Grateful Heart and Helping Hands

Not sure if I have shared this here, but I love my job. I love my co-workers, love the work I get to do, love the moms I work with, love normal birthing practice, love following my heart and my passion and my calling! We welcomed two new co-workers today and I started in my promoted position. We will seriously miss those who have moved on- but both of them have found very meaningful places to be from here. In the meantime, we will continue to envision our future through those we serve. I was asked to be a doula for another birth, coming soon. That is 3 booked at the moment- how cool is that? I have found that the more I rely on God's showing me what I am to do, the more He provides me with opportunities to serve women this way- and I am the one blessed. My friend has just found out she is to be a grandma for the first time- I told her daughter I wasn't sure who I was more excited for! Babies just are such a miracle, a blessing and a joy!! As I continue to learn more and more a...

Music in the background, all is quiet in the house. I have taken apart my desk to tidy and organize it- but got distracted by the computer calling me, beckoning from it's lonely corner. I have a great cup of coffee and have scrolled through happenings with friends. So, here I sit, ready for my new post. My mind has been filled with doula things- practice, business, marketing and making sure it is kept close to the heart. I want to be professional, but not to the point of losing the purpose of doing what I do! There is a balance to be found. This way of thinking spills over into other areas of my life. When I read any of the midwifery writings, they all speak of keeping 'open', meaning to allow the physical needs mingle with the emotional and spiritual aspects of birth. This is so appropriate to relationships. Last night, I spent a marathon of time on the phone with my brother with the pastoral heart. He has a similar yet so different perspective on family and relationships...

Traditions. What to keep, what to continue, what to delete. Tonight, over a wonderful dinner with a friend, we discussed family. Family near and far. Christmas this year will be quiet around here without our older children- yet, we have watched with excitement as our grandson listens and answers questions while we walk through the weeks of advent with the wreath and a story. This story- One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham_ has been read numerous times in our home as our kids have grown up. The illustrations are exquisite and the story is similar to following the Jesse Tree tradition. The 12 year old asks for more to be read every day- and I love that he is not too old, nor the 2 year old too young to enjoy the magic of an excellent story! We also had goodies tonight. Today I made Dilly Party Mix, dark chocolate with candy cane, white chocolate with cranberries and 2 trays of peanut brittle. Tomorrow, probably homemade Irish Cream! We enjoyed cookies sent to us from Comox on our tray...