Musings of a Midwife(to-be!): Happy New Year!!

I seem to be a tad late in writing this New Year blog. Really I'm just working on Filipino time, which quite conveniently is very similar to Pagnucco time.

It's hard to believe the holidays are over already! I am savoring the last couple days of assignment free life here. It's been grand. Our New Year celebration at the clinic was one of my favorites ever. We had an easy meal, enjoyed each other's company, and watched some fantastic fireworks from the rooftop. I'm talking fantastic. It was such a relaxing night... truly a perfect way to ring in the New Year. The only not perfect part was that the fireworks seemed to never end. Even the next day there were still firecrackers going off everywhere. They like to celebrate here :)

I love the excitement that a New Year brings. And the reflection on the year past. Whether it's been a hard year or a wonderful year, there are always things that you can find to be thankful for. Looking back over 2013 is a bit crazy for me. I think of where I was this time last year, and I honestly could not have guessed that I would be sitting here on my bunk in the Philippines writing this. I dreamt for it, prayed about it, and hoped for it... but it still came as such a surprise. I am often surprised, or amazed really, that I get to be HERE! I'm going to avoid saying it's a dream come true because, well, it's massively cheesy ;) But it is a huge answer to prayer. God placed this on my heart quite a few years ago and I'm so glad 2013 was the year it came to fruition.

2014 brings freshness, new excitement, and new challenges. There are SO many things to look forward too, and so many things to accomplish. I am eager to see this year unfold, but certainly not wanting it to fly by too quickly.

This year also brings my 26th birthday. In 16 days to be exact. I'm not a huge birthday person. I never really have been. I like quiet celebrations with people I love... and maybe some cheesecake. My un-interest in birthdays has never been because I feared getting older. I figured that was a silly fear to have since I can't change it anyway. That silly fear hit me like a ton of bricks this year. I know, I know. 26 is not a big deal! I'm not examining my face for wrinkles, or worrying about the grey hair that I seem to be finding more frequently. The problem is... 26 is not a big deal. Up until now there have been pretty fun, significant birthdays. 18 is great cause you're an adult (HA!), 19 you can enjoy some wine, 20 gets you out of the teens, 21 brings enjoyment of wine in the US, 22, 23, and 24 are somehow equally exciting and pass by SO quickly, and then comes 25! 25 is a great year! But then the next big birthday is 30...

The early twenties are filled with excitement, pain, lessons, and adventures. I learned so much about myself in that time. A lot of it I wish I could have learned the easy way (is there an easy way?), but I would not trade the hard parts for anything. I want the next 5 years to be equally significant. So, with that being said, lets start with 26!
As you all know, there are costs to me being here, and costs to running a clinic such as this. The majority of my costs go directly towards ensuring that we can provide exceptional maternity care to the women who come through our doors, as well as the surrounding villages. It is a huge blessing to be able to see the generous support of you, my friends and family, put to work here in Tabuk.
Each prenatal done, baby born, and post-partum visit is made possible by the support of so many people around the world. When costs are broken down, it is averaged that each birth costs approximately $80-$100CDN.
So here is my proposal... 26 births for my 26th birthday.
It is not a present to me, of course, but a way to continue to be a part of the work I am doing here. Should you choose to sponsor a birth, I will send you footprints of the baby as well as a little write up about the birth and how the family is doing. Why not start your new year off contributing to bringing a new life into the world? :)
It is an amazing thing to be a part of birth, in whatever capacity that may be. When compared to North America, the cost is miniscule, but the gift is GREAT!

Please consider partnering with me in this and helping reach the goal of 26 sponsorships before January 31! It is super easy to do. Just click the donate button to the right of this post to sponsor through PayPal. In the 'message' box with PayPal, please write Birth Sponsor. Should you prefer other methods, please e-mail me at pagnucco.alexandra@gmail.com. If you have any questions at all, please just pop me a message. I'd be happy to chat!

Happy New Year friends!
I pray you will all see blessings, provision, and joy in this year ahead.

Much love,
A

Prayer Requests:
- healthy mom's and babies!
- health and normalcy for a patient of mine who stole my heart from her first prenatal! She has a history of stillbirth and is very nervous about this pregnancy. Your prayers are so appreciated.
- provision of 26 birth sponsorships!