Friday, April 30, 2010

IT"S FRIDAY!!!!!!

Whoooo Hoooooo!!!!!! It is Friday!!!!! I am so very glad. It has been a good but long week. Things don't ever seem to slow down. I am so looking forward to this weekend with NOTHING major on the calendar.
Running on Saturday morning with some friends and then maybe the grocery store. Just kind of doing NOTHING!!!! Funny how when we are younger, doing NOTHING is boring!!!!!!! Getting older and having children, I treasure those days when there is NOTHING to do!!!!!!

I am once again amazed at the Lord. I know, by experience, that He answers the prayers of His people and for that I am truly grateful. Yet, when He changes me, I am amazed. I am a sinner saved by grace and I am excited about what He is doing. He is doing some things that come more easily than I thought and yet at the same time, He is working on parts that are difficult to give up or even consider changing. It's exciting, even in the discomfort of some change. Does that make sense? I hope it does.

I have come to this realization that He is in control and I am so NOT!!!! Once again, I am so very thankful for that. At the same time, I have a choice in this. I realize that I keep talking about this past Saturday but it is sticking with me like glue. I can have a casual conversation with someone and without even mentioning that I was at the event last Saturday I hear them use those same words that keep coming at me. CHOICE, CHOOSE, SECURE, CONFIDENT. I'm just listening and WOW is all that I know to do or say.

Now this may sound totally CRAZY but when He does such a major work, there is change. Now, some may be small and not evident to anyone. Some maybe huge and people may ask "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" and even some may say "YOU HAVE GONE OFF THE DEEP END!!" Of course, I would love to share with you all that He is doing but this is not the place. The answer to either one of those questions is "Jesus is alive and working" and second "I would go off the deep end for my Savior and would be happy for you to go with me!" There is an excitement. There is a new calmness. There is a new joy. There is the release of the old. There is a peace. There is expectancy as to what will He do next. He is just so good to me and loves me so much.

I know that I have shared so much here. I could keep going and I just might have to have a Part 2 to this post but I will leave you with one final thought/question.
**If you have no idea about what I am talking about or who my Savior is, PLEASE e-mail me or leave a comment and let me tell you about what He can do for you.
**If you know Him but you are not sure that you would know it when He speaks and you need to get right with Him, OH PLEASE!!!! leave me a comment, let me pray for you.
It's going to be an awesome weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam
1 Sam 12:23

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday Testimony

My Dear Sister
If Christ is Your Savior
You are the dwelling place
Of His own Spirit
You have it IN YOU
to be secure.
Every day of your life
You have a choice to make
You can live in your old defeat
Or you can turn from your unbelief
And choose life
Make up your mind
To put off the old you
And put on the new you.
Never, ever, ever forget
That the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot
From being caught in a trap.
He will take care of you
To your very last breath.
Now, leave this place
And go out into the world
And act like a person
Who knows she’s dearly loved.
You were born to be exceptional.
So, Girlfriend, go forth
And walk worthy of your calling.
You are clothed in strength and dignity!
Now unto Him
Who can keep you from falling
Be glory and majesty
Power and authority
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Now and forever more
Amen.
So Long, Insecurity!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Beth Moore Simulcast

Well, this is the second one that I have been to. I have done so many of her studies already and read her books and LOVE Travis Cotrell's praise and worship sooooo very much.
Her message of course was based off of her new book- So Long Insecurities. I have it and about 1/2 way through it. I would say this is nothing like I have ever read before from her. Totally different.
She has hit me right where I live in my "insecure" world. Most people that know me would have absolutely NO CLUE just how insecure I am. I knew it but had no idea it was as bad until I realize how much I was hiding and trying to pretend that I was something or someone else.
Beth said so much yesterday but it was not so much hearing what Beth had to say but what the Lord had to say to me. Some of which I would not share on this blog because somethings are personal.
At the same time- I KNOW (that I KNOW) I walked out of Cornerstone Baptist Church yesterday a Secure Woman in who I am in Christ.
It doesn't matter what size I am.
It doesn't matter if my hair is always right.
I can't put all my securities in people.
I can't expect perfection from people.
I can't expect non-Christians to behave like Christians.
I will not chose to be insecure.
This was a totally knew thought in this head of mine. Being insecure is a choice!!?? Think about it. You and I chose to be insecure about people, actions, appearance, thoughts. If I chose to allow my thoughts to take over who I am, I would not be able to leave the house. I am choosing to be a secure woman in Christ. I am choosing to live like the beloved child that I am.
My favorite illustration that she gave yesterday- She talked about what it says over in Hebrews about being sprinkled and made clean, I believe it is in chapter 10. She took us back to Genesis where it talks about Adam and Eve making the choice to eat the apple and being banned from the garden and the thorns that would now be on the earth. She brought us forward to the Cross. Jesus on the cross with the crown of thorns and how that represented the sin being pressed in on Him and the blood that was being sprinkled on those at the foot of the cross, me and you. To be standing at the foot of the cross, in order for that sprinkle of blood to hit you heart, you have to literally look up at Him, face to face, and throw your head back and that sprinkle hits your chest, your heart. WOW!!!!
I am such a visual person and for me, this was the thing that stuck out to me so much. To understand that I am His beloved child and for me to walk around be so totally insecure is just wrong.
The hubby got a new truck this weekend. It has the most cool and awesome radio/GPS/DVD/CD player gadget in it. Of course, we have no clue how it all works but we are working on it. We hoped in the car last night and I went to work on it trying to figure it out. He typically listens to a local radio station and I listen to KLove. I don't hardly EVER change my radio station. I put in KLove and he said"Just leave it there" I was so excited. He hasn't changed it yet. Maybe he won't. Now as silly as it is, I had been feeling insecure about changing the station in his car. Last night, there was almost a sense of boldness and confidence in it. Yes it is a small thing. Yes, for some it probably seems really silly but for me it was a big thing. I care greatly about what Kaleb listens to in the car and at home. I know that when I am in the car, what I listen to gets stuck in my head. I wake up thinking and "singing" it in my head. Praise Him that this morning I woke up singing "Do It Lord" by Travis. It's little steps but they have changed me. I am choosing to behave like the Beloved Child of His that I am. I am FORGIVEN. I am REDEEMED. I AM SECURE!!!!!! I am a CONFIDENT SECURE WOMAN!!!!!!
Many thanks to the women of Cornerstone that put the simulcast together. It was an event that I won't forget.
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Saturday, April 24, 2010

This is the Day that the Lord has made!!!!!!

Good Morning!!!!!
This is the day.
This is the day, that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is the Beth Moore Simulcast at Cornerstone. Yes, I realize that probably most that will be there are all ready in a relationship with Christ. Yet, I also know that there will be some that are not.
Maybe they have a false sense of a relationship.
Maybe they are just going through the motions.
PRAY!!!!!!! for this event today.
It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of praying. But if only one comes to Him in total faith, then it is all worth it!!!!!!!!
Update you tomorrow!!!!!! Stay tuned.Oh, and if you are there today------comments and feedback tomorrow please!!!!!
Pam

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Thoughtful Thursday

Well, I'm not sure if you would call this "Stream of Consciousness" or just plain rambling.....

Let's just call it Thoughtful Thursday at any rate.

Things are great! I got a call from a potential client from the Twinkle Event!! I was so totally overwhelmed at how the Lord worked all of that out.
Hubby went to see a Cardiologist and passed everything with flying colors....what a total answer to prayer!!!!! Thank you Jesus!!
Dad went and had a procedure done and passed it with flying colors as well!!!!!! WHOO HOOO!!
Kaleb is as sweet as ever and SUCH a Snuggle Bug!! There is nothing better! There is just something about when the little man comes and ask for "Nuggle Time in the chair" The dishes can wait, the laundry is not going to mold and the dust can make one more dust bunny. He's not going to ask for "Nuggle Time in the chair" for long!

Mom and Dad are coming in this weekend for a BUSY weekend. They come in on Friday night. Bo teaches a class at his work on Saturday while I am at the Beth Moore Simulcast at our church. Mom and Dad get Little Man and Kaleb all day!!!!! He will be spoiled rotten but that is what Grandparents are for.
Sunday is another busy day. Church in the morning. Rest in the afternoon and maybe some shopping with Mom if she is up for that and then to church to have a Mission Fund Raiser for the Ukraine Team and Honduras Team going this Summer/Fall. Then back home and they have to leave Monday morning. What a weekend it is going to be!!!!!

Thinking about....
**Adding "Pages" to the blog but not sure how to do that. Anyone got suggestions on where I can read more on how to do that? I really like it a lot.
**Adding a "Doula Day" for just information on Doula's, Birth stories, why you deserve one and what is a Doula any way? Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding etc. With just information more than anything. What do you think about that? I would love some feedback!!!!!

Well, it's time to get back to work and try to get some work finished up. It's going to be a swamped weekend. I hope you have an awesome Thoughtful Thursday!!!!!! What has He been up to in your life???
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

~~~~~Twinkle Twinkle~~~~

*****Twinkle Update*****

Well, I had the Twinkle Event at the hospital last Saturday. Let me just share with you how the Lord truly works.
**First, I had visions of not going because I was tired (Lame excuse I know but it's been nuts here)
**I wasn't sure I could get it all together before the event with copies and fliers and other stuff I wanted to do.
**Of course the ever present thought of- "What if no one takes my information."

HE BLEW ME AWAY!!!!!
First - I walked into the room where my table was and there was an Ob/Gyn practice that is full of MIDWIVES!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!
Second- One of the Midwives, Vicki was there the whole time!!!!!!!!
Third-SHE KNEW WHO I WAS!!!!!!! Is that cool or what?????? She has my information and hands it out!!!!!
Fourth-She encouraged me so much and probably had no idea how much she did!!!!!!!!
Fifth-I came home with only 3 packets left.
Sixth- I had 27 people sign up for a Give Away!!!!!!
Seventh- I had a lot of FUN!!!!!!
Eighth- THERE WERE NO OTHER DOULA's THERE!!! I was stunned!!!!!!
Ninth- I met some other vendors that are just getting started and I got to encourage them!
Tenth- Did I mention HE BLESSED ME SO MUCH FOR OBEYING!!!!!!

Sorry about all the !!!!!!'s. It was just an awesome day and He deserves ALL the credit!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Monday, April 19, 2010

Not Me Monday



WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!!

I DID NOT go out to eat with the Kennedy side of the family last night and eat EVERYTHING ON MY PLATE!!!!! I am not about to log that on my Weight Watchers list!!!!!

I DID NOT go to an event on Saturday morning and have a great time and come home and literally CRASH sitting in the recliner holding Kaleb and fall asleep. BEST NAP EVER!!!!!!

I DID NOT lay in the bed on Sunday morning and keep hitting the snooze!!!!!!

I DID NOT find out in Sunday School Class of 4 year olds that the Tooth Fairy now gives $5 for the first tooth!!!!!! What happen to the 50 CENT piece!!!!!!

Have a great Monday!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Twinkle Twinkle

Well today is the big day. This is my second time at the Twinkle Event at The Women's Hospital of Greensboro!!!!!!! It is such fun!!!! Getting to meet a lot of really nice people, see some friends that I don't get to see very often and hopefully meet some new clients for Mothering The Mother .Of course, that is the goal at this event.

My prayer is that some day I would be able to be a Doula FULL TIME and teach Childbirth Classes. What an awesome adventure. So far, I have half of the dream and just working on the other half. God is good and is soooo faithful!!!!!! Over 24 deliveries and just watching Him work. None have interfered with work yet. AMAZING is all I can say!!!!!!!

I will of course post pictures after the event. I hope to come and report a full calendar of Birth-Day's coming soon!!!!!!!!

If you have found my blog by way of the Twinkle Event, please leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by!!!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Monday, April 12, 2010

Not Me Monday



Well, I think I missed 2 weeks of Not Me Monday so it is time to get with the program and jump back in on it. Lets get started.

I DID NOT listen so very closely as a child in our 4 year old Sunday School class tell me how her family got locked out of their house and had to spend the night in a tent and she had to give the dog a bath before she came to church yesterday morning.

I DID NOT get upset when I was trying to get a million things done and my hubby had done something to the sprayer on the sink so that when I turned it on, I got sprayed. ( Paybacks are coming!)

I DID NOT actually stand in the kitchen while doing Mass Cooking and eat 1 scoop of raw chocolate chip cookie dough and then proceed to eat 2 of the cookies that had just come out of the oven.....Oh My Goodness!!!! they were soooooo good.

I DID NOT watch Kaleb have a complete and total meltdown at Bo's softball game because he wanted a "Little White Ball". Nothing else would make him happy. It was pitiful!!!!!!!

How has your week been......jump in and share what you DID NOT do!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Catch Up Thursday

Good Morning, Afternoon or Evening depending on where you are.
It is morning here and I am actually ready to walk out the door with a huge cup of coffee and a smile on my face and face the day. Today is going to be a good day. I can just feel it and I am determined not to let it be any other way.
Catching up with everything..........and some prayer request along the way.
First, I got to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. He is absolutely beautiful. Head full of dark hair. He was a big boy weighing in at 8 pounds and 14 ounces and Mom and Dad did a fantastic job. If I get clearance from Mom and Dad, they may let me share him with you.
Last evening I got to meet with a potential Mom and Dad. They were just the sweetest couple. Very honest and open and just a joy to be with. Will have to wait and see. They are meeting with some other Doula's so will have to watch and wait.
Talked about the whole weight loss thing on here and even posted the before pictures. Well, I finally did it. I joined Weight Watchers On Line due to a co-worker talking me into it. I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!! In 2 weeks, dropped 5 pounds. I find that I am accountable to the computer and to the other friends that know what I am doing. I am just so grateful. Of course I want it all gone now but slow and steady wins the race.
Speaking of races, I will be running a few 5K's this summer and building up to some bigger races in the winter is my plan. Hopefully that will be some motivation for me. So far, so good.
I have a friend that is running with me. Her name is Tara. You can find her here. We went and ran last weekend and I got to play "Jillian". She probably was not to happy about it but I was having a BLAST!!!!
Ok, now for some prayer request.
Found out yesterday that Kenzie, who you can find here, is expecting a new bundle of joy. I have been following her for about 3 years or so. She and her beautiful family have a sweet little boy named Maddox that is with Jesus due to Trisomy 18. I know that she would greatly covet your prayers with her current pregnancy.
Second is a friend that I know personally. She is actually the wife of my ex-husband. Yes, we are a bit on the strange side. We get along great. We go on trips together, talk on the phone and even do events together. Anyway, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, IC and CFS. She is really struggling some days and going through so much mentally, physically and emotionally. I would love you to death if you would stop by her blog that you can find here and just pray for her, leave a comment of encouragement, scripture, whatever you feel led to. I am sure that she would appreciate it.

I just have so much to share with you and there is just not enough time and I would be rambling if I sat here and did that. So, with that, I will head off to work and do what I do and check in with you later on. Who knows, 2 post in 1 day......hmmmmmm you never know!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

HELLO!!!! IS ANYONE STILL THERE!!!!??????

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.
No, we are all healthy and no one is in the hospital.
We have just been so BUSY!!!!! It has just simply been crazy and that would be putting it gently.

I had pre-posted the last couple of entries and then it was all gone.
Had an awesome delivery with a fabulous family.
Had the stomach bug in the house for what seemed like forever.
Had Easter
Had Mom's Birthday
Had Hubby's Birthday
Had Our Anniversary
It was just plain CRAZY!!!!!!!!
Things are starting to settle now.
I posted about 2 weeks ago that I had won on a Comment Give-Away. I got my prize. I'll tell more about that on Friday.
Visited one of my many favorite blogs and found out a Mom I have followed for such a long time is pregnant again.
Trying to encourage other Blogging Friends to keep blogging and then I was on the receiving end of "What happened? and Where is your post for today?"
I have so much to share. I will be back full swing in the morning on Thursday is my hope. Stick with me !!!!!!! LOTS to share.....NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT!!!!!! LOL
See you in the morning!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam