About Asher

Asher James Dixon was born on March 25, 2006 at 7:09 in the morning at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH).  He was 8 pounds, 2 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

His entrance into the world was a bit dramatic.  After many (~20) hours of labor, the use of many contraction-inducing drugs, and a vacuum, it was determined that he was facing up instead of down and it didn't look like he would be able to come through on his own.  So he was born through emergency C-section.  Unfortunately, the vacuum they had used on his poor little head in an attempt to get him out had left a big "blood blister" on him.  The doctors were very concerned that if it keep getting bigger, he could bleed to death, so the afternoon of his birthday they took him down to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Thankfully the bleeding did stop, but complications arose about jaundice because his body was re-absorbing all the blood from his head.  He was put on a Wallaby for several days and eventually his jaundice went away.   On Friday, March 31st, Asher finally got to come home.

Through the whole experience Ethan and I relied heavily on the grace of God.  For the first time, I really felt the effect of the many, many prayers that were being offered up on our behalf by our friends, family, and church.  Ethan put it best - we had the privilege of relying and trusting on God to make a way for us and our little boy.  And through this experience, I got a glimpse of His glory and grace, which has turned what could have been a heart-breaking occurrence into one that has strengthen my faith and trust in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We chose to name him Asher because the name means "happy" or "blessed."  And he indeed brings us much happiness and many blessings. We chose James for his middle name because it is one of our favorite books of the New Testament. I think the following verses from James pretty much sums up why God allowed us to go through this "character building" (as my dad would say) process.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
~James 1:2-5