Setting up Stones (Continued)

If you haven't read the beginning of this post you may want to go back and read the earlier one from last week....or this probably won't make any sense at all. Thank you for letting me share Samuel story in it's entirety. I have had the opportunity to share my testimony a few times since having him..but there is no way or enough time that I'd try to share all these "specifics" in a short testimony! I feel like God did some big things in answering my prayers through this difficult time and I am happy to be able to share with you. When I was pregnant with Samuel and unsure of what the future would hold I searched the Internet pretty much daily for information on Kidney problems in babies and for anyone who might had walked this path previously. I think this was kinda the pre-blogging area and there really wasn't much personal info out there. My hope is that this may encourage or help someone facing a difficult terminal pregnancy!


Stone #9- So after thinking that I was beginning to go into labor I called the new doctors practice on that Friday (I hadn't been seen by them yet but my records had been sent). Every time I called any doctor I always had to give my spill...my baby has a fatal kidney problem...etc (not fun!) The new practice said that since they hadn't seen me if anything happened over the weekend I'd have to call my old practice! This stressed me out because I wasn't supposed to deliver at the hospital that my practice only could deliver at. Needless to say this was frustrating and stressful and I really felt like I was getting the run around! Now looking back I can see God's hand! Things did happen and by Sunday night I was contracting quite frequently. I called my old practice and the doc. on call said for me to come on to the hospital (the one I wasn't supposed to be delivering at). Let me just fill you in on my feelings about hospitals...I am scared to death of them. I was scared of laying in that bed..ewwww! Scared of putting on that robe(I mean who had worn it and what had happened in it...glad I don't know) Scared of an elevator opening seeing something scary on the other side(am I the only one who has this fear.) Very scared of emergency rooms (scared of seeing someone from a bad accident!) Scared...scared...scared out of my wits of needles, epidurals and all things painful! (Did I ever mention I was a nursing major for all of one semester...but the first clinical came and I thought it would be a good time to change my major!) But I was contracting and scared and needed someone to tell me what was going on. We arrived at the beautiful hospital..which looks more like a Hilton and went straight to the maternity wing (avoiding all things creepy and scary!) We were welcomed by friendly nurses who were awaiting our arrival and took me straight to my room. I managed to get on the yucky robe and get settled in the scary bed for sick people. I got hooked up to the monitors and heard my little ones heart beating nice and strong! AHHH he was still there! I'll never forget the wonderful doctor that was on call that night! He came in, pulled up the rocking chair...sat down and just talked. He wanted to hear our story..what was wrong and why we were choosing to trust God with our child! He came up with a plan of what we wanted to happen if they couldn't get my contractions to stop! (Samuel was breech and we made the plan for him to do a C-section if needed that night.) They gave me and IV and several shots throughout the night which stalled my labor and the contractions. We went home the next morning as I thought I had an appointment with the new practice at 11:00 Monday. I look back at that Sunday night as God's way of preparing me! I seemed to feel more confident about being in the hospital....not quite as freaked out! I wasn't quite as scared of the needles! I knew more of what to expect..good thing because I'd be back for the real deal the next night.


Stone #10- So I was supposed to have an appointment with the new practice that Monday morning. I called first thing hoping to get my appointment moved up if possible. Once again going through the whole spill to a few different people before I finally was told that my appointment wasn't that day but the next Monday! AHHH can't anything be simple! I explained once again that we were working with a genetics counselor at their hospital and needed to be seen so we could be delivered there...really getting the run around! Finally they said if I was contracting two minutes apart to just go to the hospital. Really they didn't want to see me (the doctor who delivered me did apologize about this and he said I really should have been seen.) Once the meds from the previous day had worn off I began contracting again but only 8-10 minutes apart and not super consistent! This continued all day! My sweet cousin Anna is a practicing mid-wife and she drove about 2 hours that night to come and be with me. She monitored my progress and around 9pm she said it could be soon or it could still be several days. We all agreed to try to get some rest! About 10 minutes after I laid down my labor really got going. I remember Kevin was dozing off and I remember saying I am having another and it hurts so so bad. One after another they were coming and the were hard and strong...unlike any pain I'd ever experienced. I managed to make it into my parents room (we were staying with them..there is no place like home when you're scared!) I remember crawling on the floor saying...please take me to the hospital! (Jess-and anyone else don't let this scare you) My labor with Samuel was horrible. My labor with ella was so so much more bearable! I have since learned that when you don't have amniotic fluid it causes labor to be much more intense and is called a "dry birth"(thankful I didn't know that at the time.) (This is also why when they break you bag of fluids it tends to get labor going and stronger! We arrived at the hospital and I thought I was dying. Unlike the night before the nurses seemed busy and unapproachable. Unlike being sent to a room they sent us to the waiting room. There were several pregnant girls waiting in there. I was trying to breath through each contraction that were consistently 2 min. apart. We had to wait until they called us. I prayed again as I had many time before for the right nurses and doctors. You see I needed someone who was going to see me through the darkest and most difficult night of my life. I needed someone who would be compassionate to me and my dying child. Someone who could handle being a part of a not so normal delivery. God answered this prayer in the form of the two sweetest and most caring nurses this side of heaven. They were wonderful to us and to Samuel! I still thank God for the care they gave me that night!

I am sorry this is such a long story! There is still a little more I want to share but I will save it for later. Once again I hope you are encouraged that even in the darkest place God's love shines through! His mercies are new every day! I am so thankful for a Savior that was with me that night...right there in the room...filling it with His presence and peace!

Pray for Kelly and baby Harper

Yesterday I anxiously awaited the birth of Kelly's baby girl, Harper Brown. Who is Kelly...you might ask??? She is the author behind a very popular blog...Kelly's Korner. her and her husband struggled to get pregnant and finally did. She was induced yesterday and apparently something went wrong and Harper is very sick. She was airlifted to another hospital and has pneumonia. I was just sick when I read this late last night. I have identified with Kelly on many levels. One we are both PK's (preacher's kids), we both have struggled to have a child and she shares my same passion for all things cute and monogrammed must I add. She was so excited about Harper's arrival and I must admit I was excited to see the precious little girl that they'd waited so long for. Kelly even made the cutest cookies and dipped pretzels for her nurses and guest (this girl takes southern hospitality to another level!) I know things have gone so different from what she was expecting and we are just praying that Harper will make a quick and complete recovery. Please pray for Kelly today and she and her body have been through a lot in these past few hours. Apparently she had over 30,000 hits on her blog yesterday so I am not the only one who has been touched by her story! You can link to her blog by her button on my sidebar if you want updates on Harper.

New Recipes

I knew I needed to get that horrible picture off the top of my page...so I must post something new! Last night I tried two new recipes for dinner. We enjoyed them and they were pretty easy...and a little messy(might just be my cooking skills though). They are called Chicken Packets and Lemonade Pie. The chicken packets are a Once a Month Cooking Recipe if you are into that so it can be made ahead somewhat and frozen (just make the mixture and freeze....add to crescent rolls when ready to eat it!)
Hope you enjoy it and let me know if you try it!

Chicken Packets
2 Large Chicken Breast boiled and cubed
1 block of Cream Cheese
Chives (2 Tablespoons) I substituted dried thyme..just a tad bit because they were out of chives at Wal-mart(not surprising)
Milk 2 tablespoons
2 8oz. cans of crescent rolls
1 stick of butter melted
One box of seasoned croutons crushed or bread crumbs

Cut up chicken into small cubes and boil. Add cream cheese, chicken, milk, and thyme or chives and mix well. Carefully open your crescent rolls...this can be trickier than one might imagine. You should have about eight triangles in each container. Lay a triangle down and fill with your mixture and cover with another triangle. Seal the two triangles well. Dip the chicken packet in the melted butter and then into the crushed croutons. Cover well and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Yummy!

Lemonade Pie
1 can condensed milk
1 8oz. container of cool whip
1 small container of frozen lemonade (the concentrated kind) let it thaw some but can still be icy.
2 graham cracker pie crust

Mix together and pour into the pie shells. Chill and serve! It makes two so this is a great one to make, keep one and give one away! So Easy!

Tagged

So my friend Tara tagged me today. Never done this and thought it might be fun! So I had to go to my picture files and go to the 4th file and find the fourth photo and post it. SCARY! Please Lord let it be a cute picture...at least! Well I am afraid it honestly might be the worst picture of me ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless it had been the one before which was my bare 39 week belly shot will ella. I am not a belly shot girl but wanted to remember what I looked like! I've thought about lying and choosing a different picture...but I guess that spoils the fun of the game. So I am putting my big pregnant self out there..water stain on shirt and all!

This picture is from the morning that I was induced with e! What a special day! It was early and I was finishing packing for the hospital. I dribbled water on my shirt and of course my belly caught it!

I keep having visions of this picture on my sister Jess' sidebar! Lovely! Thanks Tara!

So I have to tag 4 people: Jess Epp, My mom (I'll help you with the uploading), Becky (you better play along), and Mandy! Hopefully you'll get luckier than I did! Look at my cheeks!

Kate said Hi!

Kate signing books!

Kate Talking (Thanks Becky for the pics)

Becky and I

Friends

Last night I went with a few friends, my sister and my niece to hear Kate Gosselin speak. This is the Kate Gosselin from TLC's Jon and Kate Plus 8. I have enjoyed this show for a while now and was excited when I heard she was coming to our area. It was called "Coffee with Kate!" So the place was packed with tons of ladies of all ages and even a few brave men. I have made or encouraged Kev to watch with me a few times and he actually found it somewhat entertaining (although if asked he might not admit this). Kate made her way to the stage right at 7 and would you know the thing was over by 7:35. She shared about her pregnancy with the sextuplets and how she'd learned several lessons about depending and trusting God during those early years. I thought her message was good and entertaining...and then she said, "and that is how we got to where we are today," and walked off the stage. I think everyone was like...is that it? I was a little disappointed to not hear anything about their life now or about what she is learning in life now. Oh well, it was a fun anyways. I also enjoyed catching up with a friend from way back who happened to sit right in front of me. Fun how God puts people in you path at just the right time. I did get my copy of her new book Multiple Blessings autographed!
I was also proud of Kev who took good care of e while I enjoyed my night out. They went to Chick-Fli-A and to Super Pets to look at the animals. Good thing they didn't bring one home with them. When I got home she was fed, asleep and he even remembered to brush her teeth (this time)!

Setting up Stones

As I am making my way through Genesis while reading my One Year Bible(see earlier Post) I continue to see a common thread of setting up a stone. Abraham did this many times as the Lord led him from place to place he would set up a stone at a specific spot to worship God. I've noticed many other figures in Genesis doing this..and in our Sunday School lesson from 1 Samuel 7 this past Sunday, Samuel led the people in doing this as well. 1 Samuel 7:12 says, Samuel then took a stone and place it between Mizpah and Jeshanah and named it Ebenezer (meaning, the Stone of Help) for he said, "The Lord has certainly helped us!" I guess we still do the same thing as a country today. We set up a landmark or monument to mark something special or noteworthy. We do this so we never forget the sacrifice or event that occurred.

I feel led to figuratively "set up some stones!" Stones of remembrance of what and how the Lord has worked in my life. As the next two weeks lead up to my Samuel's third birthday in heaven...I want to remember the Lord's real and active work in my life during this difficult time in our lives. I hope as this encourages me it will encourage you as you see the Lord working in the events of your life as well.

Stone #1- In September of 2005 I was about 12 or more weeks pregnant and I began to have a strong desire to move to a different area of our town. We lived very close to my school and I knew once I had the baby I'd be staying at home. I really wanted to live closer to our church, friends and my family....about 25 minutes away. Within a weekend we decided we'd move and that same weekend we got boxes and began to pack up our house. This is crazy to me now because we had no clue when we'd move...didn't even have our house on the market...and I began to pack. Those of you who know me well know that I like to be organized and have everything ready..especially with a baby coming! I think I was hoping we could move quick and get settled before March when I was due. I think this was just the Lord's prompting in our lives to get us to where we needed to be. So I began packing!

Stone #2-After our diagnosis in November, I was told that they had no clue if I'd go to term with the baby or if I'd go early. So I began weekly doctor visits as they monitored my progress. As a teacher, I had to find a certified substitute who could do my maternity leave. I had no clue if I'd need them in Nov., Dec., or even up until March. The Lord worked this all out as a friend and certified teacher who I knew, who is a missionary to another country was planning to be home during this time. She was looking for some work while she was back in the states. She had taught in our district and her twin sister taught at my school. The Lord just worked it all out. She is also a believer and I felt confident that I was leaving my students in good hands while I was out for six weeks of leave.

Stone #3- As I said earlier that I like to be prepared and organized I also knew I needed to have lesson plans as together as I could prior to being out of school. Again this was hard because I had no clue when I'd be out. I'd always planned about a week ahead but the week prior to going into labor I began to get so stressed about my lesson plans. So much time and a lot to cover and I ultimately was responsible for what my class learned. My stress led me to plan a good chunk of the next six weeks. I worked endlessly that week and thought at least I was ahead on plans (this was the end of Jan. and I was not due until March). The Lord knew that when I left school on that Fri. that I would not return for 6 weeks. He knew I needed to be prepared. All my preparation and talk got my mom a little stressed and she thought...maybe she'd better plan ahead too. That week she planned the entire next week for her K-5 class! Isn't God Good! (Oh and would you know that I even planned my math lessons completely to the day that I would return to school...this still blows my mind)!

Stone #4- So when we received our baby's initial diagnosis of either multi-cystic dysplastic kidneys or either polycystic kidneys...we were sent to a specialist for a second opinion. They confirmed the previous diagnosis and sent me back to my regular OB. Here is the problem...my regular OB only delivers at one hospital and they all agreed that I'd need to be delivered at a different hospital (this one is more specialized, is where our genetic counselor was and would preform a free autopsy). So I continued to see my regular OB while knowing that when I went to deliver I'd be being seen by completely different doctors, hospital system, etc. This always stressed me a little and the week prior to labor (God was really moving this week..or should I say moving me to action) I called and asked to be referred to the other practice. This did create some problems as I will explain later but ultimately got me to where we needed to be.

Stone#5- The Wed. night before I began going into labor I asked a friend at church if he would sing at our baby's funeral. Granted this was January and I still thought we had a while to plan our baby's funeral, but I knew I probably should go ahead and ask. He asked me if I'd given up on God...that God could still do a miracle! I knew this and hadn't given up but also knew in my heart that this was part of God's path for us to walk. For me it was taking more faith to believe and trust God that He knew what He was doing in this situation than to have faith that He could heal my child. I was able to tell him the song we wanted him to sing and he agreed. Once again God was working the details and I didn't even realize.

Stone #6- In December, a few days prior to Christmas we went to look at a home. We were still planning on moving and had seen a few but nothing had worked out. This was at the height of the market and home prices where we were moving were higher than we'd expected. So we found this house in the neighborhood we were looking in. It came on the market and we saw it the next day. It was an absolute disaster. I mean you couldn't walk through it. There were piles and piles of trash, food everywhere, holes in the walls, ripped up flooring...I mean it was disgusting (smells and all). And we said, "We'll take it!" What was I thinking. I was giving up my fairly new, clean, organized house for this...and I wanted it! Let's just say the Lord gave us a vision of what it "could be." We put a contract on it and although there were difficulties (needless to say these people had some issues they were dealing with) we finally got our contract accepted and our closing day was set for...January 31, 2006.

Stone #7- So we had our house to sale..YIKES! No problem...Kevin's parents decided they wanted to buy it. Problem solved! So we sold it without a realtor... directly to his parents...and we set the closing for the same day! Thank you Lord.

Stone #8- On Thursday of that week a few things began to happen to my body and I began to realize that my time of being pregnant was coming to an end. I had prayed and prayed that the Lord would take our baby early. As the weeks passed and he grew.. the lack of room and lack of fluid just left him no room to move. I didn't want him(at that time we didn't know if we were having a girl or boy) to suffer. The weeks of waiting were also so hard on me! I felt like I couldn't breath or move on with life until I walked through this trial. So at almost 33 weeks I began to go into labor. The Lord had answered this prayer.

I will stop here. There are many many more stones to be set...but I'll save that for another day! Do you see how evident it is that in the midst of our trial the Lord completely had his hand on us..guiding and directing our path.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 7 "What a wonderful God we have- He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trails. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with His comfort and encouragement. But in our trouble God has comforted us-and this, too, to help you; to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give yo the strength to endure."

Upwards Saturday!

This morning it was back to Upwards Basketball and Cheerleading! This is a program that our church has been doing now for probably 8-9 years...can't believe it's been that long! The Lord has truly blessed this program and I enjoy watching the games, the social aspect, as well as the snack bar (awesome french fries) ! Kev coaches K-5 basketball every year and I coached cheerleading for several years and assisted with basketball one year...might I add that I really know nothing about either! Good thing I had people who did helping me! At this season of my life I just get to be a fan. E is at an impossible stage to coach right now. I look forward to being more involved again one day. If you have kids this age in our town this is this place to be on Sat! It is fun to see how packed our church gets every Sat. We now have teamed with another church due to the need for another facility and it is awesome to see 2 churches packed each week. Each game has a testimony/gospel presentation at half-time which is the main reason of Upwards...to share Christ with those in our community who do not yet know Him. The first time I was able to share my testimony there was almost three years ago. I remember it so clearly because it was the Sat. before I had Samuel. I was so nervous as I stood in front ALL those people with my little index cards SHAKING...telling them of the state in which I was in. It is amazing how the Lord works things out because if I had been scheduled even one week later I would not have been there and most likely emotionally wouldn't have been up to it. The Lord knew the schedule for Samuel's arrival and had it all planned out. It's funny because now three years later I still have parents at Upwards games who speak to me, ask about e, and remember my testimony that day.

This time of year always seems to be a little hard for us. It all seems to be such a reminder of that time in our lives...even Upwards games! I have been thinking over this past week of sharing with you more about Samuel's story and more specifically the unique details of the way the Lord worked out every little, specific detail during that difficult time. I hope as it encourages me to trust the Lord with His timing that it will encourage you as you also trust the Lord. So more on that later. For now I think I may catch a nap while I have the chance!