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Our Charis Family
Jennifer Goodwin
Jennifer with client after vbac
“If you don’t feel like quitting,
your goals aren’t high enough.”
When I began the doula program with
Charis, I was wildly optimistic. I had no idea
of the challenges and lessons God had planned for
me. The truth is I struggled, to find
expectant parents for my class, to attend births, to
do and be something new. I made mistakes, got
discouraged and almost quit. Almost.
There were three truths that kept me going.
First, I reminded myself that if God wanted me to do
this, He would provide the clients I needed.
And, when I stopped to acknowledge Him in my
process, He did provide what I needed. I would
not, could not, and will not do this without Him.
Second, when I found things discouraging and
difficult, Kristin Schuchmann, Rachel Thompson and
Susan Oshel were there to hold my hand, advise me
and keep me going. They helped me realize that
I didn’t have to be perfect, but I had to be willing
to learn. Last, I realized it was worth it.
I absolutely love being there when a mom
accomplishes a goal, when a family begins, and when
I can fade into the background. The first
birth I attended was a still birth. As the
family and I cried and praised God together, I knew
that this was one of the greatest things I will ever
do. In every birth I witness, I feel like
Aaron holding up the hands of Moses; not the doer of
the work but the enabler. And, I am amazed
that I have gotten to serve and encourage dads and
grandparents, too.
Now I am certified and trying to serve mommies in my
area. Although I am getting most of my calls from at
least an hour away, I am working to increase my
usefulness closer to home. It is hard work and
I want to keep growing in yet greater skill and
knowledgeable service. But, because I
know this is what God wants for me, because I have
the support of the Charis family, and because I
enjoy it so very much, I am a doula.
Knowing Him,
Jennifer Goodwin
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Charis
Cuisine
Delicious
Garlicky Split Pea Soup
with Freshly Ground Pepper
Submitted by Joel Schuchmann
Ingredients:
2 lbs dried split peas, rinsed
1 small sweet onion, diced
3 medium red potatoes, diced (I usually leave the peel on)
2 medium carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Generous amount of freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Directions:
Fill large soup pot half-way with pure water. Place all
ingredients except salt into pot and bring to a boil. Reduce
heat and simmer until peas are soft, stirring often. Once peas
are soft, add salt. (Adding salt too early will keep the peas
from becoming soft.) Simmer another 5 minutes and serve in large
soup bowls, topped with another sprinkling of black pepper. I
usually make a double recipe so we can have leftovers. Leftovers
can be frozen and thawed at a later date when you have a
hankerin’ for this comfort food.
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'Behold, I will
bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of
the earth,
Among them the blind and the lame,
The woman with child and The one who labors with child, together,
A
great throng shall return there...And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.'
Jeremiah 31:8, 14
~~~
©2013 Charis Childbirth
Services, All Rights Reserved
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leaving all attribution intact.
February 2013 |
