Send Me

Girls-----

2008-03-24T19:16:00.004-06:00

Mostly just writing this to the girls-- I know you want that deer off my front page and hunting season is gone, summer is on the way! I don't think my blog remembers me. Sometimes I even have a hard time finding that adventurous girl when the alarm clock is ringing in a 8-5 job. Life is so much different then I thought. I guess I just thought I had it figured out, but know it is happening and I am not the one that planned it. I can not quite put my finger on it. But tonight I picked up the over 90 pics that I had printed from out trip to California. I put them in a cute little photo book marked "memories", thanks to our favorite target! Putting them a way made me kind of sad that C.A. has come and gone so fast. Basically I do not want to put our memories away, I am not ready for them to be over. But the flash of time it was is slowly changing my mind and helping me to carry on, to walk this life. So I just want to say thank you for California, and all it was to me more then a tip, and a whole ton of fun. My grandparent are listening to old country. The stuff that makes you really think about more then big trucks and cowboys. The sun has a look in the sky like it is trying so hard to stay up past it's bedtime. And I am thinking of you and wishing for a glass of wine and a good talk.

Miss you with love--Kayla

Condon, MT=Buck

2007-11-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

I helped, I promise!

Bobby Lee got the biggest buck this year. But after Clay and I

hiked over nine miles Clay shot this one in the horse pasture?!?!?!

It's A GOOD day!

2007-11-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would give it one more try and fit into my Pre-Philippines jeans hoping no praying to not be disappointed. The scale looked promising but as all girls know that is no guaranty. I pulled out the old jeans from my treasure chest and slipped them over my hips and thank God they fit. This hinny of mine is back into as 27 not the 25 of my high school days but come on it's the holidays! I think I will go eat some apple pie.

So SPOILED

2007-11-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

OK Girls I do not want to create envy, but do want you to know I am so spoiled! And this is so blog worthy! Pretty much comes down to Clay being amazing here is a picture of the flowers he had delivered to my work today. They are so beautiful, but the card is what really got to me. It read "The beauty of these flowers are nothing like the beauty I see in you every day.--Clay Anderson" OK jealous yet? I hope not Cuz this is the third time he has brought me flowers at work and he got me diamond earrings (and took me hunting!) for my Birthday! More then this he is and is continues to become an amazing man of God. How is it that I have the Best of the Best?

Tis The Season!

2007-10-11T15:05:00.000-06:00

If you drive by the house today you might wonder to yourself or passengers " With trees like that how do the Larson's keep their grass so green?" It is a one time a year event I like to call the stomp down! When we gather the leaves from all over the yard and load them into the pick up for a trip to the dump. As a permanent resident of 2257 mission trail this is the Second annual stomp down I have taken part in. I love fall and am going to be so sad when this carpet of leaves turns to snow.

This is why I call it the stomp down the leaves get so high you have to walk all over them like your making wine in the back of the pick up!

Dance Party

2007-10-04T08:34:00.000-06:00

OK try not to be to jealous, but over at the Larson's house we are shaking our hips! My Grandpa has been keep old Elvis music playing all day long, everyday. It cheers my Grandma up and give us a chance to dance a little. The other night after supper my Grandpa grabbed me in the kitchen and started dancing, then we switched partners. Grandma and Grandpa danced like old time and believe me they still got it! I called Tiger (our little puppy) in and he got on his hide feet and joined the party! So right now 8.30 in in the morning and I am tapping my feet to Elvis "I'm in Love... I'm all Shook Up" and "Jail House Rock". There are many things that I love about my Grandpa and that he knows how to groove is one of them.

Home

2007-10-01T08:33:00.000-06:00

It does not take long for a Montana girl to find her way back home in fact all it takes is a fishing pole and some good friends. Much of my time since arriving back in the home land has been full of Montana life. You better believe I am rinding around in Big Ol' Pick up trucks blaring all the country music I have not listened to in 9 months and going to Church on Sunday. I am living out a country song. In fact if you have heard Simple Life by Carolyn Dawn Johnson you will know what song I am talking about! As I was out on the boat last night pulling in fish I kept taking big deep breaths of fresh air. Clay thought something was wrong, but the truth is everything is just right so perfect I am just trying to take it all in. And I suppose after months on Manila pollution I am trying to clear my lungs a little!

Thank You

2007-09-30T21:04:00.000-06:00

Now that I am back home I am settling into my Montana life. So this blog will no longer be filled with crazy adventures from afar, but I hope to continue to post about the happenings of life's wonderful moments. The main motivation will be to continue to keep my world wide friends updated but everyone is welcome to check in on my humble attempt to share the joys I find in everyday living! Thank you for all your prayers and support during my time in the Philippines and also for joining in on the work of God. Much Love, Kayla

Saying GoodBye

2007-09-26T11:46:00.000-06:00

As many of you know I went to the Philippines with Mercy In Action but because their clinic was closed in 2006 I spent the majority of my time serving with Help International Ministries at their Birthing Home, Shiphrah. The fallowing is a letter of my appreciation of this ministry during my time in the Philippines.

The compassionate hearts and loving hands of Help International Ministries are intertwined and encompass both the Shiphrah Birth Center and The Little Children’s Home. Through more than twenty years of service in the Philippines their ministry reaches far beyond these two physical facilities. I have been blessed to spend eight months working and learning along side the women of Shiphrah, including Deborah Gustafson, Jeri Gunderson and five remarkable Filipina midwives. This experience, in so many ways unlike what I had expected, has had an amazing effect on the very foundation of my character and in my life. It will be forever close to my heart and will never be forgotten. As a young adult going into the mission field I could have easy lost my focus and concentrated solely on my academic requirements and fulfilling my expectations. Thankfully my priorities were kept inline by the sincere love, passion, and care that Shiphrah displays to everyone that comes into their arms. Shiphrah’s mission is to share the love and mercy of Christ with impoverished women and their children, both born and unborn, by celebrating the value of their lives and working together to create a healthier, caring community. I am privileged to stand witness to their accomplishments and so much more. Although their focus is on a specific group of women and children, they address their needs in such a sincere and wholehearted way; the results exceed their mission statement.

I came to the Philippines to gain the clinical experience necessary for my education, but am leaving with a heart and head full of life lessons. Life is about the experiences we go through or perhaps more about how we go through them. This is true learning. Watching the Gunderson’s faithful walk with the Lord, even with the passing of Dennis, has encouraged us all to be unwavering in our faith. I am so thankful that the women of Shiphrah taught me more than midwifery, they taught my hands how to serve and my heart how to love consistently and unconditionally. I am excited about the preparation for ministry and the friendships I have established, and know they will provide inspiration in the future. I have the greatest respect for the Gunderson family and the midwives, whom have opened doors for me and so many others. I have never seen a more genuine mission and thank them for furthering the love and kingdom of God.

Should I Go Black?

2007-09-25T11:49:00.000-06:00

Ate Helen and I where goofing off and decided to change hair colors. What do you think?

OOCH!

2007-09-20T13:50:00.001-06:00

Our great friend Mia got Alex and I gold earring when she went back to Indonesia where she lived as a child. In remembrance of Mia, Alex and I let the midwives pierce our ears so we could where the beautiful gold! I have never had my ear pierced before so I left out the picture of me crying!

Singapore

2007-09-20T02:27:00.000-06:00

Alex and I spent the first 10 days of September in Singapore visiting our friend Mia and getting to meet her wonderful parents that let us take over their house for the whole time. Singapore is not even comparable to Manila. The things that shocked us the most was how quite and clean it was. Alex and I got off the plan and started whispering like we were at a funeral or something. After 8 months of craziness we got the fresh air and exercise we much needed! Us girls had a great time just hanging out with each other and relaxing! Oh and I cooked dinner one night which does not happen very often because I am intimidated by the amazing cooking abilities of Lindsey, Alex and Mia. But I do have to say my chicken fajitas marinated in a honey lime sauce and a few other tricks up my sleeve were pretty good!

Babies!

2007-09-08T20:02:00.000-06:00

As busy as this month was, there was still babies being born and lots of them. I delivered the smallest baby in Shiphrah history weighing in at just under 4 pounds. It may seem shockingly small and she was, but the mother was small herself only weighing 72pounds at 40 weeks pregnant. At this time I have been to over 90 births and have been the primary midwive under supervision for 33. So that is lots and lots of babies and here are some pics, cute as always.

Monkey Moms

2007-09-08T19:57:00.001-06:00

While in Onlongapo we saw real wild monkeys and bats, but the monkeys are my favorite. And being midwives we could not be more excited then seeing one that was pregnant and some of the others where breastfeeding! So cute!

Art Project

2007-09-08T19:50:00.000-06:00

So I attempted to do a little art work and not that I want to show the world, but I want to make my mom proud so here you go mom! Me trying to be an extension of you! This is the board that we post our prenatal class schedule on.

Check out www.kelyapgar.com for some real talent, that was not genetically inherited.

Princess Day

2007-09-08T19:42:00.000-06:00

The little girls at Shiphrah have stolen my heart and I am going to hate to leave them. Johanna, Michelle and Roanne are the three daughters of three of the midwives. Alex and I being the girly-girls we are could not think of anything more fun then throwing them a Princess Party. So we went all out and had just as much fun as them!

Being a Princess is a hard job!

A week in Olongapo

2007-09-08T19:22:00.000-06:00

In the middle of August we headed to Olongapo for a midwifery training course in how to be child birth educators. The training was offered through YWAM and it was so nice to be back with YWAM for that short time. The course was very refreshing and I once again realized my love for teaching which I hope to use in the future. Alex and I spent the week making big plans for all the crazy things we want to do in this life. We got some time and prayer to process through our time in the Philippines. It was a very encouraging time.

If only we could do it all, our hearts go out! Alex and I were so encouraged by all the YWAM base was doing we decided to stay an extra day and dedicate it to ministry. Because the old U.S. military base was in Olongapo there is a lot of prostitution and bar girls still in the area today. YWAM Olongapo offers a two year discipleship program for girls that want to get out of the bars. The give them a place to live and help them to find jobs or return to school. They have rescued girls as young as 14 out of the bars. Spending time with these girls changed my life and hearing there testimonies and love for God inspired me. One night Alex and I went out to the bars to just spend time with the girls and get to know some of them and let them know there is away out if they felt interested.

We played pool and I won both games, with much help from my partner so Alex and J had to crawl under the table. Sorry Alex! We got to talk with a girl that had only been working in the bars for 19 days. Her eyes filled with water as we asked her about her family? where she is from? and basic conversation. She had been sent by her family from a different island way down south to live with her "antie" which basically means her family sold her to a pimp. Although she said she was 20 she looked younger and you could tell she was scared with no one to care for her but another bar girl that was showing her the ropes. We are praying for her and hoping she contacts the YWAM base.

We also went to a home church service on 12th street which is the main squatter area in Olongapo. The base also has an amazing jail ministry. God has opened so many doors in Olongapo and they just need more staff to help out.

Moving On and Plugging Away

2007-09-08T19:15:00.000-06:00

Alex and I have a lot in common!

August started with us moving out of our summer home. I think my parents will enjoy the pictures of Alex and I packing compared to Mia's way. Do not be fooled they are both very organized in there own way. Of course we where driving Mia a little crazy thinking we would never be done in time. The next morning at 4am we had to catch the bus to P.G. for a week meeting to finish up some school paper work and because it is on a beautiful island we took some time to vacation! Then we came back to Manila and had to say good bye to Mia. So it was Alex and I left for the month of August and like everyone told us to do we just kept plugging away.

Mia's Things....

Godmother Kayla

2007-08-04T19:34:00.000-06:00

I am officially the Godmother of baby Lyka. I was the midwife at her birth in March and she was named after me, kind of! Her baptism was last Sunday so I got back down to my Catholic roots and enjoyed it greatly. Mass was held in this beautiful old stone cathedral over looking Antipolo and Tay Tay city. I am now responsible for encouraging Lyka in her faith and buying Christmas presents!

After the ceremony we went out to eat at a very authentic Filipino restaurant "Jollibee". We started with rice and chicken with a drink. Then the Asawa (husband) Larry ordered us each a sundae and fries, then another drink, then a hamburger and drink to go. I stopped after the sundae! The funny part was them all looking towards me as to weather or not to use the silverware or just dig in with their fingers. Knowing they would be more comfortable using their fingers I set my silverware aside. I still confused them greatly and they were sure something was wrong with me because I am so very much left handed. I enjoyed the family fun and laughing around a big table and feel very blessed to be a part of this special time.

The Little Children's Home

2007-07-28T08:58:00.000-06:00

TLC Home is an orphanage that is under the same ministry as the birth center. For me spending time there is dangerous, I fall in Love! They currently have 13 children waiting for adoption. I love holding the little ones and sometimes would love to ditch the birth center to spend more time with them. Even when they burp up all over you, like Kesha who quickly became my favorite! She won me over when I got her to take her nap with me. She loves being held and gets upset when you put her down. Kind of needy, I have heard rumours that I was like that as a baby.... We bonded.

The Joys Of Travel

2007-07-25T03:31:00.000-06:00

I have spent too much of my free time lately on hold with the airlines listening to "I Can Fly" on repete, only to be interrupted by a lovely voice reminding me that someone will be with me shortly and my call is very important to them. The whole time all I'm thinking is CAN I FLY????? Alex and I are attempting to change our tickets to get home. We originally bought our tickets for one year out so we could change them at a later date. That later date is quickly approaching and we are trying to get tickets for September 14th. We arrive back from Singapore on the 13th and want one day to collect ourselves before making the journey home. So now Alex and I are in a battle, all flights are booked full from the 14th to the 21st. We are on a waiting list but are not allowed to know how long the waiting list is. I guess they fear we may find the people in front of us and "fix" the problem, tempting at this point.... tempting! In the mean time we have to call back everyday to renew our request and see if any changes have occurred. Let's get specific. We are praying for the 6:30am flight out of Manila on September 14th with no extra fees or taxes. If you want to add first class we will not complain! I just have to keep laughing through this all. So here are some aids to help you do the same!

Prayers For Penatals

2007-07-21T17:15:00.000-06:00

At Shiphrah Birth Center we have three prenatal check up days a week with each day bring over 50 women to the clinic. The day starts at 8:30am with a Bible study then we move on to exercise, teachings and prenatal check ups. I usually see 8-12 women each day and this has become one of my greatest areas of ministry. I love getting to learn more about the women and see them as they go through the pregnancy. This is the time when I really get to meet the needs for those around me by doing more then buying their vitamines or few check ups. Many of the women come from the poorest of the poor. Some are living in homes for unwed mothers, we see many scared teenage girls as young as 15, and because our mission also runs a baby home next door we see women who have decided to give their babies up for adoption. Sometimes these issues seem so overwhelming to me and I am not sure how to relate to the women. So I pray. It is such a blessing to pray with them and for them. In a culture that is so focused on shaming someone who does something wrong, prayer to make them feel loved opens their hearts. I am seeing women and girls who's lives have come from such a different place then mine, but I have found a common ground in prayer and needing the love of God. I ask that you will join me in prayer for these strong and beautiful women.

Baby Holding, My Antidrug!

2007-07-13T19:18:00.000-06:00

Some days you get so caught up in all the work the newborn exam and postpartum and is the baby breastfeeding, has the baby been given a bath yet and all the medical stuff that you forget to just hold the baby. Then life gets stressful and you remind yourself "I need some baby holding time". So that is what I do I go kidnap a baby from a very tiered mom and realize that life is amazing once again.

Take A Test

2007-07-08T04:40:00.000-06:00

So my roomies and I were wasting some time on our Sunday afternoon taking tests on www.blogthings.com. You would have known my results because I almost had a lapse of judgement and posted them for you on my blog like the web sights encourages you to do. So you could have found out that; I have an amazing personality, should be a nurse or teacher or that I am going to be a cool parent and my power animal is apparently a deer? But then I decided that was putting myself out there a little too much. Basically it comes down to the fact that people want to take their own test they don't so much care that you are likely to live to be 100 or that you should paint your toes pink! So if you have a little time and want some reassurance that you have a winning personality and life will go amazing for you as long as your character always matches up to an apple pie, do some quizzes and feel good about how normal you are.

The 4th Of July

2007-07-05T20:29:00.000-06:00

The 4th is my favorite holiday. Summer fun with family and friends, BBQ and fireworks what more could you ask for. So like most Americans the girls and I had to work until 1 that afternoon and go back to work the next day. But we did not let that stop us from having a little celebration of our own. Here are some pics of the night which started with a bowl of cookie dough and ended in us singing the National Anthem at the top of our lungs. God Bless American!

Where Does Hope Come From?

2007-06-28T09:02:00.000-06:00

In my case it comes as a reminder from a little green owl that was given to me in the most unusually sort of way. Let us please remember that the owl is the wisest of animals. As a made the painful switch from the domestic to international flights at the LAX airport last January I stopped to ask for directions, which I do often in airports when traveling alone. So I do not have issues with directional pride. I am bad at directions, always have been! If any of you have made that same switch over at L.A. airport feel free to say AMEN. Back to the story this is so not about a painful airport experience it is about HOPE. As I asked for directions a guy stopped to do the same and we then decided to go at this adventure together, kind of a two heads are better then one deal. As we walked we completed the basic airport interview. He was from Washington State worked as a forest fire fighter but was being sent over as aid to Australia as their whole country seemed to be burning down at this time. Having spent sometime in Australia myself it kept the conversation going. I guess we did a pretty good job bonding during this time because by the time we entered the International building the security guard just looked at us and said “let me guess newlyweds?” we had to inform him that it was far from the case. We were about to part ways when Mike insisted on giving me this stuffed animal named Hope. At first I kindly refused. He insisted some more and I thought about what my next step in life was and agreed to take it. Plus he did have two so I did not feel terrible bad.

Since landing the in Philippines Hope has stayed by my bedside. His name tag reads:
Hope n. desire for something good, accompanied be the belief that it is obtainable; the source and reason for optimism.

This is a reminder I often need. Living here has made me realize you have to choose to turn your eyes towards the heartbreaks of the world in order to change them. You have to allow them to change you first. Most of the time doing the right thing is doing the hardest thing. Although at times this is the scariest, hardest thing I have ever done I have found Hope in the middle of it all. Hope when a bald headed street girl in a dirty little dress gives you the best hug ever. Hope from amazing friendships that witness your hardest times and encourage you to carry on. Hope when a teenage girl that attempted an abortion decides to give up her own dreams and in choosing life hears her baby’s heart beat for the first time. Hope does not come running after you in the airport it is what you find when you choose to look at the pain and find love instead.

And a little shout out to Mike where ever your travels have led you I pray Hope has found you along the way.

Me Being Preachy

2007-06-17T05:58:00.000-06:00

Video may take a while to load but it is worth the wait.

Technology

2007-06-14T02:18:00.000-06:00

I am in my kitchen making some homemade yogurt. It is a healthy, cheep breakfast and a science all on it's own. Heat the milk up to 185 degrees, then cool to 110 then add live bacteria which is good and will kill the bad bacteria.....see what I mean? I am getting all smart making yogurt. The thing is yogurt is not what blows my mind, I understand yogurt. What I do not get is technology. I forgot the recipe so I looked it up online then I took my laptop into the kitchen because we have wireless. So the internet is this amazing thing a huge source of knowledge and I feel very 2000-and-something-ish using it as my cookbook. And can I just say I still do not understand how the radio works and now we have the internet! So yep here I am writing you from the Philippines and you are going to be able to read this is just a second. So anyway as my homemade yogurt and online worlds collided I just thought that is crazy!

WOW

2007-06-07T05:55:00.000-06:00

Can I tell you something you already know? Our God is so amazing. We serve such a faithful God, a God that answers prayers. Over the past few weeks we have been invited over by two different missionaries for dinner. What a bless to be part of a family. Dinner around the table, board games and homemade cookies! I can not even tell you what an answer to prayer these visits have been. I am not just talking about the cookies, but the community, family asking how you are doing and praying for you. So a big thank you to the Wassel and Hause families for your love, prayers and showing the character of God to four girls in a big city! I can not leave out the Chestnuts who are so kindly letting us house sit their wonderful home while they are in the states for the summer. This has cut our cummute to work to 20 mins instead of one hour. So God is good to us in the daily life issues as well!

There Is A Monster Under My Bed

2007-06-03T17:58:00.000-06:00

As Lindsey and I slept uncomfortably sun burned in our double size bed surrounded by our thick mosquito net (which drastically limits the oxygen flow and slowly suffocates you) a monster played under our bed. He would have gone unnoticed had he not knocked over a bottle that was on our night stand. With that, Lindsey woke up and saw his reflection as he ran across our windowsill. She quickly clang to me waking me up and saying we have a rat in our room. That is the last thing you expect to hear or want to hear in the middle of the night. Before moving here I did not have much reference to rats except for Templeton on Charlotte's Web and even that singing and dancing rat freaks me out a little. I tried to be the brave one as I know Lindsey's fear of rats is much greater then mine. Then he ran across our head board and I was scared. So we tucked the mosquito net in all the way around the bed as tight as we could. Without any body parts leaving our protected cage I pushed through the net to turn on the head board lights. Then I grabbed a bag that contained some of my belongs shook it as hard as I could and threw it across the room, that should scare him away, right? So after the monster played on Lindsey's night stand, ran across our heads to my dresser we assumed it went up the wall, into the bathroom and out of our room. But we still spent the rest of the night in the middle of the bed with the lights on.

My Neighborhood

2007-05-31T00:04:00.000-06:00

The glass is always half empty when you are waiting for it to be full of money.

City Of Angels

2007-05-24T18:43:00.000-06:00

Alex and I went on a day trip to Angeles City yesterday to scout out the land and doing some praying. Angeles is one of the major hubs for prostitution, human trafficking and sex slavery in the Philippines.

To learn more about the city click here: Angeles City

Pics 2 Make Lindsey smile & U can laugh @ me 2!

2007-05-24T18:30:00.000-06:00

Our roommate at the birth center Shanman is always trying to get us to use this "special" face cream from her home country Myanmar. After months of escaping the inevitable she finally got to me!... and Alex!

When It Rain It Pours and When It Pours The Rain Is Stronger

2007-05-17T22:03:00.000-06:00

I hit birth #50 on my last shift with a bang. Alex and I had 7 births in our 48 hours. Although that may not seem like a lot if you are thinking about hospital type care, we are midwives and that is much different! If you consider the fact we do all of the labor watching, deliver, postpartum care and new born exams it is hours and hours of birth. No complaints, I love it all!

More amazing then the fact we survived 7 births is that I have now been to over 50 natural births. I am so inspired by how amazing these women are. Their strength, love and gentleness is a miracle to watch and be apart of. Can you imagine 50 natural births, no C-sections, electronic fetal monitoring, no doctors running around covered in plastic or pain medication? I am trying to write this without being offensive. I recognize the value of western medicine when there is an emergency. However, the majority of the world's population does not have access to these high tech care and like all women have the ability to deliver their children naturally. Western medicine is a blessing for those that are determined to have factor that classify them as a high risk pregnancy. Basically what I am saying is let's not think that God would create people and not create a way for them to be born! As a midwife the natural birth looks much different then a hospital setting. For those of you that are thinking the woman must be dieing without shot after shot of pain medicine, not at all. They are in complete control and coordination with the bodies, just like God designed it to be. They are able to realize that although labor is hard work, the work and pain is the process that leads to the miracle and it is so worth it!

BIRTH ROOM & ONE OF MY HEROS

This mom was amazing. She was laughing and joking with us during her whole pushing phase. Natural birth is a beautiful thing.

2007-05-13T04:12:00.000-06:00

Mothers. I have witnessed the first meeting of a mom and her new born babe. I once believed that I knew a mother's love and loved my mom the same. But now I know how could this be. She was right when she told me you have to be a mother before you can truly see. Although still a young girl I tried to convince her, as I truly believed, that I loved her just as much as she loves me. As I grow older I begin to understand, but still do not know if I can even comprehend the kind of love my mother has given to me. Mom. So amazing, so giving. If only my tear filled eyes could get the words on this page. How much I wish to show. How grateful I am, she prays for me. How amazing my mom is. Knowing it is her love that helped me to be the person I am today. You are more then a super hero, you are real to me. Even the realization that she stops all she is doing to talk to me brings me to my knees. How can one person love so much, give so much without thinking twice? I can barley handle this unconditional love. It is so much. What can I give in return to someone who gives of their whole self so freely? So with a thankful heart,

I love you Mom.

The Facts, No Blood or Guts

2007-05-07T00:41:00.000-06:00

The more I study midwifery the more I am amazed by the Creator. As I attend births, study A&P and midwifery books the science of it all points me back to him. I can not even comprehend how perfectly we are made. How amazing God is to be mindful of us?

Being Dorks: from the inside out

2007-05-03T03:52:00.001-06:00

So I have never been afraid of spiders, but I have never had a thing for them either. Then the girls and I decided to go a little over board with the whole Spiderman 3 movie that was coming out. Everyone else was freaking out about it so we wanted in on the fun. We watched the first two, decided ourselves out in spidy gear and went to the show. I realize it has not come out at home yet, just one of the advantages of being in a different time zone, but I am definitely saying you should go see it. I am still not a comic book girl, but the message of this movie is just so right on I loved it.

Sushi: A Fish & Bread Remix

2007-04-28T20:41:00.000-06:00

I think Jesus would like sushi. I mean he was definitely into fish and we serve a creative God. After a little talking into I went to sushi with the girls last night. As a native Montanian, out on the town with two experience sushi experts I knew I had to jump in. Plus I love doing new things and want to be more like Jesus! My previous experience with sushi has always been the California Roll a basic in the sushi menu and a very safe choice. Last night I expanded and we had a party with Rock&Roll, Dynamite, Teriyaki Chicken and California Rolls. So with good friends and good food I am leaving that table with my glass half full.

Spelling?

2007-04-28T18:34:00.000-06:00

I have been meaning to write for quite sometime and apologize for my poor spelling. After seeing this stand at a mall here and Manila and realizing I am not the only one who suffers I sat down to write this blog. If you have been semi consistent in reading my blog, I am sure you have notice by now it is one of my weaknesses. Or even if you have read only one post I apologize for the effort it may have taken to fumble though it. There is the problem of the random words I try to make work when I can not figure out how to spell the word I want to use and I always have to change the way I say things so I can spell each word right. With that said I also want to mention that it is not easy being such a poor speller and maybe some of you can relate. Growing up as a bad speller sure makes you resourceful because it affects your daily life. Writing checks can lead to cardiac arrest as you search your surroundings to find the spelling of the company's name. Or that one little line I dread where the make you spell out exactly how much you spent. Heaven forbid someone with a puzzling last name or confusing information call and ask to leave a message. That is when I pull out the art form of making the letters hard to distinguish. Making my "e" look like it could be an "a" or an "i" and I write really close together. Thinking it better if someone can kind of make it out thinking I have bad hand writing then realize it is spelled complete wrong. So I confess I do make an effort to hide all my spelling errors. I use spell check often. At twenty one I am still very dependent on my mom or sister to edit all my work, thankfully they are much better spellers then I and helped me get though high school without out looking totally stone age. I also have an automatic reflex of copying my emails, blogs and myspace messages into a Word document and waiting for the page to be covered with red lines so I can fix my mistakes and hide my weakness! I spell the word I know then use Word’s thesaurus to find the word I want. I am thankful for Word and would be embarrassed to show you how many of those red lines are on my page as I type this out. So, I am in the bad speller camp with so many others, separated from those who can spell crazy words in their heads, compete in spelling bees and then make movies about people competing in spelling bees.

But I can read and I have never been as thankful for that as I was the other day. Lindsay and I went into a bookstore, which is one of my favorite places to be. It had been months since I had been in a book store and I was amazed as I realized I could read and what that really meant. Not only that, I can read in English meaning I could pick up any book from the self and have a go at it. Anything I wanted to learn is at my finger tips. Reading is something I never thought twice about until the reality that not everyone can hit me in the Philippines.

Unforgetable moments I can not quite remember.

2007-04-24T21:02:00.000-06:00

I think most midwives will agree there is a single moment in birth right when the baby is coming out that seems to slip away from your mind. You can't picture this moment or recall the details, yet you know it is amazing. The moment is made unforgettable by it's effect on your heart not senses of your flesh. At this point you know you are in the middle of a miracle, apart of something so much greater then you. It is a moment when everything is made perfect, love is born before your eyes. Then the baby is out, in your hands on the mom's chest and all you can do is praise the Lord.

Street Children: How did these two words ever meet?

2007-04-14T02:49:00.000-06:00

O' Little child

On the street you do sleep.

Walking around

With your dirty bare feet.

I want to weep with you,

But I never see you cry.

How is it that you who are weak

Are stronger then I?

You Turn My World Upside Down!

2007-04-06T23:28:00.000-06:00

It has been a fun few days at the birth center so here is a little update of some of the highlights!

Catch Just On Time
On Wednesday I had the day off but was on call for my continuities and got the call at 6:30am that my patient had come in and was already full dilated. (For a continuity we have to do the patient's prenatal visits, labor and delivery, newborn exam and postpartum visits so a lot of work goes into getting them and it is upsetting when you cannot make the birth or if they get transported.) It was her third birth so I knew the pushing phase would be short. I jumped out of bed and grabbed a taxi for the 45 minute commute. I felt cool telling the driver I was an on call midwife and in a big hurry! I was stuck in traffic about 3/4 of the way there when I got the call to not worry about coming in the baby was going to be out soon. With two 15+ hour births on my last shift I already knew God has been teaching me a lot about patients. So I sat in the taxi and became content with the fact that this is out of my hands and in God's. I decided to go into work anyway just to say hi and congratulations. When I walk into delivery room 2 I could hear the sound of the doppler taking fetal heart tones which means the baby was not out yet. It was still crowning and I made it just in time to catch. Maybe I am not the only one learning not to rush in life, because I think the baby was waiting for me!

9.5 Pound'r and I not talking about fishing!
Sharon caught this baby boy weighing 9lbs 8 ounces for Filipinos that is definitely the catch of the day.

Upside-Down
We had our first breech birth. It was so amazing to see a natural birth of a breech baby, some midwives never get this opportunity because they transport to hospitals if the baby is breech. A perfectly happy, healthy baby was born a little upside down. As you can see from the picture he still was not used to all the freedom his legs had found!

Precious Family
This family was so beautiful and I am thankful that I got to be apart of it for these special moments. The kids both rubbed their moms back during labor and waited with great excitement for the baby to come out. We watched Happy Feet to pass some time during the long labor. The three year old boy thinks his new little sister is very beautiful. The eleven year old girl stayed close to Lindsey and me for the rest of the night.

On My Mind & Heart
I did find some down time to read and dream about Nigeria as God increased my love for the country.

Love Your Neighbor

2007-03-31T18:00:00.000-06:00

Lindsey and I transformed our roof top into a home theater and had our neighbor kids come over for a movie last night! These kids have been such a blessing to have around. Whenever I came home from work they come running. I love to just sit and talk with them. Sometimes they walk with me to pick up my laundry and of course we stop for a candy on the way home. They call me Ate Kayla or Ate Kay Kay, which means older sister. On Valentines Day they hand made me cards in the shape of hearts with little drawings of us together. It is always so comforting to see their smiling faces.

Rica, Rina, Roda, Roy and Kim- Their mom is butas(pegnant) now and should be having her baby any day. They are hoping for a boy so that the family will be even. They each have a name they want the baby to have, but they are keeping it a secret!

I Lyka Lyka You!

2007-03-27T08:56:00.000-06:00

On March 20th I was the primary midwife for the birth of a beautiful baby girl. It was a beautiful birth and I was able to pray for her as I laid my hands upon her crowning head and brought her into the world. Her parents named her Lyka, that is Filipino for Kayla and asked me to be her Godmother! The Pictures below are from her newborn exam when she was three days old. Children are a blessing from the Lord.

Desprate Midwives!

2007-03-26T23:46:00.000-06:00

The Filipino midwives left us to look after the birth center for five days while they went on vacation. So we managed births and home decorating all at the same time. While they were away we cleaned, painted and restored the whole down stairs. This is the living quarters for the Philippians midwives. We also sleep and shower here when we are on call. Here are the before and after pictures from our home make over!

From an island half way around the world, inside a exciting birth center set in the hills of Antipolo Tickling Junction five midwives rise up ready for a change. They will stop at nothing. No labors , deliveries, soap scum or dead bugs will get in their way.

LINDSEY tackling the soap scum!
Painting (I want to make my Grandma Proud!)
SHARON Where do we begin???
BECKA AND MELINDA weapons of war!

BEFORE & AFTER PICS

Our Before and After Picture, not as cute as the room!

Confidence Restored

2007-03-20T08:31:00.000-06:00

I did not blog about my first attempt at suturing because it was such a humbling experience. It was a first hand education in "things are harder then they look" and I failed. I was not upset that I could not do it, there were many contributing factors like; only having one hemostat, having to use my fingers to grasp the needle, the apex of the tear was very deep, the mother was in pain and many other things. There was a lot going against a first time student that has only practised on pig's feet. I feel it is totally understandable that I did not complete the suturing. What upset me the most is that I gave up, kind of. I got scared and asked the experienced midwife to take over. I usually push though and complete what I start, I try to overcome my fears. For that split moment in time I lost confidence in myself and that is what worries me. I still do not understand why. Normally I can take a deep breath, but I did not even think to do that. I walked away a little surprised by myself and actions, thinking this is totally not like me. At the same time I knew everything was justified and I could not let it bring down my confidence or prevent me from trying again. On Monday, three days later I attempted again with great success and that is the time I wanted to blog about, but know you know the rest of the story!

Shiphrah Birth Center

2007-03-20T00:05:00.000-06:00

Some Pictures of me at work. Life is beautiful!

More Than A Savior

2007-03-18T03:13:00.000-06:00

They asked me to accept Jesus as my Savior and I did, but that is not enough for me. How can I accept only part of this awesome God who loves all of me? My Savior, is so much more to me. He is my friend, counselor, master, father, helper, teacher; my everything, name above all names. I need Jesus to be with me as I live not just to save me when I die. If all I needed was a Savior, a payment for my sins I would not need Him to be with me always. And that is His promise, He is Immanuel. I believe the bread of life is not to be just consumed for eternal life, so lets eat!

Baby Steps

2007-03-16T22:31:00.000-06:00

Can you believe that I have already worried about what my next step will be??? I can, only because I think it is kind of human nature or at least my nature to worry and wonder. Where will it be, what will it look like, how will it work??? I want to know it all in detail and prepare myself for what is coming up. God being faithful as he is as reminded me that I already know my next step. My next step is the same as it has and will always be. My next step is to LISTEN AND OBEY.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this command I gave them: "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in the way that I command you, that it may be well with you."

Can I Be Your Superman?

2007-03-16T22:29:00.000-06:00

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman		80%
Wonder Woman		80%
The Flash		70%
Spider-Man		60%
Supergirl		60%
Robin		60%
Iron Man		60%
Green Lantern		55%
Hulk		30%
Catwoman		30%
Batman		20%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

What Kayla Wakes Up At 4am

2007-03-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

Yep it is true I am enjoying the early hours of dawn much like my grandfather has done for years and years. He sets a good example, but it is not purely by choice. I am working in a birth center called Shiprah in Antipolo city. To get there we walk from our house to the main road then take a one hour jeepney ride to Tickling Junction then walk another 10 minutes or so to the clinic. My shift starts at 6am so we have to leave the house before 5am so I have to get up at 4am! Shiphrah is a ministry ran by a couple who are also originally from Montana, but have been in the Philippines over 20 years. They also run a children's home for orphans waiting for adoption next door to the clinic. Shiphrah is the name of one of the two midwives who feared the Lord and did his will in Exodus 1:1-22.

Lindsey and I work on the same team and work 48 hour shifts from 6am Thursday to 6am Saturday and 24 hour shift from 6am Monday to 6am Tuesday and a 24hour shift every other Sunday. The clinic offers prenatal check ups every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and usually have over 100 woman under their care at a time.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ME READING A 422 PAGE BOOK ON BREASTFEEDING. I ACTUALLY FINISHED IT!

THE LIVING ROOM THAT CONVERTS INTO A BED ROOM WHEN THE LABOR BEDS ARE FULL AND WE ARE TIERED THE KITCHEN WHICH I TRY TO SPEND AS LITTLE TIME IS AS POSSIBLE. IT IS ANT INFESTED AND LAST TIME I OPENED A CUPBOARD AT 2AM A CAT JUMPED OUT AT ME. I ALMOST DIED.
ONE OF THE THEE BIRTH ROOMS. THEY EACH HAVE TWO BEDS IN THEM. THEY ARE SIMPLE BUT WORK PERFECT AND ARE MUCH NICER AND BIGGER THEN IF A WOMAN WHERE TO GIVE BIRTH AT HOME.

First on the First

2007-03-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

On the first of March I had my first catch! A baby boy named JM. His mother had been laboring very well all day long and then late in the evening we heard she was crowning all of a sudden and JM was out only minutes later. We barely had time to set up the room. I also delivered the placenta and did 3rd stage management. Lindsey was on the baby and gave him his shots and got him all cleaned up. He is very precious. The next day I did his newborn exam and bath. Then they came back on Monday and I did a postpartum check up on him and the mother. The pictures of Me and JM and JM with his older brother where taken on Monday so he is 4 days old. We had five births on out last shift and three with only two hours of sleep. Our first birth we had to use a vacuum extractor because the baby was presenting cephalic posterior and the mother had an anterior abdominal enterocele. All babies where born healthy, mothers and families are doing well.

Something Profound

2007-03-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

Maybe all I need is a good pen so I can get these words out of my head and on to a page. I want to say something profound and sometimes I write the words down. But mostly it just sounds better in my head. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<3

Lindsey and I are pretty much obsessed with our banana pancakes. If there is a day off there is going to be banana pancakes!

Born At Night

2007-03-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Woken by a door bell
In the middle of the night
So I can tippy-toe barefoot
Across the hardwood floors
I am growing up in this moment
At night when most are resting their sleepy heads
It would not be the same if people where awake to see
Watchful eyes can create boundaries
Life is intimately woven and perfectly created
She looks deep into my eyes
For strength and courage
Holds tightly to my hands
For reassurance and peace
I am scared and so is she
But she is brave and so am I
We draw strength from one who is greater
I give freely of all that I have
As love is made flesh before me
I feel like an infant
Although I know I'm somewhere in between
And as I mother this mother
I wish my own where here to comfort me
She always knows how to do it so perfectly
Like a new born babe not ready to be weaned
I need you still to nurture me
I am spreading my wings over this world
And I know my life is being written
In moments like this
As a watch the bond of mother and child before me
A family made complete
Love meeting face to face
I only begin to understand
The unconditional love you have given to me
And still at 21 a young lady growing older all I can say is
I Love You Mommy

A Song For Cami

2007-03-04T03:42:00.000-07:00

Cami-- Your faithfulness to God is a testimony to everyone around you.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

It Is An Amazing Race

2007-02-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

I just had four days off and what better to do then pack them full adventure and seeing more of the Philippines....... and riding on top of jeepnees, caving, picking strawberries!

SUNDAY

So it started off all Amazing Race style. Originally we planed to leave Monday morning at 4am, but just after finishing a meeting in Antipolo Sunday night plans changed. It took little to change our minds and take an overnight bus that would be leaving in two hours. Usually a taxi ride from Antipolo to the bus stop would take one and a half hours. So we ran like crazy down the steep Anitipolo hills and rushed to find a taxi. You can only imagine the scene we caused, 5 crazy white girls! Our taxi driver was slow and did not have enough gas, but we where on our way. We still had to go back to our house and pack up. Melinda waved down a second taxi to take us from our home to the bus station. This taxi was fast but we got lost as none of us were totally for sure where the station was. After getting and attempting to give directions in Tagalog we pulled into the station just at the same time the bus was supposed to leave. Luckily most things do not happen on time in the Philippines and we made it on the night bus safe and sound. So we settled down for the 9 hour ride to Banaue.

MONDAY

We arrived in Banaue Monday morning just in time to wake up to the beautiful rice terraces

After breakfast we went on a crazy 3 hour drive to Sagada that can not even compare to the logging roads back home. The views where amazing in I road the the country side and into the town of Sagada on top of a jeepnee.

Once in Sagada we settled into this lovely mission house up on the hill over looking the city. Sagada is a small mountain town and very easy to fall in love with. We hiked though Echo Valley to the hanging coffins which is how the tribe people berried their dead.

TUESDAY

This was a huge deal for me as I hate small spaces (even drive-through car washes freak me out a little). We went over 100 meters below the earth and jumped into a huge swimming pool! I am very determined to always try everything once and not let fear hold me back. I enjoy trying new things and challenging myself. After belly crawling through an opening in the cave I had a really since of accomplishment. This is nothing like the Lewis and Clark caverns I have been to before. There is not electric lights or hand rails to guide your path. It is just you, the rocks, the water and the bat guano with a small lantern lighting the way. That is what I love about foreign countries there is a real since of adventure no rules holding you back from riding on top of cars or jumping into a pool of water far below the earth.

WEDNSDAY
We caught the 5am bus from Sagada to Baguio a six hour bus ride that was pure torture. I was car sick and losing my stomach the whole way. I can only imagine it is like to putting your body into a cement mixer and hanging out for six hours while driving a crazy road down a mountain. Once again however the views where breath taking!

THURSDAY
We spent time picking strawberries and shopping in Baguio. After we picked them we bought Ice cream and chocolate and made ourselves a very tasty dessert (and breakfast!)

Fabella Wrap Up

2007-02-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

TRIPLETS
THIS IS A PICTURE OF A MOM IN THE KANGAROO UNIT, BABIES THAT ARE UNDER 2000 GRAMS ARE SENT IN THIS UNIT. THE MOTHER WEAR WHAT IS LIKE A TIGHT TUBE TOP AND THE BABY IS PLACED WITH SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT. THIS WAS FIRST PREFORM IN A MATURITY HOSPITAL IN COLUMBIA. STUDIES HAVE SHOW IT HAS GREAT BENEFITS AND BABIES SURVIVAL RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY COMPARED TO BABIES PLACED IN INCUBATORS. THIS WAY BABIES AND MOTHERS ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER TO BOND, BREASTFEED, THE BABY BODY TEMPERATURE IS REGULATED, THE BABY IS BEING STIMULATED AND THE MOTHERS BREATHING AND HEART RATE HELP TO STABILIZE AND REGULATE THE BABIES. IT IS A GREAT BLESSING THAT FABELLA HAS ADOPTED THIS TECHNIQUE AND IS VERY COST EFFICIENT FOR THEM BECAUSE INCUBATOR ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.
LITTLE BABY IN THE PREMATURE KANGAROO UNIT!

Fabella was an amazing experience for me both spiritually and for educational opportunities.

UNFORTUNATELY BABIES AT FABELLA ARE SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOTHERS AFTER BIRTH AND PLACED IN THE NEWBORN CARE UNIT UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A BATH, CORD DRESSING AND SHOTS. ONCE THE MOTHER IS TRANSFERRED TO POSTPARTUM THE BABY IS BROUGHT TO HER THERE. SO OFCOURSE THE BABIES ARE CRYING AND WANT TO BE HELD AND KEPT WARM AND OFCOURSE I COULD NOT RESIST DOING THIS JOB!

Spiritually--It confirmed in me that I am passionate about fighting for life and the care of mothers and their babies. As I comforted mothers that were undergoing a DNC (the manual removal of a child that has been aborted) and praying for babies in the NICU I saw the faces of life as they battle against the darkness of death. I want to fight not just for the unborn but for love and forgiveness for the mothers who are deeply shamed, abused and reject after having abortions. Although I do not believe abortions are justified under any circumstance I think the enemy wins when these women live in shame and fear never being shown the forgiveness of a loving God who cherishes them just as much as their unborn child. I want to be a voice for the babies who are isolated in incubators with feeding tube and blood transfusions that have a great will to survive, they truly are fighters. I want to stand up for families that are suffering from curable causes such as malnutrition and lack of clean water. For me being pro-life is a fight for life that goes beyond the time spent in the womb. It is striving to show each person ever created the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ from the moment of conception on.

Education-- I got to see some of the most incredible surgeries that I may never again observe. I watched three hysterectomies. In one case the women has ovarian growths and the tumor the removed from her abdominal cavity was no joke the size of two small twins. I also saw the removal and biopsy of a tumor that had developed from uterine cancer. I watched several Cesarean sections including some preformed of breech presenting babies. I saw the deliver of twins, forceps deliveries, did a postpartum exam on triplets, saw a baby girls born with low extremity abnormalities, watched shoulder dystocias and cord wraps. I preformed 20 postpartum examines watched 15 births, 6 cesareans and much more. It is routine to do episiotomies on all primes so I saw the procedure and suture repairs. I did labor Check-In and got the dilation and effacement correct on my first try which was very exiting.

In one ward they had 76 women plus all their babies and that is not include the ICU, High risk wards, midwifery unit and Kangaroo ward so it is not uncommon to have 200-300 women in the postpartum care each day. The funny thing is this is their slow time of the year. During peak months the commonly have three women to each twin bed. Below are some pictures from that ward taken in kind of a panoramic way.

As you can kind of tell the have three rows of beds each bed with two or more women.

WE MADE IT!!!! ALL THE GIRLS WITH OUR FABELLA GRADUATION CERTIFICATES!!!!

Happy Girl's Night Out Day!

2007-02-15T04:07:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful Valentines Day with my favorite girls! We went to a nice dinner and movie and had our own secret valentine chocolate exchange! The best part was my date was John Travolta!

Birth

2007-02-09T05:35:00.000-07:00

Today I was in the Midwifery Home Setting room and got to see a baby girl be born it was so beautiful. This room is for the midwife students studying and practicing at Fabella. There are strict conditions on which women can deliver in this room. It can not be there first birth or more then four, their fundal height has to be less then 30cm, gestational age between 37-39 weeks, no complications in previous births and no risk factors. However if they get to labor and deliver their they are allowed to have a family member with them and the baby stays with them much more after delivery. The room is set up to look more like a home with a bamboo bed and they creatively use items found around a normal Filipino home like newspaper. It was a rewarding experience to see this young husband and wife go through the birth together.

Babies and Operations!

2007-02-08T04:08:00.000-07:00

I spent my day in the DR (delivery room) and OR (operating room) at Fabella Hospital. I observed two Cesarean sections and two tubal legations along with 9 births. It was all an amazing learning opportunity. For all the operations we got to be in an upper room over looking the surgeries being preformed. It was incredible to be able to see inside the abdominal cavity and the uterus contract after the cesarean birth. I most enjoyed being up at the head of the bed with the mother holding her hand and supporting her head while she is pushing. The staff at Fabella takes a very medical approach to birth and a lot of times care for the mother is over looked. I would assist the mother when she had to move from one gurney to another in the middle of 2ND stage labor, support and encourage her during labor, try to keep her cool and comfortable and give her information on her baby once it had been take to the newborn care room. They also preform mandatory episiotomy on all P1 (first time mothers) so I would comfort the mother while the OB was suturing. There where even some cases where they did not give the women Lidocaine before suturing. As I stated in my previous blog the obstetric managed birth is much different from the midwifery model of care.

My life is like Grey's Ananomy, only not! I cried.

2007-02-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

All us girls ready for a full on day!

Jess, Lindsey and Me

Fabella Hospital

Today I stareted my rotaions at Fabella Maternity Hospital and learned so much about my relationship with God in the process. Although the day, circumstances and enviroment is crazily intense I believe God has opened an amazing door for us to minister to women (during lobor, delivery and post partum) and it has only confirmed in my heart that my faith is somthing that I need to be able to live out and express through my caring and love towards others. So in a hospital where;

the goverment gives them less money then a Filopino senitor makes in a year, pravicy and sanitation are hard to come by and woman are rushed though one after another is exactly where I want to be. Today I was working in admissions where the women come in and are checked and prepared for labor. A young 16 year old girl came in labor with her first baby. She was having strong contractions and was very scared. The doctors told her she had to be transported to a different hospital because she had asthma and they would not deliever her. This only made her more fearful. When she first came in I had gone to her bed side and was holding her and and brushing the hair out of her face. I was helping her through her contractions and encouraging her. She held my hand tighly and crying despertly kept looking into my eyes saying "please please help me." Her mom entered the room and she beged her mom to keep her from being transported the mom started to cry as well and at the moment I had to relese into her mothers care and leave the admittimg room as my eyes filled with tears and I cried. Most people who know me well know it does not take much to pull on my heart strings and I pray it stays that way. I pray my heart will always stay tender, compassionate for others and easily stirred by the will and voice of God.

*Fabella Hospital: Although Fabella does not routinely practice the same midwifery modle of care we follow I will be doing a two weeks of routation there. It gives us a great oppurtunity to observe C-sections, operations, NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), premature babies and a high volume of births. More then that is allows us to show the love of God and deminstate compassion to women in a place that can be very inpersonal due to the high valume of patiens. I have a high respect for the women who work at Fabeela as they do the best the can with the resourses they have. They place a very high vaule on being a mother baby friendly hospital (standard set by the WHO) and premoting breastfeeding. Today the postpatum ward had 96 mothers who all of couse have a baby but only two nurses and a midwife to staff the unit. This is not including other specialised postpartum wards.

A view from my roof top.

2007-02-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Now poverty is on my door step next to the roosters and I can't look in your eyes. Walking a thin line as two different worlds collide all inside my heart. And I think I got it figured but I have to jump in, because even in an air conditioned theater I can get comfortable. I live in a world that scares me, sometimes. And people wear masks, but not just for keeping out the pollution. There is barbwire but where are the cows? Culture shocked by what I have always known, what is me. And I still want to wear mascara.

Wisdom In your eyes, Kindness in your smile

2007-01-29T04:34:00.000-07:00

Both Photos By Kim Hughes

Today we went on a little walk to meet Flourencia a 98 year old midwife. She spent most of her life working as a midwife along with having 13 of her own children. She survived the Japanese invasion of the 1940 and took medical classes from UNICEF. Most of her kids have gone on to have families of her own and she is loved by over 100 grandchildren. Although 98 years old she is witty, vibrant and walking up and down stairs! You could tell she had truly lived. I hated to say good bye because you know you are leaving a woman of great wisdom who could tell you stories that would change your character. Like a firefly in the mountains of the Philippines her joy is bright and like each of our lives no matter how hard we try or what we do it only last a moment.

Flourencia, it was for this brief time of meeting I saw Wisdom in your eyes and Kindness in your smile. With much love and respect I live so that I may grow old like you. If my time comes before 98 I live so that I may grow old like you spending my life on the care of women and children.

Sunday: A day of Rest & Snorkling

2007-01-28T03:25:00.000-07:00

So today I went snorkeling for the first time in my life! It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done! I think God has the coolest fish tank ever!

"Come and See" "Find Your Calcutta" Mother Teresa

2007-01-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

I do not want to study Christanity, I want to live it.

2007-01-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today a team of 14 of us loaded up in our humble ambulance and went to the tribe of the Mangyan people. We went for a health and medical outreach. Us midwives spent time washing and braiding hair, giving hair cuts and doing wound treatment. The medics ran a clinic and the younger kids helped handout clothes and treats. It was such a blessing to spend time praying for each little one as we did their hair and washed their hands and feet. Although I will be working towards my midwifery degree, I am here as a missionary. I know when I put the will of God and doing His work first all my requirements and numbers fall into place. Actually living out what God tells us to do seems to be the most Christ-like thing I can do with my life. I want my life to be like the reflection of Jesus I see in the poorest of the poor.

Prenatals In Sabang

2007-01-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Today Lindsey, Sharon and I traveled to Sabang to work at our first prenatal clinic. We had 7 new buntas (pregnant ladies) come into day! Sabang is the red light district of Mindoro and a major port for the child sex trafficking industry. So spiritually it is an intense place to be even during the day. Situations like that may cause some to question the loving character of God. For me it only increase my faith in God for He is Just and warns with great authority that justice will come and it will be final and complete. Psalm 9:16 - Luke 17:2 - Deuteronomy 24:17

Mabuhay (Welcome) to the Philippines!

2007-01-27T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, I made it! So I have been in the Philippines for almost a week now and it has been full of adventure, and learning. After arriving at the airport we drove for two hours then got on a boat for one and landed in Puerto Galera. It is a beautiful Island that attracts a lot of tourist and offers a laid back lifestyle. We are here for ten days doing orientation and medical outreaches.I have settled in quickly and am loving spending time with the medics and midwives from my school. I have a great advantage growing up swimming in Montana, because adjusting to the cold showers has been easier on me then some of the other girls. I already feel like I am learning so much about God and what it means to live life following after him.

What I'm Up To???

2007-01-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

If I live to be 80, this coming year will be 1/80 of my life and this year I am going to spend it serving God. It really is such a small sacrifice. I am currently a Midwife student with Mercy In Action. January 20th, 2007 I will be leaving for the Philippines to gain practical experience in midwifery and to practice and present the loving character of God. Mercy In Action is a missions focused school which allows me the opportunity to pursue a degree in midwifery while living out the passions and desires God has place in my heart. My time in the Philippines will be spent making rotations in hospitals, birthing centers and doing home births. I will be moving back and forth between Manila and Mindoro. In Mindoro we will be hiking into different villages to provide prenatal and postpatrum exams. Most of my labor and delievery experience will be in Manila. I want to thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support as it is by the love of family and friends that I find the courage to carry on in times of hardship. But by the grace of God alone am I able to take this first step onto a path that is lit by his love and mercy.

2007-01-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Scrubs! This will be my main fashion statement for the next year. I have a feeling it is going to stick around for awhile. After being in the Philippines for just one week we are going to be thrown into a busy rotation at Fabella Hospital, the largest maternity hospital in the Philippines, some say the largest in Southeast Asia. So right away we will get lots of birth observations, and will be able to perform newborn and postpartum exams. I am equally excited to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit, and in their famous Kangaroo care unit with the premature babies. Here is to diving into a new adventure, challenging myself in new ways and learning new things along the way. After all it is a new year.

The Word For 2007!

2007-01-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Chapter 1: 4-7

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.