Trusting Again

Here is a another snugly photo of the babies. On the left is Maggie. Lizzie is on the right. Tommy, our 17 year old, is doing really well getting some great pics of these sweeties.
There have been many lessons learned in this season and I know there are more to come. One thing the Lord is showing me is that I can trust Him in others. Honestly, our family went through so much stuff over the last few years, we had really lost trust in people. God never commands that we trust people. However, He chooses to work in and move through people. The lesson...there really are individuals out there who are good and want to love unconditionally.

In the photo above is our 17 year old son Tommy. He has really been a little man in this time. Here he is reading to his younger siblings one of the evenings I was at the hospital with Maggie. I am so proud of him. He took care of all the children while I was in the hospital the first few days.

There has been a change for the good in our home...especially with the teenagers. Their hearts are more tender and they jump to help do anything we need assistance with.
Here is Heather holding Maggie.
Joshua with Lizzie.

Another lesson I learned is that God will move through anyone He chooses. Most of the time it happens through those we least expect. There is a purpose in that as the Lord wants us to know that it is ultimately His hand in action through the life of others. In addition, we can trust Him in people if we will keep an open heart. And if we are let down or disappointed in a person, He is great enough and good enough to take care of us anyway. He is good, good, good!!

When I was in the hospital, the Lord showed me that I had lost trust in others overall. I did not trust the doctors, nurses, and even those around me that I know. I was terrified of anesthesia, surgery, and amnios. I had all three and was forced to face all of these.

As the doctor was pulling the babies out, the anesthesiologist told me that I needed to trust them. I guess he somehow picked up on my fear and distrust even though I was quiet through the whole thing. However, I did tell him beforehand that he better not to let me die since I have 11 children that need me! I wonder how many times he has to listen to statements like that...bless his heart.

Looking back over it all, I see that the Lord took good care of me in the hospital those 8 days and He also protected our baby girls. He did mighty things through a wonderful staff at Chandler Regional Hospital. I also made some sweet new friends with a couple of the nurses there. I really felt like a queen there. One the sweet ladies on staff gave be massages. All of my nurses worked so hard to help me feel comfortable as I was so sick from the medication. And the NICU staff were so thoughtful and respectful to John and me. They also took excellent care of our little girls.

People that we do not even know have come out of the "wood work" to offer help. We have had meals everyday and help with child care. And to think I was worried about God's provision...Oh me of little faith! When will I ever learn that God comes through every time? When will I finally get it?

Thank you again precious people for sharing in our joy! I really do appreciate all of your support and encouragement during this time. Thanks for being a branch of God and for helping me to trust again.

Love, Blessings and Cheer!!

Ange

Two Gether Again!

Yesterday was a joy filled day. The sisters are reunited out of the womb! This morning we put the girls side by side and they immediately locked arms and turned toward each other.
Lizzie is on the left and Maggie is on the right. It was amazing to see these two little ones together! They seemed to recognize each other!

Here's Heather, Daniel and Joshua...they cannot seem to stay away from the babies...they are always wanting to hold them!
Here is one happy mom! Little Maggie is home at last! What a wonderful feeling. Maggie and Lizzie will be two weeks old tomorrow! Wow, how the time is flying!

This is me with my dear childhood friend and neighbor. She flew here last weekend from San Francisco to spend a week with us! Camille was such a blessing...she helped us in so many ways. I am so grateful to her for taking precious time away from her own family to minister to us in such a great time of need. Camille, you are a gift!

Just wanted to share some more joy with you all!

Love to all,

Ange

Maggie is Coming Home

Earlier this week I felt down and discouraged. The doctor had to put a feeding tube into Maggie as she was having trouble getting all of her caloric intake. She was also having drops in her heart rate. Immediately I sent out requests for prayer. There have been prayers offered all over the U.S from East to West. Wow! I am amazed. The day after I sent out prayer requests, I began to receive emails from so many to let us know that they were praying. At the end of the day, there was already vast improvement in Maggie's condition. She started getting hungrier and could not seem to get enough to eat. And thankfully there have been no more drops in her heart rate.

Today is Friday and we are bringing her home late this afternoon. She had to pass a car seat test. This is where the nurses put a preemie baby in the car seat for one hour to make sure she can tolerate it and the drive. Maggie passed with flying colors.

Well, it sure will be interesting to have both of these little tidbits home!! There is not much rest in store for us, but I am so excited to have them together again. Maybe they will sense and know they are together again as they really played together in my belly. The good thing is that Maggie can no longer sit on Lizzie or kick her. At least for now. Maggie seems to want to rule the roost...sorry Lizzie!! I just had to add this photo of Lizzie's head. She has not had one bad hair day yet!!! Next time I post, I will have many more photos! So keep checking back!!

Thank you all again for your continued prayers and kind words! You truly have been a blessing. Your prayers were answered speedily!!

Blessings and Love,

Ange

A Great Day, November 8th

Margaret Lindy. We call her Maggie.

Elizabeth Joyce. We call her Lizzie.

On my 45th birthday, I was admitted to the hospital for premature labor. I had gone for a regular check up and was planning to go to one of my favorite restaurants for my birthday dinner. I left the children at 4 p.m. and did not come home until 8 days later. I had a plan for this birth...but God had a different plan. Now that we are on the other side of this experience, I now realize that I would have had it no other way. I have been learning so much through this experience.

Lizzie and Maggie were born on November 8th! What an amazing birthday gift...I am stunned by God's goodness. The girls are premature as they were born at 33 weeks. Lizzie weighed 4 lbs 14 oz. Maggie weighed 5 lbs 6 ozs. I cannot comprehend how so much beauty can be wrapped in such tiny packages.

I have so much to share...so many stories about this season of our life. However, I will need to do it in small increments as not only am I tired,but very busy. Above are two photos taken in their first days of life. Maggie has had a much more difficult time and is still in NICU. Lizzie has been home for 4 days. Maggie is getting stronger by the day.



My time and heart have been divided over the last few days between having babies in two different places. I do not get much time with Maggie.

I try to do Kangaroo care with Maggie as much as possible. This is where you put the baby's bare skin up against your bare skin. Maggie is under my shirt here.

And of course we are so thrilled to have Lizzie home. She is such a quiet little girl...sleeps and eats well!

Well, this is all I can do today! I am exhausted but my heart is brimming over with joy. Check back soon for more details. I have so many testimonies to share! Thanks to all of you who have fervently prayed on behalf of these two sweeties. I so appreciate your kind and encouraging words you have left on my blog! And thank you also to those of you who have sent so many emails to let us know that we have been in your thoughts!!

Love and Blessings!

Ange