ELMER TELLS ABOUT BABY'S ARRIVAL

Anna is never wrong in her baby delivery time.  She said the month of October and she was right.  I call our newest Grandson my early birthday present.

In the early morning when the pains started, John called us.  Anna went over to their house in our new buggy.  I stayed home as I had morning chores to do.  When I got done I called Anna and she said to get the driver and come over.  She thought it was time Sarah went to the hospital.  Told me don't hurry, just get here.  Now that last statement I always question.  Don't hurry, I know what that means, it's the just get here, I question.  Anyway, I did as she said.

When I got there, Sarah's Mother was there, too.  So Sarah, Anna, and Sarah's Mother got in the car along with two bags of whatever ladies fill them with.  We couldn't all fit in that car, so John and I sent them off and called another driver explaining the situation.  He came over, picked John and I up and off we went.  We got to the hospital and the other car hadn't arrived yet.  John and I were very concerned when they pulled in.  The ladies driver took the long way.  Our driver took the back and got there ahead.

John and Sarah knew right where to go, so the other three of us followed.  We went in the waiting room while John and Sarah registered, went into the room where Sarah was examined.  She wanted Anna in there when she got examined, so she went in.  John came out looking a little green.  Anna and Sarah were allowed in the room, even John was, but he didn't want to go in.  While we were waiting Bishop Eli arrived, was talking and praying with us.

Finally, Anna came out and told John the deliver time was near.  He said he didn't know if he could go in.  He didn't do so well last time he was in there.  Anna told him if he didn't, he would miss the greatest experience in his life.  John said, Amish men don't' go in during delivery.  I told him I did.  He looked at Eli and Eli said go in.  So John did.

We waited and waited, talked and prayed.  We expected Anna or Sarah's Mother to come out.  It was John that came out with a big smile on his face.  Said his son was here.  He is small, but he will grow.  I asked him how the delivery was?  John said he felt weak and sick until he saw the baby's head come and he wasn't leaving for anything after that. To see this child being born, for Sarah and himself.  What a great gift from God this child was.  To think that God trusted them to raise him, love him and bring up the Amish way - God's way. It is something he couldn't describe.

The first time, we went into Sarah's room, the baby was not there.  They wanted to do some tests on him, to make sure he was all right.  After talking with Sarah, Anna, Eli and I went to the hospital restaurant area to get some breakfast as we hadn't eaten.   After breakfast, we went back, and the baby was there, Anna and I held him for a few minutes.  Then they put him in the incubator which is right next to Sarah's bed.

Later in the day, the doctor came in and said the baby was over a month premature, but all the tests came back with no problems. Still were waiting tests results to see if he was a small person, like me.  They would like him to get a few more pounds on him before they release him.  Sarah said, she would not leave without the baby.  The doctor tried to explain, Anna tried, Sarah's Mother tried - but Sarah insisted, she would not leave without taking the baby with her.

I forgot to mention he was born 3 pounds, 4 ounces, which is small.  Sarah was getting upset.  Eli came in and told us all to leave except  John, Sarah and the doctor.  Let them talk it out alone.  We sat in the waiting room when Eli came out and we prayed.

After a while John came out.  The doctor told them that let's see how things were on Friday.  If all was well - she might let him go home on Saturday.  Sarah could stay with him until Saturday.  All John could think of us was the bills.  Both Eli and I told him not to worry.  Sarah and the baby were the most important.

Then they tried to decide what to name the baby.  I guess they went around and around on that name.  They thought of her father's name and my name.  They thought of great - grandfathers.  The next day when Anna and I went in to see the baby John and Sarah told us all the names and they couldn't decide.  Well, I said, why don't you name him after you, John.  I named my first son, Elmer.  Think of John, in the Bible. We told them, We gave our advice and went home so they could have some time together.  That evening John came over to the house and said they had decided to name him John.
On Saturday, the doctor came in and said she would like to keep Baby John a few more days - until he got some more weight on him.  Sarah got really upset.  She said she would not go home without Baby John.  John said they went back and forth.  Finally the doctor left.  John said he thought the doctor felt he and Sarah needed some time alone.

When she came back, she told them it is hard to go home without the baby.  She understood it just doesn't feel right.  But she explained that it is better that Baby John stay at the hospital a few more days to get some weight on him, to make sure he is okay, than to send him home and maybe have some problems.  They could come and see him, hold him and Sarah could nurse him.

When Sarah came home, she was the saddest, I had ever seen her.  John and I didn't know what to do.  Anna sent us out to do chores.  When we left Sarah was at the table crying.  After chores, we came back in they were gone from the table.  We found Sarah in bed with Anna sitting on the edge of the bed with the bible.  Anna was reading John bible passages to Sarah and they were talking about them. She was telling her how strong St. John was and how strong Baby John would be.  If the Lord cared for St. John, He would surely take care of Baby John.

Anna finally got Sarah to go to sleep.  Downstairs she asked me if I had my cell phone with me and I said yet.  She told John to call for his maude to come over.  A maude is someone who will come to the house to do the cooking, cleaning, washing, etc. and help Sarah care for the baby when he comes home.  The lady they are getting is 16, and the daughter of some Amish friends of ours.  They come to the house usually on Monday and stay until Saturday afternoon - then go home to spend Sunday with their family.  We asked if she could come that day and stay until next Saturday.  Her parents and she agreed.  So I went and got here with the buggy.

We have a couple of drivers who offered to take John and Sarah over to the hospital to see the baby.  They have been very kind.  Hospital is a way from where we live.  Even Sarah and I have taken trips over to see the baby.  Bishop Eli has gone to see him.  Sarah's Mother has gone over to see him.

Their maude has not had to cook a meal yet.  People have brought casserole's, dinners and more to John and Sarah's house.

I tried to explain that even though this is a sad time, Baby John will be coming home.  He is in God's hands.  We hope he gets some more weight on him and gets home soon.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer