Gra-ma's Day Out!

This last Sunday I took the 5 grand children bowling.  What a trip!  The children's ages are 2 to 9. 

Well we started with picking out bowling balls that were light weight, and yes the children liked certain colors on them.  We had two pink ones and a orange one which they used all 3.  

choosing the pink ball

The youngest grandchild picked up a ball and ran down to throw it -but was in the wrong lane, which was shut off, so the ball slowly rolled down the lane to the pins, bounced back, slowly rolling down the gutter area back towards us.  It stopped about 6 feet from the area where I could reach it. So out went grandma to get the ball.  I stepped over the line at the end of the lane where we are normally to stop when bowling, and I went right down onto my back side. I had forgotten that they are very waxed, they wax the lanes so the balls roll easier.


 I am still limping, bruised, and I threw my back and pelvis out.  Now I need a trip to the chiropractor sooner than I would have, and not sure if I will get into there yet this week!  But hope fully he will be open this week yet!  


So after laying there for about 30 seconds, I started crawling towards the ball, grabbed it and crawled out of the lane and waxed floor.  


I was able to bowl for a few times, starting with a strike, but each time I was hurting more   and because of that, not doing very well so decided to let my daughters bowl in my place.  


We worked with the younger children until they understood the basic rules of staying in your lane (which we continued to work on for safety reasons) and how to roll the ball...

giving instruction then watching the ball go all the way down the lane!

Daddy helping his sons...

By the end of the first game (which only took us about and hour and 40 minutes to play) each of the grand children were picking up the ball themselves and taking it down to the lane and rolling it. 

 It was funny sometimes to watch it roll so slow...but they actually did pretty good.  We had the bumpers up for them too, which helped, and when Anastasia set that up, she told them to do it for everyone but me.  Thanks!  One of the reasons you bowl with kids is the advantage of using the bumpers!


This bowling ally is nice, the bumpers are nets that are controlled by the computer and come up as they program them to, so actually if you only need them for one person, it works well!
So that is the day of bowling...

The youngest  guy carrying the bowling ball himself!

We will do it again but give grandma time to heal first!

HOME

Well after being gone since October- I am finally home!  


The 4th couple had their baby in the middle of the night on Saturday-which meant that I could come home!  This is the couple that wanted to do an un-assisted birth, and it is also the couple of the gentleman that fixed my computer!


 The final, (5th) couple is still pregnant (as far as I know) but that leaves just them-- so I am really not needed to wait there.  


That is the couple that the LORD told me wold be the last couple to deliver anyway, they live where those photos I posted with the cute log buildings, log cabin, and split rail fence is located.  It is prob best they are the final couple since the cell phone service out there is basically-none.  That would mean that it would be hard for others (if they were still pregnant) to reach the midwife.  So the LORD worked it all out great.  But doesn't HE always?!


I figured that the one couple had delivered Saturday night, as I heard the doors open and shut in the house in the early morning...

So when I was up in the morning, after showering, and packing mostly out of faith-then I went down stairs and the midwives husband confirmed -telling me that my hostess had said to tell me they had the baby-I was so excited and said "that means I get to go home!"


I ate breakfast as fast as I could and packed and left.  I was on the road just before 9 am.  I was probably acting a bit hurried to the couple that I had stayed with, but I knew it was a long drive, and the sooner I was on the road the better...

this is the 'fountain' as you enter/leave the city..in the river...I think it needs some improvement...  :)   I think I "know" who to suggest that to!  :)

Here are some photos of the view from an area that I really like that is just north of the city-although if we would move there, being just south of the city would prob be better... But I like this area better!

the photo does not do the view justice...it is much more beautiful in person!

love the 'layered' look!  

So away I went.  I did a different route on the way home, went north thru Virginia, then into West Virginia, then into Maryland, back into West Virginia, Into Pennsylvania, and back into West Virginia -then into Ohio and finally into Indiana.  You can look on a map if that confuses you!  It would be good for kids to see (it is the one area where you enter and exit a state 3 times on a route!)

did not get the first two welcome signs for west virginia, but here it the third
time I entered the state-the sign is a bit blurry!

The welcome sign for Ohio, is still too far away in this photo...but it shows the bridge.  Ohio has a river that runs along the bottom of the state (check out a map if you want to see)

 I kept driving-figured I would get home about midnight-and that is when I pulled in!  I spoke with Scott when I stopped for lunch/supper about 3 pm in West Virginia somewhere on the first time I entered that state (I think), and he said 'stay at a hotel if you need to'-but you know me, old cheepo-I hate spending that money when I could spend it on something else!

I figured if I got tired I could just pull over for a while-and midnight is not that late really, it is just a  long day driving that is all!  But when I knew I could come home-I was determined to just get here!

I drove thru an area where they say they keep having these strange lights appear!  :)

I did stop a number of times to just walk a bit, which accounted for a longer drive (added a bout an hour and a half) but that is important to prevent blood clots in the legs.  I figured that an extra hour or so is worth my life! 

the great sunset as I was driving...

Also while driving you need to move your legs a lot, put the auto on cruse and move your lets like your marching, or stomp the feet....a bit...that helps too!  Even you younger people who are reading this-just because your young does not mean you could not end up with a blood clot easily!  AND it is not just the driver who is at risk!  It is everyone! 

(CB who is going to Florida) So when your on a long drive -

1.  stop often and walk around a bit

2.  move your legs a lot while in the auto...enough to annoy others even!

Now to unpack...a lot of stuff to carry in first- and then I need to go get groceries- and I think I will surprise hubby with a special meal-he says he misses my cooking.  On the other hand, I really do not want to cook today-I just want to do nothing.  Driving straight thru to places -any more -a the older I get- wears me out a lot!  

Well if you enjoyed reading this, stop once in awhile and check it out, I often put new blogs on here...so check back or mark it as a favorite or become a follower !

Ireena

Look!  more of those strange lights!

  

Day#28?

I am loosing tract of the number of days I have been gone.  I left before October was done, was here a full week of October so I think this is day # 28..but maybe more?  Maybe all along I have been counting wrong!  


Oh well...


I did not go to a birth last night, but there is one woman who will have an unassisted birth- that was her plan, and then will have the midwife come later-so I was not to go to that one anyway-not sure if that one happened last night or not.


I have been awake now for hours...I think that I will go down stairs soon...


Friday evening, my computer plug broke.  Well, fr om moving the computer from one room to another, and plugging it in here and there-it messed with the cord, so the thing inside of the computer (it is a lap top) broke.  That would mean the battery could not stay charged...


So frustrating, esp since this has been my link to many of you who have been nice enough to stay in contact with me-even if on a small scale (would have loved to hear from a few of you a bit more-hint hint) -so I put the computer on the shelf-which is not a bad think in itself....


Yesterday then husband of the woman who hopefully delivered last night (who is a computer guy) - when they stopped by to see the midwife, took a look at my computer and said he thought he could fix it.  I agreed to let him take it home-but was not sure at first.  I said-well you might be having a baby-so are you sure?  He thought it would be fine, he could look at it after the children (they currently have 5) go down for a nap-and it would keep him busy while he waited for his wife to go into labor!
So last evening, it was fixed and my hostess picked it up for me!  
Yeah!


He would not take any money for the repair, so I was fully blessed!  I thought, I will give him or his wife something -like a gift --for doing this, and the LORD clearly spoke to me and said-can you just not accept a blessing without trying to give something back and make it about you giving this time?  Hummm...wow!  I had not thought of that-so I humbly just accept the gift and REALLY do appreciate it, but the LORD did teach me about giving and receiving.  I love to give things-I love giving gifts and blessing people and I guess have a bit of a hard time just receiving HIS blessings from the body of CHRIST-- back to me without returning the blessing.  


Sometimes it is not about returning the blessing but just accepting, for what ever reason.  Maybe HE is giving this couple a different chance to give or teaching them something about giving, or what ever, and by me returning the blessing at this time-it might have interfered with HIS will.  See, even in little things like this, we have to be sure we are in HIS will.  


We just never know!


Well anyway, it is great to be able to type again, and share with all of you!
Hopefully I will be able to share that I am coming home soon
Have a great day!
Ireena

Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.  Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. 

 Psalm 28 

Day#26-Friday-the tongue!

¹ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. ² For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³ Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹ Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹² Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. ¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  James 3-all of it!

Do you know that the tongue is made up of many different muscles? We use our tongue for chewing and tasting food, swallowing food, talking, singing, and sometimes sticking it out at people we do not like!
       

The top of the tongue is covered with papillae (they are the tiny bumps) and they contain the taste buds.  The job of these papillae are to move the food around as you chew it and to taste the food.  We have about 10,000 taste buds that will tell you the difference between sweet, sour, bitter, and salty things-but by the time your an older person (aged as I have) you may loose about half of those taste buds.  That means you will not taste things as well.  Ever notice that an older person uses more salt than you?  Or if they cook a meal, they may season it to their taste and if you-being younger, taste it you may think-who salty!  Or Too sweet!  This is why!


There are also reflex areas on the tongue.  



But of even more interest to me is the scriptures that GOD has about the tongue...

 In proverbs this week we read that a soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger...

 (Proverbs 15:1)

and as we read on: 

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness-Proverbs 15:2

And in V 28 it says the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Not very good things about the tongue in my opinion.  Sounds like over all the tongue is a wicked thing if it is not controlled well!

God had given us a tongue-as said above it is used for many things...but it is also used to curse GOD and others, and then bless them too!

So what does this word mean?    defileth

Well this word -defileth occurs 9 times in 8 different verses and the word defile occurs 4 times .  (listed in order of the books)  (and if I have missed some verses let me know!) The word defiled occurs in the verses 2 kings 23:8 .  I am sure I might have missed some verses...

1.  Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any ]work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people  Ex 31:14

2.  Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness [is ]yet upon him. Numbers 19:13

3.  So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye [are:] for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Numbers 35:33

4. & 5.   Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.  Mathew 15:11 

6. & 7. & 8.  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are [the things ] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man  Matthew 15:17-20

9.& 10. & 11. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;  Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

Mark 7:18-23

 12.  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell  James 3:6

13.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:27

Interesting, the word defileth in Italian, Portuguese, spanish, Galician translates to contamina-and the word does not even look good in 

ينجس

 arabic

or chinese 

污秽

I find that interesting.

Defile means to pollute, to make unclean, to corrupt, desecrate, 

  

so when I think about this word, I think about how the word is sort of a gross word... pollutes things-and the word pollute means to make morrally and pyhsically unclean.  If you think of pollution, it makes everything unclean that it effects.  

So that means our tongue, pollutes things. our tongue makes everything unclean that it effects.  not good.  I know I have to be more careful -how about you? 

LORD help us all...help us to bridle our tongues...

Day#26-Friday

Last night was the midwifery student/midwives assistants-meeting.  We covered pulse and blood pressure and one of the ladies who attends this also gave a little introduction on the herb Black Cohosh.


     


All very interesting and also fun to watch people learning!  


Yesterday I was able to see an area that is really pretty as we took one of the assistants home-down a very long lane, back up on a mountain-what a nice place!  
The family is a home schooling family, a large family of some sweet children.  This mom and the older daughter are both in midwifery school! 


They shared some of their lamb stew with us (over ride) which was a blessing since my blood sugar had dropped to 58 right before that-so was feeling a bit sluggish! 


Today we have visits-and pray-fully-LORD willing-a birth???!!! Have not yet heard from anyone-so we will see!

Day #25-almost done

Well, we have 2 left to have their babies.  After one delivers, I will be heading home.  

This town is great-and would be a wonderful place to live.  If that takes place...or not-we do not know a answer yet as we are still waiting on that decision because it is not ours, it is the LORD's.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord   Colossians 3:16

Have a wonderful night ya'all!!

Day #25-thursday

Wow!  I can not believe it has been so many days since I have posted anything!

Sorry to those of you who have been reading this blog and wanting some info of what is happening!

Well, I think I already told you that last friday morning we had a birth, a cute little baby boy to welcome to their family of 3 boys!

Then Tuesday night about 11:30 we were called to a birth, we drove separate because she was north of the area and there is someone due that is very south of the area-just in case one of us had to leave for another birth.  That momma had a beautiful birth, a new daughter to welcome to their family of 2 boys and one girl.  Well about 60  minutes after that birth and we were called to another birth-the one very south.  So I left and went there. This was an Amish women, and the drive was about an hour and a half-but I did make better time than that since it was about 3:30-4 in the morning and there were no other cars on the road!  (well not many anyway)

Arrived to her home after driving on a few highways, then for about 10 miles of very curvy -hilly roads to her home.  She was not laboring too much, so I had her rest for awhile.  When the other midwife arrived we decided to leave for a time-so went home.  We got home just before 11 am on wednesday-and I was so tired.  But wanted to wait until I heard my husbands voice before going to sleep.  So after talking to him during his lunch hour, AND a client back home-I tried to go to sleep.  But I could not sleep-I needed to deal with something that this client needed-which is not easy being over 12 hours drive away from her!!

But I did, all of that took a few hours...so I got up showered and ate some food (had not ate really since last night-except for some fruit-the life a midwife!  You think I 'd be skinner with the way I am eating most of the time!)

I also did a load of laundry-then finally about 4 pm I was able to rest for about 45 minutes.  Oh sweet rest...I had not had any since Monday night....

Now, remember this other momma was still laboring!  So we could be called back any minute.  After 45 minutes, I got up and ready to be called away if necessary.  We 'visited' with one client, and planned after her visit/apointment if we had not heard from this laboring mom, we would order some food (both to tired to really cook and nothing sounded good anyway) then rest until we were needed.  Well, as soon as that woman and her husband had left the office, the phone call came.  The husband said we would soon be needed but not ready for us to come back yet..

decision to still order food and eat...

second call minutes later...well, 'maybe we would be needed sooner'

decision to still get food and eat it on the way...

Third call-"no, we should come now" ... decision made to just get into the car and go...no food.  Oh the life of the midwife!!!

So away we went...arrived to a laboring momma who had her baby about an hour and a half after we arrived. I guessed the time, it is always fun to do that (but I do not tell the mom, because do not want that time to come and then go...and mom get discouraged) but the dad, he was joking about guessing when it would be "all over" and then guessed too...I wanted to say about 10 minutes sooner than what I said out loud- but did not-but then it did happen at the time I actually wanted to say!  I guess you had to be there to see the humor!  Well, it was more like "joy" that the mom was finally done with such hard work (now to just raise the child!)

They had a sweet baby girl, to blend with their 2 daughters and a son they already had.  We got home about 11pm that night, and I went to bed soon after getting home.  Sleep!  I slept until this morning even!  WOW!

Now there are 2 left to deliver-and just waiting on one of them, and I can go!  I am getting excited to come home and see my husband and family!  

I do have my midwifery license for this state, and we have not fully decided what to do yet -if moving or not is the thing we need to do....

We will see...

So now for some scripture to think about.  I wonder how many people in the church marry people that the LORD might not have had for them to marry?  Did you really listen to the LORD before you were married? If you are not married let me encourage you to wait on HIM to find your partner. HE will bring the right person to you...just be patient.  

AS I already said in a previous post, I KNOW that Scott was the man that the LORD had for me...

We were believers, but we were living our lives for us-not for HIM at that time.  So we were not living in the LORD at all, and actually I think if I would have died during that time, I think being out of the will of GOD my FATHER -my salvation was questionable.

I was thinking about this scripture today...

1 Corinthians 7:39

 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 

only in the LORD...so many people do not listen to that part-they take the part before that and think, see we have liberty to marry whom we want to....and then years later, they are struggling in a marriage that is ungodly.

I am not saying divorce -no, hear that again everyone...I am NOT saying divorce. You are in a marriage and now you are to look to the FATHER for your relationship with your spouse.  

Work on that...but today I am not addressing that area- I am not addressing married people today...

I am speaking to those of you who are not yet married..think...pray and listen to what the will of GOD is for your life.  

IF you are single, is there a reason HE still has not brought to you a spouse?  Does HE have something for you to do yet that would require you to remain single?

If you are struggling with the fact that you are single-do you have anger and bitterness towards GOD because you are single?  Remember HE already knows that, so hiding it from HIM -well thinking you are hiding it from HIM is just plain stupid!  You might be hiding it from the people in the church, from your friends and family-but your not fooling GOD! 

Do you look to all of your friends that are married and think-why not me?  Jealous???  Keep a attitude of thanksgiving for the situation you are in-single- and keep your heart from being jealous.  Instead thank the LORD for your life, your situation and work on being content.  Remember in HIS timing HE will bring the right person to you.  Also change the jealous attitude to a rejoicing attitude for your friends who are married!  

Are you really submitted to HIS will for your life?  If you are, you have to remember that HE has a plan for you.  HE will bring to you the right person for your life in HIS timing.  Your job is to wait on HIM, remain in HIM, and just grow in the knowledge of HIM...as you do that, HE will in HIS perfect timing bring to you the person that you are to marry.  You should not even have to date as-our society does today.  Why date a bunch of people trying to find the right one?  My children did not do that-thankfully.  They waited until the LORD brought the right one for them...and then...married them! What a wise thing to do!  It prevents a bunch of baggage from being with someone else that you have to drag into your marriage.  Scott and I did date others, and then we had baggage-and Trust me, that baggage often comes out later in the marriage and the stinky old stuff in there does pollute the marriage! GOD's way is perfect-waiting on HIM!  Allow HIM to bring the right person to you.  Then when HE does, react when HE says to-dont just sit on your butt and wait for HIM to ask the person out for you!  Silly! Trust HIM!

Ok, I am rambling here I know-but there are a number of you in the body who are single and  I just want to encourage you to continue to be patient on the LORD. Seek HIM first, and HIS will for your life.  HE will bless you with love and love from the right person HE has for you as you just abide in HIM first!  What a joy it will be to be a witness to those of you who are waiting on HIM for the right person for you!

I will be rejoicing with you!

Be blessed today!

Ireena