John David Pate-3years old

James Daniel Pate-3years old

Saturday, November 29, 2008

One of God's Angels

One of God's Angels came to see me this morning. She came in the form of a nurse. You may be asking yourself if I am just simply sleep deprived and losing my mind,actually that could be a possibility, however, let me give you the last 24 hours in a nut shell.
Yesterday morning, Baby A began having heart decelerations. This is common to see and isn't too worrisome unless a pattern persist or the baby's heart rate becomes dangerously low. At first, I thought, great we are only 5 days into this madness and we already have something to "worry" about. Throughout the day, the heart decelerations worsened. The doctor on call ordered the steroid shots, "just in case" and last night I spent two hours talking to the head neonatal intensive care doctor. Of course, during the conversation with the NICU doctor, they give you 100 more reasons to "worry". I did however really like this doctor and he ended our conversation with how doctors really are only able to do so much for these preemie babies, and the rest lies in God's hands. He even said, babies that are prayed for tend to do better. He said miracles happen around him all the time. I can't help but know this man believes in the power of our Mighty God.
Fast forward to midnight, I am preparing to go to sleep when all of a sudden the strong steady sound of a galloping horse (baby A's heart beat)begins to slow down (as it had earlier in the day) but this time it stayed down for a significant amount of time.Slowly it came back up and then immediately dropped again. The second time it dropped to 90 and very slowly crept back up to 110. Of course alarms started going off and my nurse rushed in here immediately. She had me turn and readjust my position, it didn't help. Then she began pushing around on my abdomen to arouse the baby and eventually the heart rate stabilized. Well, after a scare like that, drifting off into a deep sleep is the last thing on my agenda. This process continued several more times between 1am and 4am. Needless to say, there was NO sleep and ALOT of "worry" all night. So, here is where God sends me His angel.

6:00am Nurse Eva arrives. She can obviously tell I am a complete wreck of nerves and beyond exhaustion. After she talks to me about the course of events from yesterday and last night, she says, "Can I pray with you?" Her prayer was completely God speaking to me through her. I have no doubt about it. I wish you all could have been in the room with us. Purely amazing. She prayed the most amazing prayer of peace and of hope and faith in our Mighty God. She held my hands tightly, prayed so genuinely, cried with me and she had only introduced herself to me 5 minutes earlier. This woman was sent to me for a very real purpose. God sent her to reassure me that HE has it under control. I shouldn't have a reason to doubt that He doesn't. I felt the Holy Spirit in my room this morning, and God sent Eva to me at just the right time. He says, "Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged,for I am your God, I will protect you and hold you in My right hand" I know that worry is a lack of Faith and I don't' want my God to think that I don't have Faith. Please pray for me, I am so weak and powerless, He is so strong and powerful.

As always, I will never be able to thank everyone who is praying for us and our miracle babies. Please continue and make sure to thank GOD for what He has done already.

7 comments:

mosenrose said...

Hello Dana; this is your cousin Tommy and his wife Kelli. We are just finding out about the difficulties that you are having with the babies. I read the blogs that you have posted and how the nurses are praying with you. You are correct Dana the Lord will take care of you. We will keep you and the rest of your family in our prayers also. May the Lords perpetual light shine upon you and always know that you are loved.

Katy said...

I am so thankful that you are surrounded by wonderful people like nurse Eva! I know you have got to be exhausted, stressed, and worried, but your faith is constant and you are an inspiration to me and so many other people! We are sending up so many prayers, a few extra today for James and John David.

mosenrose said...

Dana,
YourDad and I wake every morning and go to sleep every night with you and babies, John David and James, in our thoughts and prayers. Please know also what an inspiration you have been and continue to be to not only us but every one we talk to. You are a very strong woman with tremendous faith! We know that you will get throuh this difficult time with grace and beauty. We have been thinking all day of a scripture that might give you a little lift, and thought the one below would be appropriate. I also found a quote of Kalhil Gibran's that touched my heart.

EPHESIANS 6:14--6:18


THE WORDS OF KAHLIL GIBRAN:

GOD HAS MADE MANY DOORS OPENING INTO TRUTH WHICH HE OPENS TO ALL WHO KNOCK UPON THEM WITH HANDS OF FAITH.

Know that we love you very much and are here for you.

All our love,
Dad and Rose

Amy said...

Your faith is so strong and it is such an inspiration to me. I am sure that Nurse Eva was sent to comfort you and remind you that God is with you always. I love you and I am praying for you, the girls, Rob, and John David and James.

Nancy Sims said...

Dana and Rob, I will write more later but for now I just wanted to share a verse to help through the nights. It's one of my many favorites and I've actually made good use of it myself here lately. Psalm 4:8 I will lie down in PEACE and sleep, for you along, O LORD, maketh me dwell in safety! Love you guys and can't wait to see you.

Amy Conn said...

Amazing story! So Glad God sent Eva your way...he knows our every need! Ignore the last email I sent to you about doing a caringbridge page for you (like cara's)...this works the same...I didn't know that...I am new to all this technology! Glad I can follow you here and send messages too!

Another verse for your wall: (you probably already have it:)--Isaiah 40:28-31
Love and Prayers from the Conns to the Pates! Amy

Trina said...

Rob and Dana, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, the boys, and your beautiful girls.

Trina