Where you come from tells a lot about you.

I grew up in a really small town in West Texas.  I am the oldest of three children.  I have a sister Mindy who is 37 and a  brother Devin who is 30.  My parents are hard working middle class.  I grew up in a very strict home with a lot of rules.  My mom took us to church every Sunday and we were given the choice to attend but strongly encouraged to do so.  My dad believes that there is a God but does not worship him weekly at church.  My parents worked hard to teach us values and respect for people and things.  Family is a big part of our lives and always will be. 

My mom had me when she was very young.  My birth father did not stick around.  My mom never talked bad about him.  In fact she just never talked about him at all.  My mom married Kenneth when I was three.  Kenneth is the only dad I ever knew.  Once they were married he adopted me and had my name changed to Rushing.  I love my parents.  Like all families we had our dysfunction.  My dad drank a lot when I was growing up and never pushed that on us but we saw what happen.  Sometimes it would make him a mean person.  He has since stopped that completely and I am so proud of him.  Life's circumstances are not always what we would choose them to be.  My parents are very much in love and have always shown the value of marriage and what it means by the example they lived.  Both of my parents come from families of seven siblings.  Yes you read it correctly I had 24 aunts and uncles after everyone was married.  Even better than that most of them lived close to us and some even in the same city so holidays were very large.

My sister and I were not very close growing up.  In fact I don't believe we talked for a few years in High School.  The way I remember it is she was a jerk and always getting me in trouble.  I am sure that would not be her version.  We are like night and day in our personalities.  Mindy is so much like my dads family and I am very much like my mothers.  Now that we are adults we get along much better.  My sister has lived a colorful life and mine has been very plain.  I was the athlete, obedient, college, marriage, children girl.  Mindy is the artsy, party, let's try it, still looking for love girl.  Not that I am judging her for any of that, just saying we are different.

My brother is a pain in the butt.  I was already 10 when Devin was born so I did my share in raising him.  I changed diapers, fed, cleaned and put him to sleep a lot.  I loved helping my mom.  I loved my baby brother.  It took Devin a few marriages and lots of time but he is a great dad and husband to his now wife Kendra.  Yep he married a girl with my name.  I know its creepy but what are you going to do.  Devin has three children.  Brylee is 9, Reece is 7 and Kendall is 6.  So that means with my children my parents have grand kids that are 9, 8 Titus, 7, 6, 5 Levi and 4 Emma. 

I love my family with all my heart.  We have had our disagreements just like any family.  At this stage in our lives we just try and keep up.  We take turns traveling to see one another when we can.  My sister lives in Seattle so that makes it hard.  My brother lives in Fort Worth, my parents still live in Sterling city and of course we live in Tulsa, OK.  We make it work for us.  The Lord has really blessed my life with a lot of love.  Sometimes we question those things and then even the smallest of gestures can change our whole perspective.  I want my children to grow up knowing that family will always be there.  Next to God they may be all you have sometimes.  You can make the whole world mad, but family they always forgive.  Whats the saying "Blood is thicker than Water".  I think the Lord smiles down on us when he sees how forgiving we can be with family.  Even more important I think its the forgetting that really pleases him.  Take time to call your family, take time to pray for your family, take time to spend time with your family and always thank God that you have them.  There is always someone, somewhere who doesn't have any family, take time to invite them into yours.

Moments after the birth

After Emma was born she only used oxygen briefly.  She began to breath room air much sooner than most preemies.  She was so tiny that Will's wedding ring fit around her foot and hung on her ankle.  Will and I began reading to her and touching her as much as they would let us.  Knowing our voices and feeling our touch early on were very important to her and us.  We read Charlot's Webb to her every day.  The nurses and doctors all loved Emma and always commented on what a  beautiful baby she was.  Our doctor was one of the nicest, most attentive doctors I have ever met.  He was always honest and straight forward about all things.  Gods presence was always apparent.  The nurses were also very sweet.  Will and I took turns with the boys at home and then with Emma at the hospital. 

Emma grew perfectly and with no problems.  The doctor was amazed at her progress.  Will and I knew that Emma was covered in prayer all day every day so we began to pray over other babies in the NICU.  It is our belief that in every situation God provides for us the opportunity to minister to others.  We made some dear friends and met many people along this journey. 

One story sticks out in my mind that I would like to share with you.  The second day of Emma's life I was in hospital still and a woman asked the nurses if she could talk with me.  This woman did not give a name, however she had a powerful story to share.  Last year at this exact time she gave birth to a daughter who was premature and very ill.  The baby did not survive and she was very angry still at God for taking her child.  The pain was almost more than she could bare.  Not loving the Lord and knowing his full power and grace made a difference in how she felt as well.  She was not a christian and did not know about salvation.  I was still very drugged when she came to visit me.  The Holy Spirit was present in my conversation with her that night.  She gave me a dress that she had bought for her baby and wanted Emma to have it.  Through the tears I asked her to have a seat and began to minister with all my heart.  My friends will tell you that when I am passionate about something I can let you have it so to speak.  I am also not very good at filtering what I say therefore I just tell it like it is. 

I thanked her for the gift and we prayed together.  I asked that she be healed both physically and spiritually from the pain her life had caused.  I asked that the Lord provide for her the opportunities to seek him and his love in all that she did.  I told her about the loving family at Park Plaza and how gifted that church was in seeking and saving the lost.  People from all walks of life choosing the same narrow path to find Christ.  She left that night and I never knew her name.  I pray for her everyday and for her healing because of my miracle God sent this woman to hear my story and to believe in him again.  God is powerful when we give him the control.  41 days later and our sweet Emma came home.  Perfect in every way.  Thank you Lord for your everlasting love.

If you don't believe in Miracles this will change your mind.

Will and I were very comfortable in our new home in Tulsa.  Titus was now four years old and Levi was almost one.  We had been in our home for almost two full months when I started feeling sick a lot.  I was tired, and every morning I was throwing up.  I had gone to the doctor and was told I had a Hernia that was in bad condition.  We were in the process of getting all the new insurance straightened out so I just took the doctor they suggested for me.  I started gaining a lot of weight about June and my breast were hurting like crazy.   I went back to the doctor and was told I must have some kind of virus.  All the doctors new my medical history and the fact that their was no chance of getting pregnant.  It never crossed any ones mind.  We did all kinds of test trying to figure out what was wrong with me.  Secretly unknown to Will I had been praying that God would bless our life with more children.  I had been praying this same prayer for 12 years now.  Have you ever heard people say all things happen in Gods time not ours?  Well I am here to tell you that is exactly right. 

Fall rolled around and I was wearing big clothing.  I had gained a lot of weight on top of already being a heavy lady.  I was teaching at the Preschool and trying to help Will with our new Ministry.  I was very busy because I also had two small children to take care of.  One Sunday morning while getting the boys ready for church, I fell down the stairs while holding Levi.  Levi was a chubby little guy and was very heavy.  I messed up my back and neck pretty bad so I went to the chiropractor to get fixed.  They did xrays of my spine and neck.  I was adjusted and I remember when I layed on the bed it hurt my stomach.  I suffered that pain to relieve another and moved on.  Early November I had a Bunko night with some friends.  I was not feeling well at all.  My body was swollen a lot.  I had called the doctor to get in but they had no openings unless it was an emergency.  I was going to live so I did not push the matter.  I remember asking God to heal me of whatever this was making me so ill.  I was tired, sick and just needed some rest.  If you know me at all you know that sitting still and not working is not something I can do.  I went to Bunko that night and on the way I stopped at a drugstore to see if they had something for water retention.  The Pharmacist said mam you look Preclamsic.  What in the world does that mean?  He suggested I take a pregnancy test before taking in medication.  I giggled and said that's impossible.  I bought the test just for kicks and went on the Bunko.  When I got there the girls were really worried about me.  I looked like Shreks wife.  My nose had swollen across my face, my skin was so full of fluid it looked like it would burst, I could only wear flip flops because my shoes did not fit and I had these huge white circles under my eyes.  I told them what the pharmacist had said and they made me pee on the stick while I was there.  Everyone was just sure I was pregnant.  Having type II Diabetes sometimes you get false readings on the pee sticks, so I'm told.  The first test did not work at all so the girls told me to save it and look at it in the morning.  All night this elation of joy filled my spirit to just imagine being pregnant.  When you have been through all we have those moments of maybes are all you got.  The next morning I checked the test and it was positive.  Holy Buckets!  I am pregnant!  I grabbed the other test and took it right away it was also positive.  Silence

Lord I have prayed for this all my life it seems.  If I am pregnant please protect this child and let me get the help I need.........

I ran to the bedroom and jumped on Will, honey we may be pregnant for real this time.  WHAT!  We called the doctor and asked if this was Emergency enough and we got in for an appointment in three days.  It was Thanksgiving so we waited through the weekend.  I was so stunned but still not convinced.  If you have ever experienced Infertility and are given that hope only to have it taken away again and again its hard to believe.  To be a woman and long for motherhood, to see others around you joyfully having families and to see people who don't want children having them, it changes who you are and how you think.  The pain your heart feels when you loose a baby, the pain you feel when nothing you do works.  Words just cant express!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving came and went.  It was November 29th, 2006 when we woke up got the boys ready for Preschool and were off to see the doctor.  The day was normal just like any other except that I had a very bad headache that morning.  This was such a pain like I had never felt and on top of that I was throwing up a lot that morning. We dropped the boys off at school. We got to the doctors office and I went in.  Will waited outside for them to call him back.  We went in the room and they weighed me, took my temp and then my blood pressure, I also took the pregnancy test.  The doctor looked sick and said "Mrs. Spoon are you feeling well?"  In my mind I really wanted to slap this fellow and say do I look like I feel well?  No, I am sick, my head hurts, I cant breathe, my nose looks like it is touching both my earlobes, my eyes have crop circles around them and you want to know if I am feeling well?  I answered no sir and explained I have been very ill and I took a pregnancy test that said yes.  He told me to lay down that they were calling an ambulance to come and get me.  WHAT!  Your blood pressure is dangerous and the test you took shows that you are pregnant.  Holy Crap!  I lost my Christianity for a moment.  I am pregnant?  Yes, but we don't know how far along you are so the ambulance is taking you to the hospital right now.  Your blood pressure is so high you could have a stroke.  I need Will right now he is in the waiting room.  Will came in and the doctor said Mr. Spoon your wife is in critical condition and she is pregnant.  Will nearly hit the floor.  Are you sure he said?  Yes she is going to the hospital right now.  Little did we all know but outside one of Tulsa's biggest Ice Storms ever had just begun.  The ambulance did not come so Will said I will take her.  We ran to the car and the ice was coming down hard.  All the way we both never spoke but prayed and cried as we got in our car and tried to understand what was going on.  It seemed like hours to cross that street to St. Francis Hospital.  Will was on his cell phone and I just sat there stunned and elated all at once.  I AM HAVING A BABY!  Thank you father. Thank you so much. Please keep us safe.

We got to the Emergency room and the doctor had already called.  I walked in got in a wheelchair and the nurse ran with me to the elevator.  Will was parking the car and barely caught us on the way up.  I was undressed, drugged and in a bed in about 7 minutes.  Poor, Will he was trying to get our parents and get someone to take care of the boys.  Its funny but even in our biggest moment of need all we could do was think about taking care of everyone else.  The next doctor came in and examined me.  She said you are 29 weeks pregnant and this baby is going to be born tomorrow if all goes well.  WHAT!  Mrs. Spoon you are very ill and we have to save you and the baby and this is the only way.  You save this baby at any cost I said.  I prayed my whole life for this child and I know God has great plans in store.  Our church family at Park Plaza, in Ft. Worth, in Sterling City, in Missouri, in Oklahoma and many more I did not name interlaced our family with such a powerful ring of prayer I never even worried for a moment.  A complete sense of Peace and Love filled every person, and thing around us.  The doctor pulled Will aside and told him that there may come a time when he will have to choose me or the baby.  Will assured him that this would never happen because our God was now in full control and everything would be as it should.

That was the longest night of my life.  I was in and out of both prayer and sleep.  I just wanted to worship the Lord and thank him for this miracle.  Morning came and it all began so fast.  Getting my spinal shot was tough because I was so swollen that he could not get the niddle to go where he needed it to go.  I was prepared for the C section and lay there wandering if I was having a boy or a girl.  I did not really care which I could hardly wait to meet this new little life.  Will sat by me the whole time, nervously wanting to fix or do mostly I think he just wanted to bake something to make him self feel better.  There was no pain but a lot of pressure.  Then the moment I had waited for all my life.  Sweet baby girl was pulled out and they showed her to me.  I was so thrilled.  They rushed her off and I begged Will to go and be with her so she would not be alone.  He went reluctantly because he was worried about me.  She was here, I was here and life was so grand.  Seeing your child for the first time is not something words can explain.  I felt the same way when I saw Titus and Levi and now my sweet Emma.   3 lbs. 2 oz and 21 weeks old.  How can you not believe in a miracle.

Blessed Again

Our second adoption was a little different than the first.  We had just finished with paperwork with the adoption agency again when we recieved a phone call about Levi.  Friends of our from church had adopted at the same time we got our first child.  These friends had a daughter who attended a nearby preschool.  The Preschool teacher was pregnant and was unable to provide for the child at that time.  We set up a meeting at a nearby Starbucks and discussed the option of Will and I adopting the baby.  The Lord had blessed us again with a great birth mother to provide for us a child.  With Levi we were able to keep in touch before he was born.  Rose had a Csection on August 22, 2005.  Everyone was able to be there this time.  We shared the day with Rose's family and our own.  Once again there was the horrible wait period.  This time however the baby was kept in the nursery all the time.  I just sat in the side room and held him straight for three days.  I fed him, clothed him and watched him sleep.  Levi is one of the most beautiful children God ever made.  We had a lawyer and within days everything was done.  We were blessed with child number two.  Levi was born in Ft. Worth so when he was released from the hospital we took him straight home.

Content with our now two children life was changing as was Will's job.  We moved to Tulsa from Ft. Worth and a whole new life journey was in store for us now.  We had to sell our home in Texas so for nearly 3 months the boys and I lived with Will's mom.  Tulsa is only two hours from Nonnie's.  We spent as much time as we could together as a family.  Finally we were blessed by our Elders at church to go ahead and buy a new home without the sale of our home in Texas yet.  After looking at over 100 homes we found a beautiful home in Broken Arrow.  We moved in to our new home in April.  We had seen many miracles in our life but none compared to what the Lord had in store for us next....................

From the beginning...

   Let me start from the first.  Will and I were married in 1996.  For five years we tried to have children.  We did it all.  Medication, standing on our heads, temprature, shots, lots of doctors and invetro.  Nothing worked and so we decided after much prayer that we were going to adopt.  Let me just say it is a life changing experience to adopt.  This is not a birth of the body but rather a birth of the heart.  It's one of those you have to be there things to really understand.  We adopted our first born from Abilene Christian Homes in Texas.  We were told it could take up to two years to recieve a child, however Titus was born only nine months to the date of signing the paperwork.  We got the phone call at a wedding that Will was performing and I was catering.  We were told that babies never come on the due date so we would meet the birth mom the next Monday June 10, 1996.  That evening some friends of ours went into panic mode.  We did not know if it was a boy or a girl or even if the Birth mother would choose us so we had a bed and a changing table but that was it.  The panic shopping began with two carts full of diapers, bottles, wipes, monitors, bags, clothing for both genders--it was a mad house.  
   Sunday, June 9th the day before we were to meet we got a phone call at church that our baby was comming.  Wait!  we get this baby?  Our heads were spinning.  The Social worker said get here as soon as you can the birth mom is in labor.  It was a tornado of clothing, toiletries and tears as we tossed everything into a bag and headed out to pick up our first child.  Will and I are known as directionaly challeged so several of our friends led the way to Sherman Texas.  We got a phone call on the way there and the birthmother Amanda said to me "I just had your baby and it is a boy!!"  Elation does not even cover the joy and love we felt at that moment.  Crying like two crazy people and calling every one we knew at 85 mph down the road was something.  We arrived at the hospital with only moments to spare.  We hudled for a prayer with our friends in the parking lot and ran like two crazys to the door.  All the nurses already knew we were comming and took us right into the delivery room. 
   There he was, our son, Titus Andrew Spoon only minutes old.  He still had afterbirth all over his skin.  The tears we shed cleaned his face and a love so big filled our hearts that there are no words to explain it.  We met Amanda the birth mother and tried to have some semblane of manners, after all she was giving us a gift like no other.  Birthmothers deserve a whole lot of gratitude and praise for the courage and love that they show in giving a child a life that they cannot provide.  The next 48 hours would be the longest hours of our life.  Would Titus go home with us forever or would she change her mind?  We spent every second with Titus for the rest of the day.  We fed him, bathed him, held him and prayed over him over and over and over.  Evening came and we had to go so we reluntantly handed what now felt like our son to the birth mother.  It was so hard I could not do it.  I began to cry and hold him tighter.  The nurse came and took him for us and Will and I carried each other to the car in tears barely able to walk.  We left the hospital and went to Walmart to pick up a few things we wanted Titus to have the next day.  While there we purchased a few snacks.  Now if you dont know, Will and I we are two people who love food and that night it was a Stress Buffet on the hotel bed.  Ding Dongs work wonders when you dont want to feel pain.
   Monday morning, we were back at the hospital as soon and the doors opened and we stayed the whole day with Amanda and Titus.  Will ran in and out all day nervously attending to every ones needs and I sat next to Amanda's bed soaking in every detail about her, her family and her life choices.  I did not want her to have any time to contenplatechanging her mind.  The day took forever.  Once again we had to hand Titus over before we left and the only thought that crossed my mind was I bet I can out run all these people and get to the car with my family before they catch us.  Back at the Stress Buffet we prayed together and felt a peace about everything.  The next day we took our sweet Titus Andrew home with us and the rest is history.  This was truly only one of the first miracles of Christ that I would experience.