*Friday, June 6th*

On Friday, June 6th, Rance and I headed to my doctor's appointment and we had no idea what the next several hours would entail.  Since my due date was Saturday, June 7th and I would be 40 weeks - my doctor's decided to go ahead and do a nonstress test on Jayden that Friday.  It is just normal protocol at my doctor's office to start doing a nonstress test on the baby at 40 weeks every couple of days just to monitor Jayden's heartbeat, contractions and how his heart rate changes during contractions, etc until baby is born.  When we arrived at the doctor's office and they hooked me up to the machine to monitor Jayden over a 20 minute period - I was laid back in a recliner just relaxing.  His heart rate was in the 140 range as normal the first several minutes.  I was having contractions during the entire time (although they were not painful at all - just tightening of my stomach) and Jayden's heart rate was responding as it should during those contractions.  I could not see the machine during this entire process but Rance was intrigued by it and watched it closely!  The nurse had stepped out a minute when Jayden's heart rate dropped SIGNIFICANTLY to 69 and stayed there for what seemed like forever.  The nurse stepped back in during that time and obviously was very alarmed by what was happening.  She grabbed Judy, one of the midwives, and she too, was very concerned.  Within a little bit, his heart climbed back up but that did not dismiss what had happened.  

In that moment, I was completely calm.  Peace flooded.  I prayed.  I trusted Father.  All the prayers that I had prayed the last 9 months were re-playing through my head.  I had told the Lord over and over "I know Jayden belongs to you, not me."  I believed that wholeheartedly.  Why am I going to pray something that I am not willing to live out?  I told Him again in that moment, "Jayden belongs to you, not me."  I felt myself tearing up but I knew my emotions were not doubt whatsoever.  

Within minutes, they put me in an ultrasound room where they could check my amniotic fluid, his movement, and his breathing.  What's interesting is, they were ALL questioning me on 'have you felt him move lately???'  The answer was NO doubt a resounding YES because Jayden was constantly on the move.  He was moving during the nonstress test.  As soon as she pulled him up on the ultrasound, he showed the nurse quickly that he was a boy on the move.  She could not believe how much he moved.  Everything seemed to show up well on the ultrasound but that still did not explain the drop in his heart rate. 

I was so thankful even in these moments for technology to even be able to monitor Jayden the way they were and the ability to be able to remove him by C-section or whatever necessary if they saw that he needed to be delivered immediately.  They sent Rance and I across the street to labor and delivery at the hospital so they could hook me up to more machines and monitor Jayden over a couple of hours.  

During that time, my heart was so grateful and Rance and I just prayed.  The nurses and doctors were AMAZING and his little heart rate never dropped again.  It was literally one of those instances that we will probably never know what exactly happened - whether he turned or had his umbilical cord wrapped around him in some way or what.  It was definitely a test of faith and I hope we did well for His glory.  

In the meantime, I of course was STARVING in the midst of all this chaos and I am not sure if hospital food has ever tasted so delicious in my life.  

Thank you Father for your grace, strength, and love that enables us to endure ANYTHING if we so choose!