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ShawnaB
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What a great thread. I've read but never posted here...but this topic has inspired me.
I was raised, and continue to be, Protestant. As you know, Protestant churches are silent on the subject of birth control. Since I have always trusted the Bible as my moral guidebook, and the subject of birth control is not explicitely covered in scripture, for most of my life I did not give this subject much spiritual consideration. Amazing, I know, since the issue of childbearing and family size is such a HUGE, life changing issue, and it is explicit in scripture that we are to submit EVERYTHING to the Lord...well, you would think I would desire some guidance on this one!! Well, you live and learn...
Anyway, after the birth of Baby #2, who by the way, was very high need, and didn't sleep, and cried more than anything else, yada, yada...my husband and I were very happy with our family size, and we decided that we were done. Dh was particularly clear on this.
Well, God is gracious. He put two faithful sisters in my life, one who is traditional Catholic, and the other who is Protestant. Both have allowed God to create their families according to His will. These dear friends have gently encouraged and inspired me (and I'm sure prayed for me!). And God changed my heart. I went from being fearfully open to a third child, to quickly having a strong desire for one. Dh was not yet on board. But quiet prayerfulness also changed his heart and quickly. I gave birth to my 3rd child in June and we all rejoiced.
Again however, Dh was very quick to declare that this was the last pregnancy for our family. All throughout the pregnancy, I had anxiety about this, knowing that he would most likely feel this way. When he actually vocalized it though, a peace came over me, and I know God has shown me to continue to trust Him for our family...and to submit to my husband, as I submit to Him. I accepted my husbands stand, and purposed myself to wait on the Lord and remain open to His will.
Well, I didn't have to wait long. One week after our "no more pregnancies" conversation, we were literally presented with a 4th child, but no pregnancy! God does have a sense of humor. A friend called, and much to my astonishment, asked if we would consider adopting a baby boy due to born in just 2 weeks. She knew the birthmom, and she was desperately seeking a Christian family to adopt her baby. Time was short, and the adoption agency she initially contacted brought her family profiles of homosexual couples, which destroyed her confidence in working with an agency.
My friend thought we were a family that she would trust with her child. It made no sense of course! We'd just had a baby! There are so many infertile couples longing for a baby, I struggled with the fairness of it all. But both dh and I could not deny that we both felt strongly that God was asking us to remain open to this possibility.
Well, to make a long story short, Jonathan joined our family 17 days after that phone call. His adoption should be finalized any day. There is no doubt in our minds that God intended him to be with us. He and baby Jillian are 10 weeks apart.
And we are blessed!! Unbelievably so. God is faithful even when I was not. And I am so thankful that we remained open to his will, and chose to follow him and not fear. (And trust me, the idea of caring for 2 babies at once is more than a little scary to me! But God is providing every need in every moment.)
So that's my story. When people ask "now, are you done?" I honestly have to say that I don't know.
Thanks for all you encouraging stories!
Shawna
PS: "Jonathan Thomas" means "God has given a twin" I too secretly longed for twins...a boy and a girl at that!
__________________
Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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Leonie
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What a lovely story, Shawna. And I am so glad you posted - welcome!
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Willa
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Shawna,
I love your story, too.
Truly, God works in mysterious and wonderful ways and Jonathon's story is an example I will remember.
Thank you for sharing!
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Chari
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| Posted: Nov 06 2005 at 12:11am | IP Logged
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ShawnaB wrote:
What a great thread. I've read but never posted here...but this topic has inspired me.
I was raised, and continue to be, Protestant. As you know, Protestant churches are silent on the subject of birth control. Since I have always trusted the Bible as my moral guidebook, and the subject of birth control is not explicitely covered in scripture, for most of my life I did not give this subject much spiritual consideration. Amazing, I know, since the issue of childbearing and family size is such a HUGE, life changing issue, and it is explicit in scripture that we are to submit EVERYTHING to the Lord...well, you would think I would desire some guidance on this one!! Well, you live and learn...
Anyway, after the birth of Baby #2, who by the way, was very high need, and didn't sleep, and cried more than anything else, yada, yada...my husband and I were very happy with our family size, and we decided that we were done. Dh was particularly clear on this.
Well, God is gracious. He put two faithful sisters in my life, one who is traditional Catholic, and the other who is Protestant. Both have allowed God to create their families according to His will. These dear friends have gently encouraged and inspired me (and I'm sure prayed for me!). And God changed my heart. I went from being fearfully open to a third child, to quickly having a strong desire for one. Dh was not yet on board. But quiet prayerfulness also changed his heart and quickly. I gave birth to my 3rd child in June and we all rejoiced.
Again however, Dh was very quick to declare that this was the last pregnancy for our family. All throughout the pregnancy, I had anxiety about this, knowing that he would most likely feel this way. When he actually vocalized it though, a peace came over me, and I know God has shown me to continue to trust Him for our family...and to submit to my husband, as I submit to Him. I accepted my husbands stand, and purposed myself to wait on the Lord and remain open to His will.
Well, I didn't have to wait long. One week after our "no more pregnancies" conversation, we were literally presented with a 4th child, but no pregnancy! God does have a sense of humor. |
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boy is my brain slow  ........I read up to this point above, thinking.......wow......Shawna has JUST got to read this......it sounds just like her story!
duh! 
Shawna and Jacob are VERY blessed............as is MY family, too..........my family will be sharing in the blessings of these two wee babes......Deo Gratias
and, as long as we are here, let me introduce you to my dear friend Shawna, who has been a huge blessing to me......and to my family. We all adore her, and her children......
Please keep her in prayer as she cares for these "twin" babies 
Good night......
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Chari
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| Posted: Nov 06 2005 at 12:14am | IP Logged
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ShawnaB wrote:
Anyway, after the birth of Baby #2, who by the way, was very high need, and didn't sleep, and cried more than anything else, yada, yada...my husband and I were very happy with our family size, and we decided that we were done. Dh was particularly clear on this.
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BTW........I just want to come to baby #2's defense........and say......she makes one GREAT toddler!! You could not ask for a more delightful child! We just LOVE Amelia!!
now, good night, for real!
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: Nov 06 2005 at 5:27am | IP Logged
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Welcome Shawna! And thanks so much for sharing this most amazing story!
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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theNetSmith
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Awesome story, Shawna. Thanks for registering to share it with us.
-T
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Are you where you thought with #?
