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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

TIME STOOD STILL FOR A MOMENT ....




I wasn't sure I was going to post this, but I think I have gotten all the emotions figured out and see how amazing God is to teach me so much in such a short, small moment ...

We have a pool in our back yard ... We don't get to take many vacations for financial reasons and because Scott usually has basketball all summer, so we invested in an awesome pool.... Our summers are filled w/ wonderful days and nights by the pool usually w/ friends and family ... We cook out, start a bonfire, sit around and just enjoy being together ...

Since Maggie has been introduced to the pool she has loved every minute ... She has such a pure enjoyment from it and her smile is so real and viberant when she is playing in there w/her brothers and sister ... She wears a vest (thanks to Lil, who left it from the reunion) and floaties ... She feels so free and goes from shallow to deep end all by herself ... Well Sunday they were all playing for quite a while, now mind you I haven't even put my toe in because I know it is freezing in there by the blue lips all my children have ... After much fun they all got out ... Emily went to play and the boys were jumping on the trampoline ... Maggie was in the chair beside me, when I got a phone call ... I was talking on the phone when I heard a splash ... I turned to look and time stood still ... Maggie had fallen in the deep end and was beyond panicked w/no vest or floaties ... She was coming up some and then going under ... I jumped in and fished her out ... We just sat in the rocker for 30 minutes and I prayed ... I spoked into her ear a whisper of "mommy has got you" "mommy has got you" ... She didn't move just rested her wet body on my chest and hugged me ...

I thanked the Lord for having me there, I thanked Him that I heard the splash, I thanked Him and thanked Him ... It was such a spiritual moment also ... It was a moment when Maggie was in trouble, panicked, and hurting and I saved her ... I WAS THERE FOR HER ... It was a bonding experience I can not describe in words ... I felt her love for me grow on Sunday and I know my love for her grows everyday, but it was such a moment ...

I love being a mother more than anything ... I am thankful to Scott for providing and supporting me staying at home to be here for our family ... No amount of money in the world would have me trading jobs/adventures/calling/journey that I am on as a mother ...

42 kind words.:

Kristy said...

Oh Gwen, I just have these monster sized goosebumps and tears and I thank God for letting you be there to save her. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU GOD!!! But you know what Gwen? God is funny that way, you know there is a plan and that was the breakthrough you have been waiting for. "IT" has happened and now every door is opened and it is just uphill from here. So even though I have those monster goosebumps, I have happy , very very happy for you and your precious Maggie.

God bless all of you and I mean that from the very depths of my heart and soul.

Love, Kristy

Nikki said...

My heart stopped for a moment, Gwen! I'm glad you sent me that warning!!!
So glad your sweet baby girl is alright and that she has a mommy who will ALWAYS be there for her.
LOVE YOU!

KT said...

Oh Gwen,
How precious that Maggie is okay, and that God even allowed good to come of it. May he continue to restore the time the locust ate from her life. Praise Him for protecting her, for giving her you and you her.

Christi said...

I'm right there with ya! The picture of your kids on the trampoline looks a lot like our evening tonight. I let them stay up 45 minutes past their bedtime because they were all having so much fun on the trampoline and I was having too much fun watching them. Nothing like watching your kids laugh and play together. LOVE being a mommy, I too wouldn't trade it for anything else on this earth!!! So glad you were there for Maggie. Your family is so beautiful.

mommy24treasures said...

I can so relate Gwen, we do not take many vacations either and invested in a nice backyard as well and that is where we spend most of our time.
I too fished a little brave fish out a few weeks ago that was supposed to be just putting her feet in and Danny did a couple of times last yr. I too am so thankful we were always right there. I can relate to all of your feelings...I can see that would be a HUGE bonding moment for Maggie. Praise God. He is so good...

Anonymous said...

Now that I've finished reading your blog, I can breath again!!
Thank you, Jesus that Maggie is fine and that Gwen is a great Momma, just the right Momma for Maggie.

Mandi said...

Oh Gwen, how scary. I am so glad she is ok. But, it is cool how God can use a moment that is so scary to bring a bonding between mother and daughter. That shows Maggie that no matter the situation she gets herself into her mom is going to be there to rescue her and love her thru it.

Unknown said...

Gwen -

I had a very similar experience (believe it or not) with our sweet 2 year old from China. I was so thankful for many things about that incident. Mostly, thankful that we have a savior that will dive in after us everytime too. It paints an awesome picture. Thanks for sharing!

Aimee

Anonymous said...

Just wanta shout out how absolutely wonderful sweetie Maggie is looking in that photo!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY Girlie for sure!!!

Gwen, you are the Mama!! I love how God can work a Miracle and NEVER have to use WORDS!!!! So amazing!!!

Kim said...

WOW! I had tears swelling up in my eyes. How scarey that had to be. I am so glad that God had you in the right place at the right time. It's scarey how things can happen in just a moment. I pray for my children every morning that God will put a his protection around them. This just allowed Maggie to see just how much she truely can put her trust in you and feel how deep your love is for her. She looks like a different little girl in the pictures. God truely has healed her broken heart these past months.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Praying for you,
Kim

Leigh Ann said...

So glad that you were there, how very scary for you both.

Also glad that the two of you were able to bond after such a tramatic incident.

Oh, the peace and safety your lap provided for her!

Love you!

RamblingMother said...

Oh that made me sick for a sec. I can't imagine your feelings. Yes good thing you heard the splash!! My biggest fear for sure is that would happen to Glenys!! So glad you are both alright!!

Anita said...

Oh Dear Gwen....tears welled up in my eyes as soon as you wrote those words.....we have a pool now too (all thanks to Jesus for that one) here in the HOT south and I know how on guard I am with Kaylin around it. Praise Jesus you were there for her in every way....to rescue her, but also to bond with her in a way that happened out of such an emergency. I, too, am so thankful for a hubby who wants me at home as much as I want to be home and who works so hard to allow that to happen. Praise Jesus for our hubbies!!
HUGS!! ~Anita

April said...

Oh praise God you were there to save her. My friend's daughter died in a pool so that freaked me out thinking something horrible happened. It did turn into such a sweet bonding period for you two. I can't wait to be a mom.

shelley said...

I thanked God you were there too, when I finished reading the story. What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

Michelle R Photography said...

Oh, Gwen. What a scary moment. Praise God that this story had a happy ending and you and Maggie were able to share a special moment, with her knowing you will always be there for her no matter what.

Chris and Lindsey Wheeler said...

Thank you Lord!!!! How absolutely scary....I am so thankful you were there!!!!!!!!!

Denise C said...

Thanking God for His mercy and grace....and that He prompted you to notice that itty bitty splash!
Sweet Maggie knows her Momma will ALWAYS be there to catch her when she falls.....anytime...any age....mommas are there!
You are one precious momma....and I wish you the absolute best Mother's Day ever!

p.s. They put a feeding tube in little Christopher...and he is doing a bit better....the courts postponed their court date.....until next Tuesday....or if not then...it will be 3 more weeks wait?!?!?!
Thanks for your prayers! I'll keep you posted as I hear more.

Unknown said...

thank you for sharing these feelings with us!

Steffie B. said...

My heart is pounding as this has been one of my worst fears living on the lake and having a pool....thank you heavenly Father for being with this child and placing her with just the right Momma! ;)

Terry said...

Oh Gwen! Thank God that a very scary moment turned in to a wonderful bonding experience. Life changing events can happen in the blink of an eye. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother.

Terry

OH MY #6 said...

This end of this post is such a fitting story as Mother's Day approaches.

Lea

Marla said...

Oh my gosh, Gwen, that gave me chills just reading it! Thank God it worked out how it did and you were there to save that sweet girl.

Happy Mother's Day to you!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Praise God for a happy ending for Maggie. Happy Mother's Day, Gwen. Hug each of your kiddos extra on Sunday.

Blessings,
Kim K.
http://youbelong.net/thekenwards

Kristi said...

Thank you Lord for giving Momma's those radar ears and for Gwen and Maggies "bond" that blossomed from this scary incident! Help all of us Mom's to be there when our children need us!

Blogging with the Moores said...

Gwen,
So glad you shared that story, so glad Maggie is safe - with you - where she is meant to be.

Kathi said...

I'm glad everything's ok with her. That was a HUGE step (more like a leap) though, I think, for her (the way she just laid there on your chest and hugged you)

Anonymous said...

What a moment to share....terrifying, yet...a lesson for all of us...what a moment can do ...thanks GOD, you were there...and so was Gwen :) Now...Happy Mother's Day to YOU!

Terry said...

Gwen, what a scary event, and an awesome outcome. God truly does work things together for good for those who love Him. That was a God moment. A healing moment. I tear up just thinking about it. So beautiful...Terry

Laura Nipper said...

Oh my goodness what a scary momment. So glad that you were there to pull her out and hold her in your arms.

Happy Mother's Day to you.

Mommy Spice said...

I have goosebumps all over. Oh, I'm so glad you were right there, as God intended it. What a rush of emotions you two must have felt. I'm so glad Maggie is ok.

We are feeling the vacation itch, and definitely don't do the things we used to do before Spicy Girl. Thankfully, my parents take the whole family to the beach every summer, so we are pumped about that upcoming trip.

Kelly said...

Wow. Walking w/God isn't always easy, but I love that he always "has our back." He knows we can not do life alone. Thanking him for his protection. Love you.

Jewels of My Heart said...

Oh, Gwen, when I saw the picture of Maggie and her radient, smile of pure joy my heart smiled... then I read your post and it stopped! I can't even say anything.... I can't imagine... it makes me want to start sobbing...
Thank You Jesus from the bottom of my heart for saving this precious daughter of my dear friend; I can't imagine a world with out sweet, beautiful, dear Maggie in it.....

Erica said...

Oh Gwen. I've been there. I know that feeling of panic from the tip of your head to the very tip of our toes. We too have a pool, it hasn't happened to Silas but it has to Olivia. I know all too well that feeling of vulnerbility thanking the Lord for his protection. I'm SO glad Maggie was okay. Praise you Jesus for protecting this sweet family.

Kristi J said...

Thank you for sharing your story. I am adopting from ethiopia and also live in Brentwood. I have four bio kids and this will make #5 for us. I had a similar story but I didn't see it happen, a dear friend did and pulled my 16 month old out of a baby pool in our back yard. I've thanked God so many times for her being right there and seeing my baby fall over the edge. She is also the friend that sent me the Utube video that started this adoption process. I really need to be calling and thanking her this Mother's Day now that I think about it.
Thanks again,
Kristi Johnson
www.weloveourlucy.blogspot.com

Jenn said...

Tears in my eyes! God is good and even scary things work for His good!!! Jenn

Kris - said...

A friend sent me your blog just now. I read this post and I'm crying. God is good! My friend says you and I should connect. I'd love to. I have a little girl from China too, also a precious boy adopted here in Nashville. I live in Franklin. You can contact me at kmseiden@comcast.net.

Diana said...

We have a pool and that is my BIGGEST worry. I am so happy she is OK..God was with both of you.
Hugs from one mom to another:-)

Kristy said...

Oh, oh, oh.
No words, just Praise.....

Heather said...

Oh Gwen - I literally stopped breathing as I read this - once composed, I thanked sweet Jesus for His providence in having your ears clear for hearing and body close for saving - you did that, in her moment of need - YOU WERE THERE!

Enjoy that wonderful pool and all the beautiful memories made right there in your back yard. What fun would a bonfire be right now??? Hmmmm, I can taste the smores.

Thank you for sharing this most tender moment with us...you are such an amazing mother.

Love,
Heather

Pam said...

Wow, I am thankful that she is safe and well. It is great that she knows that you are there for her.

Ruth said...

Oh man, wow..so glad you were there for her like you always will be. She is learning that you will be there for her, that she is safe and that she is home. So glad you heard God in that situation and that you felt her love and that she felt you holding her.

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