Alyssa Willis
Hello everyone!
I hope you don’t mind me introducing myself with a
story.
January 26, 2012 marked Lady Sadie’s (our Nubian
goat) 2nd birthday, but it turned out to be more
than that…
My youngest sister brought Sadie up from the pasture
so everyone could say happy birthday. I notice she
was holding her tail funny and she wasn’t walking so
gracefully. I figured it was probably because of the
dogs. She’s become very aggressive toward them. So I
went about my day and later I had to do some work
out in the goat pasture.
While out there, I notice Sadie showing signs of
premature labor. My sisters and I laid our hands on
her, pleading the blood of Jesus over her, and in
His name commanding the labor to stop.
We finished our work in the goat pasture and left,
but my thoughts kept returning to Sadie. Doubt kept
trying to come in and I would say “No! Those kids
(goat babies) have special part in God’s plan.”
While walking away from the second check on her, I
was confronted…what scripture did I have to base my
faith on? I stopped and stood there thinking…I
wasn’t sure. I was not really prepared for this. I
hadn’t been spending much time in the Bible or with
God. Then the Lord brought to my remembrance this
verse:
1 Peter 2:24 - who Himself bore our sins in His
own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins,
might live for righteousness--by whose stripes
you were healed.
I could base my faith on this verse that whatever
would cause Sadie to miscarry; she and her baby
would be healed. And the Lord also gave me this
verse:
2 Timothy 1:12 - For this reason I also suffer
these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I
know whom I have believed and am persuaded that
He is able to keep what I have committed to Him
until that Day.
I could believe that when I commit Sadie and her
babies to God, He would keep them. So that’s what I
did and believed God would be faithful to His
promises written in His Word. A couple hours later,
she had completely normalized and was no longer in
labor! Praise God!
Sadie
Several times later in gestation
Satan tried to take the baby goat, but God was not
moved and neither would I be. March 12th came and
she delivered a beautiful little boy that we named
“Committed To Him” and nicknamed “Tim-e-tee”. God
was faithful!
This became a turning point in my relationship with
God. I never want to be found unfaithful to God. I
don’t want to be unprepared in emergencies like I
was then. I haven’t always been perfect, but God
forever loves and has helped me along the way. I
encourage all of you to strengthen your relationship
with God so you’re not caught unawares at important
times.
The day after all this happened God showed me the
first open door into midwifery three months after He
planted the desire to be a midwife in my heart.
There was going to be an intro to midwifery class
near by. God made the way and in September Mom and I
attended it. About half way through the week long
class God confirmed the call. I saw myself as the
midwife performing the prenatals and delivering the
babies. I saw God’s hand working with me, and the
opportunities to share His love. I had to do this
now, and there was no turning back to do something
else or second-guessing the call. It would be still
yet a few years before actually pursuing midwifery
in depth.
Stepping into midwifery was something new that I
wasn’t exactly sure where to start or go. Of course
the unknown made me bit nervous. I knew I wanted to
go the route of apprenticeship as I learn best by
hands-on experience and the thought of sitting in a
classroom studying nursing before midwifery wasn’t
very appealing. In September of last year, God led
me to feel I needed some academics and I started
looking for Christian midwifery books. I wasn’t
having much success when I found a Christian
midwifery school. I contacted them and waited their
response. Nothing came in the next couple weeks, and
I didn’t know what to do next. I was flipping
through Isaiah looking for specific passage when an
underlined verse caught my eye – “This is the
way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand
or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:20)
In my heart, I knew God was speaking about
midwifery and He was about to open the next door.
Later that afternoon, I changed my online search
from books to Christian midwifery schools. Here is
when I found Charis.
J As I looked over the
site, I felt a sense of joy from within. Here was a
midwifery school teaching from a Christian
perspective and a self-paced distance program, too!
This would fit in well with the farm work and family
business. I e-mailed for more information; Mrs.
Susan replied with a wealth of info and not just
about Charis, but also about the path to becoming
midwife. She was so very helpful and God revealed
the way He promised about. It wasn’t a path without
obstacles in the way, but these wouldn’t stop the
plans of God. He had it all worked out from the
beginning and knew where I needed to be. I am so
excited to finally be moving towards becoming a CPM!
God has been wonderful and provided everything! He’s
left nothing out, including the best supporting
parents and 7 siblings. I started the midwifery
course in April, and it’s been so good! Then God
opened the door to volunteer at a pregnancy clinic
and it’s been full of blessings. It’s so amazing to
watch God unfold the way, and I look forward to what
all He has in-store!
So here I am in a very rural town in the western
tips of the Appalachians Mountains of TN with my
parents and siblings. We’ve lived here since 2003.
Prior to this we lived in central FL :) I’m still at
home, and as you’ve probably guessed a farm girl.
I’ve been heavily involved in taking care of the
animals. My favorite part of it all has been the
births here, and this is what encouraged me to
become a midwife after God spoke to my heart.
There’s nothing more amazing than to watch an
expecting mother through gestation, a baby be born,
take it’s first breath, and eventually first steps!
I can only imagine what it’s like for human births!
Back row: Caleb, Dad, Camin, and
Joshua.
Front row: Alicia, Emily, me, Mom, Jessica, and
Laurelen.
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be
with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 6:23-24
Blessings and love in Christ,
Alyssa Willis
