We're Special

Not just you and me! I am talking about God's people. I remember the words that you spoke to me last year. I was discouraged for standing out so much because of some of the ways that God leads. You told me that Light shines in darkness. Of course, I will stand out. That is what Light does. It shines. I was happy when you spoke that to me and remind myself on occasion.

On Sunday, Alex was preaching on this very subject. I thanked him afterward. He spoke that being a Christian is to be holy or set apart. Being set apart means being different and that means sometimes down right peculiar to those around us. But then again, He did tell us to stand out so that others would see that we are different and want what we have. To be different- to not argue or complain so that we shine like the stars in the universe, to not take vengence but to leave vengence to God, to forgive our enemies, to continue to do good when we suffer unjustly, to LOVE, to be pure (that includes no sex before marriage), to stay away from evil, to not judge. The list goes on.

Anyway, I was writing my Intrapartum paper. I was looking for a word similar to, but a little different than, "superior" or "better". The thesarus gave me the word "special." I was delighted that the word "special" is somewhat synonymous to superior as I often feel very inferior for my differences. The world may tell us we are inferior, but truthfully it is superior to be God's children. The Light of the world. So I looked at the word special and it said- exclusive, unusual, extraordinary, unique, distinctive, individual, out of the ordinary, exceptional." How is that for inferior?! We are set apart for God and that is a good thing. So, instead of being down, discouraged, or even frustrated for being different, we can be so glad that our differences are not because we are inferior, but actually we are of the redeemed. Yes, we are God's children... We are SPECIAL. And that is the TRUTH!

Go Gators

So, I have spent a good deal of time at UF this week. Thus the reason for the subject. Chomp. Chomp. I have been to campus every day this week, in fact. A new friend from church, Kendra, and I have decided to start running the campus together weekly. We met for the first time Sunday night and then again tonight. I am super excited about this as I have wanted to run the campus since I got here. I especially enjoyed tonight. We got to run for about an hour and really get a tour of the pretty part of campus. It was a nice way to end the workday. Monday I spent an hour at the Christian Study Center across the street from UF. I took you there, right? I had a window of time before chart review and I was really wanting to be surrounded by Christians that day. So, I stopped by to read for a little bit. Yesterday I spent some time on the campus working on my research paper. First, I met the girls at Burrito Brothers for lunch. That was fun. It made it our short day feel like a true half day:). Remember how we used to eat out on half days in high school (even if it meant just a plate of fries at Swensons!)? It was so beautiful outside,too. I scooted home for a bit to tend to a few things. Made some cookies while I was at home, waiting for 4:00 to roll around so I could get free parking. Then, I headed back out to the library so I could be a studious environment to get my work done. Then with one hour before dark, I ventured to the Shands library on foot. I had a wonderful time walking the campus from one end to the next putting the pieces together of which roads intersect. Come to find out I have been to each spot. I just didn't know that was where I was. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I'm glad that you have been there so you can picture the beauty. I don't have any plans to go back to UF the rest of the week. But as Curly would say, "da week ain't over yet."

Taking a little break

So, I am attempting to work on my research paper for Intrapartum. I chose the topic of shoulder dystocia since I would like to know more about it, i.e. I don't know much about it. That means I am writing and presenting on something I don't know much about and I am learning I am not too passionate about the subject either. My dream paper would be to research the ancient midwifery texts. But I am having a difficult time finding any:). I actually came across some from the Bellevue Hospital up North from the 17th and 18th century (that was as ancient as I could find). But I can't get a hold of those. So, I have been looking on the UF website as I have found it slightly useful in the past. Well, when you look for midwifery you have to search under a main subject that gives subheadings as options. They have zoology but no midwifery. I eventually found midwifery but not what I need. I am trying to keep a positive attitude about all of this, really. So, anyway. I decided to write to you and then resume my search. On a happy note, I was remembering on my walk today that this time last year you were here! It was either this weekend or last that you made your very first ever visit to Gainesville. That was a fun weekend. Then I remembered that exactly one year before that I was housesitting for two weeks out at Neptune Beach. The year before that I went camping to Table Rock with Robert and Lindsay and all. That was a lot of fun too. Don't remember the year before that:). Back to researching... So, in college my group wrote a 15 pg paper and gave a 20 minute presentation on something we did not really know anything about. (we put a lot of work into it, but it was over our heads) We picked a hard subject that we hoped Dr. Barfield would not know anything about. We ended up making a good grade and sounding like we knew what we were talking about. Unfortunately shoulder dystocia is something my teacher knows about. So, I better get to work. I'll let you know how it goes. Pray for me!

Full Moon in Gainesville

Have you heard about full moons and birth yet? They say that when it is a full moon that women near term go into labor. In the beginning of my experience in birth I used to be skeptical. I thought the full moon deal was just one of those strange fascinations that makes midwives seem strange themselves. Oh, you're that kind of midwife! Over the years I have changed my mind. This past week was the "fullest" moon I've experienced:). So I will tell you about our unusual week at school. First, we had class Monday night to make up for a class missed previously. So, all of the out of towners spent the night in Gainesville. Dawn and Amy slept at the school. Michelle, Misti, and Lindsay spent the night with Kristen on the other side of town. Muriah stayed with me as usual. Meghan came in on Tuesday, I believe. So, we left each other Monday night looking forward to our potluck the next day in Nutrition. Those are always fun and yummy too. Little did we know the craziness that lie ahead. So, during the night we were all shuffled around. What happened? There were four births in eight hours at the Birth Center! I will do my best to explain the way it went. We have four midwives plus one back-up. We have four student midwives, three in our own class. One of the midwives, Mattie, had both her brother's wife as well as a good friend, who was a planned home birth, in labor at the same time. Then we had someone else come into the BC. Then our other planned home birth lady called in labor too. So, all of the midwives and student midwives were called in and dispersed! I went with Mattie for her sister in law's birth. Zoe took my car to the first planned home birth. Kristen rode out with June to the second planned home birth. Amy and Donna went to the cottage for our Mom in early labor. Mattie's sister in law had her baby. So, she went to her friend's birth. Kaitlin stayed with me. Zoe came back to the cottage. Why was our whole class affected? The girls who spent the night with Kristen had to wake up during the night to ride back with her so they would be here for class. Dawn got called to a birth herself though she missed it and came back. The rest of us were at the births. That was all during the night. Why so crazy of a day, besides the entire class missing sleep? Our first class was postponed one hour as our teacher was one of the attending midwives for a birth. I was so happy to have no quiz! Our second class was cancelled except for the potluck as our teacher was actually one of the births- she had her first child. Our last class went accorinding to plan minus the two other BC folks. Alas, it was a full moon. Does it make a difference? In my experience and the experience of many other midwives, babies tend to come around that time or when there is a storm due to the change in pressure. No, I don't look to the moon to determine when they come. However, it does appear that full moons affect the onset of labor. And, no it does not have to do with warewolves or gods, just gravity!

Now and Then

I was inspired by the word of God tonight. It says: Blessed are those who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hears it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the power of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short.

If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life.

from the book of Revelation: 1:3, 12:10-12, 13:10, 21:6-8, 22:7, 22:17

Ruby Tuesday

After tennis, I decided to pick up supper with my gift card since I was over that way. I figured if I wait any longer it may deduct money. We wouldn't want that to happen:). I was directed to the bar for my take out order. I scooted in between a couple to my left and a business man to the right. I thought I'd be in out and out. Little did I know... They were busy and short one man. The girl who was supposed to take my order at the bar was mixing many drinks and complaining to her coworker that she could not take any to go orders. Great. I was thinking maybe I should just leave. But I was already there. The wait was a little awkward- wondering if they were ever going to help me, not knowing the others beside me. The man to my right was a regular I figured out. I was wondering what would make a person a regular at the Ruby Tuesday bar. But, I did not want to be nosy. Since I had to sit there for a while I wanted to strike up a conversation. But, "do you come here often?" was the only thing I could think of and that sounds like a pick up line. "Where do you work?" was too blunt for a stranger. I decided just to keep to myself even if I might seem unfriendly or strange. After a while we began a conversation. We talked about what we do for work. He thought it was neat that I work with birth and commented that it must be rewarding. He works in advertising. It is monotonous. I discovered that he comes to the bar in Ruby Tuesday while his fiance goes shopping. He worked at Ruby Tuesday for 6 years in the past. They have been together for 7 and are going to get married at the Bawman Center (the place to get married in Gainesville) next month. I congratulated him and he thanked me. My food finally came. He said that it was nice talking. I told him to enjoy his wedding and his marriage. I tipped the girl with a blockbuster card since I did not have any cash on me. Then, I got home and I don't know what I did eat, but it was not shrimp diablo!

Eve Was Framed

Have you seen this bumper sticker? I think it is funny. Debbie (home birth midwife) has it on the back of her van. It makes me smile when I see it. So, I woke up this morning happy to have one hour still before my alarm went off. I gladly rolled back over. Next thing I know it is 12 minutes before I was supposed to leave. No time to spare. I jumped in the shower and fixed a bagel while I got dressed and got my belongings together for the day. I had planned on blowing drying my hair this morning. I had to change my mind on that one. I made it on time to meet Debbie in Dunnellon (about an hour away). Today was clinic with the home birth practice. We visited a handful of women. We made a stop to the Dollar General to pick up a few things. Stopped for sandwiches at Walmart. Got candy pumpkins for desert just since we had been talking about them:). I had to run by the Birth Center and the grocery store after clinic. Then, even though it was threatening to be stormy out I decided to walk down to the library. I had some videos to return. Plus a book was on hold for me. I figured I'd kill four birds with one stone and get a nice walk and exercise plus my errands. I LOVE being able to walk to town. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and did not get wet after all, though I had decided on the way that it would be worth it. Then I came home and ate a really disgusting supper-something I threw together that would have been decent had I kept them apart. I might go find something else to get this taste out of my mouth. I guess I could brush my teeth. Eating just one more thing sounds more fun to me, you know? So, that was my Monday. Tomorrow we have our weekly quiz in Intrapartum, a midterm in Nutrition, and perhaps our presentation in IRCS.