Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Journey to the market

Sunday morning I woke up about 6am. I puttered around the house for awhile before finally deciding to walk to the market with my camera. Now, normally you take a tricey (motorcycle with a sidecar attached), but sometimes I just want to walk. If you walk fast, you can get there in about 15-20 minuets. But it took me about half an hour because I just moseyed along. It was the perfect morning for a nice stroll. =) My hope was though that I would get there just as people were setting up. However, I was a bit late because everyone was all set up already. But I set about taking pictures any way. So, without further ado, here is the Dagupan market.
*I was messing with the black and white setting, so most of the pick are B&W

Would you like some chopped veggies?

Laying out the bananas

That's about 50 cents a pineapple!!

She'll even cut it open for you.

Don't look amazing?!?!

This lady was admiring the sign she just made

Kids toys anyone?

Who wouldn't buy dried fish from them?

He was sitting on his little stool so well!!

This lady was just too cute selling her corn.

These ladies were pretty shy

Chickens anyone? Or how about a nap in a hammock next to 'em?

Or maybe a duck? They've got bunnies too!!

This couple was selling mussels

Homegrown tobacco anyone?

Or, maybe you'd like a bolo (machete)?

A fish had just jumped out of his basket

His friend though it was funny

How about some fresh veggie from an old lady?

Thank you for joining me on my adventure to the market!!

I hope you enjoyed these pictures!! They were fun to take and fun to put up on here!! I love and miss you all!!
~sara~

Number our days

Psalm 90:12-17

So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom...O satisfy us in the morning with Your loving kindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days...And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. 

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Some days are harder for me than others. Living cross culturally is not easy, and studying cross culturally is even more difficult. I've had my ups and downs living in the Fils, some days seem to be filled with more downs than ups. And yet, God has been so faithful through it all. In the moments that I really feel that I cannot continue on, He's shown up in beautiful ways. Sometimes through a quiet time, or a song. Sometimes through beautiful birth. Sometimes through something a patient said. The list could go on.
My prayer this morning is that God does teach me to number my days. I am only here for a short time. And while some days it seems like I'll be here forever, it is especially on those days that I need to remember to make the most of the time I have here. I am here to learn and to minister to the women who come to the clinic. I need to allow Jesus to satisfy my longings with His loving kindness. And He wants to. He longs to longs to hear me sing for joy, being thankful for each day He gives me. The work He has called me to is for His glory. And I pray that everything I do will point others to Him, will bring Him glory.

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Jesus, as I go about my day today, help me to remember why I am here. Satisfy me with your loving kindness. Let your loving kindness overflow in my life, so much that it overflows right into the lives of those around me. Let me sing for joy, even in the moments when I just want to give up. In those moments, remind me why I am here. Confirm the work of my hands God. Confirm the work that You have called me to. 

I love you Jesus.

~sara~

Wordless Wednesday

It's not about you...

I was woken up yesterday morning by the clinic phone at 5am. I was not too excited that my labor ended up being ANOTHER G1 (meaning it's her first baby). I've had so many G1's lately and they've all been REALLY long labors which is kind of the "norm" for someone who is having her first baby. I'd had my day all planned out. It was Sunday, my day to rest and relax. And even with that I'd already decided that I would work on my assignment for 5 hours (something I usually NEVER do on Sundays!!). Anyway. She texted off and on for the next couple hours. She said her labor had started at 3am so I figured she was still in early labor. Then at 7 am I hear a truck in the driveway, Hairy barking and just as I am looking out the window she texts to say she is here. They are supposed to let us know BEFORE they come so that we can be ready for them (get the birth room ready and everything). So, I was a bit irritated, but went downstairs with a smile anyway, asking God to change my attitude. She was a really sweet girl and was rather composed which only confirmed in my mind that she was early, so was I surprised to find that she was already 6-7 cm dilated! Maybe it wouldn't be a long labor after all! I finished checking her in and getting her as comfortable as possible. She wanted to walk around outside with her mom and husband which is so good. I told her I was going to take a quick shower and I'd be right back.
As I was showing I really prayed and thanked God for already beginning to change my attitude. I also asked that she would have a really good labor and birth. That He was show up throughout the process. And that it would just be a sweet, sweet time sitting with her. And was it ever!! :)
As I sat with her, she wanted me to rub her belly with each contraction. If my hand was not in the "right" place she would move it. Or if I had been writing in her chart, she would reach out her hand for mine and place it on her belly. There were a couple of contractions where she would begin to cry out, focusing on the pain. But then when that contraction was over, she would refocus and compose herself, asking God for strength and then with the next contraction she would be either praying or talking to her baby. It was so sweet. I saw strength written all over her young face. I saw her draw strength from within herself, even at the times that she felt she couldn't go on. I saw her lean into Jesus, asking and trusting the He would and was helping her.
The actual birth of her baby took awhile and there was a bit of a worrisome time when the baby's heart rate began to crash. But with changing position, head stim to the baby and O2 it began to climb again. I know we were all praying. And then finally her baby entered this world! A little boy. It took him a bit to find his voice, but when he did, you knew it was there!!
What an honor it was to sit with her as she labored and then to catch her baby as it came into the world! Every time I attend a birth I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of something so special and intimate. But I think it was even more so this time.
Even though my day was disrupted and I didn't get nearly everything done that I'd planned, I wouldn't have traded that birth for anything! God is so good!
Here's a couple pictures of this beautiful new little family. :)

India, graduations, wedding, family and fun!!

It's been too long since I updated this last. I am so sorry for being MIA. :( 
Anyway. At the end of April I began my break by making a two week trip to India. It was so good to see and visit with so many of my friends there. :) I've missed them all too much! Here's a couple of pictures from my time there.

One of the neighbor kids and I

This is my host mom and dad. Aren't they fun?

This is one of my dear friends

Hard at her studies

As well as going to India for two weeks, I also was able to spend a few weeks at home. I first went to Oklahoma for the annual Nomads conference and to spend some time with my team leaders who are at home now. Here's just a couple of pictures to highlight my time in Oklahoma. :)

Deakin

Zeke

   

Sadly I seem to have misplaced the SD card that had the most adorable picture of their older brother and his best friend. :(

My next stop was Iowa. My little sister and her two boys picked me up at the airport, and I'm pretty sure even Sammy remembered me. :) I'll try to limit the pictures here, but I have 5 nephews and one niece, plus there were two graduations, a wedding and LOTS of family time since my parents were home, so please bare with me as I show off my beautiful family. :)

Eli, one of the goofiest, smartest kids ever

Sam, lover of all things in nature

Just a little action shot!

Two of the most beautiful women I know Great Gma Fern & Mom

Congrats Amanda, er I mean, Anna!!

Way to go Kry!!

Jude Dude and Grandma Pam

Noah loves to share his ice cream with Grandpa Keith!

Noah showing off his helicopter

Toby will steal your heart in no time!

Kaili Sue making goofy faces with Grandma Pam

Welcome to the family Ashley! You are gorgeous! You too Jake

I would LOVE to show you more pictures of my break, but there are so many I don't know that I could choose, and you might get board. ;)
I am now back in the Fils, truckin' away at my schooling and catching babies. :) I'll post some pics of the two I've caught since being back soon. In the meantime, I hope you are doing well. Send me a note and let me know how you are doing!! I love hearing from you!
~sara~