Lisa
Kreinbrook,
CD, CCE, CLC,
Charis midwifery academics graduate
Seth, Judah, David & Lisa
Kreinbrook
I am so excited and grateful to have
graduated from the Charis Midwifery program! My life
has taken quite a few twists and turns in the last 3
½ years. Many highs, some lows. The woman I am now
is not who I was. And that can be attributed to the
grace of God, the patience of my family, some hard
work on my part and the Charis community of
wonderful women! Midwifery is not a solo journey,
and the midwifery community is precious. The
environment of Charis is a safe place to be, and
other parts of the midwifery community remind you
sometimes how much of a blessing we have. Community
can help give you another level of education, far
beyond just book information. There are so many of
you who have posted something in our Charis
student e-group right when I needed to hear it,
listened to me at workshops and more. But there are
3 women who have been pertinent to my journey here
in Charis.
The first of these is Susan Oshel, my coach. Her
experience in the mountains of Virginia, far from
the local hospital and not always having
pharmaceuticals available, was one of the things
that drew me to Charis in the first place. Susan has
been such a wonderful mentor, coach and a true
friend. She has a heart of gold. Susan is willing to
applaud your strengths, while shedding light on your
weaknesses, with grace. She goes above and beyond,
no matter what is going on around her. I am truly
grateful for the time and care she has given me over
the last 3 ½ years. It has been valuable beyond what
I am able to express.
The second is Kristin Schuchmann, our director. From
my first phone call with Kristin, her heart has rung
loud and true. She has always been my cheerleader,
and I always knew she was rooting for me. I know
many of you can attest she is for all of us. There
have been several phone calls during this journey
where just talking to her made me realize how many
people were rooting for me, even when it felt like I
was alone. Living in Florida has given me the
wonderful opportunity to be close to Kristin. I was
even blessed to attend a birth with her as her
assistant. And yes, she is as wonderful of a midwife
as you imagine.
The third is Bethany Stricker, my peer partner.
Bethany Stricker is young enough to be my daughter,
but I respect her as my fellow sister midwife. She
is a woman of integrity, with a heart of gold. We
have walked with each other through this, and she
has been a huge encouragement. Having someone with
you who is at the same part in the journey is
extremely beneficial. I did not have a peer partner
for the first few months, due to no one else
starting right when I did. I am thankful that things
worked out the way they did for us to become peer
partners. I love seeing her Facebook Instant Message
pop up on my phone. I know we will be friends for
life. We even dream of working together some day,
but only the Father knows if that is to be.
These 3 women will be a part of my life for long
after this course ends. I actually still need to
meet Susan and Bethany in person!
Kristin Schuchmann and Lisa
Kreinbrook
Lovely time sharing a graduation lunch!
My husband, 2 sons and I currently live in Florida.
When I started Charis, our family was convinced that
we were going to be leaving the state sooner than
later. That did not happen. In August of 2014 we
moved from a gated community in Ocala, to 5 acres in
a little town called Bushnell. We went from 1 dog
and 1 cat to 1 dog, 2 cats, 3 geese, 2 goats, and
approximately 90 chickens. I have had the
opportunity to watch the birth of kittens and goats
and watching chicks hatch. I love birth in all of
its forms!
Lisa's driveway
Babies being born!
I have been married almost 22 years
to my loving husband David. We have been blessed
with two sons, Judah, 20 and Seth, turning 16 in
March. My husband is a Webster certified
chiropractor, and our dream is to someday have an
office together, where I can offer prenatal and
postpartum midwifery services and he can offer the
amazing benefits of chiropractic for the entire
family including pregnant mothers, postpartum
mothers and their infants. Our son Judah recently
passed his boards to become a paramedic. We have had
many discussions about calls to homes and birth
centers, and caring for those mothers or infants. In
our area, as I am sure as many others, paramedics
and EMT’s rarely care for pregnant mothers and
infants and it frankly makes most of them nervous. I
truly enjoy talking with him regarding birth and
what to expect, and basic protocols. I hope someday
we will work in the same area. Right now we work in
separate counties. Seth does not have any interest
in the health field, at least at this moment. But he
pays close attention to our conversations and is
quite aware of the advantages of midwifery for moms
who have low-risk pregnancies. He has even shown
interest in his future children to be born at home.
We are looking into moving, but that
is not a choice to be made lightly. My husband is a
chiropractor, and as with midwifery, the rules and
regulations vary from state to state. So right now
we are researching where he could work and where I
could finish my apprenticeship and work. I am taking
it one step at a time, and I know the Father will
open doors in His time.
I pray that you who are still a part of this program
will see and take advantage of what you are getting
and realize the treasure we truly have. And just a
little reminder, that your coaches are human. I
wouldn’t trade these 3 ½ years for the world. It has
changed me, shown me who I am and more of the
Father’s heart. The Father was good to bring me and
us here. Very, very good.
Love and Blessings,
Lisa Kreinbrook
