Why did I start the Footprints Ministry? Well, for any mother I went through one of the hardest but most amazing experiences ever. I had John Parker on Friday September 29th 2006. The next night he had a lung collapse at Jackson hospital. They immediately did emergency surgery. I can remember sitting in the room at a complete loss for words. Why? Why is this happening to me? Why couldn’t I have the normal delivery like all of the other moms? The only thing I could do at that point is call Brother David, our pastor, and ask him to pray with Glenn and me. We felt the Lord’s presence in the room with us. We knew he had John Parker in the Lord’s hands. Sunday morning the pediatrician came in and said “we’re going to have to transfer John Parker to the NICU at Baptist South” I was completely by myself, Glenn had run home to grab a few things. As soon as the doctor left, Brother David, Tammie, and Dr. Hall came in the room. I wasn’t alone; the Lord knew right when to send them to see me. Dr. Hall prayed and Bro. David and Tammie encouraged me as they had been through this before. Shortly after the ambulance staff came by my room with John Parker in the incubator, they were taking this child that I had carried for 9 months to another hospital. I hadn’t even held him or fed him yet. We couldn’t go with him we just had to tell him we loved him and would see him soon. I felt like my heart had been completely ripped out. My doctor was able to discharge me a few hours later. I really wasn’t in any condition to be discharged but I had to be with our son.
I still remember everything about the NICU, the smell, the sounds of the monitors, and the cries. The cries were not only from the helpless babies but also from the parents. Our son was lying in an incubator with a chest tube, oxygen, IVs, and monitors connected everywhere. The nurses were using medical terms that we couldn’t understand. We had to learn quickly what everything meant. It was so indescribably overwhelming. We wanted to stay up there every second of every day. I can remember those long drives down Taylor Road and Troy Highway. Would today be the day I could hold my baby for the first time? Would he be better today? Would today be the day they would tell us we could take him home? It was such an emotional rollercoaster. One day he would be doing good and the next day he regressed. No one could tell us exactly what day he could go home. Everyday I would think I can’t do this anymore. We received hundreds of phone calls, emails, and prayers from so many people from the church. We still remember every single one of them. This is the only thing that helped us through this devastating situation. So, today I have my answer as to why. The Lord put me in this situation so I could begin this ministry. It was all in his plan. John Parker was only in the NICU for 10 days which seemed like forever at that time but now I know it was only a glimpse of what these parents are going through. There is no way Glenn and I could have made it through this alone. I think of all of these un-churched parents. How do they deal with this with no church family support? I pray that the Footprints Ministry reaches out to each of these parents and provides support and encouragement during this difficult time. I also pray that this will be a ministry that brings un-churched families into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Today, I can say I am truly grateful for this storm in life that we went through. I am so thankful for the Footprints Ministry, not only has it impacted the lives of so many families but it also has greatly impacted me!
“For I know the plans I have for you“says the Lord “They are plans for good not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11
In the NICU
John Parker 1 year old
