Well, this has been an exciting month. We praise The Lord for a healthy new member added to our family! With a scary entry into the world, baby Rauly and a healthy mama Tobreah are at home doing great. Praise The Lord!
Rauly's cord was wrapped around his neck and was choking him as he was being delivered. His heart rate was dropping from 165 to 40 and not really going back up. Due to the grace of God, quick acting doctors, and the parents' willingness to "Do whatever it took to bring that baby home," he was born a healthy 7lbs 4oz and 21 inches long at 2:09 on July 25, 2014 via emergency c-section. Praise God! Tobs is still a bit traumatized by this. After the craziness of Havah's pregnancy and delivery with Elisha and then a close church family lost their baby girl Paisley 4 months ago, losing Rauly seemed frighteningly close for a couple minutes. The reminders of the tragedy of losing Elisha and the miracle of Havah surviving felt all around us. As we heard that the baby was having a hard time, we all kicked into panic and prayer. My parents' stomach dropped for a minute after hearing a code being called out on the loud speaker as they waited for news after being sent out after the baby was having a heard time. I cried as we drove to the hospital and heard the sincere prayers for my sister and nephew's life from the mouths of my young sons. Havah heard her son repeat over and over that he had a 'good feeling about this baby' and he was 'pretty sure he'd be going home with auntie.' Then driving up Hospital Drive is such a mixture of so many great memories and the recently nightmarish ones.
Emotions can get a little 'rolly' around Hoag Hospital anyway now and as the 2 year anniversary of Elisha's birth and death approaches in a couple weeks it seems to be a stronger. So when that boy was born and we got a picture texted out to us in the waiting room, let me tell you, there were tears. Many tears of joy, of praise, relief, and healing. Then when we each got our chance to sneak a peek of my healthy sister and nephew, there were more tears. Happy tears and maybe a few heartbroken tears of what had happened 2 years ago, what happened 4 months ago, and what could have happened that day. Praise God that it was a great day of new beginnings. We appreciate all of your prayers and know that the success of Rauly's birth was in part to the loyalty of many of you in the prayer department.
We continue to ask for prayers as the trial of little Miss Sunshine's is approaching in the Fall. We pray that the absolute best for her will happen. We pray that there will be some ground taken soon. The grandma may try to get her but it's unclear if that will happen. The family really wants to adopt this sweetie and move forward but we'll see. In the meantime, she is growing and learning at a crazy rate! New words everyday and enjoying life. She loves to sing, pray, dance, bounce on the trampoline, and play with her big bro and sis. Her cousins love her so much and the thought of her not being in our family gives everyone a stomach and heartache.
Psalms 34:1-9, 17 & 18
Message version
1 I bless GOD
every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 2 I live and breathe GOD; if
things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy. 3 Join me in spreading the
news; together let’s get the word out. 4 GOD met me more than halfway, he freed
me from my anxious fears. 5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never
hide your feelings from him. 6 When I was desperate, I called out, and GOD got
me out of a tight spot. 7 GOD’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us
while we pray. 8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good
GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him. 9 Worship GOD if you want the best; worship
opens doors to all his goodness.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to
rescue you. 18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re
kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
