Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV — The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

You might think that an act of faith would be something that you would do expecting a miracle, but in this case for us, packing hospital bags was an act of faith because we were relinquishing our control. Acknowledging that God could have a different plan for us than a VBAC and a home birth.

Naomi started having mild contractions on the night between the 10th and the 11th, quite excited and happy that Sabina was coming, but it actually took 10 days for labor to be active. Right before active labor, on Sunday afternoon the 20th we walked around our trailer, arm in arm, singing the Psalm of the month, Ps 18 . We noted how the last words about bringing forth and giving room seemed fitting for a birth song. Pretty soon Naomi got tired, and we headed inside for what we thought was a nap and turned out to be a birth! Nate picked up one of our doulas from the evening service when Naomi needed extra support. We are extremely grateful for their help with comfort measures.

*John 16:21a ESV When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come...*

Because of all the pre labor contractions over the last week or so, which God used to develop our patience and trust in his providence, labor progressed so rapidly that the birth team was surprised and filled with joy when she was checked after 5 hours and suddenly found to be completely dilated with just some moaning and no real screaming. After that, the pushing stage came with a little screaming as we leaned on the Lord for all our strength.

It took about two hours, until finally our midwife told Naomi to reach out and hold our baby!

... *but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21b ESV)*

Sabina was born in her bag of waters, which ruptured pretty soon, perhaps as her feet came out. The surprising thing is, Naomi had had a dream about this. Did our God choose to reveal this particular detail ahead of time? Why?

The birth team was extremely helpful, taking swift steps to control the bleeding. And the Lord guided their hands in setting up an IV in spite of technical difficulties.