Let's just start off with the fact that this baby was not a surprise. This baby is a blessing and answer to God's will (as are all children). I figured this was quite a fun story, so might as well share it!
Around the weekend of September 20th, 2013, I was having thoughts of "Hmm.. I wonder if I got pregnant, if we could still go to Field School in Mozambique, Africa?" Etc. etc. That Sunday, Dan and I were driving home to Dallas from Houston. He randomly started talking about everything I had just previously thought of that weekend. We both were curious if this was from the Lord. And of course like everything, we put it to prayer. That night we sat on our bed and asked God to speak to us about these thoughts. We quieted our minds, hearts, and focused on what Holy Spirit was saying. I received a picture from the story of Moses. All it was, was a wicker basket (like what Moses would have been in), in a river. I knew a baby was in it but did not see the baby. Dan asked if I had received anything and I shared the image I had. I did not ask him if he had received though. The next day comes along and around lunch, I decided to ask. He tells me that during the time of silence, he hears "I need him on the earth now." Dan is confused and thinking.. 'Okay, this is just my own thoughts because we really want to have a girl first (especially because my mother-in-law had all boys). Can't be God.' The voice got louder and more authorative and he felt the presence of God confirm to him. Once Dan told me this, I was way suspicious because we have heard a story of a teacher who had the same thing happen to him. It just didn't make sense in my natural reality. Dan went on to say that my picture confirmed to him about the fact of the baby being a boy (because Moses and Dan hearing 'him').
I truly struggled with these new thoughts racing through my mind. I was nervous and in disagreement with this word. Although, at the same time I was open to what the Lord might want to reveal. That day we were also in class and learning Hebrew which we had never gone over in that class. The second place my eyes wandered to was the word "TET." TET's picture is a "wicker basket" and means "life in the womb." I thought that was interesting because wicker basket = life in womb and the image I received was a baby in a wicker basket. Later, our teacher goes on to say that "Mother" in Hebrew means "Strong River." Getting a little weird now! Lets put it all together... Wicker Basket (life in the womb) in the Strong River (mother). Wicker basket in the strong river.. life in the mother! Buuuut... really??
We decide best thing to do at this point is ask for advice from our good friends who we could trust and who have children of their own. We explain all of this to them and ask if we are "over-spiritualizing?" They truly believed it was from the Lord and all of it was confirmation to His call. Also, that no matter what, in it being His will, that He would provide all things.
That night, we tell God, "Okay Lord, You know our situation and what we are feeling. We are going to put this into YOUR hands and our faith IN You. If we have this baby, we do, if not, we won't. Be Your will unto us." The next day, we grabbed a pregnancy test just to keep at our house whenever we felt we would need it. Two weeks go by and one Wednesday afternoon I felt impatience and anxiousness come upon me. It was the day of starting a two day water fast. I grabbed out a pregnancy test and decided to take it. A faint line indicating pregnancy appeared. I woke up Dan from an afternoon nap and asked what he thought. He said he believed I was and to take the other one we had. I did and it was even a darker faint line. (FYI: faint lines indicate pregnancy no matter what). This is unusual because one, I was only two weeks into pregnancy, and two, usually the HCG hormone (which is only in your body while pregnant) showed up at that time. The test suggested taking them in the morning and 5 days at the most before your missed period. Dan and I sure were excited and nervous. ((Thankfully we found this out so I didn't do the water fast which could have potentially hurt the baby... pretty good timing if you tell me)). We went to the store to buy a better brand and would try it the next morning. Sure enough, the next morning that pregnancy test had a good line on it. I then scheduled a Dr's appointment to confirm. I went and again, PREGNANT! WOOHOO! Be it unto us God! Such a glorious time in the Lord.
The day we went to the doctors, we filmed a "revealing" video to show to our family who was coming up that very night to Dallas. The day went on and work was terrible! A lot of stress with children and pressure on us. We went on a couples date night which was fun but when we got home, our day got harder. I was exhausted and the videos we made were not well done. So many technical problems and we had to re-take a scene about 3-4 times! The family didn't get to our home till midnight. We had to make up our minds to have a good attitude and embrace the joy coming ahead. Once the family arrived, we had them sit down and watch the video. They were SO excited about having a grandchild and a nephew. After the hard day was done with, we had peace and could rest.
We have been told quite a few times to be careful to say anything because it is "early" in the pregnancy and can result in miscarriages easier. Want to make sure it "sticks." NO! We rebuke and cast down such words. God told us what He wanted and His will has come forth.. we will not DOUBT what the Lord has done and be open to the LIES of the evil one! NO SIREE! We told everyone we could think of then posted it on "facebook" of course. People were glad and excited and it has been a great experience.
One day I leaned over to Dan randomly and told him, "Hey, just want you to know that I have made up my mind and decided that we are never going to lack. Okay?" I also went on to make up my mind that I am not going to be open to nausea and morning sickness. I will admit I have had queasiness but have not thrown up, glory to God! After a few exhausting and draining days, I was completely fatigued. I made up my mind yet again and commanded my body to line up with the Word of God and reminded myself of who I am in Christ and what the WORD says about me. Since that day, yes I have felt tired, but I have not felt fatigued and drained like those few days before I prayed. Power is in your words. Power is in your faith. I do NOT have to live in sickness and in an uncomfortable state, so why would I? Why settle for less then what the Lord says? I am in a NEW covenant, hallelujah!
This child is a WARRIOR and his momma is the same! We shall raise the child in the way he should go and he will NOT depart from it.
YAY GOD! Praise be to You Father! Glory to His name and His all sufficient plans.
My encouragement from this experience is... be in tune with Holy Spirit, be obedient to the Lord.. no matter what He asks, rather you understand it or not. Don't make hasty decisions without prayer and peace. Don't listen to what others tell you, contradictory of His Word and Will. Blessed are the ones who hear His voice and obey Him.
Much love to all!
