Seventeen Years Ago

Seventeen Years Ago Today
Kevin had was living with his parents in order to start working at the a church in the beautiful city. I was still in our former community as it would be 3 months before our house was sold. In the mean time Ryan continued in JK and I remained on staff at the church to complete our major Kid's midweek program. I was still on staff as the Children's Pastor. I was very pregnant with our third child - living several hours away was my husband.

The previous night I had run the weekly program with over 60 kids in it - one more week till it was completed - and two more weeks till our baby was due to be born. I went to bed that night asking God if our baby could PLEASE be born tomorrow - I had decided it would be great timing with every one's schedule.

The next morning I wake up with no heartburn - meaning the baby had dropped - so I decided it was time to get this show on the road. I walked Ryan to school and with Amanda in the stroller headed to Zellers to buy my new nightie for the hospital - that I would need later that day. All morning while Ryan was in school I pushed that stroller and walked as fast as my VERY pregnant body could go. Walking and gravity began to do their job by the time we all got home for lunch labour was well underway.

I called Kevin and he arrived 2 hours later. We dropped the kids off with some dear friends Dennis and Sharon... and headed to the hospital. By 5:35 that evening I was holding our baby boy. Derek weighed in at 10 lbs. 1 oz... thank God he was early. He was so big and healthy, and beautiful. I still remember that evening watching as Amanda (16 months old) squeezing her new baby brother and Ryan (4) gazing at Derek with pride in his eyes.

We all have our labor and birthing stories... I wonder how anyone who has seen the miracle of birth can question God's existence. Thank you God for Derek and the miracle of giving life.

Happy Birthday Derek. You are sunshine in our home - bring laughter to our belly's, and endless love in our hearts. I bless the gifts God has given you. May I as your parent never suppress who you are. I ask that God will grant me the courage and wisdom to never place limits on you BUT rather to bless and release you into the fulfillment of your personal and unique destiny. No LIMITS!!