Our Charis Family

Heather Jones

Kyler, Jason, Suzanne, Heather and Gideon Jones

Hello friends!

I started training with Charis as a childbirth educator and doula about a year ago. In that time, you've met my children here in the newsletter through the Kids Korner. You've met my husband and infant son through writing our son's birth story. So here's my chance to talk.

I was born at home with a midwife in Tulsa, OK. I was raised in central OK and joined the Navy a year after my high school graduation. My husband, Jason, and I met each other on the USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) in the year 2000. As I climbed onboard to check into my new command, I didn't realize that my future husband was granting me permission to board. Friendship turned to Romance, which turned to Plans of Engagement. We did not plan on getting pregnant before marriage though. While I was pregnant, there were so many trials and tribulations that I was hardly focused on pregnancy or the birth. We became husband and wife on July 22, 2002. Jason deployed for six months the day after.

Kyler was born to us September 11, 2002. This was the most remarkable day of my life. The details of his birth are sad for me to recall most times. I felt completely alone. Although I was a born-again Christian, I hadn't been close to my Heavenly Father in years. My husband was on deployment, my mother was in California, and I was still in the Navy. Nothing I looked forward to in birth and motherhood came to pass: natural birth experience, breastfeeding, and staying at home with my baby. At that point, I felt incredible guilty. I was a horrible person, and I couldn't do anything right. I suffered some kind of postpartum depression similar to this line of thinking. When I looked at my baby, I believed he was hating me and wishing he had someone else as a mother. What's remarkable is the mental changes that have taken place from this day. Kyler brought about a reason for me to find strength in God again.

Through my deepening relationship with Christ, information, and support, I was able to delight in all the joys of motherhood that I had previously longed for. When I separated from the Navy and joined Jason in Mayport, FL, we found ourselves pregnant again. Suzanne was born at home with a midwife on June 10, 2004. I'm proud to announce that she is still nursing. Last but not least, I have been able to stay at home with my children since the Navy and I parted ways. These blessings on my heart had to be shared with as many women as possible, but I wasn't sure what I could do.

I wanted to do it all! I wanted to try on every hat I could in supporting new families. I wanted to learn as much as I could about everything associated with pregnancy, birth, and babies. I just wasn't sure where to start first.

When I moved back to Virginia Beach, I went to baby fairs, spoke to LLL women, and searched Yahoo! groups for like-minded people. It was through a wonderful friend from a Yahoo! group that I was introduced to Charis. During one of our long talks about birth, Carol Hagan let me look through her binder. I was impressed by it's Biblical truths and the extensive knowledge. I hadn't seen any programs in my online searches that matched the training I would get here or kept the credit where credit is due. The "miracle" of childbirth is performed by God, and that needed to be the focus.

Right now, I'm a homeschooling mom of three. Kyler is five years old, Suzanne is three years old, and Gideon is eight months old. Jason is currently deployed on the USS Porter (DDG 78) through the New Year. He'll have five more months in the Navy, and we are looking forward to his separation. I'm still working through the modules and planning my first childbirth series. I'm still just as excited and passionate about this calling as I ever was. I'm grateful every day for the path I've traveled and for the unique gift I have to share with other women. I can't wait to see what the Lord has up ahead!

Serving Christ,
Heather Jones

Kyler, Gideon, Jason and  Suzanne Jones