godpleaser

a life lived for eternal purposes

 

i finally gave birth! it happened last Oct. 22, 2003, Wednesday, 5:15 pm at the Medical City, Mandaluyong City PHILIPPINES

Welcome to NATHANAEL BUNSOY-VISCA

It's quite interesting how it happened. I was already in my 39th week (that's almost 10 months!) and I could not feel anything at all - symptoms that he's coming out like contractions, back pains etc. My ob-gyn adviced me to go through an x-ray pelvimetry because at this point, the baby is supposed to be engaged in my pelvis - and he was not! Oct. 21 came, the results yielded narrow passage way, the doctor told me there is no way i can deliver normally (vaginally) so it has to be done through caesarian section. she asked me when do i like it. My husband and I decided to do it right away - I said the next day so I was scheduled to give birth on Oct. 22.

We checked in on the night of the 21st and I was observed/monitored in the labor room. They attached something into my tummy to monitor the baby's heart beat and the resident doctor asked me, "aren't you feeling anything that's painful?" i said, "nope, nothing at all!" She seemed perplexed because according to her I was already having strong contractions with 8 minutes interval. I could not feel anything painful, only movements. She thought I can give birth anytime because my cervix is already 2 cm. I spent the night in the labor room seeing pregnant women going through labor pains. The nurses didn't allow me to stand up eventhough I knew I could. I had to use a bed pan!!! Anyway, the dilation did not progress.

D-day came. It wasn't exactly a painless delivery. The anesthesia wore out the next day so it's painful though it's tolerable. Now I am back home taking care of NAV. He is such a sweet boy. He doesn't bother us at night. He just has to drink milk every three hours then he will go back to sleep. I still am weak physically that's why I can't attend to him in the morning bec. it's my time to rest. My in-laws get the morning shift and my husband and I get the night shift.

I'd like to capture my feelings about becoming a mother into words but I need to collect my thoughts. It's really a great experience. GREAT is an understatement. It is not descriptive at all. I promise to write something more vivid next time about how I felt exactly.

For the mean time, first things first...I want to thank the Giver of life...

Look at our beautiful baby, Lord, at these tiny fingers wrapped around mine. Look how this darling rests securely in my arms. See Daddy's proud gaze. Already my heart overflows with love. I talked to and prayed for this sweet one evn while the baby was yet still in my womb.

What does our baby's future hold? Prepare the way that our child may grow up to love and serve You. Grant my husband and me wisdom in raising such a precious gift.

Today, O Lord, I dedicate our baby as a love offering to You. Like Hannah in days of old, I thank You for giving our little one to us. Here and now I present our child Nathanael at your altar to be raised for Your service.

Let your angels encamp around and about , and protect from evil and harm. Help us teach Your ways by truth and example. When we err, I pray that You will help meet the needs and forgive us. I pray that You will create a special hunger in this little heart to know, love and serve You completely.

Help me remember that our child is lent to us for a little while and You are the lender. Let me not take our dear one back from You or pursue my own ways outside Your will.

I will bless Your name, O Lord, thanking You for this wondeful infant gift. I praise Your name in my thoughts, motives and actions forever.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

To Nathanael,

You are loved, you are important and you will always be, no matter what happens. I care enough about you to provide for you, stand with you, coach you, correct you, and even die for you if necessary. My commitment to you is not based on what you do or don't do, how you look, whether your body is perfect or handicapped, or how you perform in school or sports. It is based on the fact that I am your mother and you are my child, a priceless gift that God has loaned to me for a season. Eventually I will release you to live your own life, but while you are growing up, I consider caring for you an assignment of utmost importance. I love you very much.

Mommy

Note : NATHANAEL is a name which means God's gift You can read about the Bible character NATHANAEL in John 1:43-50

For photos, click here

Posted by: rbunsoy at Tuesday, October 28, 2003 | link | comments (1) |

i heard this afternoon an analogy about praising God. when parents praise their kids, motivation to do their best follows. when our parents sincerely express affirmation to us, we feel good about it and we want to do more good things for them. according to the host of the segment i saw, this is similar to praising God bec. when we praise God, He would want to do marvelous things for us. in a sense it is true, a song says, "when the praises go up, the glory comes down." but don't you think that this can be an argument for manipulating God? we will strive to praise Him because we desire marvelous things for us (well, this thought was my husband's)...the focus is on what we will get from praising God. i thought about this and came up with the conclusion, i think my husband is right. when we praise God, we should not think of what He can do to us - that's unfathomable man! we praise God because of who He is....period.

Posted by: rbunsoy at Friday, October 17, 2003 | link | comments (5) |

God tells me...

Fear not this world's evil, neither envy those who do wrong and profit, when you do not. Those who refuse to trust Me will wither like parched grass and wilted plants. They shall fade to nothing.

I am always watching over you, no matter where you are or how difficult times may be for you. There is no limit to My power as I help you.

Trust Me and do My will. Be refreshed in My pastures. Know that I keep you safely in my care. Delight in Me. Commit your will to Mine. I will take the righteousness I have instilled within you and make it shine like the noonday sun!

Quiet yourself before ME and wait upon My direction. Flee from fighting and anger. Never seek revenge. Pray for those who misuse you. I am your God. I will fight the batlles for you. You will be blessed with good times as you hope and trust in Me; you will enjoy My peace that passes all understanding . You are my child and I am your God. (Psalm 37, paraphrased)

Posted by: rbunsoy at Wednesday, October 15, 2003 | link | comments (1) |

Father. I praise You, for You know perfectly well each of my needs, even before I ask. Sometimes You know better than I.Youlove me so much that You gave Your only Son so I could be free from sin and You could adopt me as Your child. Because of this, I give You first place in my life, and I commit myself to living as You want me to.

Not only do You give me all I need, but You also provided this earth for us to live on; You control the beginning and end of all that live on; You control the beginning and end of all that lives; You have given me the present; and You lay out my future before me. Nothing really belongs to me, yet how You shower Your blessings upon me to enjoy.

Thank you Lord,for being my Shepherd. Thank You for watching over and protecting me as a shepherd does his sheep.

I feel confident and unafraid as You direct me each day. When You provide for me, I find enough overflowing goodness to share with others. How blest I am to have You as my Savior!

You are unchanging. I can always depend on You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Praise You for caring for me and my loved ones from generation to the next, as we love You and obey Your Word.

I will not fear tomorrow for You take care of that, too. I try to prepare for the future, Yet I live one day at a time, trusting You.

I lift my voice in praise to You. May my thoughts and deeds give You great joy. Let my heart be pure and blameless in Your sight. I shall lift Your name in joyful song forever and ever.

Posted by: rbunsoy at Monday, October 13, 2003 | link | comments |

all things work together for good to those that love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose

Posted by: rbunsoy at Thursday, October 09, 2003 | link | comments (3) |

i am hurt...it's part of life and this is a cliche. i don't easily get hurt but this time, i am. i always try to rationalize things so it won't be blown out of proportion. why did i get hurt this time? is it because of pride? or am i really wrong? i know how not to dwell too much on my feelings but i always believe that God never wastes a hurt. and no matter how trivial this experience may seem to be for others, i am confident that this is telling me something about the future i will tread.

 

Posted by: rbunsoy at Friday, October 03, 2003 | link | comments (2) |

how many times have i heard, felt and proven Your promise about tomorrow. as You said in Your word, " thou shall not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself." i have no reason to doubt You this time.

Posted by: rbunsoy at Wednesday, October 01, 2003 | link | comments (1) |