Ellie likes wearing our footwear, especially her mom’s as they are smaller and lighter. The other day, however, she wanted to put on her mom’s winter boots, which became hip waders on Ellie. She was only able to take one step before she fell over..
Any day now, I (Naomi) will start into the long-awaited labour. However, this labour experience will be a bit different than what I experienced with Ellie. With Ellie, the room was filled with nurses and the obstetrician. This time, I will be attended by two midwives.
When we tell people that I will give birth with the help of midwives instead of a doctor, I usually get some strange looks and interesting questions, which tell me that people don’t really understand much about the job of the modern midwife. I think that most people envision a lady pushing through the woods with her blankets, boiled water and herbs, ready to deliver quadruplets in the kitchen at an old farmstead.
I must admit that when the idea was first presented to me, I was skeptical. To be honest, there really wasn’t really any other option at the time – there was only one obstetrician available for a population of about 40,000. Needless to say, it was hard to get in to see him. So it was strongly encouraged that I go with a midwife instead. When I went for my first appointment, I was half-expecting a hippie-looking woman to meet me with a mug of bark tea and try to talk me into a home birth without any medication or interventions. Instead, I met with women who were very professional and knowledgeable in their expertise – pregnancy, childbirth, and initial infant care. I have appreciated the fact that I rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for an appointment and then I have between 45 min. – 1 hour to discuss things with them if I feel the need. Even during the many uncertain months of this difficult pregnancy, I never doubted their competency or felt they were too relaxed in their care of me. They are very thorough and have been quick to order tests, medications, and consultations with the obstetrician as they’ve seen the need. In fact, I would say they’ve been much more thorough and careful in overseeing my care than I ever had in my pregnancy with Ellie. And I have yet to be offered bark tea.
So, any day now, I will head to the hospital, where my midwife, whom I’ve gotten to know fairly well these last 7 months, as well as another midwife, will meet me. I will have almost any medication and intervention available to me, plus the knowledge that these women know me quite well and will be very capable of helping me through those long hours. After the baby comes, they will look after me and the baby’s care for 6 weeks, including house calls if necessary. Up to this point, I’m so thankful that I overcame my initial trepidation and chose this route. We can’t wait for the day we can let you know how it went!
Naomi
I found this article at LinuxInsider.com:
Is Now the Time to Move to Linux?
The biggest reason for migrating to Linux is freedom, said Patrick Davila, co-host of an online Linux talk show. Linux is not owned by anyone and is the ultimate community project. “In many ways, the community reminds me of the early days of computers,” he said. “People are willing to share information and help others. All one needs to do is ask.”
Your next operating system move could be to one of the half-dozen most popular free Linux desktop versions instead of to Microsoft Windows Vista. With these versions, you would not have to perform a risky software upgrade, nor would you have to settle for a watered-down Vista option if your new computer were underpowered.
The Linux operating system (OS) — already well known in the workplace for its virus-proof ironclad security — is garnering approval from consumers as the computer system of choice in the home- and small-business office.
Instead of glitzy media advertising, distributors of the various Linux versions rely on satisfied users and word-of-mouth support on the Internet to spread the news about using Linux.
A group of individuals has created a business to make money off Christians in a unique way. They call it the Post-Rapture Post, a way for a Christian to send letters to your non-Christian friends and family after the Rapture when all the Christians are taken from the Earth by God. How does it work? You pay the PRP to send a letter after you are gone. They are atheists, so they won’t be part of the Rapture, and they will be able to send the letters to whomever you want. Of course.. you wouldn’t be around to make sure they actually did send it..
School Update:
Fall Quarter is over and our students have gone home for Christmas break. We are very thankful for their efforts in ministry to others and their hard work in their Bible studies. Please pray that they will stay strong over break and come back refreshed and ready to go with another busy quarter in January.
Basement Update:
The basement project is done! Back in the summer we asked the Lord to help us raise $5,000 to allow us to use our basement as office and living space and a guest room in preparation for the arrival of our next child. The funds came in, and went out as we purchased building materials. Some good friends from Alberta flew in last week to do the construction work, and it is now all finished. Praise the Lord! A very sincere thank you to all who helped out financially and those who prayed for this project. And a special thanks to Andrew, Jack, Trevor, and Mitch who came to help us.
You can see photos of the construction project online at:
http://www.troyandnaomi.com
Personal Update:
We are now down to just a few weeks before the due date for our second child (21 days from today). With the basement done we can now work on preparing the nursery and get other things ready for this new arrival. We are really looking forward to meeting this little person. Please continue to pray for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby.
Thank you and God bless.
Troy, Naomi, and Ellie.