This was a lesson on following the spirit and a reminder of God's tender mercies.
Sometimes I'm really good at following promptings, and at other times I'm really bad at it. About three weeks ago I had taken our car to the mechanic shop to have them check on a sound that it had been making. On my way down the sound stopped (kind of like when your tooth magically stops hurting on the drive to the dentist). They test drove the car and couldn't get it to reproduce the sound, but they mentioned to me that the "clutch was all the way at the top and should be replaced soon."
That night I talked to Kevin about the clutch and we decided that we should get the clutch replaced. The plan was to have me call on Monday and schedule it. Monday came and I had a prompting reminding me to call. I was taking care of my daughter at the time and decided to wait until a more convenient time. Later that day I was trying to plan a trip to the thrift store to get some warm baby clothes and had a thought that I should invite my sister-in-law and her daughter to come with me. We set up a time to go on Wednesday.
Tuesday, I again did not call the mechanic. The car was running well and the sound hadn't returned (this could be likened to a "false sense of security").
Wednesday we arranged the carseats in the back seat of the car and headed to the thrift store. We found some great winter wear for our little girls and then headed home. We were about 3/4 of the way back to my home and coming to a stop light when the clutch gave out. Thankfully it happened in neutral, so the car continued running and I was able to come to a complete stop. The growling noise returned along with a terrible squeal, a smokey smell, and the inability to shift. We both began praying to know what to do. The light turned green and I waved to people to go around us as I worked on trying to get the clutch to a position where I could shift. Slowly, like moving a stuck piano key, the clutch rose with pressure from my foot. By just barely tapping it I was able to shift into first and we continued on our way. At each intersection I would barely tap the clutch and force the stick into gear amidst squealing, growling, and terrible smells. I felt that I should just drive it down to the mechanic shop without going home. So, I dropped my sister off at the corner by our house and continued driving while she ran to her car to follow us down. We (two sleeping babies and myself) made it to the shop without incident. My sister arrived shortly after and began transferring babies and shopping bags to her car while I went in and, a little embarrassed, arranged to have our clutch replaced.
The end of the story is that they had to order in the part, and we all arrived home safely.
In hindsight, if I had followed the prompting to schedule the clutch replacement on Monday the part would've been already on order and maybe even at the shop. Thankfully I followed the prompting to invite my sister-in-law to go shopping with me that day, so that she was able to have a car to help us out and so I wasn't going through it all on my own. The day could've been very stressful, but it ended up being an enjoyable adventure with her there (yes, having a clutch go out is NOT enjoyable, but having a positive person with you can make it so).
One of the other big blessings of the day was that the two babies fell asleep as we were driving home and remained asleep through all of the car crazziness. I have found that my stress levels rise very quickly when my daughter is upset. Having her asleep during this time helped me to remain calm and focused.
I know that Heavenly Father loves His children and provides us with many opportunities to grow and learn. He had given me several reminders to call the mechanic and I had not heeded them. However, He still blessed me and provided a way for me to get that car into the shop safely.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Our Miracle Baby
My daughter is over two months old and the time has come to tell of our greatest miracle; her birth!
Today Kevin was talking with her and said, "Did you know that you are our miracle baby?" Her blue eyes were watching him as he continued, "There were a few times earlier this year that we thought we had lost you, and then when you had the cord around your neck that was scary too." I reflected back on those early moments in my pregnancy that had us so worried. "But you are here, you are happy, and you are healthy," he finished. It was a good reminder to me of how she really is our "miracle baby".
On July 20, 2015 I was sitting at work helpng with a major file audit. I'd had a backache that was progressively getting worse throughout the day. By lunch it was almost more than I could handle, but I knew that I couldn't go home. I was needed to assist in the audit. As I prayed over my lunch I asked Heavenly Father to help me make it through the day. I explained my situation and that I was doing all I knew how to manage. Shortly after ending my prayer I heard a voice say, "This would be a good time to use those relaxation techniques that you have been practicing." I was surprised by this answer. Those techniques were supposed to be used to help me when I was in labor and my baby wasn't due for 11 more days. Willing to try anything I followed the counsel and allowed my tense and painful back and body to relax. Almost instantly the pain lessened to a very dull back ache. I was able to eat my lunch and then return to work. As the day progressed I would work until I could feel the pain intensify and then I would stop and relax and breath. About 7 pm I realized that I could time the surges (for they were no longer painful contractions) every 5 minutes a part. This was great because I could relax just before the surge would start and practically avoid the pain that threatened to come. Somewhere I had the presence of mind to have Kevin come pick me up so that I wasn't trying to drive through the surges (I figured that having to pull over about every 4 minutes would be a hard way to get home). I finished work about 8 pm and Kevin found a ride to come get me.
On the way home we stopped and bought me some dinner to eat (so glad we did that because I wasn't in a mood to eat the rest of the labor and when all was done I was starving!) and stopped at the store to purchase some snacks (I ate dinner in the car while Kevin did the shopping). Once home we read scriptures and packed a hospital bag. The surges were about every 3 minutes apart now, and I was having trouble walking, so we headed to the hospital. The nurse that we were assigned was an angel in disguise. We had not been able to tell anyone our preference for a natural birth before being ushered into a room. After the exam and being admited, she sat down with us and read over our birth plan. We were overjoyed to learn that she had helped in several natural births and had worked with many HypnoBirthing couples. She was amazing and very supportive. Our next nurse was a similar story, and the third nurse as supportive even though she didn't have much experience with HypnoBirthing. Through the several hours of labor Kevin was always at my side reminding me to relax and breathe. He would read over the scripts we had practiced, as well as making up his own scripts. He told me I was beautiful, that I was made to give birth, and that he loved me. Even though I labored for several hours, I wasn't in pain (except for the added intensity of the back labor), I wasn't afraid, and I really had little concept of time. The moments were peaceful and spiritual in that hospital room.
I had been dilated to 8 cm for several hours without further progression. The nurse and my doctor kept asking if they could release my membranes (break the waters). I knew that once that happened thing could get vey intense. I had been laboring very well up to that point. I prayed after each time they asked and felt like I needed more time. After about 4 hours at 8 cm I felt that it was right for them to release my membranes. I prayed that I would continue to labor well and have the strength I needed. Less than an hour later everthing became very intense and I knew that our baby was trying to come. Our daughter was born in the late morning of July 21. A beautiful, red-haired, perfect little girl. Holding her immediately after birth with Kevin right there with us was a truly beautiful experience. I could feel such love in that room. I could feel a little bit of what heaven feels like. I had felt Heavenly Father and other heavenly influences helping me through the most physically and spiritual intense moment of my life: giving birth. I could feel those same influences surround my little healthy family as we bonded together. It was amazing that I could feel so alive (and starving) after giving birth. Even though we had been up the entire night, Kevin and I were filled with energy to get to know our little girl.
I know that every birth is a miracle. Children are part of the great plan of our Heavenly Father. A plan aptly referred to as "The Plan of Happiness". I am so grateful for the many miracles that I witnessed on the night/day of my daughter's birth. She truly is "our miracle baby".
Today Kevin was talking with her and said, "Did you know that you are our miracle baby?" Her blue eyes were watching him as he continued, "There were a few times earlier this year that we thought we had lost you, and then when you had the cord around your neck that was scary too." I reflected back on those early moments in my pregnancy that had us so worried. "But you are here, you are happy, and you are healthy," he finished. It was a good reminder to me of how she really is our "miracle baby".
On July 20, 2015 I was sitting at work helpng with a major file audit. I'd had a backache that was progressively getting worse throughout the day. By lunch it was almost more than I could handle, but I knew that I couldn't go home. I was needed to assist in the audit. As I prayed over my lunch I asked Heavenly Father to help me make it through the day. I explained my situation and that I was doing all I knew how to manage. Shortly after ending my prayer I heard a voice say, "This would be a good time to use those relaxation techniques that you have been practicing." I was surprised by this answer. Those techniques were supposed to be used to help me when I was in labor and my baby wasn't due for 11 more days. Willing to try anything I followed the counsel and allowed my tense and painful back and body to relax. Almost instantly the pain lessened to a very dull back ache. I was able to eat my lunch and then return to work. As the day progressed I would work until I could feel the pain intensify and then I would stop and relax and breath. About 7 pm I realized that I could time the surges (for they were no longer painful contractions) every 5 minutes a part. This was great because I could relax just before the surge would start and practically avoid the pain that threatened to come. Somewhere I had the presence of mind to have Kevin come pick me up so that I wasn't trying to drive through the surges (I figured that having to pull over about every 4 minutes would be a hard way to get home). I finished work about 8 pm and Kevin found a ride to come get me.
On the way home we stopped and bought me some dinner to eat (so glad we did that because I wasn't in a mood to eat the rest of the labor and when all was done I was starving!) and stopped at the store to purchase some snacks (I ate dinner in the car while Kevin did the shopping). Once home we read scriptures and packed a hospital bag. The surges were about every 3 minutes apart now, and I was having trouble walking, so we headed to the hospital. The nurse that we were assigned was an angel in disguise. We had not been able to tell anyone our preference for a natural birth before being ushered into a room. After the exam and being admited, she sat down with us and read over our birth plan. We were overjoyed to learn that she had helped in several natural births and had worked with many HypnoBirthing couples. She was amazing and very supportive. Our next nurse was a similar story, and the third nurse as supportive even though she didn't have much experience with HypnoBirthing. Through the several hours of labor Kevin was always at my side reminding me to relax and breathe. He would read over the scripts we had practiced, as well as making up his own scripts. He told me I was beautiful, that I was made to give birth, and that he loved me. Even though I labored for several hours, I wasn't in pain (except for the added intensity of the back labor), I wasn't afraid, and I really had little concept of time. The moments were peaceful and spiritual in that hospital room.
I had been dilated to 8 cm for several hours without further progression. The nurse and my doctor kept asking if they could release my membranes (break the waters). I knew that once that happened thing could get vey intense. I had been laboring very well up to that point. I prayed after each time they asked and felt like I needed more time. After about 4 hours at 8 cm I felt that it was right for them to release my membranes. I prayed that I would continue to labor well and have the strength I needed. Less than an hour later everthing became very intense and I knew that our baby was trying to come. Our daughter was born in the late morning of July 21. A beautiful, red-haired, perfect little girl. Holding her immediately after birth with Kevin right there with us was a truly beautiful experience. I could feel such love in that room. I could feel a little bit of what heaven feels like. I had felt Heavenly Father and other heavenly influences helping me through the most physically and spiritual intense moment of my life: giving birth. I could feel those same influences surround my little healthy family as we bonded together. It was amazing that I could feel so alive (and starving) after giving birth. Even though we had been up the entire night, Kevin and I were filled with energy to get to know our little girl.
I know that every birth is a miracle. Children are part of the great plan of our Heavenly Father. A plan aptly referred to as "The Plan of Happiness". I am so grateful for the many miracles that I witnessed on the night/day of my daughter's birth. She truly is "our miracle baby".
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