Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Other Side of Barrenness Part 3

I wanted to tell the rest of the story about my journey through to the Other Side of Barrenness. (Here's Part 1 and Part 2 if you'd like to read it to catch up.)

Actually this memoir is Chelsie's journey of faith through it all. She was 12.

Like I said in Part 2, about six months before I even got pregnant, Chels and her best friend began making baby items by faith. (By the way, Chels had never sewn before.) She would go over her friend's house every Wed. afternoon. At first they started small, making little bibs and such. Bear in mind that I did not know anything about this. I didn't have a clue.

They had been doing this, like I said, on and off for about 6 months. Then one evening while we were driving home, out of the blue she asked me if I was ever going to have another baby. She hadn't asked me that in a really long time, but the neat thing was that I actually thought I was pregnant but was just a few days short of taking a test to find out. So I was able to tell her, truthfully, "Oh, I'm sure one of these days"!

Now I'm going to take a little rabbit trail here and tell you how we told Chels, then I'll get back to the 'sewing'.

Several years before, Chels and I came upon the cutest, tiniest onesie at a garage sale. Just for the fun of it, I bought it and we called it our 'faith' outfit. I kept it in my nightstand, and every once in awhile she'd pull it out and hold it believing that someday she was going to be a sister.


When we confirmed that I was, indeed, pregnant, we told her that we wanted to give her an early birthday present (her BD was in 2 months), but she couldn't open it for 9 months (I was obviously further along, but we figured it would 'click' if we said 9 months). We thought for sure she'd 'get it'. The first thing she yells is "A puppy!" Of course, we cracked up. So I told her to go and look in my nightstand. The first thing she would touch would tell her the answer. She runs in, yanks open the drawer and starts rummaging through it like crazy. All the while, holding the little baby outfit in her hand!

We said, "Chels, STOP! What's in your hand?" She looks at her hand and saw the outfit. And the light came on! (The memory is still so vivid, I'm fighting back tears as I write!) She looks at me and says, "YOU'RE PREGNANT?! Is this a joke?" We said we would never joke about something like that. Then she grabbed both of us in a huge hug, sobbing. She would cry and hug us on and off for the rest of the day. She kept saying, "I'm going to be a sister, I'm going to be a sister". And the Lord showed her an important lesson in faith...


But, back to the sewing...

Now the girls began sewing in earnest. They made bigger bibs, 3 or 4 little newborn outfits, a cap and a beautiful quilt, all with the help of her friend's mother of course. At the same time, Chels was saving every penny. When my baby shower rolled around, a month before Grace was due, the first thing they did was have Chels and her friend roll in a brand-new Red Flyer wagon they had bought at Cracker Barrell loaded with all the little gifts they had made. I was so surprised. I seriously did not have a clue. Everyone knew about this 'project' but me!



It was not only Chelsie's faith that grew through this time, but she also developed perseverance, because she seriously did not enjoy sewing and doesn't to this day. Of course, she enjoyed the fruit of her labors. That meant even more to me. That she would keep plugging away doing something she really didn't enjoy doing without grumbling or complaining or even letting on, because she knew the joy it would bring to my heart, amazed me. And after all our tears quit gushing, the first thing she said when all was said and done was, "That's it for my Home Economics credit, right?! My funny girl!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
btw, That's our girls up in the banner pic.

It's All I'M A SISTER Good!

17 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading this so much! I didn't know about all this before. What a sweet thing for a daughter/sister to do! My oldest was 12 when she became a sister (via adoption) and it was even more special after having to wait so long!

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  2. How blessed you are. Chels is blessed too. I'm an only child and always wanted a brother or sister. I enjoyed the story of faith.
    Charlotte

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  3. I really enjoyed reading ALL these parts just now, Brenda, and hearing your wonderful story or faith, trust and answered prayer. No wonder Chels is such a young woman of faith. Wonderful!!!!!
    Susan

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  4. O Brenda, that's such an awesome story. I got all teary-eyed reading it. How wonderful that the Lord taught Chelsea how to have faith in Him, and that faith will be with her for her lifetime. The love she has for Grace shows thru in the pics of them that you post. You are blessed indeed, to have two wonderful daughters.

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  5. I love when the Lord gives such powerful lessons in faith. It is something that will never leave with that kind of experience. Really nice.

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  6. How sweet of the girls to make such a special "seceret" gift for you. I'll bet Chelsie is the best big sister!

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  7. What a beautiful and inspiring story. I too wasn't aware of these things. I just love reading about these experiences.

    Thank you for the interview questions...I will be getting to them shortly. I've been doing a stretch of 12 hours shifts and will thankfully, be off after tonights shift.

    Blessings to you and your lovely family!

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  8. What an awesome story! I had tears in my eyes just reading about it!

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  9. What a sweet, sweet story.

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  10. Hi Brenda, thanks for sharing your great story with us.. sister love is wonderful and binding for life!!!

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  11. Hi Brenda
    I saw you over at Laurabo and I can't leave a post..I tried to find her email but there isn't one..
    I'm just wondering if she know we can't leave a post..or am I doing something wrong (:) LOL
    hugs, Patty
    http://laurabo.blogspot.com/

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  12. OK Lady, you made me cry.

    I love your family even more after reading this. Y'all sound so wonderful Brenda.

    Congratulations on having such a wonderful testimony to share for the Lord about FAITH and love.

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  13. Brenda, you asked me about Laurabo and how to contact her. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to contact her. I can't comment on her blog either. I don't know what the trouble is with that. If I learn any more, I'll be sure to let you know.

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  14. Hi Brenda,

    I'm only just now getting caught up on your blog. I really enjoyed reading all three parts in this series. What an incredible journey. Chelsie and Grace sound like such special girls!

    Great posts!

    I hope you're doing well. Have a great weekend!

    Sammy

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  15. That was a great story. How wonderful for you and for Chelsea. Isn't is amazng how God uses things to build our faith, trust and perservance in Him. And even more, when that something happens to be as precious as a baby sister. I pray that the sisterly bond will grow to be one of great importance in both of their lives. -Mr Blessings

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  16. That is a cool, wait, awesome story Brenda. I love it! So glad God added to you all. How's Chelsea doing in her new place?

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  17. It seems like you may have told me some of this back then Brenda but I sure didn't know how really special it all was (except of course I knew your long wait and hope for another baby). I adore the closeness of your family and am so very glad that Chelsie got to become a big sister. I can truly identify with her on that!!!

    love,
    reva

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Thanks for taking the time to visit with me. I enjoy your comments very much. :)