On the Road Again...

Flight to Texas...$109

Early Morning coffee...$2

Day of a rental car...$24

Walking through a convience store in the plains of rural Texas in 3" platform stilettos......PRICELESS

(O, wait! That should say Starbucks with Erin...PRICELESS)

When Safety Bites You in the Behind

Being rear-ended is so much more cruel when you get hit because you pulled OFF THE ROAD to answer your cell phone. Thankfully my opinion of DCs has improved over the year and after a little adjustment I can move my neck.

Flower Power Is Back!

It seems Nic and I have reestablished our amazing "superpower" connection since my return to the US and subsequent visit with her. Last night I was telling her about this amazing missionary DVD someone had given me and how she just HAD to see it. Turns out she had JUST ordered the series.

Speaking of flower power...MY OLD ROOM! After living in an apartment with cool Asian flare I was shocked at the girly/flowery nature of my old room at my parents house. The wallpaper and carpet were already picked when we moved in (a mint green floral variety). However, I am soley responsible for the floral bedspread, bedskirt, re-upholstery job on the chair, and the various frames containing black and white photos with hand painted flowers in color.

Hug a Bump and Kiss a Baby

Today I went out to lunch with old friends. I must say Mina's little almost-5- months-along fundus is the cutest little bump in the state! And then, to round off the day I had dinner with six siblings...perhaps the cutest little prayer supporters I have (plus their mom and dad). I got to kiss the little newest member who was born while I was away. A sandy-haired, seven month old doll with the best smile and giggle.

After talking with Mina about the changes of being a first time mom and kissing the baby I started to miss my practice...

ahhhh...bring on the insane summer semester...I'm signed up for classes! I've gotta get back out there.

A Good Reminder

I found this quote on a flyer I had handed out before my first trip to Asia.

"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you have me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry, not only for bread, but hungry for love; naked, not only for clothing, but for human dignity and respect; homeless not only for want of a room of bricks, but homeless because of rejection. This is Christ in distressing disguise."

- Mother Theresa of Calcutta

*Thanks to the Wood Family for the photo of the girl in the sqatter area near the clinic.*

Driving Differences

A few driving differences I've had to adjust to since being back:

- Remembering in the US you don't honk twice when passing someone
- Batting blue eyes won't get you a spot in traffic (it worked like a charm overseas)
- You do have to stay on your side of the road (why can't we just share?)
- Answering the bus driver in a foreign language will only fly in NYC (he just rolled with it and stopped-out of habit I just asked to stop in the Asian style)

Home?!?

I made it back to my parents place and have been delaying my blog post. As I unpacked my suitcase it seemed so final...I'm here...and what is here...is this "home"? Relationships and life have changed. This is my old bed, but a different woman has returned.

Today I met with my pastor and things kind of came to a head before that meeting. I've been talking to missions organizations and to local schools. Sometimes it seems like my experience does not count for anything in their eyes. (Having to almost start from scratch)

My dad sat me down and asked me if I really thought I had wasted the last 2-3 years of my life or had gone to Asia without God's clear guidance. Though I often doubt myself, I KNOW God lead me to Asia. I KNOW he was with me at every step. I KNOW the time was not wasted and I learned valuable things and will be better prepared in the future. I KNOW He loves me.

Now it's just my choice to BELIEVE that all of this works into a pattern for good and nothing in my life has taken God by surprise. In my timeline I think I should have been settled into my long term post by now. I think what God's trying to show me is that there is more than just my imagined goal. There is a process of molding and shaping he wants to perform ALONG THE WAY.

The Charge...

Gettysburg

The view atop Little Round Top on the Gettysburg battlegrounds. If you have never seen the '93 movie I recommend it to wet your appetite for some Civil War history. As I drove through the different battle places I was so surprised how flat and open it was. I can't even imagine standing at those ridges facing cannons, bayonets, etc and still charging forward.

Is Homebirth Safe?

One of the British Medical Journal's top articles for 2005 (I believe #3) was

Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America (BMJ 2005;330:1416 (18 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7505.1416
)

In some of the previous homebirth studies, states have included unplanned homebirths (drug addict at home or WHATEVER). This study focused on PLANNED homebirth. If you click on the link you can get the PDF and also read responses. Check it out.

AMAZING

"Scratch a midwife and you'll find a renegade" - Richard Jennings

It's hard to sum up what it's been like at this midwife conference. To sit and hear midwives of all ages and from various countries inspires me to keep going. The CNMs and CPMs are making a huge new effort to come together (esp. since ACOG's recent statement about midwives). Yesterday I sat for 7 hours listening to Michel Odent MD describe the amazing facets of birth physiology. Through the latest journal research we are learning our "fixes" or synthetic concoctions will never replace the natural. Though he's not a Christian, he's so aware from the scientific perspective how amazing birth and the hormones involved truly are. (pardon me ending with a preposition)

Philly

Had I known this downtown was so fun I would have planned more time! I enjoyed a stroll in the city yesterday after meeting with the missions org. Today is day 1 of the conference. I left my broomstick skirt and tie dyed shirt at home and chose a tailored outfit complete with pearls to make the first impression (should you wear black pearls with a dark outfit or are white ok?) I get to hang out with Micheal Odent, MD ALL day!

Crazy People in NJ

Among other things...my NJ friends took me to get free italian ice (or "water ice") as they call it. This endevor required us to stand outside in the 30-something degree weather with a mass of people also waiting for the sweet frozen beverage. We're suckers for something free...

It's off to the city of brotherly love for me....Rural NJ was fabulous (except for the dogs chasing me on my run) They introduced me to Wawa coffee and I'll admit its a new favorite. If you need a stomach burning, heart pumping espresso...go to Starbucks. But, if you need a smooth flavor...pick up some Wawa (and it's only $1).

I must say that this bride and groom-to-be seem like one of the most perfect matches I've ever seen. We knew our dear friend needed a pretty special guy and I think she found him.

Eating Cheese with Italians in New Jersey

Tam (from TX) and I decided the wonderful fresh mozzarella they were serving us here at the big fat Italian bridal shower weekend would be fabulous in some Louisiana hot sauce (think cheddar peppers). We found the delightful peppery condiment in the door of the fridge and have been fondly applying it to every food. As we bit into the yummy treat and let it sink into our palates we suddently noticed the Italians seated around us at the table had stopped mid sentence and were staring at us in a look of sheer horror.

(in NJ Italian accent) "You put howt sauwce oun the mowtzerella?
Sheepishly I looked around and verified we had.

A few moments of silence followed...

Every slowly shook their head and went back to eating. I think we underestimated that is was a SERIOUS blow to the family. =0)) We had desecrated the holy italian cheese with hot sauce.

The bride-to-be had told me earlier in her NJ accent "be careful...you know we have CONNECTIONS..."

Signing out from italian country in NJ...(watching my back a little bit more closely) =0))

New York, New York!

Interstate 80 had me so close to NYC that I had to stop in! The night before I stayed on the New Jersey side and planned my adventure (thanks to a few tips from Sprout and great encouragement from Nic). After looking for two hotels for which I had coupons, my gas level started to dip.

It was dark and I was now just across the river from NYC. Using my Detroit street skillz I looked for a well lit station. I pulled in and prepared to get my credit card. Suddenly a large man started to approach my drivers side. Alarmed that this was some shady character I quickly pulled out. (As we learn in drivers ed, you don't mess with potential car jacking situations). As I looked in my mirror on the way out the drive I saw...

"Full Service"

Yes, he was the attendant. Completely embarrassed I went to another place.

I will post photos and my NYC adventure later...one day was not enough.