Volume 5

~ News From "Your Birthing Family" ~

Issue 7

 

_______________________________________________

 

   
 

Our Charis Family

Elizabeth Lugmayer


It has been nearly two years since I was introduced to the world as a Charis Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula;  so please, allow myself the pleasure of a re-introduction.

Hi, My name is Elizabeth Lugmayer.   I am 22 yrs. old, single and keenly interested in anything to do with pregnancy and childbirth.

My life has been a whirlwind of activities (created by the swift passing of time, no doubt).  Besides doula-ing and teaching childbirth classes, I have had the amazing opportunity of assisting two different home birth midwives in my area. Witnessing the unique way each of these women treat and care for their patients has left a lasting impression on me of some of the greatest qualities of midwifery, such as meeting patients with care at their need level, incorporating midwifery protocol with informed patient consent, approaching cultural differences with grace, a high standard of medical care along with emotional support, a good sense of humor and adaptable plan of action when babies decide to surprise us, and a heart for the Lord to be glorified in the lives of pregnant couples as we pray with and for them daily.  I have also, in my education travels, become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Kempsville Volunteer Rescue Squad in Va Beach, VA.  Ummm.... Yes, rescue is an amazing, exciting, sometimes sad, and always interesting outlet for my clinical skills.  My shifts are 12 hrs long, and involve responding to any type (medical or trauma) of 911 calls  - from heart attacks to car accidents, diabetic emergencies, traumas and, my favorite, maternity calls.  A maternity call can be any call where there is a pregnant woman in need of 911 rescue.  A miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, assault on a woman 7 months pregnant, and two women who had their babies (full term) at the hospital within minutes of us getting them to the ER, are some of the maternity calls I have been privileged to be called upon to respond.  It is amazing to have a sense of calm when faced with maternity calls (the MOST FEARED calls in EMS) as my training through Charis and my experience with the midwives 'kick in' and help me to provide excellent care for these women.

One of the most important things I have learned working with patients (and still am) is the art of listening. Whether I'm taking a blood pressure or hearing an out-pour of an anxious mom-to-be, listening is one of the most effective diagnostic tools that I have found.  This one skill has helped me to learn more than anything else; the more I learn, the better I serve my patients.  As I continue in my life's journey to learn and serve, I am expecting to start the Charis Midwifery program soon, I may move up to medic in the rescue squad.... but still waiting on God's say-so. : )  I may see you in a Charis workshop, or in a birthing room, or I just might see you on the street.

Blessings and Peace and be safe!
~Elizabeth L

Our Friends ~ Our Family
We'd love to feature you in newsletters to come!
 

Charis Cuisine

Rainbow Salad



Really nice and light for a summer day!



Ingredients

1 tomato

1 beetroot, grated

1/2 avocado, sliced

2-3 raw olives chopped into little bits

Handful sprouts of choice

3 cups green cabbage, shredded

2 cups red cabbage, shredded

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, thin slice

1/2 cup raw carrot, scrubbed and match-stick cut

1/2 cup red bell pepper, match-stick cut

1/2 cup orange bell pepper, match-stick cut

1/2 cup snow peas, ends trimmed, cut in half, long way

2 green onions, medium dice

1/2 cup slivered almond

Juice of 1/2 a lime

Olive oil (to taste)

1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper (to taste)

salt (optional)


Directions

1 - Combine all ingredients, adding olive oil in amounts you desire.

2 - Toss and chill.

 

Have a good recipe? Share it here!


 


 


 '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
~~~
©2010 Charis Childbirth Services, All Rights Reserved
Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends in its entirety, leaving all attribution intact.
July  2010