It happened. I got a tattoo. Sorry Mom and Dad, but let me explain.
It’s a window with light coming though it.
I thought about writing the testimony myself, but instead I had my mom write this blog for me, because it’s her story to tell anyway.
“God’s powerful message to me, Brynn Pratho.
All my life I wanted to raise a big family. I felt deep down that God was telling me I would be the mother of 4 children.
My husband [at the time], Scott, and I were blessed with our daughter Andie, in 1991, then 15 months later, Joel, in 1993.
After that , a series of 4 miscarriages occurred over the next 6 years. All before 12 weeks gestation.
During that time I trained for and ran the Honolulu Marathon. I was 37 at the time.
I became pregnant once again shortly after the marathon.
One morning, when I was only 7 weeks along with Avery, I was wakened by the sun shining through our bedroom window. I had not been overly excited to be pregnant again, in fact, I was just kind of anticipating yet another disappointing miscarriage and all of the physical and emotional pain that goes with it.
As I awoke to that beautiful light, I was surrounded by the most amazing sensation of power! Nothing I can explain properly or adequately. I just knew that I was in the presence of something indescribably, overwhelmingly, powerful.
I heard no audible voice, yet I felt God speaking to me. He said,
“Don’t worry. SHE’S going to be fine and SHE’S going to be AWESOME.”
(In those days, at 7 weeks, it was impossible to know the sex of a baby that early in pregnancy.)
That was it. Nothing more. I woke up my husband and told him what had happened. I was so certain that God had just spoken to me, that I, without hesitation, felt compelled to share with anyone who would listen, this incredible incident!
At 7 weeks along, I knew without a doubt that God had spoken to me and that I was going to have a baby girl. That could have been very risky, given the fact that I had just had 4 miscarriages with pregnancies lasting up to 3 months long. But I had no reservations about sharing the story.
The pregnancy ended up being my challenging one, with a ruptured disc in my back at 3 months. (A result of damage from the marathon.) I was bedfast for an entire month. I was knocked onto my coccyx at 8 months, causing me to pass out. My marriage was taking hits from Satan himself, ultimately ending in divorce when Avery was just 4 years old. Many more unpleasant physical and emotional attacks occurred.
Yet, just as God had promised, Avery, so strikingly beautiful, with her dark hair and very feminine features, was born January 12, 2000. Perfect. And with a sassy little attitude!
God blessed us even more, exactly one year later, on January 16, 2001, with adorable Emmy. She is the most gifted, precious servant to others. I could not have dreamed her up if I tried! Why He blessed me so well, I’ll never know!
All along, I have told all 4 children that even though God gave me the message about Avery, I feel certain that their lives are just as special to Him. And His idea of “awesome” might be different from our modern, yet traditional definition of awesome.
I’ve known all along that Avery is special. Even her breathtakingly undeniable outer beauty can’t compare with what emanates from within her soul. She has a voracious appetite for the Lord, and has been gifted with a Heavenly singing voice, and she has the incredible gift of drawing people to herself and sharing God’s love with them. She has definitely been blessed with the gift of evangelism!
I believe that the Lord has blessed me with His words to keep me encouraged throughout the many trials that I experiences during Avery’s childhood. I know that Satan is alive and is seeking to destroy God’s perfect plan. So far, Avery has turned out to be everything that God promised. I look forward to watching her as she continues to grow and impact the world for God’s glory!!!
I am soooo grateful to God for all 4 of His amazing blessings to me!!! And I am so grateful for the love He delivers as He fulfills His promises to us.”
This story is extremely near to my heart. I mean, for obvious reasons. The God of the Universe called me awesome! Even after 18 years of hearing this story it never ceases to cause my heart to melt and my eyes to water.
There have been many times that I have had to cling to this story and remember that before I was even capable of serving or loving God, He loved me. It has nothing to do with what I can do for Him.
So, as a memorial, because I so often forget, I have this testimony on me forever.
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Sorry it’s been a while! My squad just got back from our month one debrief at Jaco Beach! It was a time of rejuvenation, surfing, bonding with my squad, and quietness before the Lord. Much needed. I am beginning to feel so at home with these people and in this country.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my squad because God is so clearly moving, especially in the hearts of my teammates. He is so good. More blogs to come about all of the things He is revealing to me, so stay tuned.
