Say "Yes"

Today is a special day.  It's a day of reflection, and celebration.  Exactly one year ago today we said "yes" to God.  That "yes" completely changed the trajectory of our lives and opened the door to blessings I didn't have the courage to even dream about.  There have been bumps and sharp turns, more than I care to count, but it has also been (and is) exactly perfect.

On this day a year ago we found out our twins had advanced Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).  At 15 weeks into the pregnancy it was a death sentence for both of them if we did nothing.  If we wanted to save our babies there was only one option - to leave our home in St. Louis and travel to Denver for emergency inutero surgery.  The decision had to be made that day.  Travel arrangements and doctors appointments with our new fetal care team had to be booked immediately.  There literally was no time to spare.

We could say "no" and go home to resume our normal lives; that was always an option, but doing so would mean both babies would die within a week.  Or, we could say "yes" to HOPE, but doing so would mean losing all control over our circumstances.

On average, the surgery adds 8-10 weeks to a TTTS pregnancy.  Odds were we would deliver between 23-25 weeks gestation.  (A typical pregnancy is 40 weeks gestation.) We are educated people, we knew the risks and challenges babies born between 23-25 weeks face if they survived such a premature delivery.  We knew our girls were likely to have disabilities.  We knew what that would mean for our family.  We had to make a choice: yes or no.

We said "yes" (that much is obvious if you've been following this blog).  We said yes to life.  We said yes to hope.  We said yes to God's will.

We had no idea what would happen, but He did.  We had no control over our situation, but He did.  He had a plan that would shape us into the people He intended us to be.  It required us to let go of everything that felt comfortable and hold onto hope.  Letting go was so very, very hard, but it was the only way to love - and live - the life He planned for us.  Hope was all we had.  Fortunately for us, love and faith go hand-in-hand with hope, it's a packaged deal.

Looking back over this past year I don't think we would be where we are today without that hope, love and faith.  Without it I don't think we would have had the courage to let go and trust in His plan for our lives.

Our girls were born exactly 10 weeks after the surgery.  They are healthy and strong - strong enough to overcome all the challenges they face. They amaze me every day.  Their mere presence is proof of miracles.  Nothing is impossible for God.

They aren't the only ones who amaze me.  My husband amazes me.  Saying yes to the twins renewed our yes to our marriage even though ironically it almost did end in "death do us part" when I was in the hospital sick and bleeding internally.  We said yes to God and He said yes to us, saving us and saving our girls. We are so blessed.

My older children amaze me, too.  They have grown so independent yet loving and compassionate, supporting one another in hard times and celebrating with one another in good times.  I'm not the only one who notices; their teachers and school administrators have noticed as well - they stand apart from their classmates, but in a good way. We are so blessed.

My family amazes me. My mom, my dad, my aunt, my sister - so many people have given so freely to my family this past year, and they continue to do so as we juggle life.  They were the first to teach me love and they are here by our side to help teach our children as well. We are so blessed.

My friends amaze me.  They are there for me no matter what, no matter what I look like, how much spit-up I have in my hair, and even on the days when I don't have time to brush my teeth. (Like today. Oops.) They cook meals for me, they run errands for me, they pray with and for me, and they give the best hugs even if its just a <HUG> on a screen. (Real ones are waaay better, but its the thought that counts.) I am so blessed. 

To think that none of this would have happened if we had said "no" is almost incomprehensible.  I am so incredibly grateful for everything that had to happen to get us to this point. Every single thing. Every.  Single.  Day. We are so blessed.

God sure does work in mysterious ways.  It's unlikely that you will be faced with a crucial decision today, but, at some point, you will be faced with opportunities to choose yes or no in your life.  No matter the risks, no matter the statistics, no matter what the world tells you, no matter how terribly hard it may be, say YES to God. Love Him by letting go of whatever you may be holding onto and live the life He created just for you - you are so blessed. So celebrate today and every day and be on the look out for your next "yes"!

Acts 16:31

And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household".

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not the Father but is from the world.  and the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Inspirational Quote

"Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best." ~ John C. Maxwell

My Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us the courage to say "yes" to You and Your plan for our lives.  I didn't know I had it in me, but You did - and it was only because I had You and Your strength in my heart so thank You.  I pray for everyone who reads this, that You may give them the courage they may need to say "yes" to You and Your plan for their lives. We are all so blessed, thank You. Help us be living examples of Hope, Faith and Love today, tomorrow, and forever.  In Jesus' name, Amen.