My story begins about two and a half years ago. I was pregnant with my second son. I had a pretty uneventful first trimester and was happy it was going along with no complications. I had had a very complicated first pregnancy and assumed that this one was going to be a breeze b/c God just wouldn't do that to me twice, right? Fast forward a few weeks and I went in for a normal pregnancy check at the doctor. Things went horribly wrong from there. The nurse informed me my blood pressure was dangerously high and my urine sample showed I was spilling a ton of protein. I would need to head directly to the hospital. I cried out to God, "why? why? why? why is this happening again?" Heartbroken and terrified I headed to the hospital. So there I was twenty nine and a half weeks pregnant and terribly missing my husband and two year old at home, I was hospital bed bound for the duration of my pregnancy. Still trying to count my blessings, I realized that it wasn't so bad, the baby inside me was still healthy and I was only a couple blocks away from home at a hospital just down the street from my house. My family could visit at any time. Then a few days later my doctor came for my daily update.

They would be moving me to Chicago for the rest of my pregnancy for fear that my blood pressure was so high I'd have a stroke. I was heartbroken. I couldn't bear the thought of being so far away from my family. Oh, and the hospital she was planning to transfer me to was full. She had no idea where the hospital I was going to was nor did she know anything about the doctors there. It was the longest ambulance ride of my life. Not even the paramedics knew where they were going. All I remember from that ride was staring out at the water from Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Even though I was a sobbing mess I heard God saying "it will be alright, I am with you." I arrive at the hospital which is a far cry from the cozy private hospital suite I had in Indiana. To make matters worse, my husband was not allowed to spend the night. Not that it would have made a difference as he had to continue to go to work everyday until it was time for the baby to be born. I prayed to God to end this ordeal soon b/c I didn't know just how much more I could take. There were alot of people back home praying for me and that was the first time in my life when I would feel the anxiety creeping in the next wave of emotion I would have was incredible unexplainable peace. Peace that I can only say comes from Jesus. During that first night at the hospital I began experiencing some new disturbing symptoms. I looked at the clock across the room and found I couldn't see it, AT ALL! My vision was blurry. Then I started to have what felt like contractions. The next few hours are hazy. It went from mild pain to severe. They rushed me to the operating room and put me to sleep to deliver my baby. I was alone, completely alone, in a room full of doctors I didn't even know, without my husband. But God was with me.

I woke up to find a team of nurses surrounding me. They weren't saying much but from what I could gather it wasn't good. They explained I was very sick. I later learned that my body went into major complications during surgery. My clotting factors in my blood basically had run out. I was bleeding to death. My baby was born not breathing and was in the NICU. The only good news was he was stable at that time. My husband finally made it up and was able to sit with me. I have never prayed so much in all my life. The next few days sort of just run together. I wasn't able to go see my baby boy for three more days until I was strong enough. And then my first miracle occurred. Again I was alone, the nurse cam in to say she was going to push me in a wheel chair to the NICU. My vision was still all blurry and I could barely see anything. I scrubbed in and the doctor handed me my baby. And for only about a minute, MY VISION CLEARED!! God gave me sight so I could see my baby for the first time. Amazing. To the Glory of God my baby and I made it home. He stayed in the hospital for 33 days. And I came home not even able to walk from my couch to the bathroom ten feet away with out collapsing from exhaustion. It was the hardest time in my marriage ever. But I eventually recovered and my baby came home.

Fast forward a little while longer and I felt God moving in me. He was calling me to run a 1/2 marathon for Faith Church and Team World Vision. Um, excuse me, I have never been an athlete, and remember, I almost just died? I was confused. But God was speaking. I started the training and over the next year it became very clear I was supposed to do this for the Glory of the Lord. Race day came and I was still doubting that God would give me the strength to endure. The race began and I ran farther that I had at one time through out even my entire training. And as I went along I realized I was looking out at water. In fact, it was the exact same water I had stared out at on my ambulance drive to Chicago! Lake Shore Drive! And there were medic stations along the way to help runners in distress. I had to fight back tears every time I ran past one and then saw the water. God's promises to me were remaining true.

Everything had turned out good for my family. He was faithful. How amazing that in a sea of runners God was sending me powerful reminders of his love for me! I believe God brought me to my weakest to use me for HIS strongest. He continues to use me today in various ways. He has grown and stretched my heart tremendously. He has made my relationship with my husband stronger. He lets me not take for granted my children. But mostly, my relationship with HIM is stronger and personal. There is nothing like living out your life with God's purpose for you fulfilled. I am blessed and am able to trust like never before. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!