No Longer Strangers

Not too long ago I attended a birth for a mom I had never met before. This happens occasionally. In fact, some of my favorite births (where we bond the most) I have not met them before. Funny how life goes like that. This particular birth the mother was expecting a certain woman to be at her birth who was not able to be present. She did not know this woman would not be present. We assessed her and admitted her into labor. She was well into labor when she came in. I came in and out of the room quietly without using many words. A word here and there of encouragement. I explained that we were not telling her what to do because she was doing exactly what we would tell her to do. You are doing perfect and making good progress. She nodded. She was very tired and had not slept the night before. Out of the tub. I squatted with her for a contraction. She breathes slowly letting the contraction build, relaxing into it. She leaned her head on my shoulder. I fixed her hair because she was hot and her hair was falling down. She was getting more tired. Would you like us to break your water? Yes. One hour later a baby girl born in the water. Mom cried. We took care of baby and eventually got her out of the water and onto Dad. I looked at the mother with a smile in my eyes and told her congratulations. She looked at me her eyes smiling as well and thanked me. When the time came for them to go home, she came up to me and joked with a smile, "Nice to meet you, Ashley." We gave each other a big hug and I said, "you too. It was an honor."

Sunday Afternoon

What a beautiful day out even though it is a bit cold. I wanted to take advantage of this and go on a walk. Chrissy and I were planning on going out to one of the trails in the late afternoon. So, I decided against my walk down to the library to return some cds. Instead, I filled my almost empty tank with gas and then drove to the library to drop off the cds. As I walked back to my car, I could not resist a walk around the block while I called Frederick on the phone. It was just too pretty out. So, I walked around downtown talking on the phone to him. And what do you know that I came across except for a bicycle race! Yeah, even though I am not a bike race fan or anything, it was something different. There were LOTS of bikers around. There they came over and over mostly riding in groups. The roads were blocked off for the race and there was a big "START/FINISH" sign. Pretty cool. I watched a few rounds then walked back to my car.

When Chrissy got here, we picked a trail off 8th Avenue in the woods. It was great to catch up. Afterward, we decided upon Panera instead of checking out the superbowl party. We enjoyed some soup and salad (me) or sandwich (her). It was nummy. Now she is on the road back to Ocala and I am about to enjoy some good reading. A nice sunday afternoon.

Words of Strength

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, " The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Things I Heard This Week...

Today at La Chua Trail:
"Hey, Amber, have you ever been shocked by an electric fence?"
"No, I haven't."
Without missing a beat and ready to tell her story, "You don't want to..."

At church this morning:
a child's voice saying "I'm too old for this" and chasing a two year old around the room

On the radio:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord... You are the everlasting God. You will not faint. You won't grow weary

A Dad with big muscles and tattoos all over his body at a birth:Man, I am so glad I'm not a woman! (among various other very funny comments)

As We Wait

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, til He shows us His mercy.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
we have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
- Psalm 123

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
Lamentations 3:26-27

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
- Jude 21

Ch-ch-ch-chilly!

At the beginning of the week I saw the weather report that it was going to be a cold week with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Knowing it was my last few days before getting back to school, I wanted to enjoy the beauty of being outside even though it was cold. Except for today (slightly sleeting) it has been just gorgeous though. I did manage to make it out today just before the "rain" for a trip to the post office and library. It was liberating to get to walk down there even though it is "nasty" out. And would you know that I found an old hat to put on. Not too stylish, but warm. I enjoyed my walk very much.

But, I wanted to tell you about Kanapa. These are the gardens I took you to. I decided to make a trip out there on Monday. I bundled up except for hat. I walked through the gardens two times around. I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the gardens on a beautiful, cold day. I needed a chance to reflect and receive from God. And since almost no one else was interested in the gardens on a cold day, I was able to talk out loud some. I kept my voice low, just in case. I wanted to tell Him about my dreams, my thoughts, some disappointment, some questions. I find it easier to do outside in the open and beauty. I thought I heard someone a few times, but think it was just animals. Oh, Anne. It was so beautiful. I kept telling Him, "this is so beautiful..." thinking of submission ..."You are worthy"... and..."You are so beautiful." I thought about how some people confuse Him as being the creation. But, even though they don't know Him or worship Him, He is still the Creator. Nothing changes that. I listened to the trees in the wind and the few birds chirping. I remembered that these are the sounds of all creation praising Him. They know what to do! And they do it. That is why I was so happy to chime in too, genuinely praising Him that it was all so beautiful. To take time to enjoy it. To let Him know that I do. To remember Him.

There is a new boardwalk over a pond. I was thrilled to find this new spot. There was a beautiful egret that flew away as I walked down. Sorry, bird. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my walk in the garden thinking of how this was how God meant for life to be. I walked, talked, sighed in very satisfied to enjoy such beauty, sat down on the gazebo, laid down on the steps, and finally walked back to the car. It was very refreshing. Very good. I know it is not going to be warm where you are either. I hope you will be able to enjoy some beauty of the snow!

He Knows...

In the mornings for the past while I have been reading in Elisabeth Elliott's Keep a Quiet Heart along with my bible reading. I have really grown to look forward to the insights she gives- a perspective that draws me to be strong and persevere. This morning I read a passage that she shared some of George MacDonald's words. I will write them without the "thees" and "thous!"

If I felt my heart as hard as a stone; if I did not love God, or man, or woman, or little child, I would yet say to God in my heart, "O, God, see how I trust You, because You are perfect, and not changeable like me. I do not love You. I love nobody. I am not even sorry for it. You see how much I need You to come close to me, to put Your arm around me, to say to me, My child: for the worse my state, the greater my need of my Father who loves me. Come to me and my day will dawn; my love will come back, and Oh! How I will love You, my God! And know that my love is Your love, my blessedness Your being."

...So, I hate to spoil the moment, but as I write this, The Chipmunk's Christmas song is playing in the background! Ha! Love it! Oh, and now Charlie Brown! What fun!

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.