My Path

So it's 3a.m. and I'm still awake, despite taking a prescription sleeping pill two hours ago. But as I lie in bed I continue to think of this blog that I've been meaning to write for the past week. So here goes. If I sound completely incoherent, it's probably the meds, and I'll have to edit tomorrow.

I have a vision of what my future looks like. I feel like I am called by God to go in a certain direction. This vision includes short and long terms goals. But I am aware that sometimes God leads us in one direction for a purpose, then leads you in another. So I am not going to go into details of my long-term vision, or even assume that the shorter terms is going to go as planned. I do, however, want to let you in on the general plan as of now. It will safe me the trouble of having to explain the reasons behind the choices I'm about to make. I would just like to ask one favor: Please don't harass me if you don't agree with my decisions. I have prayed about this and would prefer not to have to deal with peer pressure to go against what my heart has chosen.

I have always felt called to serve in the field of women and children's health, especially maternity care and natural health. My main goal is to become a midwife. Recently, I have been taking pre-nursing classes at EKU so that I may become a Certified Nurse-Midwife. However, I have recently decided that this is not the path for me. I feel like I should become a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife).

There are many different ways to go about this. Some taking years and some only months. The costs of the education starts at about $3,000 and goes up. Unfortunately, government financial aid is not available for most of those programs, and I don't want to take out a private loan. So my plan right now is to find a job (which I would appreciate prayers for) and gradually save enough money to pay the initial fee for the program I would like to do. I hope to live with my grandparents as long as possible so that I can save more money, and pay off some debts. But if I have to move out eventually I'm sure I will manage. It could take a couple of years for me to save enough for the program, in any case.

The program I would like to participate in is called Mercy In Action. It is a Christian program that trains midwives who will likely be working in the missionary field. The initial cost is $3,000, then clinicals are done at a missionary birth center in the Philippines, which you must also pay for. I can see missionary midwifery in my future, as well an alternative. Maybe I am supposed to do both, but at different times. We shall see. Anyway, you can learn more about Mercy In Action at www.mercyinaction.org.

Thanks for taking an interest, and I would appreciate any prayers for my future as well as finding a job now.