The Witness after my Trial

We welcomed our beautiful baby boy into our family on Monday.  Is there anything as precious as a newborn?  His birth experience was especially precious to me because Heavenly Father blessed me with an amazing faith-building opportunity.

Our plan was to birth our son at a local birth center.  I liked this out-of-hospital option and my husband appreciated the close proximity to the hospital in case of emergency.  During a 40-week visit to the clinic, the midwife informed us that if labor did not start by Sunday evening, we would have to birth at the hospital. You can bet I prayed hourly, sometimes more, for our baby to come by Sunday.  No such luck.  In one last desperate attempt to induce labor, I walked about one mile to and from a friend's birthday party.  Nothing.

So that night I prayed very fervently.  I learned from my faith study that Heavenly Father is able to grant our petitions according to our level of faith.  He cannot bless us more than we believe He can.  I knew that Heavenly Father could make a birth center birth possible.  I do not doubt his infinite power.  Where my faith was lacking was in my receiving of the miracle.  I understood for the first time how those in the scriptures might have felt when they pled to the Lord, "Help thou my unbelief."  I felt so inadequate, so helpless in this situation.  I knew Heavenly Father could make a birth center birth possible, but did I have enough faith to call down the blessing?  I tried.  I prayed and worked my faith to the best of my weak ability. 

We went to bed Sunday evening around 11pm.  I was resigned that it was not Heavenly Father's plan for me to birth at the birth center.  Perhaps there would be some emergency and it would be a blessing that we were at the hospital.  I cried Sunday night and my husband comforted me.

I woke up Monday morning of course needing to go to the bathroom.  After doing so, I stood up, and water gushed out of me.  My water had broken!  This was a new experience.  After cleaning up, I called the midwife to let her know.  She asked where we were planning to birth.  I stated that we were hoping to be at the birth center, but since I was 41 weeks this day, I didn't think that it was a possibility.  The midwife said that we could choose!!!  I of course chose the birth center and the rest is history. 

A miracle happened in my life!  It was no great miracle, but it was miraculous to me.  I went to bed Sunday night thinking there was no way that we could birth at the birth center.  I woke up Monday morning essentially in labor, and Heavenly Father put the best midwife in my path to make my desires possible. 

Ether 12:6 - And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith. (lds.org)