Volume 8

~ News From "Your Birthing Family" ~

Issue 4

 

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Our Charis Family

Elizabeth Roach


Elizabeth Roach

Why hello there!

My name is Elizabeth Roach; you may have known me as Elizabeth Lugmayer.  As I was just glancing through my previous postings on Charis I am humbled and amazed at how faithful our God is to provide and guide!

It is possible a reintroduction is in order.  I am now 25 years old, married to my amazing husband of 1.5 years Travis Roach and I am currently employed as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. I met Travis on my first day of being a trainee on the ambulance at Rescue 9 for the City of Virginia Beach.  We rode together as partners on the ambulance every Tues night for a year and a half before going on our first date.  four months later he asked me to marry him on bended knee in front of our favorite haunt, the Chrysler Museum.  Six months later we were married ~Sept 6, 2011~ in my home church with friends and family to witness.  I took a break from the whirlwind of being a doula during that time - except for a few close friends - to focus on settling into our new life together.  Besides Rescue we also both work for a private ambulance company called Medical Transport.

We moved into a new apartment in March of 2012, and a week later, my whole world changed.  I was on the ambulance at work with my partner, just a normal day; we just had a pretty messy call so we were both cleaning the unit.  I stepped into the medic to get more wipes.  As I stepped back out my boot slipped off the step of the truck and I fell to the ground - about 3 feet - and landed on my leg standing straight.  I felt/heard popping noises as I fell backward.  My partner and another crew helped me get in the truck; and to the ER we drove.  X-rays and an MRI showed a fractured tibia and 3 torn ligaments in my left knee.  A month later came the 6 hour surgery to repair 2 ligaments and reconstruct the third anchoring it to the bones with screws.

Unable to move from the hip down and facing excruciating pain, I began to have a new understanding of what some of my patients have experienced.  I needed help with everything, from getting in/out of bed to taking a shower, getting dressed, fixing a meal.  It was humbling.  My husband Travis, my mom and my best friend took turns helping.  God provided for us with all the friends and family we needed and even though we took a pay cut with me not working we were never without what we needed, He is faithful!

Two weeks ago was the one year anniversary of my accident on the Ambulance.  It was also the same week my doctor released me from physical therapy.  (I’m not released to get on an Ambulance, due to the risk of re-injury).

Praise God!  I was put on light duty at work as soon as I was cleared to hobble along on crutches several months ago.  I have been trained as a dispatcher for our company that serves Northern and Western Virginia, the Peninsula, and all of Hampton Roads.  I am learning all sorts of interesting things about computer programs, insurance claims, and running a business from the inner workings of the dispatch center.  I get to be on the other side of the ambulance as we get the call for an active heart attack, a car accident trauma pt., or a 28 weeker who is in preterm labor.

I love my job but look forward to the day when I will begin midwifery training.  I feel like this detour has taught me so many things that will come to use in running a midwifery business, but mostly, I have learned simple things, holding someone’s hand when they are in pain is a measure of support that goes beyond words and is not forgotten.  Modesty may be pushed aside in order to let people help you but dignity is never lost.  And most of all, having no idea what the future holds for you - giving it up to the Lord anyway, then watching as he blesses you abundantly.  His goodness never fails! He provides!  He comforts.  He never forsakes.  Our God, He is faithful!

I will be rejoining the ranks of Charis student shortly as a midwifery student.  I’m excited to get back into birth and expecting mommas again!  I hope this finds you in good health and spirits.

Many Blessings and Peace,
Elizabeth Roach, EMT-B, EMT-Dispatcher, CD, CCE

Charis Cuisine

Fruit Pizza
with Maple Quinoa Crust

Ingredients

½ Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

¾ cup quinoa, soaked in filtered water overnight or for at least 8 hours, rinsed and drained

¼ – ½ cup filtered water

1 Tbs. pure maple syrup

¼ tsp. salt

1 small or ½ large avocado

2 Tbs. filtered water

juice from half of a lime or lemon, or 1 Tbs. of fresh-squeezed orange juice (adds flavor and helps to keep the avocado fresh longer)

¼ tsp. stevia or 1 Tbs. maple syrup

fresh fruit for topping, such as strawberries, oranges, pears, blueberries, shredded coconut, etc.

Instructions

Soak the quinoa in filtered water for at least 8 hours. *This step is crucial as the recipe won’t work with dry quinoa.  Rinse and drain the quinoa.

Add the quinoa, ¼ cup water, maple syrup, and salt to a food processor or a high-speed blender and blend until the dough resembles pancake batter.  Add more water as needed, keeping the batter on the thicker side.

Cooking the dough:   In the oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and coat either a cast iron skillet or an 8-inch round cake pan with the olive oil.  Allow the skillet or cake pan to heat up in the oven for about 10 minutes (this is good to do while you’re preparing the dough and chopping the fruit). Remove skillet/cake pan from the oven and immediately add the quinoa batter, using a spatula to even it out as needed.  Place the dough in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.  Flip the dough and bake for another 10 minutes, or until brown and slightly crisp around the edges.


To make the avocado cream, add the avocado, 2 Tbs. of water, lemon/lime juice, and sweetener to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, adding more water as needed.

Now comes the fun part!  First, spread the avocado cream over the pizza crust.  Then, add whatever fruit toppings you want–feel free to be creative!

Slice, serve, and enjoy!!


 '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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April 2013