Saturday, March 21, 2009

Saturday Afternoon

It is Saturday afternoon and thankfully we are having a lazy, uneventful Saturday afternoon. It reminds me of what weekends were like before we had Reed. Brittany took a nap this afternoon and I watched the NCAA Tournament. Everyone is still doing fine...no news is good news.

It was just a few days ago that all this happened and everything is starting to calm down. It seems the shock of all this has worn off and we are experiencing the quiet before the storm begins (labor). Hopefully the storm is many weeks away.

I was talking to Brittany before she went to sleep and we talked about the one question that each of us had thought about but not actually talked about...Why is this happening?

We both came to one conclusion. We realized that God is using us and this experience to touch someone. We don't know who that person is and may never know. Maybe there is someone reading our blog that is not a believer. Every time I open our blog and read all the comments and prayers I can feel God's presence. Maybe there is a Nurse or Doctor here in the hospital that is not a believer. Many times the hospital staff has come in our room and we are reading the bible, listening to worship music, or talking about the incredible offers of kindness we have received from complete strangers.

I then realized that God is not only using us in this experience but he is also using everyone that reads or comments on this blog. This experience has already brought Brittany and I closer in our walk. I pray it does the same for you.

Please keep praying...Miracles can happen.

Beau

19 comments:

Nini and Pawpaw said...

I am proud of you, and you are right- I love you
Mom

SarahMerritt said...

I came by your blog from Bring the rain (Angie Smith's blog) I am going to pray your little guy stays put and things are boring for you in the next several weeks!
May you see a miracle!
Sarah

Penni said...

It goes without saying that we are praying like crazy for you guys. I look so forward to the days when you--like us--will have two little boys fighting over toys. I'm praying for angels on your bedposts and a peace that surpasses ALL understanding. Our God is a God of miracles, and I know that He's going to use this situation to show a lot of people exactly that! Just know that you are a constant in our prayers. Hugs from Bama!

sara blakeney said...

I'm always amazed at people who take these situations and realize the mighty act of God. Your sister and brother-in-law inspired me 20 months ago, and now you're doing the same! Thanks for having the faith that we all need to be reminded of in our hectic schedules. God certainly has a plan and I'm glad that we're involved in your walk...even if just as a reader of your blog, and a prayer partner. Keep the faith! God is good!
In Christ,
Sara Blakeney
(Kelly's friend)

Melody said...

Hi Brittany! I hope you are having a great day!

How awesome that you have a sister-in-law that created this blog for you- and a pretty background too! ;)

I am praying for you guys! I know it must be so hard being away from your little boy, but I pray your other little guy is getting big and strong in the process. :) I went back to the first few entries and stopped to pray for you- one of the things I prayed for was that God would heal your sac of waters so that infection won't even be an issue (this being before I read that you weren't leaking anymore). I will continue praying this! ANYTHING is possible with our God (if He can bring someone back from the dead, he surely can heal that sac of waters! LOL) I will be thinking of you and praying without ceasing!

Also- one more thing. I wanted to send you a little care package since you're stuck in the hospital all day- for a long time hopefully. ;) I see on the sidebar that you're at George Washington University Hospital- what room # can I put on there? I can just imagine how bored you get in that room! ;)

God bless you guys and I hope you have a wonderful visit with Reed!!

Love Melody (Southern CA)

vera said...

Saw your blog in a comment on Kelly's blog and wanted to let you know I'm praying for you, your sweet tiny baby, and Reed!

na said...

My prayers are with you tonight. My pastor shared this verse with me when my daughter was born with a very rare genetic disorder. Remember the One to whom we pray. He is in control. He is the healer of diseases. Pray against dark forces that will try to make you weak during this time. I know from experience that some university hospitals are not staffed by believers. Pray for God to send you excellent doctors and nurses. Trust your gut instincts. Listen to God.

God Bless & keep your family, Amy

Psalm 103 (King James Version)

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=103&version=9

James' Full House said...

Visiting and praying from Bring the Rain Blog. I'm an Alabamian as well, we live in Cullman. I'm also a L&D nurse. We have held off labor for many weeks before, so stayed positive and don't let all the neg things the Dr.s tell you get in the way. That is their job to tell you all the bad and ugly. God is in control of this pregnancy and has his hands on this baby. Trust him.
Brandi James

Unknown said...

I think of you guys constantly. I am so glad you have the blog so we can follow your progress. I miss y'all so much but rest in the fact that you are exactly where you need to be. God is so great!

Much Love and Prayers,
Lauren

Paul T. said...

Hey Brittany and Beau,
Keeping up with you every day. Praying all through the day. Tell Gaines to literally "Hang in there!!

Paul

Amber said...

Hi Brittany and Beau,
I live in the DC area (Alexandria) and would love to do anything you need or want right now. Please let me know if you need anything and I'm here for you. I'll definitely be praying though.

Ashley S said...

Hey! Just found your blog from Bring the Rain. I too live in Alabama (in Birmingham). My first child was born at 30 weeks and is now a healthy 4 year old now. With my second child, I stayed on hospital bedrest for 5 weeks; yes, it was horrible but so worth it in the end. I had pre-eclampsia and preterm labor. I was at Brookwood Medical Center in B'ham and I knew of several women who were there and their water had broken weeks before. However, I do know that they were not allowed to get out of bed for any reason, including using the restroom and showering. One woman was actually in the hospital for 10 weeks with no water. So, it can happen; I've seen it with my own eyes. While in the hospital, I had to send my 4year old to stay with my parents in North Alabama (100 miles away). Although it was very hard (on us mostly), he pulled through and once I got home, everything returned to normal. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Ellis Family said...

Maddie prayed for you tonight. She asked that God protect Aunt Brit and that Gaines please not be born with a canula like Kathryn. The innocence of a five year old, huh? We love you guys.

By the way, the fortune in my fortune cookie last night was that I would witness a miracle. No lie - ask Greg. God is even speaking to me through Chinese food. I know what miracle it was talking about.

Praying tonight as always.

Chris and Lindsey Sullivan said...

I found your blog through Bring the Rain and wanted to let you know that on January 3, 2007, my water broke at 22 weeks. I was pregnant with identical twin boys. I was in the hospital for six weeks, leaking fluid the entire time, but never went into labor. My baby boys were born at 28 weeks and miraculously survived. I will be praying for you. Lindsey

The Girls Mommy said...

I am one of the nurses that helped to care for Kathryn Ellis when she was in the NICU at Brookwood. I said a prayer for you today and will check back to see how I can specifically pray. I pray for no infection and no labor. I pray that your bag of waters will reseal and fill. I pray for his lungs, I pray for his heart, I pray for his brain, and I pray for his belly. God, most importantly, I pray that all of this is done for YOUR glory!

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.

dchumley said...

Hey Beau and Brittany,
Wow.....you guys are so loved and being prayed for by thousands and thousands of people. How awesome is that!!! I know you guys will be so overwhelmed with joy to see Reed soon too! We're praying for each of you daily as we think of you constantly. We pray that with each new day, Gaines grows stronger and stronger. We'll also be sending a care package soon ....any special requests??
Beau...that was an awesome "post" today. I think we all will have a closer walk with Christ through your family's experience. May God Bless you today and always!! Have a good peaceful night and we'll continue being one of your many prayer warriors throughout this journey!!!

The Chumleys
Donna, Randy and Chase :)

Mark 11:24 Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it and it will be yours.

Kelli said...

Yes miracles happen! God bless...thinking of you!

Kelli in Mobile

Mer Bear (: said...

I love you Brittany and Beau!!! I am definatley praying for my little cousin Gaines! Tell Aunt Babs that if she needs me to help her in the afternoons with Reed that I can. (That is, if he's coming back, i'm not sure.) But I love you and hope that you are feelin good Britt! ~Meredith~

Barclay Kathryn said...

I'm sure you've already touched several. : )