What lies ahead

I sit here the day before my midwife licensing exam. Yes, in my right mind I should be stressing and not on here writing. :)

But I've never been in my right mind. If I was--I would not have left my nursing job and uprooted half-way across the globe. Two years ago I left the US to follow my God-given passion of helping pregnant women.

In the Philippines, I witnessed miracles...the first cry of a baby...priceless memories etched into my mind forever.

Tomorrow I am scheduled to take a licensing exam. There's lots of money and emotions tied into this event. It's like the end of my two year journey to become a midwife. And yet, I remind myself...pass or fail...this examination does NOT define my worth.

It does NOT define my competence as a midwife.

It merely serves to reinforce the skills that have been taught to me at Newlife. I have been surrounded by women the past 2 years who possess amazing knowledge and skills, but more so reliance on the Great Physician. They have faithfully served women in circumstances when others would label them as 'too complicated' or 'not worth the effort'.

At Yosemite...Tunnel view in background.
Looks like a studio backdrop. I assure it's all REAL and God-breathed! :)

Today, as I sit on California's rocky shoreline—waves from the Pacific ocean crash mightily against the rocks. The power of God's design is undeniable. I do NOT know what my future holds....but that is ok because GOD holds my future. I cannot really think of a safer or better place to be. :)

Josh took this photo...love it!
Asilomar, CA

Here's a portion of a powerful poem from my Varney's textbook:

Holy Births and Howling Babies

I pray for all my babies, Be good to your mama.

Baby girl Althea {at birth}

I pray for all my mothers, Be strong, be good to this baby.

I pray secretly and I pray slowly.

I pray for us, the midwives and almost-midwives.

I pray that we make the right decisions.

And I pray for those of us who make bad decisions.

Decisions we regret with outcomes we can't change.

I pray that we learn from our mistakes.

That with age comes wisdom.

I pray deeply and I pray completely.

For all of the hands and all of the bellies.

I pray for holy births and howling babies.

~Dana Quealy, CNM, MSN