Pulling Out ALL the Stops

I'd like you to meet my friend Jamie. Jamie and I met our freshman year in college at College of the Ozarks. We hit it off immediately. I remember exactly what she was like before meeting her. She had sunglasses and a ponytail on top of her head, bopping around in flip flops everywhere she went. She had quite the standout personality. When we got our job assignments we learned we both got assigned to work in the wonderful cafeteria. Despite the oh so glorious job we actually had a really good time working there when our shifts were the same. We spent many hours watching movies when we were supposed to be reading for a class and journaling or working on art projects of our 2D class.
We were bridesmaids in each others weddings even after I moved on and decided to attend college elsewhere. We've always had such a great time together. Jamie knows no strangers. Her vibrant personality lights up a room.
I have a special request for you. Jamie is pregnant. She and her husband have been camped out at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for 5 weeks.  Jamie has been leaking amniotic fluid since she was 22 weeks pregnant, she has finally made it to 28 weeks. 28 weeks is a significant point in pregnancy. Her risks go way down at this point. You can check out more of her story and keep up to date HERE .
Their goal is to make it to 34 weeks and then deliver. Please pray that her fluid will stay in and increase, that she won't have any more contractions and that she'll stay at peace where she's at. I know personally this waiting game and it brings back such emotional memories. I think it keeps me that much more connected to what's going on with her but for you who have never experienced this kind of wait and fear I ask that you know the desire of a healthy baby be it your own, your grandchild or a dear friend and keep cheering her on and send up prayers as often as you can. There is HUGE power in prayer and I know that she and her husband Michael would appreciate all the prayers they can get.

Last week I had the opportunity to help in a little creative way. After having a short visit with them while I was in STL I was wanting to be able to be there to help but a few things changed and prevented my traveling back there. However I got a text asking if Gary was in the area that day, unfortunately he was too far away to run the errand she needed. You see, her doctor had told her he wanted her to eat some Cracklin Oat Bran cereal but unfortunately the hospital didn't offer it there and her mom Cathy was there with her but didn't have a car. So I began to brainstorm. I first called the Walgreens that was a few blocks away that I had stopped at while I was there to see if they carried the cereal. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if they did. I was secretly hoping they'd deliver it to her. Unfortunately they didn't carry it so I asked if there was a grocery store close. There was a Schnucks grocery store across the street so I called them with the same hopes that they carried it and had a way to get it to her. They quickly helped me and found out that they carried it then more brainstorming began. So I asked if they delivered groceries- No. Did their pharmacy deliver? - I interrupted that thought and asked if their floral department did… YES!!! Perfect! I got ahold of the floral department and told them my dilemma and could they help me. I asked if they could simply attach a balloon to the box so we could get it there. A few hours later Jamie had a chuckle delivered with a smiley face balloon! THAT my friends was "pulling out all the stops" I felt!  Her mom said it made her chuckle and Jamie said it was a nice smile and made her nurse smile as well. Sometimes you've just got to be a little creative to get the job done.
Earlier I had put a facebook status out asking if any of my St. Louis friends would be in the area and I did have one friend offer because his fire (ring) station was next to the hospital, his day off was the next day and had offered to help because he knew how hard it was to be in 2 places at once when you wanted to help. I hadn't talked to him in 12+ years and was so blessed to have the offer! Thank you Brad for offering to help, it was truly a blessing to know you were willing to help.

Jamie, Michael and Ruthie, we are praying for you! I find it a true honor to be able to take you to the feet of His throne daily and without ceasing.  Romans 12:12 says ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 


We are excited to meet Miss Ruthie but not excited enough for her to come yet! Keep baking my friend! You're doing a great job!!