Friday, October 31, 2008

Healthy Baby and Healthy Mom

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!! I didn't ever think it was going to get here and what a week it has been. What a roller coaster. Ups, downs, flips, hills, valleys, you name it, I think I have experieced it. The week started off pretty rough but then just seemed to get better. Of course, there are always some bumps in the road but that is part of the life that we live. If life was perfect, we would have no need for a Heavenly Father and Our Lord Jesus.
I went to an appt on Thursday that was scheduled with my precious client that was past her due date. Her frustration level was a mile high. I left to go and meet her and her text came over,,,,,"I think my water broke!!". Praise the Lord! Let's have a baby. We went to the appt and went straight to the hospital.We stayed the rest of the afternoon and early this morning another precious child of His was brought into the world. Tears streaming down her face, she was so happy, so excited. I have to admit, as I stood by her side, completely exhauseted, I joined in the tears. It was so overwhelming. It is such an amazing experience to see, be apart of and know that He is OUR CREATOR!!!!!!! She is beautiful, healthy, happy little girl. Mom and Dad are of course, so happy to finally get to meet her and hold her.
Of course, the week had started VERY rocky and not really sure what was next in this Doula adventure. I know in my heart I am doing what He has asked of me. Keeping that in mind, the enemy LOVES to come after me. It can be in the simple things of "what if you passout?, what if i can take away all that you learned? what if the labor and delivery nurses think you are weird? what if her delivery takes an entire week? Let's just say, there are times, I do allow him a toe-hold but I am quick to realize where it is coming from and go running back to the one who Created this passion in me. I can praise Him because I have not passed out. I have remembered all that I have learned and still learning more every day. The L&D nurses at the hospital are THE BEST I have ever met. They are supportive and even though I have only been there 2 different times, they have filled out my certification reviews with the most encouraging words of affirmation. I can walk out of the hospital with my head heald high and boasting in Him the entire time. I am praying about a scripture to put on my buisness cards. If He shows you one that you think would be appropriate, please post it and share it.
Thank you so much for reading and keeping me in your prayers. They mean more than you know. Keep checking back, there are pictures coming of these precious little ones.
Pam

Monday, October 27, 2008

Another Monday

Good Evening Everyone,
Well, it has been a Monday. Back to work and back to the 9-5. Ever have those days when you had rather just stay at home? Weather turned off cooler and tonight it is just down right cold. The breeze is blowing and there is truly a chill in the air. My new Mom got to go home from the hospital today. She is adjusting to life at home with her first baby and schedules and feedings and all that intails. Many of us have been there and done that and many can't wait til that day. For those of you that have, just be in prayer for her and her husband and their new family. What a precious sight they are.
Today was a tough day. Lots of decisions to be made and things are changing and not knowing exactly what He is up to. That requires a walk by faith. Wouldn't it be so much easier if He just laid it out in front of us and said....."On this day you need to do this and that the other. Then on this day, do this and that". That is when we have to remember that He doesn't do that. We are to report in for duty so to speak in the morning, find out what the day is to hold, spend time with Him and get our "marching" orders. That is sooooooooo hard sometimes. I know I find myself wanting to say..."But I need to do this, I need to do that and what about the other" and I walk away having no clue as to what HE WANTS for me that day. Bottom line.....What He wants is SO MUCH MORE than what I can even come close to imagining. Is that just an awesome thought????!!!!!!!! We have to walk by faith and not by sight.
There is a new song out that I can not remember who sings it, but it talks about whatever He is doing feels like chaos. That is the way today felt. Like chaos. I know in my heart, I'm in the center of His will. It can be lonely. It can be scary and it can be the most exciting place in the world. It just blows my mind to think that the Creator, The Lord, The Alpha and Omega wants me. He loves me. He is mine and I am His. I am His child. Is that just not incredible. When you put your day, whether it was a wonderful day or a confusing and chaotic day like mine, in light of Him. All the confusion and chaos seems to just disappear and you just have to worship HIM!!!! Aren't you thankful that you know Him? Maybe you are reading this blog and you don't know Him. If that is the case and you would like more of Him, please e-mail and I will be happy to share my Jesus with you.
I have another precious Mom-to-be that is awaiting the arrival of her daughter. She is over due as of this past Saturday. She is physically tired and worn out. She is frustrated and so ready to meet her little girl. I can't share her name. I just ask that you be in prayer for her. Just waiting on her phone call. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for spending this time with me tonight. God Bless you!!!!!!

Pam

Saturday, October 25, 2008

First Delivery and the Results

Hi everyone,
It's Saturday. It was a wild ride the last few days. My first client was induced on Tuesday night and with absolutely no progress after multiple trials of everything in the book, a C-Section was done late yesterday evening. A beautiful little boy named Nate was welcomed into the world. He is such a precious little one. His Mom and Dad are just beaming. They are a very precious couple that I have had the privilege to get to know through being their Doula. As a Doula, I find that I have been invited into a very precious and intimate moment with a family. The birth of a child is so very precious. It can be a scary time for a first time Mom and it's exciting for the Mom that already has 1 or 2 or 3. Having a baby is not a time that you want everyone that you know and every family member there. All the more reason why I view this as such an honor and privilege that I can be there for the emotional support and the physical support of the Mother and assist the Fathers in being an active part in this precious time.
I would ask that you would pray for me in this adventure of being a Doula. I am finding that it is opening "doors" so to speak in all kinds of other areas. Lactation Consulting, Postpartum Doula's and Childbirth Educators. It's amazing that when you do what He has called you to do, He just keeps blessing and blessing you. It is just overwhelming at times.
Speaking of being in intimate places with family members and being with those that we love. Have we ever stopped and considered the fact that Christ is there with us? We are in His presence even when we don't really even think about it. Times when we are sitting with friends during a difficult time of losing a job, a marriage falling apart, a wayward child or even in the happy times of getting married or the birth of a child. Those are intimate times. Times that we are in His presence. He is right there with us. He invites us in those wee hours of the morning to come and sit with Him and talk. To communicate with Him. Those are intimate times. How precious they are and how often we take them for granted with our hurried wish list when we should be using that time to get to know Him more. There are times when we just need to sit in His presence and be quiet. Not say a word. That is difficult. There are also times when we sit with those that we love and not say a word, just be there. Aren't you thankful that scripture tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us? So, in the morning, when you are up before anyone else, preparing that cup of coffee, hot tea or opening that bottle of Pepsi (or Coke). Consider sitting down with His word and just reading. Be still and know. He wants those intimate, special times with His children.
Praise Him for another one of His children have arrived, safe, and healthy. He is our Creator.

Pam

Friday, October 24, 2008

First Blog Ever

Hi!!!!!! My name is Pam. I am a new Doula (DONA Trained) in the Greensboro NC area. What is a Doula you may ask?? It is a Professional Labor Coach or Assistant. I believe that with all of my heart that this is a calling that the Lord laid on my heart 2 years ago. I am a Sold Out Follower of His. He created this passion in me while working in the Ob/GYN office that I currently work in. I am responsible for doing all of the new OB interviews. In other words, taking the new patients medical history, family history, answering questions, scheduling appts. and ultrasounds and the like. I kept seeing young women, aged 16 and 17 and 18 coming in. The fear in their eyes, the hurt on their faces and not knowing what was next and wondered how in the world had they gotten themselves into this. Through many phone calls, e-mails, research, I discovered what a Doula was. Then, I believe without a doubt, a Doula stopped in one day to have a form filled out for a delivery she attended. I had a long discussion with her about how to get Certified. I was so excited. I had it all planned out and then I hit a wall. Nothing seemed to work. Work schedule changed. I got pregnant. I had a new baby at home, there was just no way. I put it off and put it off. The Lord didn't give up on me. He kept putting it in front of me. Then the e-mail came. They were offering the training through the YWCA in Greensboro and it wouldn't cost me a penny. Not following through this time I was sure was going to be complete disobedience. I heard it said one time from a dear friend and also known as "My Other Mother"- "Delayed obedience is disobedience.". I had to do this. There was NO stopping. I signed up, completed the class with 150% support of my awesome husband and that is where we start.
I decided do a blog to post pictures, share stories, to minister to any mom-to-be, to be able to journal through these experiences as a Doula (DONA Trained) and called by God. It's exciting. It's scary. It's gut wrenching sometimes. I hope you enjoy the postings. Come along with me on this journey. If you know me, this is a race that He has set before me and one that I will press on to win the prize that He has for me.

Pam