Thanksgiving Day

Slept in. Read a passage from the list of scriptures in the back of the prayer book. Bike ride- it is chilly! Shower. Bake a Pecan Pie. Off to Kendra's house. Hi to Kendra's family. Talk to Mom and Gangee while she finishes getting ready. Drive out to the farm. Beautiful day. Hellos and Nice to Meet's Yous. A scripture is read. We hold hands for prayer. Time to eat!!!

Sweet potato casserole with pecans on top, stuffing, turkey with gravy, moist cornbread, green bean casserole, and a cranberry salad. Then, pecan pie and a sliver of pumpkin pie for desert (as Dougie would say). There was more food than this. This is just what I ate. And it was delicious!

We ate outside. Good company. Veronica, Dario, and Miguel are from Equador. Omar and Patti are from Mexico. Then, Kendra's family and in laws and a woman who had lived in Charleston with her children. They are a pleasant group. We laugh many times. Then, to the carport for a pinata!

You call after desert. Then, many of us head out for a long walk into the fields. It is beautiful and I love it! Conversations. Beautiful sunshine and land all around. The kids are cute. Dario says that farm land is the best gift you can to children. Back to the house for goodbyes.

On way home, Stephanie calls. She is with Joel, his parents and grandmother, and Eli. They are heading through Gainesville in about an hour. We meet at Cracker Barrell for a light supper. What a nice treat to end a nice day.

This was my second Thanksgiving away from family and both were a nice day.

Life is Good

The past three weeks I have had a birth overnight between full days of classes or clinic. And He provided for me and I enjoyed them so much. This past week was one of my favorite births. It was a couple that I had met a handful of times in prenatal visits. I came in a few hours after she got here since I had a class that was difficult to miss. When I walked in Mom was laboring by the bed with Van Morrison playing in the background. "You are doing great," I told her after she finished the contraction. "You look like you've done this before." She had not (first time Mom). She smiled and said "thanks."

I enjoyed the birth so much. I was given freedom to fully be midwife. That is always enriching. The birth went really well. It took some time. She was tired. We gave many suggestions to keep things moving. She listened. Progress. Encouragement. Patience. Everyone is doing great so we let her take her time at the end. Baby born in the water at 12:52 pm. 9 lbs 4 oz with a 14 inch head!

Mom and Dad were appreciative. Dad made us a homemade pumpkin pie, which was delicious. Mom gave us handmade bags they had made with their screen printing business. I loved their birth for a few reasons. Mostly I got to be the midwife and it went really well. Also, they really appreciated us and their exprerience. That is always rewarding.

The week began running the stadium at UF with Chrissy and ended playing tennis at the Gainesville High School courts with Sean. Many classes, a wonderful birth, and a long day of clinic in bewtween. It was a good week. Life is good. And, oh, I LOVE my job!!!

Boys and Girls

Upon my speedy arrival at 12 am to a birth last week...

Amy: Wow, that was fast! (Pause) Are you awake yet?

Me: (Smile) Not Yet...

TWO HOURS LATER...

Dad: Am I holding her right?

Me: (Smile) Yes, you are doing very good.

Dad: Is it okay for her to suck on her hand like that?

Me: Yes, babies have a strong need to suck. She probably has been doing this a while.

A second birth in the week...

Mother: I am going to break the bed.

Her Mother: You are not going to break the bed.

Mother: I just did. (Laugh)

Mother to Husband: I need you. No, I need you HERE. Over here. Now.

Husband: She is not really pushing yet. Are you? Is this it?

We all laugh many times. We joke to her, you can laugh the baby out if you would like. Of course, this does not happen. It was good to laugh though this late in the game.

Baby Girl one day. Baby Boy a few after. Everyone doing fine. Now for a new week.

Friends of the Library

Today after church Chrissy and I walked down to the library book sale they have once a year. The sale was several blocks down. It was a beautiful day for a walk. Still dressed up from church, we made out way down. I was looking for a book in particular. I did not find it, but did find a few great deals related to my area of study. The section I was looking in was labeled "medicine/nursing." So, while I was browsing, a little black girl of about 8-10 years old came up to me.

"Excuse me, do you know if they have any books for pediatricians?"

I smiled. "Yes, they do. They have some on this side and some on that side."

I had seen some, but none were in view at the moment. I suggested she try the other side. She walked over to where I pointed. I came across a book of Pediatric Nursing. I picked it up, walked over toward her, and handed it to her. She looked surprised.

I wondered why she was looking for a book on pediatrics. It did not matter. She was precious to me. And I was just glad she asked:).

Psalm 19

Sunday night I went on a bike ride around the Duck Pond and all over this area. Mmm... It was wonderful. The clouds, the blue sky, the palm trees mixed with oak trees, the breeze, the moss, even the beautiful houses... And to just be in it, not on the outside, but on the inside to enjoy. So, when I read in the Psalms that night I knew what David was talking about.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the earth. How amazing!

And, how wonderful are His statutes, precepts, commands, laws, ordinances. They revive our soul- who doesn't need that? They make the simple wise. They give joy to the heart. They give light to the eyes. They are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. There is great reward in keeping them...

And yes, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

A Chill in the Air!

Mmmm... It is finally feeling like fall, at least for a few days. I have been craving this for a while, so I am enjoying it very much. I enjoyed a pleasant run on Tuesday afternoon during a break between class and working on Protocols. Yesterday I played some tennis in the afternoon. Today I enjoyed a walk during lunch break and then one after supper. I wanted to run since it felt so good, but just ate a lot. Besdies, Chrissy and I may run tomorrow afternoon if her sunburn is better and I am not at a birth. Speaking of births, we have not had one in over a week and have many women in their window. Not to mention, the moon is just about full for whatever that is worth:). I am ancipating a busy weekend.

Today while I was working on some charting one of our former clients came in to see the nurse midwife for a well-woman visit. I saw her walking out the door after her visit. I ran out to say hello since I had the priviledge of receiving her baby as he was birthed. I thanked her for letting me be at her birth and explained it was onen of my favorites. She has five other children who were present. It was the seventh birth in 5 days, the third that day including a trip to the hospital in the EMS. So, it was a refreshing birth for me. It was also one of the first times I felt like a midwife. So, it was good to see her...

It has been a nice week. From Charleston to Gainesville I keep hearing how everyone is enjoying this beautiful fall weather!

St. Christopher

Wonderful, wonderful St. Christopher. The perfect combination of memory of my "homeland" and reminder of our coming Homeland. It really is. The beauty of the lowcountry and the beach, simplicity, Love, friendship, the Camp way of life, the Holy Spirit and the Presence of God.

Just so peaceful, even if you do have a roach in your room. Walking on the boardwalk, the cross overlooking the beach, the shrimp boats we have watched our whole lives coming back in after a long day. Botany. The Privateer. Dolphins. The place. The dining hall. Singing. Smiles. Getting dirty just from walking around. No skipping showers out there!

This time I was there alone, on purpose by Him. The weekend- refreshed on the inside by prophetic ministry, worship, the beauty around us, and reminded over and over that we are loved by Him. Good conversations. Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ I did not know. Being in His presence. He satisfied me completely and filling me over. I just did not want to leave. I lingered as long as I could. I walked on the beach, sat on the porch, walked down the road. Then, it was time to leave. And then He continued to bless me more. A boat ride on the Bohicket, eating on the dock, US Open finals, and getting to see and hold Grace one last time before heading back to Florida. He continued to bless me throughout the week. He loves to bless us. It is so good to enjoy what He gives and let Him in.

Thank you for your prayers for my weekend, Anne. It was perfect.

Written about the Rest, Restoration, Renewal Weekend Sept 11-13 at St. Christopher

La la la...

The forecast this week calls for a chance of thunderstorms everyday, some days a higher chance than others. Knowing it is hurricane season, I decided to go on a long walk. I was rounding the corner when I decided I might as well walk down to the Birth Center to get my glasses. I had forgotten them after the birth yesterday. I had the time and it was still nice out. I was walking back to my house. And all of a sudden I heard, "Excuse me... and someone was right next to me from the back. I was expecting him to say, "do you have a few dollars?" Instead, He said, "Did you know that Jesus Christ came to Earth and appeared to a man named Joseph Smith?" No, he didn't, I was thinking. It was two teenage boys on bikes both wearing a white shirt, blue pants, ties, and helmets.

I was so caught off guard. I had just been observing my slightly swollen hands from the heat and thinking how I had not brushed my teeth after eating a cone of ice cream earlier. They came out of nowhere. I thought they were supposed to knock on your door. Instead, they came up from behind me. I barely had time to think at all. "I'm not interested" is all I could think of to say. (I was tired and caught off guard- I had worked at the Birth Center for 38 straight hours minus two one hour 15 min stretches of sleep that weekend.) He continued on his mission to convert me. I asked him what made him interested in becoming a Mormon. He was happy to tell me his story briefly. He continued to tell me how to become a Mormon. He spoke of the book of Mormon telling us how God gives wisdom. I was nodding my head yes, because that is what He tells us through the words of James. He then quoted James. He ended the encounter challenging me to pray tonight and to become a Mormon. I told him to have a good day. The other boy piped in, "God bless you." I responded, "You too." They went off on their bikes. I continued on my walk. I prayed for them that the power of deception be broken in them... that in realizing the error they would not turn away from seeking, but turn to God alone.

And I have to say, I did not enjoy my encounter with them at all. And I am so glad to belong to a God who takes me as I am and blesses others through me through the work He does in us, not we in ourselves. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8