Good morning Rachel! I'm writing this blog for you to wish you a happy birthday! 19 years ago you were born! It was an exciting time for us as we packed up everything we had and moved to Virginia so dad could attend Liberty University to earn his certificate in theology. We believed God wanted us there but that didn't make it easy! But God provided everything and taught us a lot! While dad went to school, worked and slept, I was lonely with 4 kids and expecting you. We didn't know anybody but because I started to homeschool Michelle, James and Matthew (Timothy was a baby), we went to a homeschool picnic and met a member who had her newborn baby with her. Daddy, the social man and baby lover that he is, got to talking and found out she just had a homebirth. Of course, that was all he needed to hear and decided we should have you at home on your birthday (3-18-96) and so it was we met her midwife, which became our midwife too! Her name was Carol and because we couldn't afford to pay her, she was more concerned about you than anything we could pay her and took our bill and wrote "paid in full" across the top! All she wanted was for me to be healthy and drink the tea she provided which was supposed to be good for both of us. :) so I did! You were our first homebirth and only child born in VA. Oh, and as agreed with the midwife, dad and I walked every night after dinner as our midwife was strict and told us she would know if we followed her orders by the way the placenta looked after you were born! So see, God was teaching us a lot and at the same time He was taking care of us. We had church members from back home (in Maryland) who were sponsoring us, it wasn't everything, but everything we needed was always there right when we needed it. Like daddy working at a bagel shop..., we had lots of bagels to eat as daddy got daily leftovers that would of been thrown out. And just when we thought we couldn't pay rent, a check from a church member would come in the mail. That's how I know and learned God would always take care of us. All this to say, on the day you were born, my contractions were very sparatic and unpredictable throughout the day. Spaced so far apart, I kept thinking maybe I wasn't really in labor, strong contractions were hours apart but intense so I kept thinking I had time. I kept waiting for them to regulate but they never did. Finally, after dinner, we called grandma Ezekiel to let her know this might be it. Originally she planned to be there when you were born but during our phone conversation, she said she couldn't make it. And that was all I needed to hear and labor kicked in! I couldn't even finish talking to her, daddy did and I was in the bathroom realizing you were coming before he could hang up the phone lol. So daddy had to call Carol, our midwife to come right away! I won't go into any more details other than say when it was time, she barely walked through the door and you were born! So here we are, 19 years later and I couldn't be more proud of you than the day you were born. God has taught us so much through your lifetime. It wasn't always easy but just like the day you were born I labored for you and would do it all over again to see how beautiful you are. Through many twists and turns, the road hasn't always been certain but God never left us and let us watch you grow into the beautiful person He created you to be. This past year has been my favorite watching you grow because not only are you grown up like you always wanted to be but you are growing in Christ and trusting Him as your Lord and Savior. What I'll never forget is what our midwife, Carol told us, "I'd rather have an ignorant child, than one who doesn't know the Lord." She was right! Too many people worry about the jobs or status they have or how their children will grow up and be smart in this life and get a good job and a good education instead of putting the emphasis on their spiritual life. All I ever wanted for you and all our kids is to know and trust the Lord! Thank you for for being a fine example of what that looks like. God loves you so very much and I'm glad he brought you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and you have trusted Him with your life. Happy Birthday, baby! I love you so much and I can't wait to see what 19 looks like! I wish you all the blessings of Christ as you trust Him with your talents and sing your heart out for Him! God bless you! Let's rock our way to Shine and show them what you got! No holding back (haha) let this be your delivery day...December is only 9 months away! Sing baby sing! I love you! All glory to God!
