A Miracle, Our Silver Lining

A miracle has joined our family.  A miracle we thought never possible.  

This story began nearly 7 years ago.

In 2012 I had a dream where Isaac and Millie came to me and asked where their baby sibling was.  It was real and vivid to me. Millie was just a baby at the time.  I felt since then that there was another child waiting to be in our family.

In December 2013 Clark and I decided to pray about whether it was time for us to have another baby.  We were in the temple and we got the impression that, “No, not yet. Figure out your health concerns first.” That was our answer, and a few months later I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  I nearly forgot my dream as I went through months of figuring out what was going on, 6 months of treatment followed by several years of intense anxiety. During this time I had another dream where a little child came to me and said, “Mom, don’t forget about me.”  I wondered how it was possible. I feared the possibility. I didn’t think because of the chemo that I could have another baby. I was getting older and I had so much anxiety. I worried that the chemo made it so that I couldn’t have a healthy baby and that I couldn’t be healthy enough to have or care for another child.

I think it was 2017 when our family visited the new MTC in Provo, Utah.  As we looked back at our pictures from the trip there was one that someone took for us.  It ended up being a video rather than a still shot and in the picture a little child ran up and held Clark's leg and then ran out of the picture.  Clark didn’t remember it happening, but as we watched, it took our breath away. Still my anxiety raged….

On several occasions, Isaac has mentioned to us that he just didn’t feel like everyone in our family was here yet.  Especially as we were waiting for everyone to gather for family prayer.

October 2018 General Conference there was a talk by Elder Rasband on Fear.  Be Not TroubledRonald A. Rasband  It spoke first to Clark's heart and then to mine as I prayed about it. We decided to visit with doctors to get their advice and opinions.  Both the OB and the Hematologist felt like there would be no problem with having another baby, other than the fact that I am getting older!  So we prayed and felt like it was right.

This pregnancy has been my best.  I’ve been healthy and remained active.  We feel beyond blessed.

At times I still struggle with anxiety about the unknown, about our future, about my health.  But we move forward with Faith, knowing that our lives are in our Heavenly Father's Hands. He loves us, and knows what's best for us. We just need to trust in that truth. Many times we don't understand, but we show our faith in Him as we act and take one step at a time on His path for us.  

Again....I choose Faith.  

Welcome to this Beautiful World little Dana Barbara Funk
*October 9, 2019 5:11pm
*7lb 14 oz
*20.5 in.

 *Her siblings adore her!

 *She's named after her beloved Aunt Dana and Great Grandma Barbara Hawkes.