all of creation (Romans 1:20) and we can see that clearly.  His handy work is obvious.  In all of it, He had us in mind!

If this God who had us in mind when He was making an orange (pre-sliced and ready to eat) calls us to surrender to Him.  Can we?  This is just the surface of His goodness to us.  We can surrender all to Him and know that He has our best in store.

May His shalom meet you and cover you as you seek His face.

Patient Smile :)

It's all about what we try to make happen.  We're pretty big here in trying to do everything we can when a lady is having trouble with her labor progressing.  Such was the story last night.  And, I shall tell it to you here (if you don't like reading too many details...you might not want to read it.)

On night shift we had a lady come in at 11:50pm.  She reported BOW (bag of waters) Rupture and the back of her duster (dress) was soaked, so we concurred.  Guess what?  This morning at 6:00am when the Day shift comes on, she was still walking around.  She walked all night!  We gave her two doses (60ml) of Castor Oil one hour apart.  This did help her labor, but it didn't quite bring her around.

We left her and she knew that there was high likelyhood that she would have to be transported because of her BOW rupture (it was probably more of a leak because an ie -internal exam- revealed BOW bulging with contraction.)  Its hard to leave a patient and know that she will probably be transported.  I just woke up about an hour ago, so I haven't inquired into the rest of her story yet.

She was incredibly smiley and sweet through it all.  She bravely drank down her Castor Oil like a pro (it was mixed with Orange Juice mix), she walked all night, even with encouragement to rest, and but on a 

oh the little trials!

Today, is a "free" day for me, therefore, supposedly I have lots of time to do whatever needs being done.  Sounds perfect, eh?

Step one: computer work.  Easy enough....usually.  Upon moving to an outside location (the balcony) it became quickly evident that my nifty converter wouldn't turn on.  Oh I tried all sorts of ways.  Eventually, after working on my computer until the battery was at 6% it became an obvious necessity to be able to plug it in!  So, back down to the usual spot we went.  No work-y there either.

So, much to my shigrin, I walked to Victoria (after taking a moment to talk to a friend who was very wonderful in lending a listening ear.)  After the 15 minutes walk I went into the store, which was not busy, Priase the LORD, and explained it was not working.  He asked for the reciept, which I also explained I did not have.  He plugged it in and on went the little light.  Then, he tested it and it worked.  He kindly asked, "What was the problem?"  *Sigh.  Nothing, nothing at all.

Really, me and Jesus just had a lovely chat to and from the store.  He reminded my that, "your ways are not My ways and My ways are not your ways."  Still learning to rest completely in Him and take whatever turn in the road might come.  It's His life, not mine.

Just thought it might be fun to share a little "life minute" from my day.  Oh, and when I plugged it in at home it didn't really work here either, but with a little wiggling (popping and cracking too) it works.