RG's Birth Story: Joyce's rendition

September 9, 2011 (7:53PM CST)


Dear Ruthie Grayce,

It’s so funny that there’s already so much to say to sweet girl. Your first name was fuzzy. Then Fuzzette, then Ruthie Grayce. I don’t know you yet – none of us do, but something tells me that Ruthie Grayce is the perfect name for you. The journey to meeting you has been quiet an adventure. It’s been one that has had many people before the Throne of God Almighty. There are so many reasons why I already love you, but that fact you in your short existence have drawn so many closer to God is a huge one. You’ve also given your little family the opportunity to experience community in its richest form – through service. You see little Miss, you will have no recollection of these days in your momma’s belly, but this season has been engraved in our minds forever.

About 10 weeks before it was safe for you to make your arrival, you have been showing signs of wanting to come out! Your mom has been dealing with symptoms of pre-term labor for a long time. Because of this, she was on modified bed rest for several weeks. It has affected every person in your family. Your daddy had to take on momma roles while continuing to tend to his daddy responsibilities. I’m sure it was tough for him, but he stepped up to the plate beautifully. Your big brother got to be “shipped off” to different adventures daily. At first it may have been difficult for him, but eventually, I think he loved all the fun things he got to do! Your Mor Mor, Lolly and Tita Mandy got to spend their summer break hanging with your big bro and loving on your momma. That’s just the beginning…there were numerous people that took Noah for playdates, brought food over, came to clean, and more. The coolest thing, though, has been watching people rally around your family in prayer. People have been so eager to lift up you and your momma so that you would “cook” as long as you needed to in your momma’s belly and both of you would be safe. Your momma was even given a poster board of scriptures to lift her up in this time from perfect strangers that work with your Tita Mandy. Now that, little one, is just amazing!

Currently it’s about 8:30pm in Texas and your momma is experiencing contractions 5-6 minutes apart. It’s wild to think you may actually be here soon. During this whole pregnancy, your mom has claimed Hebrews 12:1-2. It says, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it’s shame sat down at the right hand of God .” Ruthie Grayce, that scripture has come to life through your little life.

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses

Your daddy and momma are surrounded by an incredible cloud of witnesses. They have an incredibly strong family who have faith in God Almighty. Another part of their “great cloud of witnesses” is the church you are being born into. The community there is God-fearing, selfless, and faithful prayer warriors for one another.

let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us

Your momma has been diligent throughout this whole pregnancy to not allow her mind, heart or spirit to be bogged down. She has been disciplined in her mind to not allow things to deter her from the plan God had for her. She embraced His will through this journey so beautifully! She has been before the Lord asking Him to shape her perspective. She’s experienced His Peace in ways that she never expected.

let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us.

Perseverance has definitely characterized this pregnancy. Early pregnancy was difficult as she was often nauseous. She was still nursing your big brother, so she had to learn early on the sacrifices of caring for two children quickly. There was a season where your mom was frustrated that working out was a challenge. She wanted to be able to have good work outs regularly and wasn’t able to. Just a few short weeks after sharing that with me, she was put on bedrest. She faced that reality gracefully before her Lord and ran the bedrest stage stretch of pregnancy with an incredible attitude. Now in the final days of pregnancy she is delighting in having you in the womb. She’s done so many craft products preparing for you. She’s filled her freezer with food to provide good home cooked meals during this season of transition to a larger family because she won’t be able to cook for a while. She has persevered beautifully in each season of pregnancy!

September 10, 2011 (2:08am CST)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it’s shame sat down at the right hand of God .

This is the part of the scripture that first drew your mom to this verse. Your momma longed to share in Jesus’s sufferings by enduring the pain of labor because of the joy set before her in having you baby girl! She has fixed her eyes on Jesus so incredibly diligently. If there was ever a day she was discouraged or in a “funk” (as she likes to call them), she ran to the Throne of Grace and laid there before her Lord. As our Gracious Father does He grounded her and gave her Peace over and over again. Your momma has lived this scripture and it has sharpened her tremendously in awaiting your arrival!

It’s now 2 in the morning and your momma is confident she is in active labor. I just spoke with her and she sounds awesome! Her voice is quiet and attentive as she concentrates in laboring for your arrival. She speaks in excitement, though her voice doesn’t sound excited. That’s the incredible oxymoron of labor sweet girl…. your momma’s heart is leaping from her chest in shear joy that you are making your way, but her body aches and groans as you make your way!

She will be calling Dr. Cindy her incredible midwife to let her know how she’s progressing. Dr. Cindy has been an incredible gift to your momma through this whole pregnancy. She’s been an incredible care taker as she’s navigated the waters of this tricky pregnancy, but more so than that, she’s been a friend, mentor, and sister to your momma. Time and time again, she has wisely counseled your momma to remain before the Throne of God wrestle out her difficulties with Him!

You, Ruthie Grayce, will be born in the comfort of your own home. You will be surrounded by those who love you. Many will be laboring with your momma in praying for your arrival! I just sent out an email to several of those women who have asked to be a part of your momma’s “gang” in lifting her and the birth team up. Your daddy will be a constant source of support and encouragement to your momma as he was in your brothers birth. Your grandparents will be pacing joyfully wondering what they can do to help. Your Tita Mandy will be a little busy bee either getting something done or praying for the labor. Gara will be snapping pictures to document this incredible experience for your family. She’ll be praying and supporting your momma every step of the way! I sweet Ruthie Grayce am wide awake on the other side of the country longing to be at your mommas side, but so thankful that I can be a big part of this labor in praying. For your momma – that’s really her biggest desire is for people to be praying. This is what makes your arrival so powerfully miraculous. The Power of God, will carry you from your momma’s womb. Because your momma has been intentional about asking Him, we will get to see that power in the most tangible way through prayer!
9/10/11 4:54AM CST
“9/10/11 would be a really cool birth date!” was one of the first things your momma thought when she first learned of your due date. So here we are 5 in the morning on 9/10/11 and your momma’s getting ready to push. I was able to pray with her just a few minutes ago. When I asked how she was doing she said “Great!” God is so good Ruthie Grayce. For your momma to be great at this point is just a testament of God’s faithful hand. We are praying for your water to break. Everyone is so ready to meet you. Dr. Cindy says once your water breaks you will be here! Such excitement! I have gotten to skype! I got to see your momma in the birthing tub. Your daddy is standing next to her outside the tub coming to her side when she has contractions. Dr. Cindy is also at her side supporting her and monitoring. The house is full of people! Mor Mor, Lolly, Popsie, Tita Mandy, Gara, Maryn is sleeping (I think in your bed!!) Dr. Cindy and DonnaLynn, and of course your brother Noah! He’s woke up but is playing in his room! Daddy said he’ll need a nap. Dr. Cindy said, “We all will!” On other side of the country is your Uncle Aaron and Tita Joyce sitting by the computer. Your daddy and Uncle Aaron just talked on the phone. They share an incredible friendship. They’ve been friends for over 13 years now. Your momma and I are so thankful for the bond they share as and it serves as a foundation for the friendships our families share! We’re praying, waiting, and skyping as we can! I can’t rest, so I’m writing to you sweet one!

6:13AM CST
We just prayed that the Lord would break your water. The contraction immediately following that, you said you felt like you peed. Dr. Cindy said your fore tissue of your sac seems like it broke. The next contraction you said you felt like you peed more. This is within minutes of praying for your water to break. That, sweet girl, is the Lord’s faithfulness. In prayer we get to experience it!

6:34AM CST
Your momma is getting tired. Several of us read scriptures over her and encouraged her to remember the Lord’s faithfulness. We prayed that she would only hear God’s voice and that satan’s voice would not have any influence in your momma’s ears.

I can’t help but share with you about your daddy during a contraction. Your momma is standing up and with her arms around your dad’s neck. The contraction is about to begin. Your dad looks up at your Tita Mandy and gives this huge smurk smile. Your dad has this smile that a big laugh lurks underneath, but he holds it in. I don’t know what he was smiling at, but it was classic of your daddy. Your momma loves this smile and usually when she sees it she breaks out into laughter!
6:48AM CST
Your momma moved to the bed. Your daddy is on the bed with her and she is leaning up against him. We pray this will be a comfortable move and help her to progress well. Your momma is getting a bit discouraged. She is tired. We are praying God’s strength over her. Dr. Cindy checked her and they learned she was only at a 6/7. So she stopped pushing and is working on resting/relaxing through contractions.

8:15AM CST
Tita Mandy called me to talk with your momma for some encouragement.

Do not fear for I am with you. Do not look anxiously about your, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10

Your momma has claimed these promises over and over as she faced various fears throughout the pregnancy. We are claiming them for her again this morning praying that God would shatter any lies that tell her she can’t go on because she’s too tired. We are trusting God’s hand of help and strength. Come on Ruthie Grayce. Display the Lord’s glory!

11:10AM CST
You are born! I cannot give you any details as I was at the park with my boys. Your Tita Mandy called me. I heard they saw head and seconds later, I heard your cry. I cried. What a joy to hear you for the first time. Some else will have to fill you in on the details of the final three hours of labor, but I will say I am certain it was glorious!
Glorious Father I thank you so much that Ruthie Grayce has been born into a life surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I pray that over the course of her life, You will always provide for her a great cloud of witnesses to fellowship with and grow with. My she learn at an early age to throw off things that hinder her from the perfect plan you have for her. May she practice discipline in steering away from sin that will entangle her. May she see this modeled in the lives of her parents. May she have her eyes continuously fixed upon You Jesus as you have written and will perfect the story of her faith. May she be intimately connected with you that your joy would characterize her life. May she run with great intentionality and perseverance the race you have before her. Praise You for this little lady, born into this scripture. Through your powerful Spirit, I pray that she would live into it!
I love you dear little one!

~Your Tita Joyce 


xoxo,
~The Grant Gang