Testimony about God's faithfulness from a mum.

This is a testimony from a mum,this story is so dear to my heart because the child in question here happens to be my niece and her parent happen to be my brother Kingsley and his pretty wife Doris.I hope after reading this story your faith,hope and trust in God will be strengthened the more and that you will be reassured that God Almighty is faithful to always keep his word and promises over His children

 . … In the  exact words of Doris “Sometimes God allows us to pass through certain things so that we can get closer to him and be humbled. He turned my tests into testimonies. This child is mine; she is mine, my very own baby, my child, my everything, my Princess, my miracle baby, God's gift to me. I call her my Amen Baby.”

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This is my story.

I got married legally in 2012 and my hubby and I agreed to have a honeymoon year before having any babies. During the honeymoon phase, I noticed that whenever I came into contact with a baby I got really emotional and felt so in love. I wanted mine!! At that point I knew I wanted to be a mum so bad.

We started trying for a baby from July 2013 and surprisingly we got pregnant that same month. During that period, specifically October, we were also  going to Nigeria . I was under a lot of stress, including stress  at work(they were restructuring and making many jobs redundant including mine.).

About a few weeks after, I found out I was pregnant. I started bleeding and this scared me. I was so worried and didn’t want anything to happen to my precious growing baby and I blamed myself for stressing and putting my child in danger by worrying about ridiculous worldly things.

I remember telling my boss that I had to leave work and rushed straight to the hospital. I phoned my husband to meet me there and then I called on Jesus - my Saviour, my Lord and my God, the one who is and forever will be.

I gave my life to Christ in 2010 and since then, my relationship with him has grown strong. He has never left my side and I believe that he never gives you what you can’t handle. As I drove to the GP, these were my prayers

“Oh Lord, come down and manifest your powers.”

I was screaming and singing praises to him. I quoted all the bible verses I could remember. Other drivers would have thought I was crazy as I kept screaming

"JESUS JESUS...You who have given me this child cannot let the devil take this joy from me. Jesus over to you." That was my prayer.

The doctor checked my belly and tried to listen to my baby’s heartbeat, but I was still in the early stages so they couldn’t. We were referred to another hospital and oh boy! That drive to the hospital made me sick; I wanted this baby more than anything in the world and I prayed like never before. I got to the maternity unit and they called us into the scan room. They carried out the scan and told me

"Doris your baby is fine; it’s normal for mums to spot at the early stages of pregnancy. As long as you are not bleeding heavily, there is nothing to worry about."

PHEW...OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD that was all I could say.

I was so relived and continued to thank the Lord for everything. I went to work the next day and I was told that I was the only one selected among those at risk of being made redundant to remain in their Job.

At this point, I renewed my vow with Jesus:I will serve and worship You forever, I will be good, humble and kind to everyone, I will show love to everyone and help the needy, I will spread Your word and be a reflection of  Your words with my actions.

After  we came back to the UK from our trip to Nigeria, I went for my first appointment and was told by the mid wife

"Oh Doris, you are past the 13 weeks scan date, you are 15 weeks and we can’t check accurately for abnormalities in your baby. You have a do a blood test instead which is not %100 accurate."

I was not worried because my husband and I are pretty healthy in our families. I did the blood test and I got the shock of my life – The test came back positive for Down syndrome. They said there was a one 1 in 5 chance blah blah blah.....I wasn't even listening any more.

What is this, Jesus? Why would you make me smile one minute and allow the devil to make me cry another minute? They gave me all the leaflets on how to care for a Down syndrome child. They said some women decide to get an abortion to avoid bringing a child into this world to suffer, while some decide to care for their child.

My hubby was very relaxed, he comforted me as I cried and cried. He said to me

“Dee, remember our mothers did not do all these tests and they had healthy babies. Don't stress yourself, let’s just find out for sure if we are having a baby with special needs.”

The next stage was for us to sign a consent form to have a procedure called Amniocentesis, a diagnostic test involving a long needle being passed through the belly to get to the amniotic fluid in the womb. This fluid contains some of the baby’s cells and would be tested. With this procedure, I was told that there is a risk of miscarriage .

My hubby and I started doing research to understand Down syndrome better and found that it really is not a terrible diagnosis. These children may reach milestones a little later than other children but hey, life is not a race! They may also have some health challenges but so can any baby. These children can also contribute to their world. It is nothing to be afraid of and so we decided to keep our baby (special needs or not).

I guess the questions were,

Do we want to take the risk of going through this procedure that could potentially lead to a miscarriage or should we just carry on as normal and find out when the baby arrives?

and

Will I be able to carry on as normal without wondering everyday about my baby?

We decided to go for the test. We went to the specialist hospital, did this painful amniocentesis procedure and then went home that night waiting anxiously for the result. It was the longest wait ever. We prayed and fasted and I reminded God of all his promises to me. I thanked Him for whatever outcome this would bring.

Then I got the call, the long awaited call

“Doris, your results are in and the test came back as normal, you are having a healthy baby. You will receive the result in the post and one will be sent to your GP, Congratulations!”

I just broke down and started crying and praising God. The devil tried to test my faith but God had the final say.

Even as we went through all of this it never stopped me from smiling, playing or chatting with my friends and doing me. I was quick to share the news to family and close friends. I waited patiently, not knowing the sex of my baby and I enjoyed the rest of my pregnancy.

I flaunted my bump at every opportunity… I was in love and obsessed with the baby growing inside me. I sang to my bump, I prayed with my bump, I talked and rubbed my bump all time.

I get really emotional when I talk about this and as I write I'm in tears. My hubby and I bonded more as he bonded with our baby. We couldn't wait to meet our precious, little, attention seeking baby who wanted to keep mummy on her toes.

40 weeks and this madam was not showing any signs of coming out. I was bouncing on my ball, walking, eating spicy food but no labour. So I was booked in to get induced after 12 days and still madam was just chilling enjoying my belly. They tried to break my water (very painful), still no labour  and at this time my baby was in distress and her heart beat was fluctuating.

They decided on the caesarean section and on the 2nd of May 2014 we welcomed the most beautiful little princess I had ever seen. I was so emotional;  smelt her and held her in my arms

I prayed to God everyday just for a healthy baby and he gave us not only a very healthy baby but a very beautiful happy baby. Sometimes God allows us to pass through certain things so that we can get closer to him and be humbled. He turned my tests into testimonies. This child is mine; she is mine, my very own baby, my child, my everything, my Princess, my miracle baby, God's gift to me. I call her my Amen Baby (She has seen me pray so much and so loud that she screams AMEN whenever I pray – so heart warming) My friends and family also fell in love with her, they shower her with prayers, love and gifts

We named her Nina – meaning God has shown favour in Hebrew, Adaeze - Daughter of a King (God) Osamudiamen –God stands for me and  Chinaemeremnma – God keeps favouring me.

She makes me look good, she is my world and must be tired of mummy and daddy's kisses. She says mama and my heart melts. She has so many personalities, always happy, dancing and she’s a foodie like me…lol

She makes being a mum look and feel so easy. Everyday I look at her and I am proud and happy we went through all of this as it made me stronger and hopelessly in Love with my Nina and hubby who is just the most supportive loving man. Nina turned two on 2nd May 2016 and she has started her pre nursery school. I have nothing but joy in my heart.

My respect has grown for women, especially mums out there...hats off to all the women out there, both single, married, mums, mum to be etc.

Not everybody understands what anyone has been or is going through. Sometimes people question you for loving your child so much (yes they do), some even judge you because of how much you love your family and resent you for being so happy.

Please  don’t let it faze you and don't it stop you from still showing them love and support. Abundant blessings come with you sincerely opening your heart to those who resent you.

My advice to all women, trying to be a mum, already a mum, wanting to be a mum again or if you are having any sort of trials in life, always believe in God Almighty Trust me when I say he will always come through for you as long as you have faith, pray to him, cry to him, Challenge him and most of all live a good humble life. I carry his banner over my head.

And this was the beginning of the best days of my life………….

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6