So much to be grateful for
I spent most of the last two days in bed. I guess I overdid it last week. I keep forgetting that I'm seven months pregnant. You'd think my ever-expanding figure would serve as a constant reminder, but somehow I forget that I just can't keep going at my normal pace at this season in my pregnancy.
I was up almost all of Friday night miserable and all-day Saturday and Saturday night were not much better. Jesse was so kind to "confine" me to my bed, take Kathrynne and run our Saturday errands, plus make at least four trips to secure various food items I was craving. It was almost like I was back in my first trimester again for the nausea and cravings I've had all bundled up together the last few days.
While in bed, I had a chance to read this touching article. I was quite surprised that it made the front page of our Sunday paper. In our pro-death society where saving animals is more important than saving baby humans, very rarely do you see life so beautifully promoted. The article is long, but if you have a chance, it is well worth your time. There was a followup article done today which is here. And there is a very touching audio photo gallery here.
Reading through this story and looking at the pictures made me realize again just how much I have to be grateful for. Nausea, backaches, heartburn, reflux, swollen legs, incessant tiredness, strange cravings, and all- I'll take them for the privilege of carrying a life inside of me.
I was up almost all of Friday night miserable and all-day Saturday and Saturday night were not much better. Jesse was so kind to "confine" me to my bed, take Kathrynne and run our Saturday errands, plus make at least four trips to secure various food items I was craving. It was almost like I was back in my first trimester again for the nausea and cravings I've had all bundled up together the last few days.
While in bed, I had a chance to read this touching article. I was quite surprised that it made the front page of our Sunday paper. In our pro-death society where saving animals is more important than saving baby humans, very rarely do you see life so beautifully promoted. The article is long, but if you have a chance, it is well worth your time. There was a followup article done today which is here. And there is a very touching audio photo gallery here.
Reading through this story and looking at the pictures made me realize again just how much I have to be grateful for. Nausea, backaches, heartburn, reflux, swollen legs, incessant tiredness, strange cravings, and all- I'll take them for the privilege of carrying a life inside of me.
posted by Crystal Paine at 11:47 AM
21 Comments:
That brought me to tears.
Absoulutely beautiful! What a blessed family.
Aisha
Oh, my heart breaks for them! I can't read things like this right now...I feel my little one kick, and all I can do is cry and cry at God's faithfulness and cry for fear of what is to come. My heart goes out to this family for their loss....*sigh*
Pass the Kleenex, please.
Crystal, Your timing in posting this is uncanny. Some very dear friends of ours learned 2 weeks ago that their baby had a severe defect (top of brain and skull did not develop). They chose to end the pregnancy at that point (close to six months). I have wrestled with how to be supportive even though I wonder if that is the choice I would make....? Who knows, I truly believe you do not know what you will do until you are in a situation (within reason). Regardless, it was and is very very painful for them and all that love them. It is so easy to take for granted a healthy baby, I know when I was pregnant, I honestly didnt' even take my prenatals a lot bc they made me sick - and wrongly, I would just assume all would be fine. I am very blessed that DS was born healthy as can be, but having such dear friends go through this has taught me do not take it for granted. You are right - going thru the many, many discomforts of pregnancy pales in comparison to this. Part of me sees both a blessing and a curse with our modern-day science and the capabilities - 100 years ago such ultrasounds would not have been possible so unless a baby miscarried, one would not be forced to make such a decision. On the other hand, it is so nice to be able to have the assurance ultrasounds can often provide.
I'm just glad to hear that there are options for people who do want to carry their baby to term - the hospices, photographers and more. I hope that more people can be made aware of these things so they can at least have a choice. This couple made a difficult decision I'm sure in telling people their story but already it has blessed a lot of people, I am sure.
Thanks for sharing.
Okay, weeping at work is not a good thing! :) That was truly wonderful!! Thank you, Crystal!
Leigh
I am glad I took the time to read the story and watch the gallery. Thank you for sharing this. I cried and snuggled my healthy six-month-old daughter close and was more thankful than ever for the gift God has given us in her. I know that God had a plan for Zeke's life, and I know that baby boy's story will help many, many people choose life for their children. What a ministry that boy will have, even though he lived less than an hour outside the womb.
What a touching story.
Your comment about saving animals being more important than saving babies in our culture got me thinking about a PETA slogan. A picture of a cute little yellow chick next to the words "I am not a nugget". That could be used as a pro-life slogan/image as well. A a cute little fetus next to the words "I am not a parasite." Or something along those lines. I wonder if anyone else has thought of that already.
That was so beautiful... I've done some crying tonight(good tears!=)) and that made them come again. Thank you so much for posting the links!
I read the story and cried just about the whole way through! I am so glad she chose to let this child live. I am reading a book right now called "Stacia's Gift". The story of Zeke and this other girl make me so thankful that God has a plan in ALL that He does!
I was wondering if you were going to be doing anymore podcasts? I know that you don't want to overdo it...I enjoyed your first one and was just curious.
Thanks!
Annie
That story made me cry! I was reading the BBC website today and came across this rather encouraging article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6558823.stm
Maybe it's a good sign that doctors don't even want to carry them out!
God bless.
Rach
Annie: New podcast coming tomorrow morning, Lord-willing. :) I'm going to try and get them out every other Tuesday - that's my goal right now. Thanks for your encouragement.
Rach: What an interesting article. Thanks for sharing!
Such a touching,heartbreaking story. We do have so much to be thankful for, indeed.
Trixie
Wow that was beautiful. What an amazing woman Jessica is to share her story. I am still crying!
Hello? did i read anon #1 right, "I'm just glad to hear that there are options for people who do want to carry their baby to term "...
What happened to courage and hope and God's will? I remember a dear susan who knew her baby would die at delivery or before that... She went through it not once but twice! She had the courage to trust God and not take life into her own hands. She delivered these precious lifes and carried them to term. She is a true testimony to life!
I do not know the extent of this other couple's story, but I know I could NEVER do this, I would let God have his will, pray and hope for the best but ultimately accept this baby and carry it for as long as God would have me and not end its life...
Wow... not only touching, but refreshing, too. My heart aches for this young family, yet at the same time rejoices in the peace they found through trusting Christ, and the joy the have from loving their baby. I love how she said, "For now, the best way to be a good mom to my baby, is to love him." That's all our babies need, to be loved. You're right, it renewed my gratefulness for my healthy 3 month old, and reminded me that all the aches of pregnancy sure are worth it!
Crystal, You are awesome! Thanks so much for this post. Of course, it left me crying and sad for their loss, but I was so encouraged by their strength and determination to "love" their baby. A choice that I am sure many do not make in the society we are part of. Thank you for the story of encouragement.
What a beautiful chronicle of the family's experience of loving Zeke. The story moved me to tears. It reminds me of the lyric from "The Wonderful Cross" that says "Joy and sorrow deeply mingled."
Laurie
Thanks for sharing this link! I simply sat here and sobbed as I watched it. Those brave Believers! What a testimony!!
am i the only one that caught anon #1 comments?? or did i misunderstand it?
My baby (17 mo.) is named Zeke (Timothy Ezekiel). I cried like a baby through the whole reading (which took a while). Zeke and all my other children all got more hugs and kisses and my home has been better cared for since reading this. It truly impacted me.
We serve an awesome God. What a light this family has shared with the world! I wish everyone could read these articles.
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Crystal, have you seen the latest on this story in the KC Star today?? :) Get out the happy Kleenexes!
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/589382.html
-Vikki
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