Birthing grounds and a bit of nostalgia

fourteen years ago right now, I was beginning to labor in this pile of rubble.

Well, not really but yeah kinda.


David and I were "dorm parents" at Indianapolis Baptist Temple. We had one college student at the time. We were also the guest house for visiting speakers, missionaries, or down and out pastors. We had one down and out pastor and his wife, 2 kids with us at this time as well. they were a bit, um, "different" and that's all I'll say, just in case anyone reads this. he will remain unnamed. but he was slightly creepy. "Praise the Lord", "Hallelujah" to everything you'd say..."Hi Pastor such and such...i have a toothache today" "Welp, Praise the Lord!!" yeah, that kind of thing. rabbit trail, sorry. This is the dorm...when the IBT buildings were taken from them back in the early new millenium, this is what they did to my old home. kinda sad, huh? It was a junk heap but it was my home. mice, old furniture, and all! I had my first two sons in this place. sniff. sniff.


Will's labor progressed pretty steadily for a first timer. by four p.m. I was at 4 cm and hitting that transitional time, when you feel like a caged, wildebeest, wondering just exactly what is happening with your body. so weird. so unique.


My midwife, Mary Ann, sent her apprentice down to me since she was in the middle of something...Elizabeth got there in time to do her first solo delivery. What an experience. i can still remember all the little details of that night...how warm it was for mid-October, how many people could fit into our small room, how my life was never ever going to be the same, what am i supposed to do with this small person again? You, trust me, Lord? O dear.

Psalm 139:17: How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Thanks for letting me get all sappy on ya. I just can't believe that Will isn't this age anymore. I should've sniffed his head more and taken more pictures.

He was amazingly bright and beautiful. such an interesting combination of David and I (I'm bright, D. is beautiful). the front desk lady at the orthodontist said Will looked "just like" me...isn't THAT funny? maybe it's the zits. or the flowing locks. or my snaggletooth, lock-jaw! I dunno.