ANNA TELLS OF KEVIN AND BRIDGET'S BABY ARRIVAL

As you may know, Kevin and Bridget wanted a baby, but a first it was not God's will.  Twice when Bridget finally did get with child, the Lord took them home. (miscarriage).  So when Bridget got with child this time, Kevin and Bridget decided they would not tell anyone they didn't have to as they felt this baby would be taken, too.

Oh, they told their family.  They also told people of church.  When Bridget started to show, she told others who asked.  But, they didn't want to tell everyone, again, if the Lord took this child home.

News travels fast.  Martha is Jean's best friend.  Jean and I are close friends, so Jean told me.  Also, Bishop Joseph, Kevin's Father, is friends with Bishop Eli, so he asked for prayer.  So, not only the Old Order Mennonites, but our Old Order Amish were praying.

Bridget went to the medical doctor, but when the time came, was going to have a midwife deliver the baby at home.  The doctor tried to insure Kevin and Bridget that the baby would be full term and was do in DECEMBER.  Still they worried.  When Bishop Joseph and Martha left on their vacation to Pinecraft, they thought they would be back before the baby would be born.

Elmer and I were in bed sleeping on Thursday night when someone woke us up pounding on the front door calling our name.  Elmer and I got up.  Elmer peaked out the window and it was John, our driver. When Elmer opened the door, John said he needed me NOW.  He explained that Bridget was having a baby NOW.  Their midwife was delivering another baby.  I advised to call the ambulance.  He said he was told by Bridget's Mother that they couldn't wait that long.  As John remembered us telling that I was a midwife when we lived in Pennsylvania, he came to me.  I quickly dressed, but explained that I am not licensed in New York.  You need college for that.  He said Bridget's Mother said she needed someone as she had never delivered a baby.  I told Elmer to call the ambulance.

I went in the car with John. We went to Bishop Joseph and Martha's house as Kevin and Bridget were suppose to be watching the children while they were in Florida.  Now having been a midwife, I know some people get over excited and the baby wasn't coming as soon as someone thought. When I got to the house, Kevin led me to the bedroom and I told him to calm down.  Delivery might not be for a while.  When I got in the room, laid out my medical supplies, I looked and the baby's head was coming.  Baby Martha made a grand entrance into the world.

Kevin and Bridget weren't sure if they wanted to go to the hospital.  The baby was there.  Bridget's Mother and I said she was going.  I said I had no license to deliver and I was there because of emergency.  Anyway, the hospital can check her better than we could.  I guess that worked because off she went with her Mother.  Kevin got to hold the baby for a minute before the ambulance left.  Bridget held baby in the ambulance.

I asked Kevin where his little brother and sisters were.  He told me they were at his brother Erin and his wife Lovina's house.  They would be coming back to Bishop Joseph's house and would take care of the children until his parents came home.

When I got to the hospital Elmer was there, Martha's parents were there, and Bridget's parents were there, Kevin was also there, on Elmer's cell phone talking to Bishop Joseph and Martha in Florida.  Martha's parents are Englisher's as Martha had been until she met Joseph and converted to Old Order Mennonite.  After waiting a few hours, we found the baby was beautiful and healthy.  Elmer asked that we pray and thank the Lord, which we did together.

Martha Anne is named after both her Grandmothers.  They were going to name her Anne Martha, but Anne, Bridget's Mother, said Martha Anne sounds better.  Also, she was so happy they were naming the baby after her, she didn't care if her name was first or the middle name.

I have to admit that I was concerned that I would be in trouble with delivering a baby without a license.  The doctor told me, if it hadn't been me, it would have been someone who had never delivered a baby before.  She didn't think there would be any problems, but if there were, to call her. I haven't heard from anyone yet.

Bridget and Martha came home on Friday.  Bridget's parents were there, Great-Grandparents (Bishop Joseph's wife's parents) were there, Jean and David were there and Elmer and I were there.  One of Kevin's teenage sisters volunteered to stay and help taking care of the baby, cooking, cleaning, etc. until Bridget got her strength back.  We didn't stay long as we didn't want to wear Bridget out.

Kevin talked his parents into staying out their vacation.  They will be back this coming weekend.

Martha is a beautiful healthy baby girl just like Kevin and Bridget wanted.  We are still thanking the Lord.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna