Lucy's Antics an our Exciting Experience!

35 weeks

The picture to the left was taken a couple of days before our exciting experience, 2 Saturdays ago. Pastor was away teaching in the Ukraine so Scott was preaching all services, except Sunday night. After a wonderful week of Vacation Bible Time where the Lord blessed left and right, we went to a party for the VBT workers and had a great time. From there we headed to my sister-in-law's house for the baby shower from Scott's side of the family. They all pitched in and got us a crib!! Praise the Lord for His provision! We got home later that night and Scott's mom and grandmother came by to drop the crib off and stayed for a visit.
We headed to bed on Saturday night around 11PM...not so good considering Sunday morning comes bright and early, always with its set of extra challenges. What was even better was when I started feeling sick to my stomach and had to keep running back and forth to the bathroom...then my body began shaking uncontrollably...then the contractions started. I had Braxton Hicks contractions with Lucy but they never got longer, stronger, and closer together!! Only real contractions are supposed to do that! Once they got to be 7.5 minutes apart, we started making phone calls.
I called my Mum, who was definitely asleep, and said, "Hi, it's time. Can you come please? Ya, time for the baby. Can you come please?!" You'd think I never had a baby before! Haha. Then Scott called a pastor and woke him up asking him to teach Sunday School and preach both services the following day. Thankfully, he was happy to oblige! Then Scott called Mrs. Fosmark and asked her if she could teach my Sunday School class. We were planning to take her out to lunch too, but that didn't happen!
By the time we got to the hospital, the contractions had slowed down and then stopped. My doctor was on so I was very thankful! Scott went downstairs and got some treats from the hospital cafeteria around 2:30AM and we waited for some tests and to see if it was real. The doctor decided it was safe to send us home and that it was probably false labour. I called Mum from the hospital parking lot to let her know we were coming home, without a baby on the outside. She hadn't slept a wink anyway. Lucy was oblivious to the whole situation.
I felt very exhausted when we got home, but the next day I felt great! Turns out, the baby did flip (hopefully into position) and dropped considerably, very noticeably even! So once I caught back up on sleep, I had less heartburn, less aches and pains, more energy, didn't feel like every step was the biggest chore ever anymore! The Lord always provides the exact amount of strength and energy we need and we so don't deserve it! Scott slept for a couple hours early Sunday morning and then called the pastor to say that it had been false labour and he didn't need to fill in. Scott proceeded to go to church and teach and preach! Lucy and I slept, listened to a sermon online, and rested. She was a good girl for Mommy. :) We all went to evening service together.
Since then, my life has been easier physically and I almost feel like it might be ok if I have to wait another 3-4 weeks to have the baby out! :)
The Lord has been working in my heart about a few specific things lately that I need to change in my own life and has used some trials and tests to drive them home. I'm thankful! Do you ever wonder if people notice a difference in you when the Lord is changing you to become more like Him in some specific area? We are praying for revival and I say, Let it begin with me!

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"~Hebrews 12:11-15

I might have some haters, but I am so thankful for God's Word and His wisdom to deal with these people. I am also thankful for the advice of fellow Christians, advice that comes straight from God's Word, advice I can count on for that very reason. 

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."~II Timothy 3:12

My pastor's wife reminded me of that verse. I remember just a few weeks back when Pastor preached on how Christians suffer persecution. I wondered in my own heart, "Well, I'm not suffering persecution right now...should I be concerned?" Then when I started suffering persecution, I wondered in my heart, "Why is this happening, Lord? Why can't everyone just like me?" Is it conceited to claim this verse though? I guess not, since I am striving to "live godly in Christ Jesus".

Also, does anyone have any advice to stop this squealing? Is it a stage and, if so, when will it pass?