MY DAUGHTER!!

    This is filled with a lot of information.  But most of it is pretty important re: Renae.  AND for about 20 years she has been an occupational therapist.  So, here's info pieces from my life when the beginning of her birth.   
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     Renae's 46th birthday was last Friday, the 9th.  When I married her dad in Tacoma, WA, December 24, 1968, she entered my body 2 months later.  We were in Tacoma until April, '69.  Then, surprisingly to me, was heading to California.  I had no idea re: it, but my husband had never told me where we were going, but had to leave Tacoma.  I found out later that he was taking me to the city area where he'd been at as a kid.  However,  in that area he was in jail when he was very young... 6 years old... and in and out from then through his youth and teenage times.  He stole a car and hit the road to Idaho when he was 18. He met a lady and was married for a time there. 
     Amazingly, while in a very serious hospital situation in Tacoma, it was assumed he would die.  Well, things changed and he had come to the Lord in '67 shortly after he had thought of the Lord strongly when he was alive.  When he was taking me down towards California about 4 months after our marriage, he wanted to drop in to see his dad in San Mateo. His mother had died several years earlier of cancer and his oldest sister had been dead in a car situation in New York City when he was in his teens.  Even though his dad had never wanted any time with David, miraculously the dad accepted us and seemed to like me.  So, we stayed with him for a couple months, then went to Redwood City at an apartment.  Renae was truly on the way.
     The blessing for me was connected to a church...very strongly Presbyterian church in many ways, and filled strongly with worshiping the Lord through it and met a significant spiritual pile of "family".  David and I ended up with spiritual parents.  A huge blessing!
      Renae was born, October 9, 1969, at the hospital in Palo Alto, CA, Stanford University.  In the next few days, I ended up with some special issues and was taken back and forth after being home and the nurses and doctors thought I might die from serious issues in my body since the birth.  And, amazingly, I lived.
     So, Renae lived in California as a kid until she was 4-1/2,  then Omaha as a kid and until about 12 and back here when 14 and as an adult.  Just for a couple years in Edmond,Oklahoma, she was in her 8th and 9th grades. We had moved down there, b/c her dad was a wonderful roofer and that was a great place to be.  Seriousness occurred.  Then, because of my divorce situation, I returned back up to Omaha where we had lots of friends and she went to the same school she'd been at most of the time in this portion of Omaha and then graduated. And she has lived here most of the time.  After graduation she went to Tacoma to do a couple of jobs and spending time with my mom and sisters.  Then she went to the area of New Jersey to be a babysitter.  She returned to Omaha when she was 21, because she wanted to get married soon, and it happened.
     Anyhow, just wanted to show a few pictures as she was a kid.  Yes, she's 46, has 5 kids-- 2 boys and 3 girls-- and, through one of her daughters she has a grandson coming in a couple weeks. [And I'll be a great-grandma.  WOW!]

First photo and she was just a few days old.

Renae's Dedication at the Presbyterian Hospital when she was 2 months old.

 

First Day at School, September, '74, Omaha

Graduation, May, '86.  Me, her Step-dad, and her brother/my son, Steve.
  [OH, and BTW, I ended up marrying in May, '85, and her step-dad's name is much the same as her dad's was.  
Dad is David; Step-Dad is Dave.]

And the twins graduated this past May, their older brother graduated a year earlier, and the other sister and brother are moving into schools on a regular basis.  

STEVE IS 42 TODAY...IT'S A MIRACLE!!

And I have posted more than once about how he was born miraculously... not just from bodies, but from the encouragement for abortion from my doctors.  I'll put most of that in after this next bit of "miracle" news.

He is 42 today now.  I can't forget any of the situations that were piled on me for the 8 months of my pregnancy to his birth.  It was filled with scariness from the Doctors in the Redwood City, CA., area.

Tomorrow Dave and I are meeting Steve and his son, Dyllon, at our house.  Don't know where we'll go, what we'll do, but being with them counts significantly. 


And, again, here's the story of how he arrived...
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MY "ABORTION" MIRACLE

 
Every year when January 22nd hits, and the pro-choice and pro-life groups hit the news, I always want to stand up and holler, "LISTEN TO ME!!!!"
The key: My son was born on January 17th, 1973. Last week he turned 39. And it's a miracle he was born.

In the Spring, 1972, I became pregnant for the severaleth time. I had had at least two miscarriages in the previous two years, and, while driving home from church that Sunday afternoon, the pain began again; I was only 6 weeks pregnant. It was the exact feeling and timing of the other miscarriages. I went to a Doctor immediately on that Sunday afternoon, and after checking me, he suggested that I not have this baby, that I let "Nature" bring this to an end. He gave me some pills to take "whenever I felt that pain." At home, even when in pain, I didn't take any pills; I'm not a medicine-oriented person. What I discovered many months later was that the pills would not have relieved the pain, but would have caused a medical abortion.

 Occasionally, during the next several months, other doctors tried to convince me to let them bring the birth to an end. I was told that this baby would be a mental and physical vegetable, that I would always have to care for "it" and would never be free OR that the baby could die very soon and I would suffer from that death; "Mother Nature" had tried to free it "now."

Well, I refused. Can't say I wasn't frightened about what the results would be. In fact, I was terrified during the pregnancy, especially when I was forced to be in bed for about two months that summer and had this fear pouring through my heart and mind constantly. But, I knew it wasn't what God would want me to do, so I simply couldn't; sometimes I felt Him hold my hand and encourage me to stand in that rocky area. The baby's Dad, my former husband, basically just told me to do what I needed to do. Except for one spiritual Mom who gave me a Word when she could, I walked through this alone.

 [You must recall or know that in those days talking to a pastor about these physical issues was not reasonable, going to a counselor wasn't easy (especially since I couldn't afford it), and ultrasound wasn't a medical part of our lives. Life has most certainly changed now. I also had no family I could talk to.]

The baby was due on January 12. On the 16th, I was rushed to Stanford University for the delivery. Labor had kicked in early that evening. When the baby was being delivered, about 6:30 AM the 17th, the nurse asked if I wanted to look in the mirror so I could watch the baby come out. I was obviously more terrified than anyone, including me, knew it. I screamed, "NO!!!"

And then the baby came. And HE was not a vegetable. He looked exactly like his sister had who had arrived about 3 years earlier, he was an ounce heavier than she had been, and 1/2 inch longer  in length. That was all. Period.

I was in the hospital for a few days. Didn't know anything about the Roe v. Wade abortion approval, even though this picture was taken that very day, January 22nd.

 
In fact, I didn't know anything about that for some time; life was extremely stressful and my recovery took several months. Survival was my only focus then.

But to know that the Lord gave me a son at the same time that law came into being, and that He had helped me walk through those horrible times with very caring and concerned doctors, probably some of the most seriously compelled to do the best for me and the "fetus", still just fills my heart with appreciation for Him.  

Steve and Dyllon, 2 years ago on Steve's 40th B-day

Steve's sister, Renae, and his step-dad and I.

 

YES! MY GOD-JOB IS MY ONLY HOPE.

I AIN'T GORGEOUS LOOKING THAT DAY,

 FRIDAY, SEPT. 5TH,

... OR EVEN TODAY ...

BECAUSE I WAS NEARLY AWAKE FOR 39 HOURS

AND ON ALERT FOR 27 OF THEM, 

EVEN THOUGH I DOZED A BIT 

BEFORE THE BABY ARRIVED.

BUT I FEEL VERY BLESSED, 

ALTHOUGH STILL A BIT TIRED,

B/C KNOWING THE LORD USED ME TO HELP THE FAMILY

FILLS ME WITH REJOICING.

YES, I AM THE LORD'S SERVANT,

AND FILLED WITH JOYFULNESS TO SERVE HIM.

THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS.

HE IS ALL THAT COUNTS.

NOW, HITTING THE ROAD TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA,

AND WILL BE GONE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS TO

BE WITH MY DEAR FRIEND/"SISTER", SUSAN,

AND WILL WORSHIP AND PRAISE AND PRAY

DURING THE 9-ISH HOUR DRIVE TODAY.

I WILL HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT REST

FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THEN, WHEN I GET BACK, I CAN GO TO HOLD

MY NEW BHUTANESE BABY AGAIN.

THAT WILL BE A TREAT.

SUSAN AND I AND OUR FRIEND, LINDA.

ANOTHER BHUTANESE BABY!! SURPRISE!!

During the past 4 months, I have been involved with the birth time of a new baby boy.  As I've done a few times in the past 3 years, I go to one of our hospital areas and, with them connected from their family friends to a Dr. who is wonderful, just help them adjust and be encouraged.  I actually had no idea this was going to be dropped back into my life, since I hadn't been heavily involved with the baby birth time for nearly 1-1/2 years.  But I was asked again and I DID!!

Well, we did well while moving forward.  Originally, we were told that the birth time would be July 22.  Two weeks ago, since I had missed them twice that week during their Dr. time,  because I was at my own doctor because of my body situation, the dad, Nim, on Sunday, the 6th, told me it had been changed to July 16.  I was a little surprised, to say the least.

Last Monday, the 7th, we had our next meeting time, and as soon as Dr. B. had checked Aita, she said to us, "Come tomorrow and check in.  The little boy will come soon."  I was absolutely shocked and needed to adjust my whole thinking portion.  Other things on my plate that next couple days had to disappear.  Including my birthday on the 9th.  What a surprise, as I said before.

Tuesday afternoon I took Aita to the hospital and got her checked in.  Her sis-in-law came, also, who is a good translator.  Nim couldn't be there, because he happened to be taking a job interview at that time.  Anyhow, things just go on the process.

Tuesday night I slept on a couch in the room, but hardly ever had a consistent rest.  Too much medical noise and lights, etc.  Wednesday, I had another appointment for one of my other dear ones with the same doctor, right around noon.  After that was done, I went to lunch with a friend from church who wanted to give me a birthday lunch gift.  Then I was back at the hospital about 3.

That night, just as I was resting a bit, the birth instance suddenly came to pass about 11:00.  Since I'd been in this situation before, I knew we needed to move all the chairs and everything else into one portion of the room.  Then the nurses wouldn't have to do that part of the job.  They had lots of their own stuff to do to prep.  And it was coming quickly.

About 11:30, Dr. B. arrived.  Delivery issue began at 11:45, and, if the little boy had come quickly, it would have been my biggest birthday gift ever.  BUT it was 12:30-ish when Ashita came. 


The amazing thing, regarding me, is that until I had become  66 three years ago, and was dropped into helping in early August, I would never have done anything like this and never wanted to see directly when a baby would be born -- including my kids and grandkids.  Hugging quickly after, YES!  However, this time, in the past 3 years, holding, helping, and doing whatever the nurses and Dr. asked me to do, was my God-job, because things needed to be done during the baby's arrival.  And that is a whole new world for me.  And I've loved it!!!

Anyhow, I headed home at 1:30 and, since it took a little while for my exploding nerves to relax, I didn't get to bed until 3:00.  It took a couple days, basically until yesterday, for me to feel I am fine and not thoroughly exhausted.  Next 2 months I'll be in the same situation again, TWICE.  THEN, in early September, I'll take a break for a couple days, maybe drive outside of town to K.C. or OKC or Lincoln and be with a friend and just relax.  I LOVE what I'm doing that God is telling me to do.  That's the important part.

So, just couldn't NOT send this around and about to my blog friends and my dear ones.

And I happened to be rushing up to their place just as they had come home.  I. loved. it. and. them!!!

Our wonderful heavenly Father that truly helped this event.

BHUTANESE BABY, SOPHIA

This was QUITE a stretch of time.  I took Sarmila and Ranjit to Immanuel hospital at 5:30 on Tuesday afternoon.  The beginning of the baby's deliverance began that evening.  The Dr... an amazing one ... had indicated at our appointment the previous day that the labor needed to begin a few days earlier than December 2nd, the due date, because of what had been indicated during the ultrasound and checkup.

 I knew it would be a long time, at least one full night and day, but not sure beyond that.  Well, because of a pile of physical problems, I was awakened time after time after time.  They would holler for me and I would jump off the couch.  As a response, I held her hand, helped her change position, went out to the nursing area when a physical issue had hit unexpectedly, such as being way too hot, or whatever else was needed.  

By the end of Wednesday, the Dr. thought the baby's arrival could be during the night.  Sleeping became worse... less opportunity to rest, more and more problems.  And, the baby was not moving the right direction.  Sarmila is 4'7"... and the pregnancy put her body in a stressful situation as the little girl shifted from place to place.

Today, shortly before noon, we had reached the "pushing" process.  The Dr. came in to check her out carefully.  After about an hour of going through the pushing, we were given a short rest time.  After the process began again, within about 15 minutes the Doctor said there was no choice, but she needed a C-section.  And it became an emergency-oriented aspect.  She and the nurses moved quickly.   Within 10 minutes they were in the operating area.  And, sadly to me, I was left out.  Ranjit could be there, of course.

 
It wasn't very long before I heard the news.  The baby had come easily and WOULDN'T have made it without the C-section.  Sophia's head was too large and in the wrong direction and it was a dangerous situation. She also weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz.  Pretty large considering her mom's size.
 
After it was all over, and I was ready to head home so I could rest and be with my Sweetheart, I was able to gently touch and kiss Sarmila's cheek in her recovery room, and then see and hold Sophia... 

... and Ranjit carried everything of mine down to the parking lot for me, and thanked me several times for helping them, caring for them.

His words touched my heart. They were a joyous blessing.  

[The nurses and Doctor and other helpers in that department have said many times that they appreciate me, that I'm an unusual helper.  And, believe me, with my forever working office job life that has nothing to do with hospitals, doing these "baby delivery God-jobs" 6 times and being reasonably accurate in my actions is ONLY because of the Lord. (Sophia is Bhutanese baby number 6 in the past 15 months.)  Don't know if this is the end or not... depends only on the Lord.]

 

BISANT BORN... HALLELUJAH!!

As I posted about this yesterday, connected also to a First Responders event on Sunday, this birth was on my plate.  It finally occurred at 2:02 A.M. today.  This was the result of approximately 30 hours of labor.  It was one LONG and tiring event, for all of us.

For me, this is Bhutanese grandchild #5 -- a boy.  My heart is so surprised that the Lord dropped this "ministry/job" into my life.  I always say I am not a medically-oriented person. I would never have expected this new care-giving aspect, even though it entered my life about 16 months ago. One reason I'm continuing is because the Bhutanese are convinced that I will be their helper, and I am approached again when a baby is on the way.  So much has changed, too, and I sometimes have to laugh.  For instance, when I first began, during the delivery stretch, I was touching Mandira's hand and soothing her forehead, simply encouraging her.  NOW?  I'm holding their legs, pushing and pushing,  being very intense during the contractions, my arms and legs worn out from that delivery "exercise" pressure.  Even the nurses and doctor have become accustomed to my presence and ask me for more help during the whole labor and delivery process.  And I've begun to LOVE it!!!  WOW! ==

Yesterday, the time went quite well in some personal ways.  During those many hours of waiting and hanging out, Laxman and I talked about their cultural situations in Nepal, how they dealt with India and Bhutan, ways to adjust to our country aspects [cars, various types of insurance, taxes, jobs, how to move closer to the Lord with what's on our spiritual plate here].  His mom, Dil, was with us; a real treat and one of my favorite Bhutanese sisters.

I'm living in exhaustion today.  Not enough rest since Sunday morning.  Truly hope I sleep well tonight.

I'll show a few photos.  The last one was taken today when I went to the hospital to check in on them. I wanted to see how they are doing and how Bisant looks after being bathed and dressed.  One of my biggest joys is having a newborn child holding my finger.  Makes me grin.

Now I'll shut up and go away and you can see my dear ones... Laxman, Dumbari, Dil, and Bisant.

MY ALMOST V-J DAY

I was born July 9, 1945, in Portland, Oregon. I was actually a few weeks early. In those days, early birth was a real challenge and I was kept in the hospital for a couple extra weeks.


The first photos after birth were taken on August 1st.

Then, at one month, one day, the next photo was taken on August 10th.

The day before the photo, the atomic bombing had ended in Japan. And, depending on the historic opinion, V-J day occurred 4 days later.

I honestly don't know how quickly people received world-wide news in those days, so, even though my parents lived in an intense military part of our country on the west coast, they might not have known what was going on.

And then there was "me". Came at a right and wrong and stressful time, both involving family and world-wide history.

Today I was scanning photos from an album Mom had put together back in those "old days", and, when I saw the dates, it jumped in that I could toss the pics and tell people just how important it was to be born at that date and time.

Since salvation, I've grown to not doubt that the Lord's timing for my birth, earlier than doctor and parental expectation, was definitely His choice. And it reminds me often that I had begun my life at what has become one of my main mottoes, buried in my heart by Him:

Right place, Right time.

[AND, this is my first official photographic personality identification.]