Twenty-Nine Weeks and One Day

By Marketta Smith

Expecting the arrival of their second child went from joy to devastation on February 5, 2017. Marketta tells a powerful story of how she overcame and began to heal after suffering the loss of her daughter Naomi at twenty-nine weeks and one day of pregnancy. She journeys through the feelings of pain, anger, heartbreak, and devastation to prayer, acceptance, and healing.

Marketta gives a powerful testimony of how faith in God can move mountains and heal storms of pain in life. Marketta begins to move into her new normal through her story of experience of birthing her stillborn angel. Marketta hopes to encourage and change the lives of individuals suffering the loss of those whom they have loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781973602873

Marketta Smith

Marketta Smith has both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in psychology, and she has been working in the field of psychology and education for over twelve years. Her deep passion for educating and mentoring youth has touched many individuals, and she enjoys watching and helping young children reach their fullest potentials. Marketta is the wife of a wonderful man and the mother of a beautiful son, and today she lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she works in the field of child care and development.

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Copyright © 2017 Marketta Smith.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-0288-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-0287-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914610

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/05/2017

In loving memory

of

Naomi Marie Smith,

my

inspiration.

May

you

rest

in

love.

I stepped out on faith because of you. Mommy, Daddy, and Big Brother love you.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1   A New Journey

Chapter 2   Surprise: First Trimester

Chapter 3   Hopeful: Second Trimester

Chapter 4   Devastation: Third Trimester

Chapter 5   Empty Hands

Chapter 6   Support

Chapter 7   Back To Work

Chapter 8   Hallway To Healing

Seven Days Stronger

Acknowledgments

Naomi

Introduction

The experience of childbirth is amazing. It’s a part of life for some women that defines their whole being. On the other hand, the loss of a child is painful. Faith and strength are needed to get through any unfortunate experience in life. Activating the two is the most difficult thing when enduring such a tragic event.

On February 5, 2017, I became the mother of my second child, Naomi Marie. On that same day, I mourned her death. My journey after loss began the start of my new normal. Life had a new meaning, a new definition, and a new reason. I became solely dependent on Jesus Christ for my complete healing and strength. The plans my husband and I had for our family were changed forever. We became the parents of an angel.

God does mysterious things for the bettering of his children. He never allows us to go through more than we can handle, even when we have given up. My story is my testimony. It doesn’t matter what you