ITALY, Davide Russo. Emily Russo was born on January 18, 2015. I want to share this testimony from my heart to inspire everyone; it is a grace she survived the delivery.
Emily has been a lively girl from the moment of her first heartbeat; the doctors were unable to obtain a complete ultrasound due to her constant movements.
At about the fourth month into the pregrnancy, we found out Emily was growing with only a single umblical arterial vein. The doctors assured us they had it under control explaining to us that the pregnancy could continue.
Thus Manuela and I began praying intensely that Mary would entrust this rare situation to our Lord.
After several checkups and ultrasounds, January 18th, the day of her birth, arrived. Everything was ready, everything was under control, everything seemed normal, at least according to the last checkup as well as the most recent tests.
Finally labor began, I prayed with Manuela, and I asked all my friends to unite with us in prayer.
I was in the delivery room with Manuela to witness the birth, and I received many messages from friends and family who encouraged us through prayer, and not only that, outside the ward, a group of friends, who were also praying with us, were there as well.
A very serene, kind midwife arrived and saw that beyond Manuela’s labor pains, we were praying and trying to decide which song to play during the delivery; I had an iPod with me since it was allowed.
At a given time, we reminded the midwife on duty about the problem we had had during the pregnancy, and she told us: “Continue to have faith,” then I asked her: “Do you have children?” and she said: “No! But I am a mother of many children! I am a Sister who works in this hospital.”
After a series of checkups, the Sister finished her shift, and she left us saying: “Everything will go well, and let me know when she is born.”
I hoped so much she would be born on the 18th
Barbara, the midwife for the nightshift, arrived and I asked her: “Will she be born before midnight?” “It depends on God’s will…” she answered adding: “Finally a serious delivery with religious songs.”
I immediately sent Sister Ivon a message, and I told her about the anniversary on the 18th. Immediately answering, she asked: “Is she born?” I replied… ”No not yet, I hope she will be born on the 18th.”
The final phase began at 11:15 p.m.…the midwife ran to where I was, and she said: “Wait here…” She called the entire medical staff (anesthesiologist, obstetrician, pediatrician, surgeon…); it seemed that the happy beginning suddenly was becoming a tragedy, then I asked: “Barbara, what is happening?” She replied: “Stay here, I will explain later, now let us work.”
I began to pray and I said: “Lord, if it is your will, let Manuela and our baby girl be well.”
At that moment, I heard the song “How Great Thou Art” on my iPod, and I heard them telling Manuela: “Help us out; we now are going to need a great effort from you…” and then Emily was born.
After the necessary examinations, they took her to a nearby ward, and several doctors, who were present there, checked to see that everything was okay according to protocol.
The midwife called me: “Davide!…” I was nervous, and I had goose bumps, being almost resigned to what I might find in case there was something negative, and she said: “I am over here!
Look Davide, besides having only one umbilical artery, she was born with two knots in her umbilical cord, and the cord was wrapped twice around her neck. When she came out, she was purple, and because of those knots, was at risk of dying due to lack of oxygen.
So I asked: “Barbara, how is the baby?”
She answered: “She is a very lucky baby girl, or to put it more accurately, she is a miracle; go thank the Blessed Mother for this answered prayer.” Emily did not suffer from any of this.
To the Shrine
Today Emily is well; she weighs 3.500 kg. She is 42 cm., she eats well and has not had any problems due to the delivery or with all the problems that occurred.
The first thing we wanted to do as parents was to take her to the Shrine as soon as Manuela was discharged.
We called Sister Ivon, and we explained everything about the delivery to her. We asked her if we could come by the Shrine and express our gratitude to our Mother who once again had taken care and protected us by listening to our prayers and giving us this living miracle.
Sister Ivon opened the doors wide that day on January 21, 2015; it was raining, and despite this, we went to the Shrine or more precisely to the Lord’s house.
We prayed along with Sister Ivon, and we thanked Mary, who always intercedes for her children.
Emily is growing, and as soon as possible, we will bring her to meet all of you.
I can only say we should never let our guard down, and we should always have the faith. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt.19:26)
Davide Russo is a volunteer Matri Ecclesiae Shrine, Belmonte, Rome.
Source: Facebook – Madonna pellegrina di Schoenstatt Italia
Original: Italian- Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
Dear Mother Mary I wish to add my grateful thanks on behalf of the parents of this precious gift, Emily, you are our precious Mother and I wish this beautiful and devoted family every Blessing for the future.
Thank you Mother for all our Blessings over the years I once again place my family under your protection and love at all times. My special request is that you will guide us in the treatment of Dan’s diabeties, as you know we are not winning at the moment and I pray that the new doctor we are going to see today will help him. Please help Dan to cope with the difficult health problems he is experiencing at the moment. We offer it all up to You, dear Mother, to place in your Capital of Grace. Please also take care of Sr. Edith. We pray that her surgery will be successful. Thank you so much for all the Blessings and help that you always shower upon us. We love you so much, Mother Thrice Admirable. Fr Kentenich please pray for us.