Hello- from my computer to yours! :)

I'm sitting outside (under shade =))sipping a cold glass of ice tea all set to blog.:) Lately I've been writing only small posts, not only because time comes at a high price here, but also because I'm sure it's the same for you! :) So for both of our sakes I'll keep them simple. Then I'll be able to post more frequently- here's hoping! :)
So, it's been another good, full packed week! I was on cooking again, and its good to have that over with as much as I love being in the kitchen. Well- maybe not so much this kitchen- haha, ask the other girls, I get a little frustrated with the lack of cleanliness and the ant population! :S I guess what can you expect with 14 girls in one house...I would hate to see a house with 14 guys! :)
Clinical shifts have been going well, but a little less busy this past month. I've been mostly labor watching etc.
It certain ways it's hard to believe I've been here for already 6 months!! Sometimes times crawls and sometimes it flies! Over all it's been going really well! I've been so blessed with the friendships here as well as all of you that have been able to keep in touch! It means a lot!
Here are a few pictures of a shift this week. Julie (with back shift, Janelle is the other girl) had her 30th B-day, so she brought over some leftover cake to those of us who were on shift! mmmm The two ladies in blue,Susan and Elsa, are midwives/supervisors here at the clinic! They're so great- I sure love them!!

Another day, another baby...=)

Hey! Me again with a little update of things over here in Asia! :)Taking a little break from my microbiology assignment!
I'm a little sleepy as I write this- it's been another full day! I was on day shift this morning, and being first up I was endorsed a woman who was in labor. At 9:36 I delivered her baby boy-Mike! :)While I was so her immediate postpartum checks two other women (who had just come in) both delivered their babies minutes apart! It turned out to be a very crazy shift,going from charting to assisting and then back to my own patient! All three women were having complications, but praise the Lord all went well!! I guess you just never know what you're going to expect when you walk into the clinic doors! :)I had just enough time to complete what I had to before shift change and then off to class! No, life is never boring here! They keep you hopping, and sometimes you just have to hang on tight and enjoy the speed! :)It's exciting, I am definitely privileged to be apart of God's work here!
I think of you all often! and miss you even more!
God bless!!! Keep on keeping on!!
-Sarah

Hello hello!

Wow! It's been already a week ago since I posted in here, and I'm trying to wrap my mind around how fast this week has gone!! It's been a good week, somewhat mind stretching with math classes and a final exam for our herb course. Next week we will be finishing up the math course and starting microbiology. Then in the beginning of February we pick up statistics and counseling along with the microbiology. So our course schedule is unlike most schools...I guess we attempt to pack in as much as possible!:)
The work at the clinic continues to go well! The shift I worked yesterday was very busy with five births in one morning! The little bundle I delivered was named James- so neat! The last girl I delivered was named Murphy! :) Oh the names you get to hear when working in the clinic! :)
I'm going to cut this one short- I picked up a cold yesterday and it feels as though my head might explode! Our little remedy for colds around here is to eat a few garlic cloves- as long as we don't do it before shift! :)
Take care and have a great week ahead!!!
sending a big e-hug!
Sarah

Moutain Outreach Pictures

- Click on Photo -

2009 Has arrived and on its way....:)

A Belated to New Year!1 Sorry it's been so long! My big to-do list for Christmas break got left out of my schedule with the craziness that Christmas brought! I had big plans of catching up on e-mails and blogging, and I also discovered that I shouldn't promise to post pictures anymore...oops! But I do have an album ready to post, I'm just waiting for it to download. It's of the Mountain Outreach I went on awhile back.
I feel that it's been so long, and there's so much to tell you about. Instead of boring you with a long post, maybe I'll space it out.
So, 2009 has arrived and I was extremely blessed to have Diane and Tim here to open up the New Year with! They arrived on December 26th, and so I went to Manila to meet them. We spent a few days there with some friends (Tim & Michelle) before flying back to Davao to see my home here! They spent two weeks here in the Philippines, and Tim and Michelle also came for a week, so the five of us had a great time together! I felt so spoiled to have so many friends and family here- I enjoyed every minute of it!! We got lots of sun with snorkeling and site seeing around Davao. It was such a special time! Diane and Michelle came to one of my birth-room shifts and were able to witness three births! It was very sad to see them leave, and I felt like jumping on the plane with them! This past week as been pretty busy trying to catch up on school, and I also happened to be on cooking duty. It was a good week, although a little difficult getting back into things! :)
okay, I'm going to go ahead and post those pictures.
Take care all! Thank you so much for your support through prayers, letters and e-mails! I am blessed!!
Sending a big hug!
Sarah

Maayong Pasko-Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all! :)We are a little ahead in time here, so Christmas is almost half over before it's even started back home!
For me here Christmas couldn't have started off better! I was on night shift from 10pm till 6am this morning. At 12:30 a woman in labor walked in and I was the next one up... At 5:42 I delivered her baby- On Christmas day!! She gave birth to a beautiful little boy who as of yet does not have a name.:) What a special way to start Christmas! I ended up working a little later to finish up things with the birth, and then when I came home we had a Christmas gift exchange and the girls opened up their packages that they got in the mail. Tomorrow is the big day when Diane and Tim arrive!! WOW!! I still can't believe I'm going to see them both!! I'm beside myself with excitement!! I am so blessed!!
This year is my first Christmas away from home and also my first warm one! It can be a little difficult when I start thinking about Christmas back home, so I try not to! I have so much to be thankful for...the girls here are great and have made this time of year so special! And being able to look forward to Diane and Tim's visit has made a big difference! I'm flying to Manila to meet them and spend a few days there with some friends! Very exciting!!
It feels so great to have finished the first part of school...Next semester will be a little longer since it goes till June. I'm so grateful for everything the Lord has taught me since I have arrived- truly a GREAT learning experience!
It's almost noon now and we are having our Christmas dinner at 4:00 so I better get some sleep since I was on night shift.
I miss you all like crazy!! Sending a BIG Christmas hug!!!
Enjoy the celebration of a very special birth- the birthday of our King!
Much love...
Sarah

A diminutive update! :)

Oh no...It's been 2 weeks since I've written on here...I'm slipping! :S :) I just wanted to write a quick 5 min update, since I'm scheduled for shift in 10 min!
Just wanted to let everyone know things are going well. This week is the crunch week with our assignments due and our semester exam on Friday! But then we have 2 weeks off for Christmas!!! Yea!! We will still be working in the clinic, but get to take a break from the books! :):):) I sure can't wait...
So one more week! I'll update you more as soon this week has passed, and then try to get some pictures up too...
Okay off to work! take care, and God bless!!!
-Sarah