a note - skim, PRAY and delete

I know the girls have not had time to write for a while --they are super busy. I thought I would send a note from them to me (shortened - an inside edition) to those interested in their lives in the Philippines. Thanks for praying for them.

This is from Hannah:
Hi there! We just had Care Group -where we get together and sing and have a snack and sometimes have a message or read verses and pray. Well, before we used to lead them. Our classes would take turns being in charge of the program. It was a little bit stressful. But now Joy talked to Krys and they changed the program--smile. Joy is so nice. So now the men are in charge of the care groups. Because we have 3 married students and Manny and Matt. So there are 5 guys and they are leading Care group now. It was really fun. Matt is so funny. He likes to talk. And he talks quite slow :) The big thing that he likes to say everytime we're all together is about how much he likes midwives and how he thinks that they are going to be in high demand once mission boards realize how effective they are. Because midwives are welcome in almost every country of the world and they can pass through all barriers. Anyway, he likes to say that over and over. And it's so true. It just made me want to be there now. I want to be working as a midwife now. There! Now! :) So I'm on a mission. Rather than just getting through this school, I'm on a mission to get there! I didn't used to know which country I wanted to go to, but I think I now know. I want to be there! Unless something changes. Anyway, just thought I would let you know :)
I finished my Well Woman assignment last night. I went and printed this morning. I was going to take the test today, but now I'm going to take it tomorrow. So that's nice. It gives me a little more time to study. And I'll be more relaxed because I won't be rushing around trying to go take a test right after printing. So I'm going to work on my midterm and make those corrections tonight so I can turn that in tomorrow too. Then I'll be all caught up. :) Oh, and I went for a walk today. So I feel good. Life is good. I'm happy!
Love you guys! Hope you are doing well.
Love,
Hannah

(from Ruth)
Dear Mommy and Daddy and family,
I just want to talk to you. I miss you. I am starting to enjoy shift more and like to catch babies. I have caught 45 babies now. I can suture, insert IVs, do newborn screening, pap smears (I am not so confident on this one), stay awake all night, and do assignments.

It started with night shift. When I arrived I got a patient. She was in strong labor and I stayed up all night with her. She did not deliver till 6:54 am. Shift ends at 6 am, but I stayed with my patient because if I didn't she probably would have gotten transported to the hospital and also I liked her. As soon as the new supervisor arrived on shift (she is also one of my favorites) she wanted to transport. Heather (the supervisor from night shift. An American) stayed over just to be there for my patient. It was special. She helped coach my patient to push. You should have seen her. She was SO exhausted and had NO energy. Her husband was taller than me and super sweet. He did not want to have to go to the hospital. The patient was sobbing because she was so happy after the baby came out. Heather was also teary eyed.
So.... I got home at 10:30 am from staying awake all night. I went straight to bed and got up at 3 pm because I had a baby check-up. After I did two baby checks, my continuity (personal client that you are to deliver) came to the clinic -- that was at 4 pm. I then stayed for all of swing and stayed awake all night again. My continuity delivered at 3:19, plus another of my continuities came in and delivered at 2:12 am. I delivered two babies only 1 hour and 7 minutes apart!! And I delivered 3 babies in 24 hours. I came home and slept from 10am to 7 pm.
The one continuity really has a sad story. She is only 17 years old and was raised by her grandmother. She is not grown up. She really is a baby herself. Labor was very painful for her and, on top of that, it was really long. She would say, "Ruth, help me. Ruth, help me." Then she would have a contraction. She was pleading with me, but there really was nothing I could do. She had to be the one to deliver her baby. Afterwards she said, "I am never having another baby." She had a baby boy that was 8 lb. 4 oz!!
The other continuity was SO funny. She just made funny comments. She was 2-3 cm at 12:30 am and delivered her baby at 2:12 am!!

Yesterday I printed my assignment and cooked dinner for our house. I made chili, cornbread, salad and rice. It was delicious. We have a cook that cooks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is SO great even though it is not exactly what we would like (she uses things like pig fat and corn starch and MSG, but she does not use them all the time). It takes off a large burden to have her come and she is so sweet and really wants to help us. Sometimes she doesn't cook enough food, but I made lots of chili. Ate Maricelle (the cook) needs to watch me cook so she can see what cooking a lot really means.
It rained earlier, Hannah and I played in the rain. We got soaked. It was lots of fun. I was hot and sweaty. Well, I am going to go to bed now. I love you all.

Ruth

P.S. The new girls are interesting. Some of them are a little bit irritating and some of them are great. Some of them just need a little more attention. Smile. I do my best to understand them and love on them.