Staci Finishes!!

Well she did it.  She crossed the finish line.
In January of 2006 Staci, pregnant, and I traveled to the Philippines to start her in a 2 year Midwifery College and intensive birthing apprenticeship.  Little did we know what was in store.  We can look back and can see poor choices but, we also see good timing and provision. One thing is clear, Staci never believed she wouldn't see this day.  This past Wednesday, Staci took the National Association of Registered Midwives board exam.  This test certifies her as a professional and proficient midwife and is the final step of this process.  It is finished.  No more late nights studding between nursings...no more paperwork to file...no more papers to write after a full day of raising 4 children!  It is a globally recognized certification and is only given to those who have completed the 2 years of education and an intensive apprenticeship under a experienced midwife. This unconventional timeline enabled Staci to see over 100 births and deliver more babies than the average.  She has been blessed by this process despite the length and looks forward to the results to this test.
  

Surrounded by family but feeling all alone

One more week before Staci's big test.  She has been so diligent in her studies and we hope she can find some peace this next week to focus her attention on the test and not our lives.  Our time in Cleveland has been full of love but an extreme challenge for us.  My parents landlord doesn't want us here and now makes us park our car down the road when we stay there.  The small 2 bedroom condo of Staci's mom is full of love but not space.  Imagine the 6 of us all crashing in one bedroom every night.  Our transmission is about to call it quits and our brakes are needing to be replaced. We are completely humbled and at the mercy of the next financial demand life throws at us.  We are homeless, unemployed, alone and this time not feeling much love. 

As Lukah calls her "My Best Grandma"..not great but best! She will be 90 this feb.

We still lack soild direction for the outreach and long to know whats next.  We see the vision in our distance but, can't seem to find joy in the day to day.    We believe in the hope and have plans in place but they lack momentum.  With every day, here in this wasteland, our desire to stay committed to the vision, gets more and more difficult.  As Staci and I talk at night we struggle to find rest don't feel united to serve anymore.  We feel lost, alone, abandoned and full of doubt even though we are around people who care deeply for us.  Our hope is this season ends now and find a way to get this ball rolling.

In 8 days we will be freed from whats kept us here in Cleveland but, lack any solid plans to move towards...well, we have no idea where to go next.  I have been working for my father when work is available, and that has kept us busy but really want to avoid the trap of stability outside of this outreach.

Cousin Jay and his new wife Jes.  We love you and had a blast...she spins fire by the way!

Yes we have completed all the paper work for "Chrysalis", our non-profit that will oversee the vision's infrastructure and development.  This has been a blessed process...the only solid thing we have at this point. The vast paper work and all the needed language to secure it were gifted to us by a wonderful man who helps people start non-profits.  We now have to raise the $1000 for the federal filing fee but believe this come once we are offical. Once the federal paperwork is complete we will be able to begin securing resources needed for the start-up.  However, we feel challenged every hour whether or not to walk away from this vision and settle into a life with more financial security.  

We hope there is a stirring in your heart to walk with us towards this huge vision.  We can't do it without passionate people united in its purpose.  Thanks for you friendship, support and love.