Miracles Happen part 2- Bill's story

Bill sent a delightful story of the labor and delivery of these two babies. This is his story. Thanks Bill, for the beautiful, faith promoting story.

As Paul Harvey says, and now the rest of the story...... It goes something like this: Teri woke me in the middle of the night on Thanksgiving eve to tell me that she thought it was time to go to the hospital and have our babies. Having been in the medical business at that time, I reminded her that she still had two months of pregnancy to go and encouraged her to just go back to sleep. A little while later she again woke me saying "its time to go to the hospital". Again, I reminded her of my medical background and told her to go back to sleep. A while later Teri woke me and said that her water broke and was all over the bathroom floor. My eyes got big, we dressed in a heart beat and called the OB. He said that he would roust two neonatologist out of bed and meet us at Good Sam Hospital. We grabbed the "baby bag" and made tracks to the car. I'm sure I set a new land speed record when I backed my car out of the drive way. All the way to the hospital I was quietly hoping Teri would not decide to have those babies in the front seat of my new car.

When we got to the hospital, they whisked Teri off to prep her. I went into the doctors lounge to put on some scrubs. There, I found the OB sitting on the floor, back against the wall, smoking his pipe, while sporting a beard and a peace medallion. I asked him if we didn't need to get going and he said that "a man needs to have his pipe at 2 am". When we got to the delivery room, Teri was already there. The two young neonatologist were scrubbed and ready at the foot of the table. The OB directed me to a crank at the head of the table and asked if I could manage cranking up and cranking down when he directed me to do so. Hey, I have a medical background. Of course I can handle that. He then told everyone that "Here's the game plan....I will take the snap from Teri...hand off to the neonatologist, who will make an end run to the ICU....and I don't want anyone fumbling the hand off.....Ready?

Well first Blake pops out. They clean him off, hand him off and the neonatologist makes his run to the ICU. The OB then says "Are you read for the instant replay? We're going to do this again". About that time the second water bag breaks and sprays all over the doc. He then says "that's it, this is the first time you will hear of a doctor suing the patient....that kid just tried to drown me". He quickly changed his scrub shirt to a clean one and then delivered Brett. They cleaned him up and ran him to the ICU. In the mean time, I was doing my job of cranking the crank up and down when instructed to do so.

The nurses got everything cleaned up. Teri was shuffled off back to her room. Once the delivery table was empty, that's when I noticed that my crank was hot hooked to anything. "Oh, that is my husband occupier laughed the OB"....How embarrassing!!!

As the OB and I left the delivery room, I was on cloud nine. "Hey look at me, I've got two beautiful new sons"!! The OB was not happy however. I asked him what the matter was and that is when he told me that he had hoped the babies would be girls as premature girls are stronger than boys (What?). He also said that he wished they had been four pounds, but they were just over three pounds. Worst of all was that both boys had Hyalin Membrane covering their lungs so that their lungs would collapse on every breath. In a normal delivery the membrane dissolves during the last 24 hours prior to delivery so the babies can transition from a liquid environment to an oxygen environment. Since the boys were two months premature the membrane was still present and that almost all babies with this problem failed to survive. He said he did not think the boys would survive through the night. Obviously, I mentally went from the ceiling to the floor in an instance.

The babies were in incubators with tubes and catheters coming out. They would stop breathing and alarms would go off. The nurses would have to poke them to get them to breath again. And, of course they were having to breath through oxygen tubes. After talking with Teri and seeing the poor little pink 3 pound rats, I mean babies, I went home. That is when David called and as they say, you know the rest. Actually, David administered to one of the boys and I did the other one. I will never forget the electricity we felt and the power of the Lord as David and I were conduits for the priesthood healing power. I remember Teri looking in through the window as we blessed the boys through the incubators. One man came up to her, looked at the boys, and said "Oh those poor things, why don't they just go ahead and let them die"? Teri yelled, "Those are my babies and they are going to be just fine". I think he almost lost his life just then. I remember how amazed the OB was when, after the blesssings, the boys went right to room air and the x-rays not only showed no membrane, but no sign of it ever having been there. They were indeed miracle babies.

Now they are 6'2", 210 lb monsters with kids of their own Can you believe it? Anyway, it is certainly something I will never forget.

Miracles Happen

Years ago David had an assignment as a home teacher to a family who had become less active. They were a darling, young family and new in our ward. Their names were Teri and Bill Boulter. They were expecting a baby; two in fact. In David’s warm, delightful way he went to visit. He stood alone on the doorstep and as they answered the door, he introduced himself as their home teacher. He was welcomed in and in this friendly conversation he pointed out that they needed to come to church as he would not allow any of his families to be inactive. He told of all of the virtues of the Hamilton Ward and left the challenge for them to join us on Sunday. It must have been the right thing at the right time because they were not offended at his pointed suggestion. They came that Sunday as they now had a friend there. As time went on we became good friends and did many things together.

Unfortunately, Teri’s pregnancy ended early and two little baby boys were born 10 weeks before they were due. They were in trouble. Their lungs were not fully developed. They had a condition called Hyla Membrane disease. (I'm not sure how to spell it but it was a Chronic Lung disease not uncommon to premature infants). The babies were at high risk for fluid build up, infection and lack of oxygen. They were in intensive care immediately at birth. The situation was grave.
Bill called to tell David that Teri had had the babies early and that they were very sick.
He could hear the concern and stress in the voice of this first time father and friend.
David, through the inspiration of the Lord, said “We need to give them a blessing.” The message had come to him immediately and was strong. David met Bill at the hospital. The babies were tiny and on oxygen. They looked pretty pathetic. Doctors and nurses were scurrying around everywhere. The bright lights and the business of the unit were hardly conducive for a Priesthood blessing yet the prompting continued urgent. Bill and David told the staff of their desire to give the babies a blessing. The staff was resistant and said they could do it another time. The babies could not be taken out of the incubator nor could it be opened to accomodate the laying on of hands. Bill was tentative and wanted the best for his babies; unsure of how to proceed. David felt impressed that it must be done now.
In the hustle and bustle of that room, they laid their hands on the top of each glass incubator as a blessing was pronounced upon each child. The room became totally silent to David as he gave the blessings. To him there was no noise, no movement, no intrusions as they entreated the Lord for the healing blessings.
The next morning the doctor came in and was told that the babies had a good night and that they were breathing room air. He couldn’t believe it and asked for the records. The records confirmed that they had been born with Chronic Lung Disease. The doctor asked for the X rays and upon reading them found absolutely no sign of the disease. He was sure that they had given him the wrong X Rays and ordered another set. Again, absolutely no sign of the disease.
On the official medical records of both boys was written these words “immediate improvement following Mormon blessing”.

This miracle occurred because a priesthood holder was worthy to hear, was prepared, and was willing to courageously follow the promptings of the Lord. This is not an isolated incident. This kind of thing happens continually among church members all over the world.
This example of listening, being worthy, being prepared and willing to following the promptings of the Lord even when it seems to be wrong to some, strengthens my testimony of the living Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The twins, Brett and Blake are healthy, vibrant, grown men with families on their own. Their parents, their sisters, their wives and children remain true to the faith. The following scripture touches my heart and validates the Lord's involvement in our lives. Bill and David were on the Lord's errand that day and this "small thing" in that moment of time, was truly great.
Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's business.

And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last days,
Wherefore, be not weary in well–doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:29-30,33)

The picture above of Teri, Bill and Blake was taken in June 2008. They are forever our friends .

Adventure in Hiking part 2

The next day we went to Bryce Canyon National Park with our friends, Ross and Jean Richards. We wanted to hike the famous Navajo Loop Trail. It is the flagship trail. It is a short mile and a half but the steep inclines can be a challenge both going down and coming back up. We had some concern for Ross because of his motorcycle accident a couple of years ago. He nearly lost his leg. He was up for the hike so off we went. As we approached the trail an older gentleman told us we were too old to go on this trail. He was sure we couldn't make it! Little did he know.

We were ready for the challenge and excited for it. David carried the water, I had the camera and one of Ross's walking sticks. The photo ops we thought would be spectacular. They were.

This is a little tunnel about half way down. Then I had David continue down and take a picture looking up the switchbacks where we stood.

This was a spectacular experience. One you should plan to do ASAP. The interesting thing was that as we walked the trail and spoke to others on the trail, most did not speak English! They nodded politely and went their way. It is defininately worth the trip from anywhere to hike in Zion's or Bryce. ya'll come. Jean and I are sitting on a log in front of Two Bridges. Ross and David are climbing back up the trail. The tight passage is just so wonderful. I have to go back! I think you should come with me! Bring your camera. You'll love it. It's not that hard.

Adventure in Hiking

June 2008
We took a trip to St. George, Utah with our son, Brett and his family. Two of the children, Matthew and Katherine were part of a violin group, The Madsonians, who were performing at the Tabernacle there.

The next day we took a short ride to Zion’s National Park where we went hiking. Have you ever gone hiking with two teenage girls? It is an experience. The hike to Emerald Pools begins with a nice trail and a gentle slope. Brett, Claudia, Matthew, Katherine, Analisa and Sarah along with David and me (the grandparents) merrily began the hike. The first pool was about a half mile in. All was delightful ….until…Matthew suddenly had to leave. Brett unhappily took him down the trail. We went on for about fifteen minutes more when Katherine began to be weaker and hotter and finally had to rest. We hadn’t reached the second pool yet. She had been sick for a couple of days so it wasn’t surprising. So with Claudia and Katherine leaving us, Sarah and Analisa and David and I continued up the mountain.
It was incredibly beautiful; indescribable really. We came to a lush area where the trail goes under a waterfall which creates the two lower pools. To this point the trail is easy going. As we begin to climb again to the third pool the trail gets rocky and steep and sandy. Sarah and Analisa laugh and run up the trail never getting breathless. We follow like the tortoise follows the hare. The trail up seems to get longer and longer. Those coming down are encouraging saying “You’re almost there.” “It’s worth it.” The sand and boulders make it necessary to watch your every step. Up and down we go winding our way up the mountain while Sarah and Analisa in their little flip flops and little “woosy” shoes seemingly float up every incline and spring over every obstacle laughing and playing. We continue on taking a minute here and there to catch our breath. All and all we kept up quite well for the “elderly”. When we finally got to the upper pool, Analisa was sitting on a log waiting for us to come around the bend. Sarah had stayed back with us taking photos and keeping us entertained.
This upper pool is the biggest and most impressive. It lies at the foot of 300 foot cliffs and is so compelling that the girls just had to wade in. It scared me to death. I could imagine one of them disappearing under the water. David said “Go on in…you’ll be fine.” He was right. They loved it.

Pure Joy!

Stay tuned for the next adventure at Bryce Canyon the next day.

The Spriit of Elijah

I have been working at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City for just over a year now. I am assigned to the first floor of the library where people, new to genealogy or not, come for help. I have met people from all over the world who come to find their family. Many of those whom I have helped are not members of the Church. My job along with many other missionaries, is to help them one on one. We look for government records such as census data or death certificates or obituaries or land deeds etc. all via the internet. There is so much information available there that it is a miracle. I sit next to the paton at the computer, get to know them briefly, find out what they are looking for, how much time they have, then I teach them how to find records. Many times I sit with them for an hour or more. Some patrons come with lots of information and some come with very little but all come longing for a family connection.

Not long ago I sat with a man from back east who upon seeing the name of his father and family on a census became so overcome that he couldn't speak. He sat tearfully at the computer and after a short time apologetically said that the experience was so powerful that he just couldn't take any more. He gathered his things, thanked me and left. A similar thing happened last week when a man from Boca Raton found his family on a census record. He immediately became tearful and apologetic for it. I assured him that this happened to people quite often and not to feel embarrassed. He continued looking for a little while then left, resolved to get more information from his family records at home. Emotional responses are common at the library. Family history is tender. Families are precious. As I have searched the records of my ancestors, I have come to love them though we have never met here. Records tell a story. They give a snapshot of a family at a given moment in time. When I saw my parents as children on a record it was emotional for me too. In the first one I saw was my father as a 2 year old. In the photo below he is a man. Pictures and words are both storytellers.

At the library, I and others, carry a flash drive on a chain around our necks. It carries our family names and history. We can add to it at the library. I have often pondered the significance and symbolic nature of that little flash drive. It, with the record of all my loved ones safely inside, falls over my heart. That is where they live for me. They are never forgotten. They are precious, they are mine forever. Family is eternal. We all feel it. Yes?