Tegshee Walker's Birth Story

Tegshee Walker was born on July 19 into Daddy's loving hands.  7 lbs. 6.5 oz.  21 inches long.  For those that like birth stories, his birth might best be told in pictures.  So, here you go:

My due date was officially July 31.  But, I knew the baby would be coming earlier.  I just had that feeling.

My Dad came to visit for a few days on July 15.  On the night of the 16th he took us all to the movies.  Throughout the movie, River kept wanting to nurse.  Which gave me intensely strong contractions.  I couldn't wait until that movie was over so we could get out of there!  I just wanted to lay down!

The net morning, July 17th, I woke up to water pouring out of me.  It was 6:40 AM.  I told Gana, we congratulated one another, we cleaned up and then I told my Dad.  Who called my mom.  Who called my sister.  Who loaded up the kids in the car.  And everyone got ready for a baby!

I called my midwife and friend who would be coming to the birth.  And I told everyone, "I am not yet in active labor.  So, don't fly here like your hair's on fire."  Did anyone listen to me?  No.  Everyone gets excited for babies in my family.  And I have been known to give birth before they arrived (Captain's 2.5 hours start to finish labor!), so they had good reason not to listen to me.

However....

After a breakfast of eggs and fish roe and a cup of coffee I decided to do some prenatal yoga just to get everything stretched and get some more consistent contractions going.

Saraa joined me.  Notice the chux pad to catch the water which flowed continually.  Things got going, rather slowly.  But, that's how I like it.  Peaceful and slow.  Time for visiting and talking about what the baby will be like, what we should name him or her and all that.  

But....maybe this was a bit too slow.  

12 hours into labor. 

Feeling a wee bit nauseated, hence the bowl.  Just in case.

Still you have to enjoy and laugh now and then.

The kids like to feel how the baby moves during contractions.

My sister feeding and entertaining the 11 children on the porch.

Grandma, waiting patiently for her 18th great grandchild

I took a shower to refresh myself.  Glancing at myself in the mirror I said, "Wow.  I really should have tweezed my eyebrows before I started labor."  Gana said, "That comment right there lets me know we've still got a long ways to go."

Keep calm and labor on, my friends.

Sometime late in the night I got the children to pray for me.  And Lucas blew his shofar!
Totally felt the presence of the Lord!

Things got quite intense during the night.  We thought for sure the baby would arrive before sunrise.  Meg was determined to stay awake the whole night.  Instead....

Yes, this is Meg, konked out in the co-sleeper.
My mom and Gana fell asleep at the foot of the bed.

Everyone fell asleep, including me!  In the morning Meg said, "Oh man!  I didn't make it all night!"  I said, "Don't worry, honey, neither did I!"

That second morning I was tired.  Just tired.  Not in pain.  Not really upset.  Just tired.  I put my head on Gana's shoulders and cried my eyes out.  After a few minutes I was all better.  And I had a little breakfast.

I asked my midwife for my first vaginal exam.  What was going on?!  She checked and I was about 5 cm dilated.  OK, that's nice.  She also said that the baby wasn't in the best position, slightly posterior.  

After my water being broken for 24 hours and my contractions totally spacing out and becoming mild again, we decided to bring in reinforcements!  NURSING THE TODDLER!

That got contractions really kicking along!  We thought for sure the baby would be born before the day was over. Yet.....

Here we are about 40 hours into labor.  Notice how many costume changes I've gone through!

My midwife, family and friends have the utmost patience.  They let me quietly labor and do whatever I wanted.  Bath.  Walk outside.  Nap.  Eat. Worship. Pray.  Nice to be around people who don't freak out when I burst out speaking in tongues and weeping to a Jason Upton song.  

On the second night of labor I sent all the children to bed.  No staying up watching me.  My mom and grandma went to bed.  Meg slept next to me on the floor of the bedroom.  The midwife and my friend slept in the living room.  Gana slept next to me in the bed.  When I needed to feel his strength I just reached out and touch him.  He didn't even have to wake up.  I just wanted to feel his strength near me and at the ready.  That helped me to stay calm.

I lay or sat on the bed in absolute silence.  I labored for hours in the night and into the morning.  By myself.  It was peaceful and calm.  My mind was often in a completely different place.  I wouldn't say I was delirious.  But, I was only sort of half-conscious and yet...somehow fully aware.  That makes no sense, I realize.  But it was exactly how it was.

About 5am I put on some Andrea Marie music and just relaxed into that peace.  

About 6am (nearly 48 hours after my water broke) I felt pushy.  So, I woke up Gana and asked him to get our midwife from the living room.  She came in, watched me through a couple contractions.  And I asked her to check me.  She did.

"You still have about 3 cm to go.  But your cervix is very soft."  

And in the next moment I said, "My body is pushing by itself."  She responded so calmly, something like, "I see that."  And Gana set about to fetch the rest of the family.  We had promised the kids and my mom that we wouldn't let them miss it!

But he didn't get a chance to reach everyone.  He had to just scream for everyone. (Thus confirming that I can't be trusted to tell people when to come to my births.)  I screamed for Gana.  "Gana!!!!!!"  He rushed to me.  And in one second stage contraction, I pushed out our baby, straight into Daddy's hands!  

There is a picture I can't really show you because it's totally not decent, but as the baby is coming out, I am laughing!  Yes, laughing!!!

The cord was tangled around his neck and body.  I unwrapped him myself and Gana put him on my stomach.  Then he said, "Meg, you owe be 10 bucks!"  Which she knew meant, "It's a boy!"

My Mommy, my baby and me

Me and my two nursing babies: Tegshee and River

The kids went with the midwife to examine the placenta and have a little science lesson.  Plus, using all the midwife's equipment to check one another out.

We knew we wanted to call him Tegshee, which is the Mongolian word for "Straight" as in the "straight and narrow."  But, all along the pregnancy we could not think of a middle name.  As I sat in the rocking chair with him when he was about an hour old, I suddenly said, "What about Walker?"  Thus the full meaning of his name would be, "One who walks straight."  

Right after that, my friend who was supporting me through labor said, "The verse for today is Deuteronomy 30:16, 'In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.'"

That settled it.  Tegshee Walker was his name!

Nana B, Del the midwife, and Tegshee

Grandma and Tegshee

We celebrated with a BIRTH-day cake:

Getting his first chiropractic adjustment at home with Tio.

The whole thing from water breaking to birth was just minutes shy of 48 hours.  But the whole thing was very peaceful, very calm, and pretty much painless.  It was work and it was exhausting, but it was beautiful.  I was surrounded by loving and supportive people, but was able to labor as I wanted--sometimes all alone, sometimes being very social.  And my baby was born into a total atmosphere of joy.

In fact, beginning the second day, Tegshee started laughing--out loud!--in his sleep.  So sweet!  He must have some beautiful dreams.  And that makes Mommy and Daddy so happy.

Religious Freedom In Every Sphere

Below is a letter I wrote on behalf of my dear friend and midwife, Brenda, who was arrested for exercising her faith as it applies to childbirth.  She has always felt it was her calling to assist women in birth.  She's a Traditional Christian (unlicensed) midwife, a fact that she has never hid.  In fact, she has openly advertised that fact, because there are those of us out there who are looking for just that--independent, religious centered birth on our own terms.  

We also started a petition on Brenda's behalf.  Even if home birth is not your thing, please sign it.  Even if you are not a Christian, please sign it.  At its core, it's not about home birth or theology.  It's about the essential right we all have to decide what we believe and how that is best lived out.  That is the right and responsibility of every individual (our "inalienable rights") and should not be infringed upon by the government.

SIGN HERE.

To Whom It May Concern:

            My name is Daja Gombojav.  I'm the mother of seven, all born at home.  In six of the seven labors I have been attended by Brenda Capps.  My husband, Gana, is seminary educated with a Master's Degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.  We have been missionaries and pastors in Mongolia.

            When we found out we were expecting our first child we specifically searched out a Christian midwife.  We were thrilled to be introduced to Brenda Capps and to learn she practiced under the Religious Exemption Clause.  We have always viewed birth as not only a spiritual, but a religious experience.  Only in the rare cases of emergencies is it a "medical" experience. 

           This understanding of birth as primarily religious can be found to span many, if not most religious thought and dogmas.  In Judaism, "A midwife’s role, among other things, is to encourage a birthing mother to "let go" and allow herself to become a conduit for this great Force to flow through. Trust in the natural process of labor and in a woman’s body to birth normally and safely is the hallmark of midwifery care. Every culture and religion has their own words and metaphors to describe their reverence and awe of this process. But for Jewish midwives, this reverence stems from an understanding that birth is G‑dly in nature. Their faith in birth is inexorably bound with their faith in G‑d." (Source)

            In Catholicism, birth is understood to be participating in the same creative power that took Eve from Adam's side.  St. Hildegard of Bingen, theologian and Doctor of the Church explains, "When birth is approaching, the vessel in which the child is enclosed is torn, and then comes the eternal energy that took Eve from Adam's side, and is present and turns upside-down all the corners of the shelter in the woman's body.  All the structures of the woman's body rush toward this energy, receive it and open up to it.  They do so until the child emerges.  Afterwards, they return to their previous state.  As the child emerges, its soul too feels the eternal energy that sent it, and meanwhile it rejoices." (St. Hildegard of Bingen in Causes and Cures)

            In Charismatic/Pentecostal Christian traditions, the belief that Jesus reversed the curse, thus lifting the pain of childbirth is in agreement with Romans 14:23 which says that anything not from faith is sin.  In a now classic Christian childbirth text, Supernatural Childbirth, author Jackie Mize writes, "When I refer to supernatural childbirth, I’m talking strictly about being able to conceive and to have babies with a pregnancy free from nausea, morning sickness, pain, moodiness, depression and without fear of any kind; then going through the entire labor without pain, and through the delivery without stitches and anesthetic. I’m talking about using the Word of God to overcome, change and make things better." (Supernatural Childbirth, Jackie Mize)

           In Reformed Christian traditions, the understanding of birth being religious extends to conception and pregnancy also.  God is seen as completely Sovereign.  He alone opens and closes the womb.  "Each time a human baby is born, another image bearer of God is brought into the world, thereby making each birth a very spiritual event.  Birth may be a commonly-occurring experience, but that does not make it common, mundane, or insignificant. It is miraculous. Isn't that how God is sometimes? Even His own son's coming to earth seemed "insignificant." A baby born in a stable to a poor family is far from the regalia appropriate for our Messiah, the Son of God.  It almost seems like He chooses to allow Himself to be "hidden" in the most obvious of places." (AboveRubies)

            For our family, we are always striving to live fully integrated lives where our faith informs every aspect of our day-in-and-day-out.  This includes our family planning (or lack thereof), pregnancy, birth, post-partum and the way we raise our children.  Because this is our outlook on family, we believe that childbirth is an expression of our faith.  It is not a medical event that should be managed by men. It is an act of the Sovereign God. 

            When planning for our births a few things are essential: We want to give birth in an atmosphere of faith, peace, and love.  We don't invite anyone who will bring fear, control, or worry.  Everyone present must be in agreement with our objectives of a birth without pain, fear, or intervention.  I want someone who will encourage me to surrender to the Power that is eternal and available.

            This is why we have chosen Brenda to attend us in childbirth six times.  The role she fills is not medical, it is spiritual.  She acts as a sort of guide between a woman and the innate power she has at her disposal to give birth.  Had Brenda not been practicing her art the way she has been, we would have searched out another Christian direct entry midwife.  If we were unable to find one we would have chosen to birth unattended.  That's how strongly we feel about our children not being born into a medical environment--whether that be at the hospital or recreated at home by a caregiver who doesn't truly trust birth.

            We count ourselves extremely blessed to live in a country and state where women have the choice to manage their reproduction according to their own conscience and religion.  We realize that many places the government tries to intervene to tell families how, when and where their children can/should be born.  We pray that California is not headed down that road.  It will be to the detriment to all of us.

            We stand wholeheartedly with Brenda Capps and her practice under the Religious Exemption Clause. 

Sincerely,

Daja Gombojav

Brenda and my sixth baby

If you believe in the First Amendment, if you value your Religious Freedom, if you think that parents should decide for themselves how, where, and with whom they birth their babies, PLEASE sign the petition and make your voice heard.

(Linked to Fight Back Friday, Best Post Of The Week, Simply Natural Saturdays)

The most politically controversial thing I've ever done....

In 1977 my pregnant mother sat in a courtroom in Santa Cruz as a judge ruled whether or not her naturopathic doctor had the legal right to attend women in birth at home.  The courtroom was filled with pregnant women.

See, Dr. Helmut Schlosser and his wife Veronica (who was a midwife), had a growing and thriving practice, catching babies in the homes of their clients.  They had such beautiful rates of unmedicated natural births that women would seek them out at a rate that worried the medical establishment.  And so Dr. Schlosser was charged in court.

Was it legal?  Could women really have babies at home?  Is it safe to give birth and not be attended by a surgeon?

The judge ruled no.  A supposed victory for the OB/GYNs who had instigated the investigation and charges.

But the judge did leave one caveat.  If you were a client and were close to your due date and could not find another doctor to attend you at this short notice you could continue with Dr. Schlosser.

So, my mother never looked for another doctor.  She birthed at home in Dr. Schlosser's patented birth chair just the way she wanted.  She didn't need a judge to decide for her what was good and right for her and her baby.

It was a boy.  My older brother.

Seven months later she found out she was pregnant with me.

What was a mama to do?  The home birth she loved was now illegal.

Well, not everything that is legal is right and everything that is right is not necessarily legal.

She called Dr. Schlosser and Veronica again.  And she birthed me at home.  Just the way she wanted.  On her own terms, listening to her own intuition.

But that was in the 70's.  Surely things have changed?

Home birth is on the rise in the United States to the tune of 20% since 2004!  So one might (naively) assume that home birth is accepted as a normal choice some women make.

Fast forward to 2001.  I needed a midwife.  Through the referral of a friend I found one.  She was everything we were looking for.  She was experienced and knowledgeable, comforting and mothering.  She was a woman of faith both in God and in birth.  She was also unlicensed, a fact she let us know at our first visit.  But, a fact I already knew from the woman who referred me.

Did it bother me that she was not licensed to attend births?  Well, given my history--that I was born into Dr. Schlosser's illegal hands--no!  I was not bothered by the fact.  Other factors were more important to me.

Born in a loving home surrounded by loving people

My daughter was born healthy and peacefully at home.  A year later so was my son.  Eighteen months after that we had another home birth by a midwife who was not governmentally authorized to be there in Mongolia.  Then back in the states two years later a son.  Then two years later another son.  Then two years later a daughter.  Then almost three years later another son.  All born just the way we wanted.  At home.  On our terms, according to our faith, and consistent with our own consciences.  In all the births that happened on U.S. soil, our original unlicensed direct entry, traditional Christian midwife supported us.  She has become part of our family.  We love her.  She's like my children's extra grandma.

It turns out that not that much has changed since the 70's, however.  On November 15, armed agents of the California Medical Board rushed into her home and arrested her at gun point.  Her crime?  Attending home births.  She was charged with "practicing medicine without a license."

Let's get something straight from the get-go:

I have the right to be attended in childbirth by whomever I want so long as that person does not misrepresent herself/himself to me.  If I want to be attended by an OB, a chiropractor, a nurse, a midwife, my grandmother or a witch doctor that is MY CHOICE.

Does this make sense to anyone:

California has some of the loosest abortion laws in the country.  I could choose to abort my baby up to 24 weeks in utero (that's viable, people!) with absolutely no restriction and not necessarily attended by a doctor or surgeon (a nurse, physicians assistant or other trained person will do).  That is completely LEGAL.  But if I want to give birth to a full-term healthy baby outside of a hospital that's a no-no.  That might be risky.

Wait, what?!

What happened to all this CHOICE?  How can I have the legal right to NOT carry a child but not the legal right to decide WHERE and HOW that child can be born?  It's as if making the choice to have a baby is the last choice we get to make.  After that one choice the California Medical Board wants to make the rest of the choices for us.

We heard so much in the last election cycle about a war on women.  There was a lot of rhetoric and spin and political merry-making going on.  Well, this is it, girls.  THIS is a war on women.  It's a blatant attack on our choices!  It's an attack on every woman--whether you choose to birth in a hospital with an obstetrician or at birth center with a midwife or unattended--just you and your spouse.  It is our right to make these choices.  Our rights as women, our rights as parents.

Of all the political ranting I've done over the years, with all the rallies and protests I've attended, with all the votes I've cast, it turns out that perhaps the most political thing I've ever done is to give birth to my seven children in my bedroom instead of in a hospital room, attended by a traditional Christian midwife instead of a surgeon.

Midwife attended home birth as a act of civil disobedience.  Who would've thought it?

If you agree, if you value your freedom, if you want the freedom to choose home birth and midwifery, consider helping my midwife by donating to her legal defense fund.




I'm hosting a silent auction with all proceeds going to Brenda's defense fund.  We have everything from photography to handmade fashions and beautiful crafts.  Check it out and bid on something!  Justice For Brenda.  You can help a truly noble woman and a critical cause and do a little Christmas shopping!!!

River Arvin

He's here!  He made his grand entrance on Monday, October 3rd.  Happy, healthy, and cute as can be!

Our five sons
Ihbeleg, Luc, Israel, Caesar and River

The quick stats are:

7lbs. 12 oz.  
21 inches long
11.5 hours of labor after bag of waters broke.
Weeks and weeks of pre-labor
28 minutes of pushing

For those who like birth stories, keep reading:

For weeks I'd been having prodromal labor.  Every night for weeks I'd go to bed having contractions and dream about going in labor, my water breaking, etc.  But, I'd wake up still pregnant.  I'd have such strong contractions that I'd seriously wonder, "hmmmm....should I call my mom?"

At the same time my grandmother, Grandma Della, (my dad's mom) was being taken care of by hospice. On Monday, September 19, my grandmother (my dad's mom) passed away.  Her funeral was the following Monday, the 25th.  The question was, "Should I go to the funeral or not?"  It was a good 4 hours from home.  I couldn't imagine missing my grandmother's funeral.  But, the thought of having the baby far away from home or in the car was not a pleasant prospect.  So, I sat down and had a talk with the baby in my belly.  "Listen my darling, I am as anxious to hold you as you are to arrive.  But, I need you to wait until at least Tuesday, OK.  We need to go say goodbye to Grandma Della."

On the morning of the funeral Gana put the birth kit in the car (just in case) and made the middle back seat into a bed for me, so I could just lay down and sleep the whole way.  Obedient child that he is, he waited.

My Dad decided that my mom better come home with me from the funeral.  So, Mom and Grandma Jones came home with us.  And then we waited.  And waited.  As much as I love being pregnant, I was ready to go into labor.  I was 71 pounds heavier than my non-pregnant weight, the baby had dropped and I was uncomfortable!  (Yes, you read that correctly.  I gained 71 pounds this pregnancy.  I did not gain it on junk food either.  I'm mildly proud of that.)

Six days passed.  On the evening of Sunday, October 2nd, I sat on the couch next to Gana with a bunch of markers.  We started writing on my belly messages for the baby and for labor.

Faith.


Hope.


Pain-free.


We love you.


Can't wait to meet you.


Perfect Timing.

I went to bed about 10pm.  At 3:15am or so I went to the bathroom for about the gazillionth time.  I got myself tucked back into bed when I felt a small pop--like the baby adjusting himself.  Then some water leaking.  I thought, "Oh, no. Do I have to pee AGAIN?!"  And then a great gush of water.  I nudged Gana.  "My water just broke."  He rolled over, kissed me and said, "Congratulations!"

We called my sister and the midwife.  Gana tidied up the room and lit the candles in our bedroom.

We went back to bed.  And I went back to sleep, with light contractions about 12 minutes apart or so.  Whenever I opened my eyes I could see the three candles burning.

Gana, Me, and River.  


Faith, Hope, and Love.  


The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

I woke up about 6am when the midwife arrived.  Contractions about 8-10 minutes apart.  I listened to Bethel's Be Lifted High on the ipod and relaxed back to sleep.

My song throughout pregnancy and labor was Deep Cries Out by Jesus Culture.

I've got a river of living water
A fountain that never will run dry
It's open Heavens You're releasing
And we will never be denied

Cause we're stirring up deep deep wells
We're stirring up deep deep waters
We're going to dance in the river, dance in the river
Cause we're stirring up deep deep wells
We're stirring up deep deep waters
We're going to jump in the river
Jump in the river and everybody singing now

Deep cries out to deep cries out to
Deep cries out to deep cries out to
So we cry out to, we cry out to, You Jesus

We're falling into deeper waters, calling out to You
We're walking into deeper waters, going after You

I woke about about an hour later with contractions about 7 minutes apart.  We spent the morning walking around the house, dancing a bit to the worship music--now blasting from the stereo, snacking on cereal, almonds, and toast.  My sister, her children, and my grandma arrived about 8am.  Contractions were getting progressively closer together and more intense, but not really painful.  I could still visit with them as I walked around in my very attractive muumuu   About noon or so I decided to take a shower, figuring it might be my last chance.

By 1pm or so I was on my bed and not going anywhere anymore.  The contractions were super intense and getting overwhelming.  Thankfully, I had my birth ball, my labor oil, my Gana and my Meggy with me.  I vocalized through each contractions and could talk between them.  Telling everyone, "Man, I'm just so hot."  Next minute I was too cold.  I had them hoppin' with cold wash cloths and heated rice bag!  My Meggy held my left hand, giving me sips of water and radiating empathy.  (How does a 10 year old girl know how to be the perfect doula?!  It's innate, I'm tellin' you!  Women know how to do this!)  Gana held my right hand and told me how great I was doing.  My midwife sat at the foot of the bed and my mom next to the bed, both with complete patience.  They hardly said anything, except that I could hear them quietly praying, mostly in tongues. (I love that.  I felt infused with faith.)

Meg and Me
We're a team.

About 2:15 or so I really started feeling pushy.  By 2:30 my body was doing it's full work!  Pushing, even without me.  But, it felt good to push, so I did.  I never had a vaginal exam.  As the contraction was gaining intensity they hurt.  But at their peak when the baby put the most pressure in the pelvis, it actually felt good.  And I told the midwife that between contractions.  "I love that feeling of fullness at the peak of contractions!  But, I don't care for the part leading up to it."  What a crazy analytic thought to have during labor!

When we knew that it would be any minute now we called all the kids.  My six children were there and my three year old niece.

After about 15 minutes of pushing, which to me felt like eternity (my second stages have thus far been very short) I reached down hoping to feel my baby's head.  At the peak of the contraction, even reaching inside I still couldn't feel it!  This just bummed me out!  I said--well, more like cried, "Why can't I feel the baby's head?!"  I'm sure I sounded like a desperate woman.  Or a child throwing a tantrum because they can't have the toy they want.

My midwife checked me for the first time.  She said, "Well, you have a little lip of cervix."  She gently lifted it.  I pushed and then I could feel the baby's head!  But, what else?  The midwife grabbed her flashlight.  What's that?  Fingers?  My little man was coming out with his fingers plastered to his head!  So that was what was slowing this thing down!  Little booger.

In a few more great pushes where I think I made some primal noises not heard in the civilized world anymore, he made his entrance!  It was 2:58pm.

We cried and laughed and he was on my chest.  In a matter of moments, without my help, he latched himself on and started nursing like he was starved and he hasn't stopped since!

At birth he weighed 7lbs 12oz.  At 8 days old the doctor weighed him at 10lbs.  That's what around-the-clock nursing will do.

We named him River Arvin.  Arvin (pronounced Arveen) is the Mongolian word for "plenty" or "bountiful."  The inspiration for his name is Psalms 36:8, "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fullness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures."

We are so blessed, drinking from the river of God's goodness towards us and enjoying all the abundant fullness of His house.

And the winner is.....

Using my super classy and techie method of writing numbers of scraps of paper and having one of the kids draw without looking, I've chosen a winner of our EMPOWERED BIRTH WEEK Carnival!

And the winner is......Mama K at Knifty News and Rants!  Congratulations!!!  Coincidentally, Mama K just gave birth to their third child a couple days ago! A lovely natural homebirth!  So proud of you, Mama K!

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES!  I love hearing birth stories.  Always little miracles.

"So, after that, Beaker and I started talking about the whole mystery of the incarnation....what it all comes down to is, what would it be like to be God almighty and to inspire those prophets to write all those great books and Moses to write those books and then to have to become a little boy and endure Hebrew school and listen to some rabbi rattle on about something that you wrote before he was ever born? What would it be like to be Christ? I mean, did He ever play ball? Did they ever knock a window out of somebody's house and did He ever have to explain to His dad that He had to borrow $12.00? So, we just started talking about what a weird thing it would be to be God and then to become flesh and then we also went on and just talked about what a weird thing to be nothing and then to become flesh. That at one time we were nothing and then we got here. And wasn't it great and aren't you glad that you were born?"  (Rich Mullins)

So, what did she win?  Well, I promised it would be something I thought was very cool.  I am sending Mama K her the book I am currently reading: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  This season of having a new baby (and two other wee ones underfoot) is a time to practice extreme gratefulness Voskamp style.  I know you will be inspired.  I am!  (If you already own this book, tell me quick and I'll substitute something else.)

Communion of Saints

Do you believe in the Communion of Saints?  It's the ninth article of Apostles' Creed, you know.  Yet, I don't think I really considered what it really meant until recent years.


The Apostles' Creed:

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.

6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

10. the forgiveness of sins,

11. the resurrection of the body,

12. and life everlasting.

Amen.

Maybe I thought it meant that only Christians can take Communion.  Perhaps I thought it meant that believers all over the world are one in Christ.  What I honestly never meditated on what it could really mean.


When I became a Christian I joined myself to Christ and His mystical body--the Church.  I am in full-communion with Christ, the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Death may sever my body from my soul temporarily, but it does not sever the communion of my soul with God.  I will be every bit as much joined to Christ at my death as I am in my life--when I am taking the Body and Blood on a Sunday morning.


And so, those who are in Christ are always in Christ.  And Christ's body is not divided.  Fellowship is fellowship.  Therefore those who have gone ahead of me into glory are still in communion--because we are all in Christ.


What a comforting thought.


"And this is what liturgy offers that all the razzmatazz of our modern worship can’t touch. You don’t go home from church going, ‘Oh, I am just moved to tears.’ You go home from church going, ‘Wow, I just took communion, and you know what if Augustine were alive today he would’ve had it with me. And maybe he is. And maybe he did.”  (Rich Mullins)


My loved ones who have died in Christ are not lost to me.  In fact, they are part of that Great Cloud of Witnesses.  If Jesus is at the right hand of God making intercession for us, so are the members of His body.  Which is why it does not trouble this protestant girl to ask saints--living and breathing whom I sit next to on Sunday or those glorified in heaven--to pray for me.


What prompted this theological reflection?


On Sunday afternoon I lay down for a nap.  I had one of those vivid full-color dreams (not of the creepy third trimester variety).  I was alone in my bed when my water broke.  And the baby presented footling breech.  I tried to call out, but there was no one around.  I was so scared.  My grandfather (who passed away in June) came into the room.  He looked exactly how he looked about 15 or so years ago.  Younger, with a smile on his face, wearing a green polo shirt.  He said, "You are doing great!"  I said, "Grandpa, the baby is coming feet first!  I don't know what to do!"  Standing there at the foot of my bed, he patted my belly and said, "Don't worry.  Everything is going to be OK.  Just don't worry.  You are doing great and the baby will be OK."  Immediately I was at peace.  He walked out of the room.  My Grandmother (who is still very much alive in this world!) came in just in time to see me have another contraction and the baby came out all in one push.  The baby went up on my stomach, skin-to-skin.  A little girl.  With brown curly hair.  Everything was just fine.


I woke up.


I think, somewhere in my mind or soul, I've been concerned about this birth.  Can't put my finger on why, really.  Just wondering if everything will go as smoothly as my other births.  Some evil voice says, "what makes you think your good luck is going to keep up?"  That sort of ridiculousness.  But, I awoke from that dream feeling so much peace and confidence.


Also was a little teary-eyed feeling like I had just seen my Grandpa and like he was really watching over me.


To steal from Rich Mullins: Maybe I did. And maybe he is.

Grandpa, practicing for heaven

The Machine That Goes PING!

My last post for Empowered Birth Week: The Machine That Goes PING!

My two favorite lines:

1. When the mother asks, "What do I do?"  The doctor replies, "Nothing.  You're not qual-i-fied!"

2. When the father walks in and the doctor asks who is he and then says, "I'm sorry.  Only people involved are allowed in here."

Makes me laugh out loud every time!



Hope you had a wonderfully empowered week, complete with trippy dreams.  You have until midnight tonight to link up with any birth stories or photos and enter to win something cool.

Natural Childbirth According to Bill Cosby

So grateful that it's not really like this.  But, there's just enough of the hint of something familiar in it to make us laugh 'til the tears run down our legs.




Happy Empowered Birth Week!  You still have time to link up with your pictures or birth stories here.

Empowered Birth Week: Begin With Empowered Pregnancy!

Pregnancy should be a time of joy and love and grace and a distinct conviction that you are partnering with the Divine!  Sure, pregnancy has its challenges--morning sickness, swollen ankles, heartburn, fatigue--but the fact that you are co-creating with the Creator should help take it all in stride.

It's been warm lately.  Like really warm.  And I've had lots of pre-labor stuff going on (which could go on for weeks, so I'm not timing these contractions or anything).  And so I've been a bit of a whiner--at least to my own ears.

But, actually, I do enjoy being pregnant. I love feeling the baby move.  I love having conversations with my belly.  I love the extra attention from my Gana.  :-)  I even don't mind the weight gain.  Pregnancy is the only time I've got dumps like a truck, truck, truck.

I really think that women in pregnancy should be encouraged to follow their instincts and to enjoy the season.  Rather than worrying about every. little. thing.  I feel so badly when friends or clients spend this joyous season worried about what to eat and what not to eat, every imaginable test from the doctor (even if they have no risk factors for what is being tested), due dates being changed with each monthly ultrasound, etc.

It should just not be so complicated.  We've been reproducing for thousands of years before the advent of all our interventions and before researchers were telling you exactly how many grams of caffeine you can safely ingest in pregnancy.

I'm not saying don't eat well or visit your doctor.  But, don't let the worries and concerns about the perfect pregnancy make it a less than blissful season for you!

Rest assured that your body KNOWS how to grow that baby.  God has gifted your body with the mad skillz to grow a baby, a placenta, produce colostrum and milk.  Your body is incredible!

When you believe in your body (and the One who created it!) and are joyful in pregnancy, you will empower others to feel the same!

(Don't forget to link up with your birth stories or pictures!  Here.)

(All photos taken by Cory Plowman Photography.)

Empowered Birth Week, Day 2: Failure To Progress

It's a wonder to me that every woman doesn't fail to progress when you consider how many people are monitoring her!  It makes me twitchy just thinking about strangers standing around staring at me trying to birth a baby.  I mean, I've had close friends and family at births, but that's a far cry from orderlies, nurses, interns, and doctors whom I've never met.

Here's a brilliant short to inspire you banish "failure to progress" from your vocabulary!  I dare you to not laugh!



And now click over to Mama Birth for "Obstetric Lie #100--Failure to Progress."

And don't forget to link up on yesterday's post with your birth story and/or birth pictures!  Regardless of how your baby made his or her entrance, it's a powerful thing to grow a baby and to become a mother!  Celebrate Empowered Birth Week with me!

Empowered Birth Week!

Happy Labor Day!  And Happy Empowered Birth Week!

Having a baby is something more amazing, transcending, connecting and magical than anyone can imagine before they've have a baby.  When I hold that squirmy, wet little bundle I marvel at how exactly that came out of me!  And the wonder does not wear off!  Every time I'm privileged to attend a birth, I'm always in awe afterwards!  How exactly did she do that?  And how exactly did God do that?  How did all of that perfection come from imperfection?  How did that whole separate person grow from a sperm and an egg?

It's something out of a fairy tale, I'm sure. And I say that with the utmost respect for fairy tales.

"The things I believed most then, the things I believe most now, are the things called fairy tales.  They seem to me to be entirely reasonable things.  They are not fantasies: compared with them other things are fantastic.  Compared with them religion and rationalism are both abnormal, though religion is abnormally right and rationalism abnormally wrong.  Fairyland is nothing by the sunny country of common sense.  It is not earth that judges heaven, but heaven that judges earth....Modern minor poets are naturalists, and talk about the bush or the brook; but the singers of the old epics and fables were supernaturalists, and talk about the gods of brook and bush.  That is what the modern means when they say that the ancients did not 'appreciate nature,' because they said that Nature was divine.  Old nurses do not tell children about the grass, but about the fairies that dance on the grass; and the old Greeks could not see the trees for the dryads."  --GK Chesterton

As I marvel about pregnancy and birth and call it something greater than natural--that is supernatural, I do not ignore the arduous physical process of carrying a child and giving birth.  It's intense to be sure, but it's less scientific than it is magnificent.  It's less medical than it is magical.  Even if you took medication or had a surgical birth.  Still your body grew that child, sustained that child and brought that child into the world.

So..........in honor of Empowered Birth Week, let's have a little blog carnival.  Link up with your birth story or pictures.  It can be a new post or an old one.  It can be about your natural, home, earthy-crunchy birth or about your hysterical situation of birthing in the car on the way to the hospital!  You can link up about your c-section or your uphill battle to birth vaginally.  Don't allow anyone to steal the joy from your experience or invalidate it by comparing it to other pregnancy and birth stories.

If you don't have a blog but want to share a picture or story, email it to me (mrsgombojav@gmail.com) and I will post it for you!  (How's that for a deal?!)

For every link-up I will enter you to win a prize.  I'm not exactly sure what yet, because it depends on who wins!  If you are in your child-bearing years it might be something for your pregnancy or birth.  If you are one of those wise older ladies, it may be an inspiring book or something to pamper yourself.  All I promise is that it will be something I consider totally cool.  You'd expect nothing less, right?  :-)

You have one week.  I will close the contest Sunday night at 11:59.  So, get crackin'!