"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." ~ Helen Keller


Monday, March 22, 2010

Answered Prayers - "In The Waiting Room"

This week's blog hop has as its theme "Answered Prayers." We were challenged to relay a real story of answered prayer from our own experience. Sometimes it is easy to forget how willing and how happy God is to answer our prayers. Like an earthly parent wants to make their child happy, how much more does our Heavenly Father want us to be happy? 
I hope this testimony will be an encouragement to you. Thanks so much for stopping by.

In The Waiting Room
by Chris Janzen


When at last I walked down the aisle and got married at the age of 30, I was so filled with happiness and triumph. I was certain my family had given up any hope of me ever finding a guy willing to put up with me and my orneriness for any amount of time, let alone an entire lifetime! How I had prayed there was a guy out there some where that was perfect for me.

Finally, I met him, and in time there we were at the altar, saying those beautiful vows in front of God, our friends, and our families.



On the outside I was saying, “I take this man to be my lawful wedded...blah, blah, blah...,” but on the inside I was yelling, “I got me a man!” It was the happiest day of my life...and a wonderfully answered prayer.


We wanted to start a family right away; both of us couldn't wait to become parents. It was a dream God had placed in both of our hearts, and one we'd both wanted for quite a while. Finally we could focus on making that dream a reality. We both agreed we would have just two children, hopefully one boy and one girl. Then our family would be complete.

How impatient I was every month, wondering if this would finally be IT! I wanted a baby more than I had ever wanted anything, and I had prayed for one in earnest. I would be going about my day at work, in the car, at the store...wondering if that amazing miracle had yet occurred. I kept praying and waiting...

As month after long month passed, I fought discouragement and disappointment. I wanted to be patient, but I also wanted to be pregnant! My doctor told me not to worry, that it just takes a little time some times and to keep trying. Control freak me (these days I prefer the term “control enthusiast!”) hated not being able to snap my fingers and make it happen NOW!!

I tried to busy myself with other things, but truly could think of nothing else. I checked out books from the library and read every disgusting, graphic, wonderful detail about the whole process. I was horrified, excited, scared, and I still REALLY wanted to be pregnant! God kept me sitting in His waiting room, and much longer than even the rudest and most inconsiderate of doctors.

Then one day I was making my regular morning pot of coffee, something I had loved for many years. (I like to load it up with real cream and lots of sweetener.) It was so delicious and helped me get my day started, not being one of those freakish “morning people.” That day the coffee was extremely bitter and the cream tasted like it had been sitting on the counter for days. I was dumbfounded. “What in the world is wrong with this coffee?” I tried again to sip it, but it was undrinkable. My husband thought it was just great and finished off the whole pot.


Certain I had a terrible case of food poisoning, I checked in with my doctor. What a relief! No food poisoning, but could it be? YES! Finally I was pregnant! I was so sick all the time, losing my lunch on a daily basis, and usually my breakfast and supper as well! Pregnancy really wasn't as fun as I thought it would be!

Well that was my first pregnancy and God answered our prayer in the form of a strapping ten pound baby boy named Jake. He was healthy and handsome and obviously a genius from day one.


Around his second birthday we started praying for that second baby we wanted. Our plan had been to have one boy and one girl. We went through the same frustrating routine…sitting in God’s waiting room month after month.

Finally when I was sitting in the doctor’s waiting room, pregnant for the second time, the nurse midwife said she wanted to send me over to the hospital for a routine ultrasound. No big deal.

My husband and I settled into the ultrasound waiting room, so excited to see our little bundle of Heaven on screen. As soon as the gooey gel went on my belly and the wand touched my skin, we got the shock of our lives...there were two little bundles in there! We could see them plain as day on the monitor! TWO babies! We looked at each other in disbelief... “Do you see what I see?” We said in unison. The doctor confirmed what we were just figuring out…we were having twins!

A few months later we were back in the ultrasound room to find out if we were having boys or girls. I knew we would be thrilled either way, but I secretly prayed for a boy and a girl. The answer to that prayer was a great big yes in the form of Jesse and Sophie.


We had always wanted to have two children; a boy and a girl. The Great Physician gave us exactly what we asked for, and even more. Our family was and is complete.



Waiting is not something I do well. Most people I know don’t care for it and would prefer to have a root canal than to have to wait for anything. However some things are definitely worth the wait.
The time we spent in God's waiting room was infinitely worth it.





"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."  


~ Ephesians 3:20 New Living Translation


MckLinky Blog Hop


Thanks for reading! See ya next time! :-)






21 comments:

Darcy said...

That is so awesome! Great story...congratulations!

found you through MBC.

justanightowl.com

Chris Weigand said...

Great story. Our God is an awesome God especially when we wait on him.

A Chocolate Bouquet said...

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful story!
God always DOES bless us beyond what we thought to ask!
Thank you for sharing-I didn't grow up with them, but I have twin half-brothers from my dad's first marriage, and my one twin brother has identical twin daughters! I think twins are such a unique and awesome miracle and blessing!
Thank you for stopping by my blog as well!
I also enjoy your sense of humor! :)

PJ said...

Hi Chris! Found you on the Blog Hop. I noticed you have Redhead Riters Button. Have you checked out her "BlognTweet? She designed it. It's pretty neat. A bunch of different groups who have all kinds of discussions and a great way to meet people. You ought to check it out! I really enjoyed your post.

God Bless!

PJ

Kris said...

what a wonderful story. He is VERY much an Awesome God. And kudos to you for waiting (a very hard thing to do always.)

Carolee said...

Love your story- and how lucky to have twins!

He does always bless us, sometimes he even adds a little "bonus"

furygirl3132 said...

What a wonderful and heartwarming story. I am a new follower from FFF at the Mom Bloggers Club, so glad to have found you! Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

Marina@EBMR said...

What a beautiful beautiful story and what beautiful results of answered prayers. Blessings to your precious bundles.

http://energizerbunnysmommyreports.blogspot.com/2010/03/bunny-girls-answered-prayer-mcklinky.html

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful post and a beautiful family!
I am a new follower, visiting from FFF @ MBC.
http://goyay.blogspot.com/

JaelCustomDesigns said...

What a blessing! You have a beautiful family!

Following from MBC (FFF Group)
You can find me at
http://www.jaelcustomdesigns.com

Book Lover said...

You have a beautiful family!
Found your blog on FFF

Mandie
http://www.takingtimeformommy.com
http://www.mommyreadstoomuch.blogspot.com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

What a wonderful family. Following from MBC. Stop by and visit sometime.

www.couponclippinmommy.com

Tami Winbush said...

That is such a beautiful and touching story! Thank you for sharing. I hate to wait too! It really SUCKS sometimes!

Following you from MBC/FFF!

http://tamis-ramblings.blogspot.com

sweet tea and biscuits said...

sweet story ! God is good all the time even when the coffee is bad -Ha ! When I was pregnant I couldn't even smell the coffee so my husband had to get it on his way to work for 9 months. clearly coffee and pregnancy don't mix! You have an adorable family and love the post

Tina T. said...

Wonderful story! I have boy/girl twins....we prayed for them for 10 years....I am so thankful for them every single day. I loved your story!

Veronica Lee said...

Congrats!! What a heartwarming story!

Hi Chris. Welcome to the FFF Club!

Just Trying To Save Money said...

Love your story! Following from MBC!!

www.justtryingtosavemoney.blogspot.com

ThinkFeminist said...

1. Earthworks Products Giveaway ~ 3 Winners; End April 6, 2010
Win One Bath Soap and a Handcream of your scent choice



2. Easy Lunch Box Systems ~ 1 winner; Ends April 4, 2010
Win 1 set of 4 containers lunch boxes and 1 cooler bag



3. Rocking Green Detergent Bag ~ 1 winner, Ends March 31, 2010
Win one big bag of detergent for your lovely one


4. Zutano Itzy Bitzy $75 Gift Card ~ 1 winner, Ends March 28, 2010
Win a $75 Gift Card to shop any of the Zutano Collection for your baby/toddler


I generate winners via random.org, so there is an equal chance of winning for every entry.

Goodluck!

Mrs. Sanchez said...

What a neat weblog!!! wonderful story. He truly does answer prayer. :)

following from MBC. Follow back at: http://jotgiveaways.blogspot.com

You might be interested in a book giveaway I'm having. it's for a great book called Amish Peace.

Christi said...

Hi! Following you from MBC. I love your story - and those photos are adorable! I love how God always has plans for us that are bigger than our own, if we'll just be patient.

I'm at http://frugalnovice.com. Stop on by when you get a chance!

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

Following you back from the MBC
Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
http://littleyayasandblessed.blogspot.com/