I will try to post here for my first post - however, I want you to join our newsletter for mother's so I can share with you in your inbox. 
Before, I get into the retreat, what would you think if I sent you a text message once in awhile? I hear there is away to send SMS messages to a group for not much on my end - and would you opt-in for this idea? I want to reach people more - mothers, etc. The message would probably be short and prompt you to come to the blog or a page for the longer message - it could be to our blog or a sale - anyway, if you like this idea - let me know! I am just wanting to find out interest in this idea...

OK, so Lent is starting and I am terrible at planning for Lent-however, this year I want to walk it with Our Lady of Sorrows -so we will be going through her meditations and posting a passage about her Sorrows for each week - and if there's an extra week - we will wrap things up.

I also am trying to write a book about Bereavement and Our Lady of Sorrows. I wanted it to be kind of specific to miscarriages, etc. However, if you have a story to share under bereavement and it is not quite miscarriage category - I may still add in your story. So, send it to us via catholicdoulaprogram@gmail.com and let us know to have permission to print it. We are not trying to make money off this book - but I may have to charge a small fee - I'll see about the publisher that I am working with right now. 

So, we have two options for our retreat - you can sign up for our mother's newsletter and get in on it there or you can go to Facebook group and join it there and I"ll post something once a week. 

I may also post here at the blog too. However, more info will be in the newsletter or group. 

I like the group idea because we can talk about what we struggle with if so desired during Lent. 

Go here to join the Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/MiniMomRetreat/
OK, well, I hope you join our mini-retreat - most posts will be on Wednesdays! 

 A virtual doula helps a mother long distance and serves her via email, chat, phone, Raidcalll, Skype or other forms of communication - whatever works best for client and doula  together.
A virtual doula will offer prenatal  sessions - sometimes this can be done by emailing information or other times it can be powerpoint slides of instructions that help the mom know what to expect for her baby's birth.
During labor, the mom will probably call first to let doula know she's in labor, and either continue calling on/off or texting or other forms of "phone communication" that work for mom and doula - if you are real fancy "Face Time" or other apps. The dad may also text doula some during labor as mom maybe too busy with the contractions and such. The doula is there as a 'virtual assistant' so to speak. Also, the doula makes sure dad gets attention - she may actually be communicating more with him during labor - so this is a great way to be part of both parents as a virtual doula! 
So, where do you find a virtual doula? 
Glad you asked!
I offer these services as a way to reach out to Catholic or Christian mothers.  These services maybe more affordable for mothers to try out instead of having a hands on doula - esp. if you are in an area where those doulas charge $1,000 or more a birth! Perhaps, you don't want that much hands on help - you have your spouse - so this is win-win . Your doula can listen to your fears, be your prayer partner, and help with seeking the best birth friend you have!
I offer various birth packages that include a special surprise  box after birth.
I also can offer postpartum support - I know this may sound strange, but many moms need someone to talk to after birth - well I offer  this kind of support as well. 
Anyway, if you would like to know more information: http://avemariadoula.weebly.com to  book me.
I offer free consult to see if virtual doula is the right way to go for your upcoming birth. 
I also only take 2 clients a month - so get your request in early! God Bless!
Julie Larsen 

Today's feast - at least in the Traditional Latin Mass is the Feast of the Holy Family.
I think this is a great time to consider what the Holy Family went through. 
Mary and Joseph couldn't find "room in the inn" so they had their first born son- Jesus and laid him "in a manager" in "swaddling clothes".
I love this one - we like to train our doulas to know about swaddling the baby - so it is right here in the bible too! 
So, the shepherds come and worship.
I believe the Holy Family must have also did the circumcision in the manager most likely.  This is when Jesus was named as well.  They must have  gone to the temple to "purify Mary" though she was 100 percent holy - this was tradition and Mary submitted to this ritual. Then I believe the 3 wise men came sometime after this - that's just how I would see the order of things. It mentions that the three kings came to a "house" find the verse. So, the Holy Family did have a place in Bethlehem  somewhere - now it could be that the cave/stable was near a house - so I don't know for sure if they were in a real house or still in the stable area when the wise men came - but the did see  a star. However, remember in the Bible, the Wise Men even stopped in Jerusalem - it seemed the star had disappeared for a short time - they found out that the prophecies suggested the baby would be born in Bethlehem. They did seem to find the star again and find Jesus! 
After the wisemen left their gifts, an angel told them to go home a different way. Then, another angel appeared to Joseph to go fly to Egypt as  Herod was after killing all the babies ! So, Joseph obeyed and took Mary , Jesus and  went immediately in the middle of the night to Egypt! Imagine the Holy Family being "homeless" in a way for a few years in Egypt. I am sure they did find a place to live, etc. Joseph was  a resourceful man! Then finally, they hear from an angel that it is safe to return - but to go to Nazareth a safer region to live in. So, this is why Jesus is called a Nazarene.
So, what does all of above have to do with being a doula. First of all, we should meditate on life of Jesus - it is good for our doula souls! Secondly, we are reminded by this narrative, that no mother is perfect - she may have moved around 100 times or not be in the best place at this moment in her life - but she's having a baby and needs your best support. Don't judge a mother because of her circumstances. Look at the Holy Family they were even were homeless! 
Third, the Holy Family shows that no matter what God is with us. If we are feeling discourage in our doula business - then pray and God will provide our needs and desires. So, think about above and pray to God for your doula business needs. Pray to the Holy Family! 

Being a doula for a year has been one incredible journey. I have loved every moment of it. But somethings I wish I knew when I started my doula business are the following tips. These tips we hope you can become a better doula from or even learn more for your FUTURE business as a doula.

1. Don't bother with what other doulas think of you. Not every doula is going to like you. It isn't a field where most people like each other. I really was hoping that we all could work together but the competition can be hot. Don't let other's tear you down and what they do with their business you don't have to do with yours.

2.  Set a Goal for your Business each month. Something I wish I did in the beginning of my business is creating goals in the beginning I just did my training when I could and that worked but as I got other jobs at the same time it was really hard on my system to keep it all organized.

3. Take time to improve yourself with more training and knowledge. Even if you don't offer lots of different packages in everything like babywearing, birth, postpartum, fertility, nutrition... etc. You can always learn more. Learn it so you can teach your clients what they may want to know. Take a different training each year to improve yourself.

4. Take a Training that you agree with morally. So many trainings have different mission statements. You may not agree with abortion, you may not want to take a training that supports that. You may also want to see what you believe in on other things as well as something you can learn before your training.

5. Don't forget that being a doula is after all a business and it is work. You need to remember to take care of yourself and don't obsess over this so much that you are unable to take care of your health, and family time. 

Being a doula is amazing and I hope to continue being a doula for as long as I can before other things come up. But I wish I knew some of these things before I took my training, before having issues with other doulas because the competition was hot. Think about it and really do your research.

These are just the opinions of one doula. Lisa van der Wilt. 

 1. 100% Pro-life training - we will never preach anything that is against life from conception to birth - this is a child in God's eyes. No "abortion doula" baloney. All life is precious! If we get to a fertility doula course, no contraception (birth control) as this is also anti-life. 
2. We are not politically correct! (We refer usually to father as that father/partner/husband) and mother as mother! 
3. We offer spiritual based training from Gifts of Holy Ghost to Joys or Sorrows of Mary included in our training! 
4. We want our students to be happy--interaction with student/teachers are important to us. 
5. We devote a lot of time to making the curriculum affordable and updating it often--keeping it evidenced based as much as possible. 
6. Rebozo training is included in the cost -- no need to take an extra rebozo course (birth doula only for this). 
7. We offer all things in a Christian/Catholic format -- no "goddess worship". 
8. Get a Mexican rebozo shawl with your birth doula course! ​