Thursday, February 2, 2012

Still Waiting


Well, here we are, last night, heading to the hospital after being told to come on in. We got there around 6:30 and were told to head to the waiting room. I knew things were busy because of how crowded it was. Lots of people, lots of noise, lots of waiting. Not exactly how I'd envisioned starting off Elizabeth's induction. I was called back after about an hour and checked in, given a wrist band, told I'd be in room 308, but that I'd need to head back to the waiting room for a bit. After another hour of waiting, the charge nurse came and got me. She informed me that since we'd been called to come in, there had been a rush of women in active labor who had also come in. Every room had been taken, and she had a couple other ladies on their way who were pretty sure their water had broken. She said I was welcomed to stay in the waiting room, but with no end in sight, it would probably be better to just go home. She would call me as soon as a room became available and she was so very sorry that this was happening. I told her that I understood, this was labor and delivery, these things happen, right? Right. So, off we went, back home.

We left our hospital bags in the car, came in and enjoyed some time with our family (my parents and in laws are here, along with my sis and nephew!)and went to bed. At 5:30 am, the charge nurse called me to say that they were still packed and suggested that they put me on the list to be induced tonight. So, same drill as last night, call at 5:30 to make sure a bed is available, go in if so, and start the induction tonight.

So, yeah. Kind of an emotional roller coaster, but through all of this the Lord has been faithful to remind me that He is sovereign over all things, even when they seem messy and chaotic. His plan, His timing, they are perfect. I got to sleep in this morning and am now enjoying these scenes:


(My dad with my kids. Nothing better!)



(Mom and Sophia)



(Kisses for Grandma)



(play-dough time!)



(Maria in the kitchen, of course!)



(My sis and nephew!)

Not too shabby, and much more fun than the hospital waiting room. :) Not to mention, this is one more day that I get to keep Elizabeth safe inside. She's kicking and wiggling and hiccuping as usual, and I am once again so thankful for this time that I have with her.

I know that I keep saying this, but I am profoundly humbled by the prayers going up by so many. Truly, it's overwhelming and "thank you" seems like too trite a thing to say. But we are grateful. Deeply grateful for your love, prayers, support and encouragement. We feel it and we ask you to please continue, knowing that you will. Thank you.

40 comments:

  1. I don't know you, but saw a request for prayers on facebook. You're such an inspiration. Please know we'll be lifting you up all day today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much, that in the midst of everything you are taking time to keep us updated. I don't have words to express how blessed I have been by your humble and gracious spirit. May God continue to give you strength and courage as He upholds you with His loving hands. We continue to pray. --Debbie Wingenroth

    ReplyDelete
  3. We love you and are praying always!

    Becky Gamble

    ReplyDelete
  4. love those pictures of your family. continuing the prayers. we are honored to be praying for you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Leah & Onan,
    I know the Coca, Lopez and Attard families that attend Grace and have been following your blog since December. What a blessing you and your family are to me! God is absolutely pouring out His grace on you!! There's no way a human could have such a humble, servant-like approach that you have without God completely taking over of your body. It's evident that you love God with all of yor heart, soul and mind and that you are completely leaning on Him. You are glorifying Him waaay more than you realize just in your responses and are inspiring and challenging the people around you to be better followers of Christ...even those you don't know, like me! What an amazing family you are!! I am constantly in prayer for you and praising Him for showing His grace and love through you!
    Your sister in Christ,
    Elycia Seagrave

    ReplyDelete
  6. Leah, You have me crying with your strength and inspiration. I think of Proverbs 31 when I read your blog. I only know you from seeing you at Liberty U. I am praying for you from California and I am so encouraged by your faith. You are a noble woman and of great worth in the sight of God. Thank you for bringing God the glory through the rain. You are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Leah,
    I'm a friend of a friend of yours (the Elston's). I wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you this day. From the Book of Common Prayer, I pray that you & your husband be to each other "a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow and a companion in joy."

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are continuing to pray for you here in Lynchburg...many of your friends from around the world have requested prayer for you.

    Praying for grace and strength in this journey...

    “He does have surprising, secret purposes. I open a Bible, and His plans, startling, lie there barefaced. It’s hard to believe it, when I read it, and I have to come back to it many times, feel long across those words, make sure they are real. His love letter forever silences any doubts: “His secret purpose framed from the very beginning [is] to bring us to our full glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7 NEB).”
    ― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

    ReplyDelete
  9. I too do not know you but learned of your prayer request from a friends post! I have read your entire blog and find you to be an amazing mother and filled with such grace and peace! I will be praying for you in the days and moments ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Praying with you! Knowing that God is sovereign and grateful you are enjoying more squirms and hiccups! We love you and are praying for you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can't help but think there are so many more prayers than even yesterday for you now that is word has spread around so much. We are praying and so many others are too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Leah, I have never met you; I found your blog from a friend's facebook prayer request. I read your blog last night, in its entirety, and am still profoundly moved by your journey. I am thinking of you today, lifting up prayers for you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. We are friends of Aimee and Jay and are praying and will continue. I am so glad you are sharing this with everyone. You are such an encouragement and im sure that you are speaking to so many other women without even knowing it.
    Thank you for letting God use you during this hard time. Praying!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praying for you and your family today and many days to come. Accept the help from those who are there to support you and your husband. Remember to take care of yourself and let those around you to take care of everything else. In my prayers and thoughts!!

    Kristi Culp Talbot

    ReplyDelete
  15. Continuing to pray for you and your sweet babe! Your story and blog are traveling around the world. I've seen some of my friends repost your blog link on their FB pages and it will continue on to others. You have more praying for you than you know. And you are also more of an encouragement to us all than you know. Keep doing what you're already doing. You are a sweet smelling savor to the Lord, and I'm confident that He is pleased with you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Leah.. just came across your blog today. You are such a brave, bold witness to what it looks like to trust our Father!! I'm doing the Beth Moore study on James and we just watched her video last week where she spoke about joy and anguish, how they can coexist and trade places. And how anguish is meant to lead to a "birth". I know this whole process has to be very trying and I'm glad to see that you know He is with us through our trials and something precious is meant to come out of them. God bless you this day and the days to come!! Praying for you all!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is from Amy's neighbor, Julie, who Leah knows: Leah & Onan, we are continuing to pray for you and like everyone says you are an inspiration to us all. May God continue to shower you with his loving kindness and give you the strength you need right now. You are such a beautiful family and we are so glad we met you a few months ago! We love you & are praying for you!--Julie & Ricky

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't know you or your family but a request was made for prayer for you on FB. I read a little bit about you yesterday and you have been on my mind and in my prayers constantly today. I will continue to lift you all and especially your precious baby up to the Great Physician. May God's blessings be upon your family!!

    Jamie

    ReplyDelete
  19. Praying that God will bless this time that you have with your sweet little one. His timing is best. Thank you for sharing your testimony, and just praying for strength and for peace that passes all understanding...

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am humbled as I read your words. Your faith and trust and love to our Father in these moments ... praying for you and your family. May His presence blanket you xo

    ReplyDelete
  21. Leah, you don't know me, except I met you briefly at Liberty and I saw your blog on a friend's FB. I have been following your blog for a few months and have been praying for you ever since. You have been such an encouragement and inspiration to me as you show such strength and courage in this time. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  22. I saw a prayer request through Facebook and as I read your blog I noticed some of your pictures looked familiar. I realized I worked with your husband at Hiram. I am praying for your family and the days to come. Your strength is inspiring. God is doing great things with your family's story. I pray for comfort and his loving arms to embrace all of you during this time.
    Rene Howey

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Leah and Onan,
    Just saw on FB (as we have mutual friends) that you are now on the way to Kennestone to have your sweet girl. Going now to get on my face before God on your behalf. To God be the glory in this hard time. Much Love, Maria - your sister in the Lord

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dear Leah and Onan,
    What a comfort to know that our Father knows how all of the pieces of this puzzle will fit together perfectly. He chose you to be your baby's resting place for this time. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers, along with my friend Becca B., who alerted me this morning. Much love is coming your way, my sister and brother, be comforted. Peace in His Name, C.W.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Leah,
    I found your blog through mutual friends on facebook. Your dad was my principal while I attended Highlands Christian. I may not know you personally but I wanted to let you know you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers since last night. Your strength, faith and understanding are truly inspirational. God bless you and your precious baby girl. - Jessica Patriarch (Turcotte)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there,
    I also found your blog through a mutual friend on Facebook. I live in a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean and God has brought you to my heart to pray for. I am pregnant right now with my first child and can only imagine the things you must be thinking and feeling. I just wanted you to know that there are literally people praying all around the world for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I found your blog through a mutual facebook friend. I am thinking of you all and praying for you today. Many tears of joy and sorrow were shed for you and your precious family. Thank you for the beauty of your faith and for sharing your heart with us. God truly is glorified. <3

    ReplyDelete
  28. I was directed to your blog via the request to pray for you and Elizabeth Grace sent out from Rejoice Marriage Ministries, and have been praying for you today. May God grant the strength and peace you need as you walk this path for His glory.

    Sincerely,
    Another Becky in Lynchburg.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sweet Leah -
    Been praying for all of you. Praying for peace, strength in the midst of the sorrow. We love you and miss you on BBC. You are an amazing woman and I know that He is proud to have you as His child.
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  30. Philippians 4:7
    And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

    Leah,

    I've been following your story every since Becky was soliciting prayers for you & your family. Becky is a co-worker of mine, and was a roommate of your mother in college & she told me about your story a few days ago. Immediately, I prayed. I'm not sure of the end results, but I have continued praying! Above anything else...God is still God. You are such an amazing woman who recognizes that the Lord reigns even in the midst of sorrow. Because of your story, I am even more grateful for even the smallest things! Thank you for sharing your story! God bless.

    Evelyn T. Brown
    North Carolina

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello! very good friends, two years ago today lost their baby to the same condition as little Elizabeth. I hate that condition! Guess what her name is.... Hosanna Elizabeth! Sad and neat how they have the same name! I am so sorry for this roller coaster. But, I am thankful you know the Lord.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Leah, I had many comms classes with you, and we were in a Play together... You have been such an encouragement to my heart through all you've endured. You reflect the Lord in so many ways. I am inspired by your leaning on the Lord and trusting His will. I will continue to pray for the healing of your heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and faith through your blog. You and your family are loved by so many.
    love, Bethany Ramsey

    ReplyDelete
  33. We have never met, but I've been following your blog since a friend posted it on facebook. I have been praying for you and your family. My friend gave me the latest news last night and my heart has been so burdened for you. I will continue to pray for you for peace and strength during this time.

    ReplyDelete
  34. We havent met but Billy Alderson is my uncle and I saw your updates on his facebook page....I am so sorry and my family and church are praying for you up here in wisconsin.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Praying for super natural healing! Just spent an hour reading your blog. Found you through a fb friend.

    ReplyDelete
  36. As we faced this with our 1st grandson 5 years ago and our children choosing as you did to love their son every second possible before he was placed into the hands of Jesus, it was the strongest emotional empacting event of our lives. I have never been more honored than by the faith, courage and strength demonstrated by our children. Heb. 11:36-40 tells of people who believed to the end, "died in faith" and did not receive the 'promise'. They were commended by God for their faith higher than those who believed and received their promise. Those who believed and did not receive the promise, God said, "the world was not worthy of them" and that He had something better provided for them. In our limited understanding of this life and especially of the next life with God we simply do what these did, BELIEVE and believe every time because we can trust in God's plan even when it does not sometimes go just as we would desire. The desires are good especially when we hope for life; that is what this is all about. I do not know you but it certainly seems you have a great relationship with God and I pray that you are strengthened with His might in your inner man and that God's glory will reflect through your outer man to the praise of His glory in Christ Jesus. Amen. God Bless!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Leah,
    It's Debbie Wingenroth. Your dad made a very touching presentation last night during prayer meeting. Part of it consisted of thoughts that he had written down. He probably already shared this with you, but I thought it would be a great item to include in your blog. Just a suggestion...no offense if you don't care for the idea.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love your hardware choices. We've been thinking of changing to Smart locks. This is helpful. Thanks.

    https://www.doorhardware.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete