Memorial Box Monday--Words from my Granny

I've had this post rolling around in my head for over a week, and was further encouraged to share when I learned of another's heart ache. Today, when I told the girls I was going to share a story with them at bedtime, their questions encouraged me even more. They wondered if they would be part of the story.

This Memorial Box story begins when Stan and I had been married just four years. Stan had ALWAYS wanted children. I was the spouse who said, "Wait." I wanted to finish college first.

We were finally expecting our first baby.

He was excited.

I was, too.



Six weeks into my pregnancy, I began spotting.



After five days of bed rest, I miscarried.



I was grief-stricken.



Another of those stories, before there were cell phones. Stan was driving a truck, and I had no way to reach him. I had to wait ALL day long for him to come so I could tell him. Devastated and heart broken, I had my cousin who had been staying with me make several phone calls. I sent word that I did NOT want to see anyone. I only wanted to talk to Stan.


Hours went by.


Sometime in the afternoon, I heard a car drive up. I hoped it was Stan, but it was my Granny. And, I admit, I was ANGRY. I did NOT want to see anyone, not even her. I went to the door anyway, and I don't know what she read in my face.

But, here is what she had to say:

"Robbie, I'm sorry. I've waited as long as I can wait. I have to tell you something. I've been thinking all day. I have to tell you....if I hadn't lost my first baby, I wouldn't have had your daddy."

Let those words sink in.......

No Daddy, no me....

And, had I not miscarried, I would not have found myself pregnant three months later with this beautiful baby.

And, she would not have grown into this beautiful girl

This beautiful girl who encouraged us, and prayed for a baby sister....from China...

And, this baby girl would grow



and ask for a baby sister.


And, the more I pondered those words from my Granny, the more I thought of God's sovereign plan for our family. I remembered that Caleb and I both nearly died in child birth. Fifty-percent of all mothers with the complications I had don't live. Fifty-percent of all babies don't make it either. Statistically, one of us shouldn't be here. But, God had a plan for this darling.




He knew that the baby born to this mother....



was one day going to be without a mother. God knew that Caleb needed to be here to be Brandon's friend, so he could place Brandon in our family.



So, in our Memorial Box, I am placing this



I want my children to know that God knew them in their mothers' wombs. He knew the plans he had for them. He planned to give them a future and a hope. He chose the perfect time and the perfect place for their birth. He chose the paths they would take to become a part of our family.

And, that plan is PERFECT!