Scarlet
How can I begin to share this story of such incredible grace and joy? I am overwhelmed again and again as I recall the events that have occurred this week, this year, concerning this little family. I am deeply moved by a God who reaches into the broken and hollowed out places: soothing, breathing, healing. He is God, and I saw him in the face of this little baby girl Wednesday morning. Her name is Scarlet.
Scarlet, the color of redemption.
A year ago this month, I was with Chelsea and Erik as they waited to give birth to their daughter Evelyn Juliet, whom they knew would be stillborn. She was 32 weeks pregnant when they heard the heart-breaking news that her baby was no longer living in her womb. Only ten months before that she had lost another beautiful daughter, Lainey Grace, late in her second trimester. When I walked in to meet them that night, the room felt heavy but thick with the presence of God. I will never forget it. He was already there, hovering over the broken-hearted ones. We prayed Isaiah 61 that night, asking for a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
How our God hears us.
When I walked in to see them Tuesday night, I could again feel the tangible presence of God. But this time the mood was happy and light. They knew that they were hours away from holding a baby girl in their arms. A baby girl whose pink skin would soothe the ache of her mommy’s arms.
We waited with expectation.
Waiting
And then she came, soft and sweet into the water and up into her mommy’s arms. She opened her eyes and blinked and cooed, happy and content in her family’s embrace. Her parents wept. The nurses wept. I wept. God’s tender heart for this family was palpable in that moment.
Joy
Embrace
Happy Tears
At Last
Love
Sweet Fingers
Daddy's Girl
Baby Scarlet
I am so honored that I got to be there. Thank you, Erik and Chelsea, for trusting me to be with you during such vulnerable and beautiful times in your lives. I love you both.
Welcome, baby Scarlet. You have brought much joy to so many already.
Psalm 30:11,12 ~”You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
Isaiah 61:1,3 ~ He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives …to comfort all who mourn, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
13 Comments
Mary Ann, I have so much joy and love in my heart for this precious couple – Chelsia and Erik
Our daughter had a full term still born beautiful little Amelia seven years ago. With three boys….the Lord gave her a son four year later and two years later gave her a daughter, Hallie .who is six months old ……Now Hallie has four big brothers that all love and adore her…..the Lord restores and sends His blessings.
With every photo taken – I felt every emotion…..I want you to know as a Grandmother – Mother-this Blog is “God sent for hurting parents”……The Lord can restore…..My love to Scarlet and I bless this child – bless her parents – bless their household – and bless their ministry of encourageing parents that are hurting.
All my love to Scarlet’s parents and to you, Mary Ann for your photos.
Helena Meek,
Grandmother of little Amelia – Lee- 20; Logan 16; Glenn 14; Gage 3; Hallie 6 months…..
And now my eyes are filled with tears and my heart with light. What a beautiful story, beautifully photographed. Congratulations to the parents! And many blessings to little Scarlet.
(By the way, how wonderful is it to see those strong arms tenderly wrapped around a beloved wife in labour?)
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
What a beautiful story of redemption, healing and love. Thank you for sharing. God is so good. HIS love always amazes me. Congratulations to the parents!
Beautiful.
Mary Anne, I have been anticipating this post since last week. As I pulled it up tears filled my eyes and as I read goosebumps came and the tears flowed. Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover the gratitude I have for you being there with my friend when I could not. You are amazing because you were much more than a photographer capturing this amazing moment, but a prayer warrior and support system. Thank you so much again. <3 <3 <3 This baby Scarlet is more loved and prayer for than she will ever know. This family is so close to my heart. God is so good, taking our most difficult days and years and turning them into the most beautiful stories of redemption. Thank you for capturing these moment so beautifully for us to see and for them to treasure.
Absolutely beautiful story and pictures! God’s gifts are without comparison.
Oh, Mary Anne, I was so hoping you would share photos of this event! Your post about baby Evelyn from a year ago is still etched in my heart…and I rejoiced for these parents, who I’ve never met, when I heard of Scarlet’s birth. Thank you for sharing, and thank you to Erik and Chelsea for allowing you to share their story and these beautiful images. To be in that room with them must have felt like standing on sacred ground.
Mary Anne, again your words and pictures have brought tears to my eyes and a prayer of thanksgiving for this beautiful baby girl and her adoring patents. God is an awesome God. Oh how He loves us. Thanks for sharing.
How precious the beauty He has created and how wonderfully you have captured the breathless anticipation, the raw emotion, and the story bringing glory to Him! Thanks for sharing!
These are amazing…
The story…
The images…
I know the family feels so blessed to have you as a part of their day.
Only God.
His presence evident in the grace of all. this. glory.
Evident in you, Maryanne — and how you capture His light.
Erik is in my Christian Ministry class this semester at Liberty University and he shared this link with us. I am so deeply moved by this story. God has blessed Erik and Chelsia now with a beautiful baby girl. May God bless this family richly and may all who come to this site know that “Our God is an Awesome God…”
God bless you Scarlet 🙂