Really God?!

"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

So throughout this process of pursuing doula training, I keep giving this dream to God. Keep placing it on the alter, praying for His wisdom, and taking one step at a time.

I keep encountering obstacles that make me think "maybe this isn't the right timing...maybe He wants me to put this dream on hold again, especially with the baby coming..." but each time I pray & offer it back to Him, He seems to remove the obstacle completely. It's been fun to watch Him work, and to see His confirmation time and time again that this is in His wonderful plan for me. Honestly, it brings such joy to pursue gifts you know you can use to serve Him.

Here's some of what God's done:

1) Money. I needed $300 to attend my main doula training workshop this weekend. We've had a lot of extra expenses lately, and I thought there was no way I could come up the money, and that even if I could, it wouldn't be wise to spend it on this workshop right now. I prayed and asked God to provide if He wanted me to attend, knowing this might close the door decidedly for the time being.

His answer: Literally, within an hour of when I prayed, I had the money. I first pooled some cash I'd set aside in envelopes, like birthday money, fun money, some money I'd earned by taking a survey, etc. (This is money that we don't allow to be used for bills and such.) That put me over the $200 mark. I excitedly called Wade, and he then told me to cash in a bucket of coins we'd been saving. I hoped for maybe $20-40...but got $96!!! I not only had enough for the workshop, but also most of what I needed to buy my certification packet as well. Wow God!

2) Who would watch my kids on Saturday (Wade works) during the training, as I need to leave by 6:15 AM!

His answer: I was running out of options when my friend Jodi graciously offered, without being asked, to either take my kids overnight the night before, or to come and stay over at our house herself so she'd be here in the morning when I left. She could then watch them until noon, and then my sister-in-law, Ginger, said she could come & watch them from noon on.

3) What about handling the physical demands of being a doula while I'm pregnant? Was that realistic--or wise? (For example, sometimes doulas need to physically support or massage women for long periods while they're in labor.)

His answer: I talked to my midwife about it, who said it's perfectly fine to attend births as a doula while pregnant myself, and that I should simply know and express my limits. That was also when she said she wants to help me get the experience I'll need right at Stillwater hospital, even while I'm yet pregnant.

4) This was perhaps the biggest one--how in the world would it work to be on call as a doula when I've got small children to take care of myself? Births can take a long time, and who could I ask--without being an imposition--to watch my kids in that scenario?

His answer: I happened to talk with the coordinator of the volunteer doula program at Woodwinds, who said each doula volunteers for one 24 hour shift a month where she is on call--AND SHE GETS TO PICK THE DAY! I could pick days where Wade is home! AND, she said after I've attended my workshop this weekend, she wants to set up an interview and put me on the schedule right away! No way!

Introducing Mary...and becoming a Doula

Introducing Baby Mary! She was born this morning by C-section @ 10:15 am, weighing 6 lb. 8 oz. & is 19.5 inches long. Congratulations to Heather & Allen!




I did a post recently about some of my high school friends who have been an encouragement to me in my faith over the years. In that post, I mentioned that Heather was due with her 5th child soon. This morning a group of us had the privilege of coming to Heather's hospital room before her C-section for a time of prayer and worship. We stuck around and got to be the first to meet baby Mary & pray over her after she was born, too.

Some of you know this about me...I just love everything to do with babies, pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. I've had a desire for quite some time to become a certified Doula. (Labor coach and support person to pregnant mommies.) I had planned to attend training and begin the process over a year ago in South Bend, Indiana, but then we moved. Today I spoke with Heather's Doula, Marla, and was going to ask where she'd recommend I attend the training in this area. Well, I found out that Marla herself is certified to teach Doula training. She's got sessions this summer and fall & I think I may just be pursuing this dream of mine...

Heart Overflowing

Some things I'm thankful for today...




My girlies picked these for me the other day. Lilacs. My favorite. :) A tangible and fragrant piece of God's goodness and beauty.




My sister, Bria, came for the weekend. She stayed with the kids Friday night so Wade and I could go out to celebrate our friend Ed's birthday. Speaking of Ed's birthday--he got the best birthday present ever--the long awaited phone call informing him and his wife Vonda that they've been approved for guardianship for their soon to be adopted daughter Eva !!! Glory be to God for this answer to prayer!

Saturday Bria helped me paint Nathan's bedroom. (Nathan helped too.) Thank you Bria!




Sunday my Mom and sister and I were treated to luxury pedicures together!



They were a Christmas present to us from Dad. This was my first pedicure ever! I was so touched that my Dad would come up with that idea to bless his girls.

Afterwards we did a little shopping at the mall and then went to Panera for supper. I just loved spending time with my mom and sister. Didn't want the night to end!









Also on Sunday...severe storms hit Prairie Farm where Wade's folks live. Their century old farm was hit hard as they lost two enormous pine trees, their silo, & part of the roof on the shed. (The photo shows where the silo once stood.) All 5 siblings went up to the farm on Memorial Day to help clean up the debris that covered the area. We were grateful that no one was injured, as the silo could have easily fallen on the house. (Wade's dad, Marv was also out in the field planting corn when the storm was at its worst!)

Also on Memorial Day we got to spend the afternoon with some of our good friends from church. What a blessing when others open up their home and provide a place where friends can laugh together, share a meal, and encourage one another.

I've also been impacted by the death of singer Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter. The morning it was announced, I put all the laundry and other to do's on hold in order to hold my kiddos. Emily wanted to look at her baby scrapbook. So together we looked through her book, reading over the captions and memories I'd recorded to let her know how loved she is. Time spent like this is never regretted. And it's good to be reminded to be thankful for those things that really matter.

An ongoing prayer request of mine has been "Lord, help me see You as a tender loving Father. I know You are Sovereign, all-powerful, omnipotent. I know You are in control and not a sparrow falls to the ground without your knowledge and permission. But I need to see you also as the God of compassion. The God who knows our needs and truly cares about each detail of our lives." In each of the details I've mentioned above, I have seen God display that tenderness and compassion. I'm not saying that God is only good when He does what we want. I'm just offering thanks to Him today for showing me so many glimpses of His heart this weekend through other people. He knew my need and met me where I was at. What a gracious God we serve.