Beating Bed Rest

Bed rest. Those two words sound like heaven right now. Chasing after two toddler boys all day can be exhausting. So much so that even showering seems like a chore.

Rewind three years ago. I was 30 weeks along with my first son Luke and up until that point had a text book pregnancy. At my 30 week appt everything changed. I was put on strict bed rest until I hit the 36 week mark. That meant no walking, driving, shopping and even sitting up had to be done in moderation. I'll admit the first few days was nice. I caught up on emails, watched Netflix, and finished several books that I had started months before. But just like with anything else, every good thing must come to an end. I quickly started to feel isolated and depressed. I longed for trips to the grocery store and outings with friends. I remember talking to my dad on the phone and sobbing saying that this was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Ha! Little did I know what sleepless nights lie ahead of me.

Fast forward a year and I am pregnant with Jake and put on bed rest at 20 weeks. So I had a year old son and now bed rest again...I had surgery done early in the pregnancy that I thought would negate the chances of a second bout of bed rest, unfortunately that was not the case. I survived 13 weeks of bed rest. And it was completely worth every moment of it.

A few months ago, a friend approached me and asked if I would be willing to share my stories with her friend whom was writing a book about surviving bed rest. I never thought of myself having endured or doing anything different than what any other mom would do. In some ways I felt unworthy to share, because to me it was rather insignificant. But what God has taught me is that he takes experiences and makes them significant. So to be able to help someone else by sharing my testimony was extremely humbling.

If you know someone whom is on bed rest or you have experienced bed rest yourself, I urge you to pick up the book "Beating Bed Rest" by Angela Bickford. I love the way it is written, very witty yet, informative. I only wish I would have read this while on bed rest, instead of all the scary blogs and posts that fed into my constant paranoia.

As I was reading this book I was reminded that God has a plan for everything. Everything. Even if it means you are laying in bed for 3 months straight. :)

Blessings,

Rachel

Waiting On You Lord

It seems like whenever I catch up with a friend or family member, I am immediately asked "what's going on with the adoption?" I never know quite what to say, after all it is me whom set up specific deadlines for adoption process, something I tend to do because I am a task oriented person. The truth of the matter is, we are simply waiting. Not the waiting you might think though, we are not home study ready, nor do I expect a birth mother to come knocking at my door. We are simply waiting on The Lord's timing.

It seems like it would be so easy to wait on The Lord, but you see, I like to tell God when and how things are to happen...and He listens, all the while showing me His plans are always better. Always.

Why do I keep wanting to control my life?  I often  give God 90% of things, but struggle to give Him full reign of my life. I think it's because I'm a worrier. I worry about things five and ten years from now. I worry about almost everything from my parents, to where my kids will go to college. Forget the fact that they are still in diapers mind you.

I read a quote the other day explaining that to worry is to distrust God. If I truly believe that God has amazing plans for me, then wouldn't that be a huge relief, knowing that God has your whole life planned. Even as I type this I see how ridiculous it is to worry and how it does nothing but strip my life of joy.

Ever since God has placed adoption on my heart I have tried to give Him complete control. This is why right now I am simply waiting on His timing and His direction.

Thank you for all the prayers and support; they mean the world, especially since I am a worrier! :)