Unexpected Blessings

Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.  How unsearchable 
His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out.  (Romans 11:33)


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways", declares the Lord.  (Isaiah 55:8)


For You created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother's womb . . . 
All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.  
(Psalm 139:13, 16)


Many of you have probably heard by now that Kelsey had her baby on Wednesday of this week.  4 weeks early.  With an emergency c-section.


Here's the short version of the story:   The baby had been incredibly active all through the pregnancy, up until this particular Wednesday morning.  Kelsey had gotten acquainted with her movements ~ the timing, the regularity, the intensity.  That awareness possibly saved baby Charis' life.


As the morning of July 14 progressed, Kelsey noticed that the baby didn't seem to be moving at all.  She called her doctor, who suggested that she drink a full glass of ice water, and if the baby wasn't stimulated by that in about 5 minutes, they should head to the hospital.  She drank.  Nothing happened.  They made their way to Mercy Hospital in Roseburg, Oregon.


As they were checking in, Zach called to tell us the news.  The plan would be to see if there was still a heartbeat, and obviously try to figure out what was happening.  They hooked Kelsey up to many machines and found that yes, there was a heartbeat, but the doctors weren't sure if the baby was functioning properly.


At this point, prayers began . . .


About 20 minutes later, Zach sent a text saying, "Prepping for a c-section.  Will keep you updated.  Love you."


Prayers got more regular and fervent . . .


A few minutes later, Zach and I began a text conversation:


"Kels is in there.  They won't let me go in yet, but I'll go in a minute.  Kels is having a hard time, but no news on Charis yet."
"What kind of a hard time?  Physically?  Emotionally?"
"Yeah, just emotionally."
"How are you?"
"Okay.  I wish they would let me in."
"Me too, Zach.  Don't understand that.  Hang in there.  Cast your cares on Him.  Be strong in the Lord.  Love you so."


Let me interject this word picture here:  you know the time period when a spacecraft re-enters the earth's atmosphere and for whatever reason, they are not able to communicate with the ground crew?  It's called "blackout time" and it was portrayed intensely in the movie "Apollo 13".  At this point in our day, July 14th, we were experiencing blackout time.  We didn't know what was happening on the other side of the USA.  We prayed, we committed this family to the Lord, we waited . . .


After an ETERNITY (probably 30 minutes) the phone finally rang.  Zach, on the other end, said 6 words that were the greatest words he could have ever uttered.
We have a healthy baby girl!


Charis Lynlee Bohler made her entrance into the world at 12:44 p.m. PST.  She weighed 5 lb., 6 oz. and was 18 inches long.  They did an emergency c-section and as Charis came out, she uttered the cry that her mom and dad were longing to hear.  Zach said that he and Kelsey added their own tears to that moment.


What caused all the drama?  We don't really have the answers we'd like, but one thing that was found during the surgery was that it looked as if the umbilical cord was detaching from the placenta for some reason.  The baby wasn't getting the full oxygen, nutritional connection that should have been there.  But from all indications, God protected her and saved her!


Charis is dealing with a few premie issues, and will have to remain the hospital a few days more than if she had been born closer to her due date.  But all in all, she is just what Zach said ~ a healthy baby girl.


Now, it's time for the pictures!  You can bet that this blog will continue to display photographs of this precious little one as she grows . . . our online brag book!

Charis Lynlee Bohler

Holding Daddy's hand

Proud Daddy and his girl

Mommy and her baby girl

The Bohler family of 3

Charis, you came a little earlier than we expected!  Will this be a sign of things to come?  Who knows?  We're just thankful you're here.  And we can't wait to meet you!  

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.  (Proverbs 16:9)