Paradise resort

My day trip to Paradise beach and resort on Samal Island.... Ashton and I got up and went over about 8am, and around 11:30am we meet Fonda, Lizzie and Abigail. Then took the ferry around 4pm.

* I am planning going back to Paradise sometime in Dec or Jan. For 2-3 days and explore Samal Island some more!

life of a midwife

Life as a midwife.... I've come to be flexible with the crazy schedule... because babies can come into the world at anytime... Once the baby is born a flexible schedule is a must as well with baby checks.... Its a lifestyle... its apart of who I am and I thank the Lord for giving me the grace to handle it all and the courage just to trust Him.



Today I have been pondering Isaiah 52:7 and the first portion is also found in romans 10:15 ....



How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,

who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”



How beautiful are the feet of him who bring good news. When I look back in my own life i am so thankful for those that took the time to share the story of Jesus with me. I am thankful for those that went onto the mountain top and walked with me during my trials, in the midst of pain and tears. I thankful for those people that published the truth into my life, and I am thankful that God began to soften my heart. I was taken by his love!


My prayer now is that I could be the hands and feet of Jesus where ever I go. While I'm at Mercy, out and about in Davao. When I am at the Orange House. My my lips continue to sing his Praise.


Labor Story

Last night I got endorsed a patient from swing shift. It was the first patient in which I got to labor with though the night (labor watch). Sadly night shift was crazy kaayo (much/very) busy, we transported a couple patients, and two patient came in very active and had their babies within an hour of addmission. So my patient a G1(first baby) did so well even though the birthroom was busy. By the end she was getting really tired and I could just see her struggles as she just wanted the labor pains to stop and she was afraid that she might be the next one transported. At the end of shift she was still only 8 cm dilated and i couldn't help but stay, I had been her support though the night alongside her boyfriend, I was the one coming in every half hour to check heart tones and the one she could lean on when the contractions started to get strong.



I could just endorse her however thoughout the night God kept telling me that I needed to stay until she delivered. At first I wanted to fight it, (couldn't I just get off shift and go sleep in air con and sleep a good 7 hours since it was first night shift where I didn't need to be up 11:30 am)... (my response to God ) yes I watched her all night but I am so new at this, someoe with more experience could take care of her. I finally got the courage to ask my supervisor around 5 am if I could stay and she said I needed to ask the super on Day Shift. However at endoresemnts I didn't get a chance (I still was deciding at this point) becuase the super from night shift started off endorsement saying that we had not labors to endorse and that I was going to stay with my patient, and I would finish it all books, charting, baby exam and so on...SO THE CHOICE WAS MADE... It was actually what was best for her, because right after endorsements they talked about transporting her, but since I was going to stay on day they would give her some grace until 8 to show progess. So at 8 she was 9 cm... sl progress enough to let her stay. ( yay!! I was going to catch a baby (4th catch handle)...maybe... praying that I would, praying she wouldn't be transported... I was a little baby deprived as well... 6 days without catching a baby : ( three quiet shift (no births) can do that!)


So I labored with her on though the night and then on day shift. So from about 8:30 I tried diffrent pushing positions and at 9:45 finally some progress (pushing) and at 10:10 a BB boy Jacyle Davis... 6lbs 15 oz... yay! Since I was from night shift she became my countinuity patient (two weeks ago I got to do her prenatals) which meant that I did everything baby bath, newborn exam, shots, charting, birth certificate. Its a life on a midwife long hours...


Thank you Lord for the safe birth and no transport! I couldn't help but shead a couple of tear with her as Jaycle was born. She had a long active labor. However Jaycle finally decicded to join us!


I didn't get off of shift until 1:30 pm + a baby check. A half hour more I would of been on shift for 16 hours. I loved it, I got to see what it means to be a midwife and walk with a patient, even though I was tired I couldn't help but be joyful and praise the Lord for his protection. For his faithfulness.


I also got to see Ate Bai and Muhammad.. He is now two weeks old! So cute, very quiet little boy. I had to hold him for a while because we had to wrap his foot up in a hot pad so we didn't have to keep poking him for the newborn screening.



After shift I had just enough time to grab a cold shower and go off to herbs for two hours, and then a coffee shop to start my herbs assignment... I know crazy I should of gone to bed, but I've had a hard time falling asleep here without waking up at random times, so I wanted to stay up until at least 7 so i could maybe stay asleep all night. I would love prayer that I would be able to sleep peacefully. After being up for 34 hours I finally got to bed between 9 and 10. I slept all night woke up at daylight around 5am but fell right back to sleep within a few min and woke up to a baby check at 9:45am. 12 hours... thank you Lord!




Pics below...

Charting for the birth of Jaycle Davis

Muhammad and I two weeks old

Jaycle Davis

family photo

a time to just relax.... a time to reflect

Thank you for your prayers!



mi wala sembe, ama..... I am weak but I in God's grace I made it though the last four weeks.

List of random things that happened within the last month...
• I've had way to many marriage proposals
• I love doing prenatals and catching babies
• I've tried balut
• I can't say....that I've never caught a baby....
• I've gone though college math, stats classes in just over 3 weeks time
• I got to meet with some compassion international translators
• I've learned how to cook for 4 people and up to 30 people
• I've learned the value of friendship
• I love early morning quiet time with Jesus on the balcony
• I love it that I can skype with people back home
• At first I wasn't sure how the 2am skype date with TFBC college group would go, but I enjoy so much... I find that at 3am Davao is quiet and I can just relax in the quietness
• I love it when I don't even have to say anything on skype and my friends know what I am thinking.... ; )
• I love being busy, but I come to learn that I do need time off and I need to manage my time well so I can take the time off that is needed
• I love getting letters ... I've only gotten one so far... so if you want to write and don't have my address contact me and I would love to give you the mailing address. : )

my crazy day

So I am back on shift... night shift





22 hours up and counting....





Day shift up at 4:30.... quiet shift, baby checks and a small hour nap.


Two tests

• nutriton
• final math exam

• final stats group project

• 1st years student group

• and then night shift...

One of the girls was sick, so I offered to take night shift... and so now I don't have to work day on Sunday! So I get to go to church and have the evening off!

So now I have the weekend off, Sat and Sun... first time in over two months!!! So worth the 26 hour day!


*above picture is baby Steffany born 11-10-10

Hello Hope..... Jesus you are all that I live for....

Well its 10:30 am and I just finished my 1st day baby check. Its been a quiet day shift, I didn't sleep well last night, but I got two hours of sleep because nothing was happening. : ) now I feel rested and refreshed ready to take on the day.



In an hour I'm taking my nutrition exam and turning in my assignment : )

Then at 1:15 I'm off to math for a review session and then the final exam... I'm almost done!



Jesus thank you for you faithfulness. Its been a crazy month with classes, catching babies, baby checks, but in the midst of the crazy schedule God has blessed me with amazing friendships, and a Philippino church to attend.



Its been three month since I boarded the plane in Portland and landed in Davao city.



In the last three months I've ....

• I've learned to manage my time


• I've learned that with God's grace I can live in a big city


• I've learned to love the big city even though its so hard to find quiet time


• I've observed, charted, assisted and got to catch babies


• I've gone on the longest zip-line in Asia


• I've cooked many meals : ) over 20 people


• I've made homemade chicken noodle soup and chicken and rice


• I've learned to make pretzels, homemade bread, tortillas
• I've like balut... yes I said I like balut... it wasn't bad at all... it tasted like turkey and eating an egg yoke with it


• I've come to enjoy sleeping on the top bunk


• I've had many nights shift


• I've come to enjoy night shifts then getting to sleep in the air con


• I've come to love coffee shops to study and to have long talks


• I love taking jeepneys around town


• I love the Philippino culture


• I love seeing all the kids at church


• I've found a home church or at least a home church when I'm in the Philippines


• I'm begining to understand Cebuano, speaking not so much but its progress

Its been the hardest 3 months of my life, at times I've felt hopeless, frusterated, unsure, homesick, and so many other emotions. I've seen new life, and I've seen death. I've had many nights where all i could do is stay up late and sit out on the balcony (11-midnight when its quiet)and reflect on what I've seen, cry, wrestle with my feelings, and just wait on the Lord.

However God has continued to show me his grace and faithfulness. I've learned so much while being here about myself, about the Lord. I've learn to surrender everything. I've learned that my joy comes from the Lord and He is my hope. My hope can't be in anyone else but Jesus.

Monday Memories

• 
  

Top working you way down, *psalm 34, *prenatal fetalscope and measuring tape,

*Muhammad 11-2-10, *MF and me with the two births for the night,* Ate Bai and Muhammad 3rd day check up,

*Irish belle 11-6-10 2nd day check up, mother and father, *Irish

A new week

So its a new week in Davao.

• My first full week of shift where I am able to catch babies.
• Its my first week of baby checks.
• First week where I don't have night shift :(

I feel like I am finally getting used to the weather here, I'm finally getting used to cold showers, I'm alway taking a jacket everywhere even when its 90's-100's outside because I am cold when I go into a building with air con. I'm getting used to using my phone to text instead of calling people. i'm learning to read Cebuano : ), I'm learning the best way to speak Cebuano is just to say what I am thinking and if its wrong its okay.

Prayer requests

Please pray that I can figure out my money situtation. My debt card isn't working. I'm not sure why, I think its something back in the States, the ATM is saying that the problem is that the bank is down and it isn't reponding to the request. So I'm down to maybe 70 peso and I won't be able to get money until Tuesday morning at the earliest. Its not a huge problem, since I don't have any plans that require me to spend money this week, but I would like to get money out for my next visa payment which is coming up.

On thursday I am going to talk to the Compassion workers at Davao Foursquare in the morning. I am super excited to be able to spend at least a couple days a month working with kids again. I don't think I will be able to do so in Nov, but I am going go meet the translators talk to the director of the compassion program, and try and get a couple dates set up in Dec where I can come and help out with a few classes.

Please pray that the Lord would show me what age group to work with, ( 3-5, 6-8,9-11,12-14)and if I should help weekly, biweekly or once a month. I am currently praying also about joining the young adults sunday school class which is at 8am on Sundays. I can't always make it because I have day shift, so it would be off and on.

What I will be doing......

9th and 10th swing shift

12th day shift

assignment due and exam on the 12th

baby checks monday (2x), wed, sat

math and stat last full week yay! 3 classes 5 days a week I've been so tired. Kapoy ko!

math ends 14th, stats 16th.

Herbs class starts 17th - assignment and exam 29th.