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Sunday, July 29, 2007

First Shift

I worked the swing shift (2pm-10pm) tonight and it was pretty uneventful. We had two first time moms who labored, but when I left, the babies were still a long time from coming. A little anti-climatic, but it was nice to just be able to sit, get to know the other midwives and the clinic. Hopefully when I work on Tuesday, we will have some action.

Carlie is still having a tough time. She hasn't eaten much at all since we have been here. In the last 24 hours, she has had about 10 crackers, some popcorn and a pb&j sandwich. For anyone that knows her, you know that is not much for her. Please continue your prayers that she adjusts quickly and the least painfully for all involved.

We had an amazing down pour tonight when I was in the clinic. In Utah, the rain isn't usually a good thing because of the business, but here, it is just so beautiful. I felt so refreshed just hearing and smelling it.

I am heading off to bed where I hopefully can get a good night's rest...if Carlie cooperates...

Saturday, July 28, 2007

It's amazing...

how a little bit of sleep helps you deal with life better. Yesterday was pretty hard on me. I had wondered what I had gotten myself into being in a foreign land so far from my family, but this morning, I am feeling much better about life and excited for my shift this afternoon.

Carlie slept pretty well considering the time difference is 14 hours ahead from being at home. She woke up around 11 pm and was hungry, so she had a sandwich and back to bed we went. She woke on and off all night, but I think she is getting used to the time change. We had a power outtage for about 2-3 hours last night, so with no fans going it got a little hot and sticky, but not nearly as bad as I had anticipating it to be.

I think we are going to brave going to the "mall" this afternoon by ourselves. We went yesterday to do a little grocery shopping and to get some flip flops to wear in the house, but I do need to get some more food as Carlie is not accustomed to the food options here. Wish us luck!

We're here!

I don't have a lot of time to update, but wanted to let you all know we made it safe and sound.

The flight was long and Carlie was not a good traveler at all. I am not looking forward to our trip home with her.

It is beautiful here, but I am already missing the kids.

I start working at the clinic tomorrow, I think.

I will update more later.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Why now?

So, we spent last night in the E.R. To make a long and painful story (Katie's wording) short, Katie got kicked in the head by a horse last night.
She was a trooper! She needed 3 stitches to the protective tissue around the skull, 2 internal skin stitches and 6 external stitches.

The doctor at the E.R. expected a skull fracture and concussion, but thank God, she just has a nasty gash. It could have been so much worse.

It is mostly on her scalp, so scaring shouldn't be a huge issue. I tried to take a picture, but it didn't come out great because the stitches match her hair.

I was nervous about leaving prior to this and now I am feeling it even more so. I can't imagine something else like this happening when I am on the other side of the world.

So, prayers would be appreciated for my nerves and for Katie's speedy recovery.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Traveling Tips?

If the flight weren't so long, I wouldn't be concerned at all about taking Carlie on it. She is a really easy going kid and is easily entertained. The thought of it taking approximately 24 hours from the time we get on the first plane to the time we get off the second plane has me a bit worried though.
So, are there any special travel tips you can share with me? I have lots of little quiet toys and I am going to bring lots of special food treats to bribe her, if needed, but beyond that, I have no idea!
Thanks!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Yippee!

Guess what was in our mailbox this morning....Carlie's passport!!! The agency's website says it is still being processed, so obviously they are not very current with their info. I am so glad I do not have to call tomorrow to deal with that. What an answer to prayer!

As promised, here is the picture. Ben was joking that it looks more like a mugshot than a passport picture. :)


Saturday, July 14, 2007

Thoughts...

The planning for this trip seems to be very much like a pregnancy...the beginning planning stages seemed to go so fast, but the final month before I leave is just dragging on. Days seem to last forever. I just want the 26th to be here already.

I am starting to feel a bit anxious about the trip. Mostly about being gone from my family for so long. 5 weeks is a really long time. I feel so blessed that my dad, gramma and mother-in-law and father-in-law are giving so freely of their time, so that they can be with the kids while Ben works. Childcare has been all figured out and Ben will only have to take 2 days off total while I am gone. It does give me loads of relief to know that the kids will be taken care of from the best people possible, if I can't be there. I am sure they are going to get spoiled! God is so good!

Ben and I were up talking late one night this week and I realized something...I will be arriving in Davao City exactly 4 years to the date from my surgery. I guess this experience is all very surreal and it makes me realize all that I have to be grateful for. Sure, the past three years here in Utah were not what we bargained for, but God has been with us every step of the way. Going through the hard times, it is always so hard to feel and see that, but it is times like this, that it is so obvious.

We leave 12 days from today, but hey, who's counting? :)

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Starting to get a little worried...

Carlie's passport is still not here...The website says it is still being processed.

Please pray that it comes soon and I don't have to deal with calling the Passport Department. When I did that a couple weeks ago, it was practically impossible to talk to a live person.

We leave 2 weeks from today!!! I am so excited.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Reflections

This time of year always brings back many memories and reminds me of all the blessings in my life.

For those of you that don't know, my Maddie is going to be 4 tomorrow. Four years ago, I was dying from a then unknown softball size mass in my neck. Shortly after she was born, the mass was found. At first the diagnosis was cancer. I was terrified. I was 23 years old and had 3 kids ranging in ages from newborn to not even 4 years old. I was so afraid of leaving them behind and really felt like my life's work had not been done yet. Thankfully, it was not cancer and the Lord used the hands of surgeons to heal me.

So, four years later, the little girl I didn't know if I was going to get to see grow up is turning another year older and I am preparing to fulfill part of my life's work. I can't say that I would want to go through it again, but I am so thankful to be where I am today. We serve such an awesome God!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hop and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Still Waiting...

Well, my passport came while I was gone. Yay! Still waiting on Carlie's though. It *should* be here any day now. I am praying that I won't have to call again and go through all the mumbo jumbo that involves.

We leave in 3 weeks! I can't believe how fast it is coming.