Neica's Birth Certificate

We received Neica’s birth certificate this week. I know she is alive; I have met her, held her, and loved on her however it was “surreal” to see her birth certificate.

This document also held a few pleasant surprises. First, she is only four months older than Grey. We thought she was younger. Grey is super excited that Neica and he are the same age, already asking to be in the same class at school with Mrs. Day as their teacher. Secondly, she has a summer birthday. In the Fiveash house, with the exception of Patrick, we have winter birthdays. The kids and I are always talking about the fun of a summer birthday party and now we will get to have one!

Another detail that was surreal was to see her father and mother’s names. I know they existed or she would not be alive but to see their names…..It also struck me her birth mother and I were pregnant at the same time. In two countries, in two very different worlds, two of my children were living in two separate wombs. I do not pretend or even begin to understand God but as the Spirit of God spoke to me about this reality I thought, “for you knew my inner parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139 :13. God chose to knit one of my children together in the womb of another woman and Praise be to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I have thought of Neica’s birth mother a lot this week. How was her pregnancy? Grey was not an easy pregnancy and he did not want to be born. I had to be induced at 40 weeks and that child was climbing up in the birth canal! He also got into distress due to the umbilical cord being around his neck. I was blessed with American nurses, a doctor and a hospital that were able to successfully deliver my Grey alive. I cannot imagine Neica’s birth; dirt floor or wooden floor, inside or outside, was her mother alone? But I praise God for her safe delivery and for the woman who gave her life so that Neica could become a part of our family.