Last Updated on August 29, 2021 by admin
By: Abby Wilkey
In April, I gave birth to a precious baby girl. To say she was a complete surprise is an understatement. We didn’t know the gender and we had three sons at home. I just KNEW I was having a fourth baby boy. We also didn’t know she was a special needs baby.
Laying on the operating table, when they showed me the picture of my girl, was one of the scariest moments of my life.
Emmi was immediately transported to Scottish Rite NICU where she spent the first 38 days of her life.
Because of Covid regulations, I was a alone at the hospital, separated from my children, husband, family, and friends.
I might have been “alone,” but I absolutely wasn’t alone.
I see so clearly that Jesus was with me.
He never left me. He stayed close by my side.
He was there when they pulled her out, He was there when I saw the picture of her, and He was there when no one else was.
Once evaluated by Scottish Rite, Emmi was diagnosed with a broken femur, a broken humerus, breathing difficulties, obstructive sleep apnea, micrognathia, arthrogryposis, dislocated knees, dislocated hip, clubbed foot, torticollis, and swallowing dysfunction.
At only 3 weeks old, she had a lifesaving surgery to correct her sleep apnea and micrognathia. Surgically, they placed metal rods in her jaw that moved her jaw forward so her tongue would stop choking her. They had to crank these rods forward twice a day. It looked barbaric, but saved her life.
Emmi has overcome many odds in her life.
The Lord’s hand has been on her from conception – Satan tried to interfere. I got Covid while pregnant as well as had heavy bleeding one day where I thought I had miscarried.
Jesus got the final say
He still gets the final say with my miracle girl. No doctor, therapist, specialist, or surgeon gets to tell me what my girl can or can’t do.
My life now revolves around homeschooling my three sons (13, 11, 5), doctor appointments, therapy appointments, and home therapy with my girl.
33 was one of the hardest “years” of my life.
Scratch that.
It WAS the hardest year of my life.
Hard, but SO good.
At the end of a tremendous year, I can honestly say … it is well with my soul.
I’m NOT who I was when I celebrated my birthday last year. In fact, two days after I turned 33, I got news that rocked my “planned out” world.
Sigh
I was expecting another baby.
(I always wanted four kids. But I get debilitatingly sick when pregnant!)
Just when I felt like I had this mothering gig down. Just when I was feeling confident and organized in our homeschool journey. Just when I “had it all figured out”–
BAM!
Oh Jesus! Thank you!!!!
THANK YOU that You know what’s best for me and that Your ways and plans for me are higher than my own.
Thank You that You aren’t content to see me stay how I am, where I am. Thank You that You send trials bundled up in pure innocence, joy, and love to change me and shape me into the woman You desire I become.
This isn’t the first time You’ve used a baby to mold me.
I’ve matured, grown stronger, been humbled, faced trials I would have sworn I couldn’t survive–
realized I really have no control over my own life or those I love, let go of dreams, dreamt new ones, accepted ridiculous amounts of help, cried more than I ever have in my life, laughed and loved until I thought I would burst, counted my blessings a little more thoughtfully and intentionally, and leaned on the Lord like never before.
Despite the hardest year of my life, I can say, hands down, that I’ve also had the BEST year of my life.
Here’s to 34!
I don’t know what this year has in store for me or for my family. But! I do know the Lord will be right there with me.
Nothing that comes my way will surprise or shock Him. He will continue to be my strength and the lifter of my weary head.
Through this year, whatever may come my way, I ultimately pray that a watching world sees Jesus in me and that God receives glory through little ole me.
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