The Big 'Ol.
Here's the big 'ol life update. I'm never really sure were to start when it comes to things like this, how much of the story needs or should be told? I'll put it plainly and to the point and for those readers, mothers, and poor souls who feel obligated to read the rest, can.
I'm going to be living in Alaska for the winter, come this January. Yes, you did hear that right. Winter. In Alaska! But here's the rest of the story....
A month and a half ago I quit my job, I had intentions of getting another similar job. But it was then that Jesus showed up and let me know where I was at and what He wanted to teach me. I thought much about life, much about priorities, much about relying on Jesus. You can even read a little more about that HERE. I had my plan, and then that plan changed, I no longer wanted that plan, sarcastically stated, I didn't want to just pay bills and die. Even though there is a place for that, paying bills, and having means to do that. Definitely not everyone should quit their jobs. But! Insert an email I then received. I had written an email back when I was still happily employed, no thought of change on the horizon, but had randomly(ha!) come across a Christian midwife program in Alaska. I was instantly interested, but had put it on the back burner type list, a "maybe in the future" type of goal. However for some reason I was intrigued enough to write an email asking whether they had planned to run the program again, etc. Six weeks later I received a reply, one that wasn't supposed to be delayed, but had been misplaced in the wrong folder- or so they thought. I now thought why not? Why not now? I spent another month praying about it, I was hoping for a clear answer, a voice from heaven. But God instead chose a more gentle route. Through that month, He impressed upon me that things that I had learned years ago-- in Alaska! I re-read journal entries of my previous leaving Alaska and how I had this feeling of not sure if I was or how I would come back to Alaska, but waiting for Jesus to show me. I read a list of dreams that I had written at the beginning of the year, a list that I was prompted to write of things I want to see happen in my lifetime. I read that list again, and four of the current 27 dreams could potentially be fulfilled through this next adventure! How cool is that? I was still praying that if this wasn't it, that the doors would be shut. That I would not be accepted, or redirected. Well, as you can guess that didn't happen.
So! On January 16th I plan to join a group of other ladies in the Modules of Midwifery program in Homer Alaska. The course is put on by an organization called gomidwife. They state, "GoMidwife exists to see birth workers equipped and released throughout the nations to teach and serve women during the childbearing years in rural, crisis and developing situations. Our focus is to use birth work as a tool to restore dignity, decrease mortality and express perfect love." The program is hosted by a YWAM base, Arctic Mercy, but not a YWAM program. I couldn't be more stoked to join them!
However, I would be lying if I said I was just excited. Upon reading that acceptance letter for the first time my first reaction was tears, and not exactly of joy. I'm somewhat scared and so overwhelmed. There's a whole lot to that need to be taken care of before all this takes place.
Sometimes God places dreams and desires within us and they seem so big, so large, that it's hard to even imagine yourself starting out on the adventure to begin with. I love Oregon, I like my home, the only one I've known for all my life. I don't want to say goodbyes, i don't want to lose relationships, and I thought Jesus was already doing a work here, I want this to be carried on. That first night I went and read the story of Peter walking on water. Because I felt like that. I stepped out, but there was fear. Peter starts to sink because He takes his eyes off Jesus. Jesus asks him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" And that's just it. Doubt is the enemy of faith. When we fix our eyes on Jesus our faith increases. And we get to see Him at work. I want my eyes to be on Jesus, I want my faith to increase.
So, there you have it. What even is my life? In January I plan to move to Alaska for about six months. By the end of that, I'll be able to become a doula, birth assistant, lactation consultant, and childbirth educator. But the journey doesn't end there, the plan would be to go on to an apprenticeship for the next year or two to become a certified professional midwife(CPM). I really don't have much of a specific plan after June, however.
There are a million unknowns and things to figure out. I would love for you to pray with me for the following specifics:
I'm going to be living in Alaska for the winter, come this January. Yes, you did hear that right. Winter. In Alaska! But here's the rest of the story....
A month and a half ago I quit my job, I had intentions of getting another similar job. But it was then that Jesus showed up and let me know where I was at and what He wanted to teach me. I thought much about life, much about priorities, much about relying on Jesus. You can even read a little more about that HERE. I had my plan, and then that plan changed, I no longer wanted that plan, sarcastically stated, I didn't want to just pay bills and die. Even though there is a place for that, paying bills, and having means to do that. Definitely not everyone should quit their jobs. But! Insert an email I then received. I had written an email back when I was still happily employed, no thought of change on the horizon, but had randomly(ha!) come across a Christian midwife program in Alaska. I was instantly interested, but had put it on the back burner type list, a "maybe in the future" type of goal. However for some reason I was intrigued enough to write an email asking whether they had planned to run the program again, etc. Six weeks later I received a reply, one that wasn't supposed to be delayed, but had been misplaced in the wrong folder- or so they thought. I now thought why not? Why not now? I spent another month praying about it, I was hoping for a clear answer, a voice from heaven. But God instead chose a more gentle route. Through that month, He impressed upon me that things that I had learned years ago-- in Alaska! I re-read journal entries of my previous leaving Alaska and how I had this feeling of not sure if I was or how I would come back to Alaska, but waiting for Jesus to show me. I read a list of dreams that I had written at the beginning of the year, a list that I was prompted to write of things I want to see happen in my lifetime. I read that list again, and four of the current 27 dreams could potentially be fulfilled through this next adventure! How cool is that? I was still praying that if this wasn't it, that the doors would be shut. That I would not be accepted, or redirected. Well, as you can guess that didn't happen.
So! On January 16th I plan to join a group of other ladies in the Modules of Midwifery program in Homer Alaska. The course is put on by an organization called gomidwife. They state, "GoMidwife exists to see birth workers equipped and released throughout the nations to teach and serve women during the childbearing years in rural, crisis and developing situations. Our focus is to use birth work as a tool to restore dignity, decrease mortality and express perfect love." The program is hosted by a YWAM base, Arctic Mercy, but not a YWAM program. I couldn't be more stoked to join them!
However, I would be lying if I said I was just excited. Upon reading that acceptance letter for the first time my first reaction was tears, and not exactly of joy. I'm somewhat scared and so overwhelmed. There's a whole lot to that need to be taken care of before all this takes place.
Sometimes God places dreams and desires within us and they seem so big, so large, that it's hard to even imagine yourself starting out on the adventure to begin with. I love Oregon, I like my home, the only one I've known for all my life. I don't want to say goodbyes, i don't want to lose relationships, and I thought Jesus was already doing a work here, I want this to be carried on. That first night I went and read the story of Peter walking on water. Because I felt like that. I stepped out, but there was fear. Peter starts to sink because He takes his eyes off Jesus. Jesus asks him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" And that's just it. Doubt is the enemy of faith. When we fix our eyes on Jesus our faith increases. And we get to see Him at work. I want my eyes to be on Jesus, I want my faith to increase.
So, there you have it. What even is my life? In January I plan to move to Alaska for about six months. By the end of that, I'll be able to become a doula, birth assistant, lactation consultant, and childbirth educator. But the journey doesn't end there, the plan would be to go on to an apprenticeship for the next year or two to become a certified professional midwife(CPM). I really don't have much of a specific plan after June, however.
There are a million unknowns and things to figure out. I would love for you to pray with me for the following specifics:
- Financial needs to be met both now, in Alaska, and for the program. It's been rather humorous the random odd jobs I've done in the last month, I had no idea I would be such a well-rounded jack of all trades, haha! Pray that that would keep coming in the next 4 months and opportunities to work in Homer?
- A new "real winter" wardrobe. I hate being cold-God has a sense of humor!
- Great room mates for both this OR house and for housing in Homer.
- Another vehicle. Potentially one more Alaska appropriate, AWD or 4WD, I have dreams and ideals, but....and someone who I could talk to who would know more information about whether driving to AK in the winter is actually possible...
- And for Jesus' direction as I seek His plan out for where He wants to take me.
- Pray-ers that will continue to partner with me as I learn, study, meet new people, leave all that is known for the unknown.
- Calm, peace, wisdom, and great faith.
Do I think Jesus will do all this and more? Yea, basically.
Thank you all so much for walking this crazy life with me. Here goes! Alaska, round three! Looking forward to the year of dreams, I can't believe that I get to learn about bringing life into the world and God's heart for life, pregnancy, and childbirth.
With much love,
-hannaH
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| Taken in Homer, AK summer 2013. I get to live here?!! |
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| What Jesus has been pointing me to. |
Yes!!!!! Go for it, girl!!! <3
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you!!
ReplyDelete