Thankfullest Thursday: Ten Thousand Blessings

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It’s been an eventful year, a full past couple of months. I could write volumes on the adventure of pre-eclampsia, of bedrest, of a NICU stay. I could try to list the events for which I’m thankful, the people for whom I’m thankful, the ways God has been faithful throughout – and I will, but I’m aware that I could never come close to listing them all. I’ve been blessed beyond belief, such that I could never come close to giving thanks enough.

As my husband prayed at breakfast this morning, we have so much to be thankful for – for material blessings, for relationships, but most of all for Christ.

This week I’m thankful…

…for a last vacation
My blood pressure was high, I was swelling, pre-eclampsia was imminent – and Daniel’s family had already scheduled a vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia. My midwife gave the okay for us to go – after giving a list of warning signs to send me directly to the nearest emergency room and instructing me that this was to be a true take-it-easy-curl-up-and-read-a-book vacation.

Thank you, God, for a restful vacation before our long hospitalization. For how my in-laws adjusted their plans to my restrictions, dietary and otherwise. For my husband pushing me around the sights in a wheelchair. For a whirlpool tub in our room. For pool time with my nieces. For my sister-in-law taking pictures so I didn’t miss any shots (and so there are actually pictures of me on vacation, albeit in a wheelchair). For being able to visit with my bloggy friend and her family. For Davene and Jeff and Josiah and David and Tobin and Shav and Moriah. For Davene’s dad taking my blood pressure.

…for excellent care of the pre-eclampsia
The appointments were already set up before my vacation – one on Monday with my midwife, one on Wednesday with our OB. Things went quickly once they got going. The visit with the midwife confirmed what I’d suspected, protein in my urine. The visit with the OB sent me to the hospital. Once in the hospital, I received excellent care from a maternal-fetal specialist (who also gave me advice on raising bees), a collection of residents, and some very caring nurses.

Thank you, God, for Deidre’s care – and that she knew when to refer me up. For ending up at St. Joseph. For expectant management from Dr. Wolfe. For all the caring nurses. For the unexpected surprise of being cared for by an old friend, now a medical resident. For the switch to a postpartum room for the majority of our stay. For food that was okay, served by staff who were friendly. For good books to pass the time. For an uncomplicated c-section.

…for a healthy daughter
Tirzah Mae breathed room air from the day she was born. She needed a few days of bili lights, but had no serious complications of prematurity at all. She received excellent care as well, from the many wonderful neonatalogists, nurse practitioners, and nurses at the NICU.

Thank you, God, for a one-minute Apgar of 7. For nurses who cared for Tirzah Mae faithfully and involved us in her care. For those who helped us breastfeed, who trained us and updated us. For those who appreciated our daughter and let us know how special she is. For the neonatalogist who reminded me that God answers prayer. To the lactation nurses who encouraged and supported us.

…for family and friends
I can’t list how much we’ve been blessed by e-mails, texts, Facebook messages, cards, offers of assistance, gifts, prayers. We have been blessed to have a wonderful community who loves and cares for us.

I wish I had something deeply profound to close with – and I could surely list a dozen spiritual blessings that are far more profound than any of these earthly things. I am truly thankful for Christ, for the cross, for reconciliation with God, for adoption into the family of God… the list can go on and on. But today, just today, even though I can list a thousand blessings, one thing especially causes my heart to overflow with thankfulness.

Today I am thankful to God that

OUR TIRZAH MAE IS HOME!!!!!

3 thoughts on “Thankfullest Thursday: Ten Thousand Blessings”

  1. Thanks so much for the sweet mention! :) I, too, have been so very grateful that you were able to sneak that vacation in right at the last minute before the universe shifted for you. :) My dad smiled when I told him at supper this evening that you mentioned him on your blog. :) He’s been following your progress, too–and that of Tirzah Mae! :)

    I am rejoicing with you at all the things you are thankful for! What precious gifts! :)

    Reply

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