| I got married in April of 2008. My non-follower husband and I wished for a child. So we visited the Shinreikyo headquarters and prayed to Kyososama for a child. From then on, I believe my husband was able to receive Kyososama’s Divine Light, as he participated in Shinreikyo events and attend the Advent Festival of Kyososama held at Mt. Manju-san. Soon after, we found out I was pregnant and requested to Kyososama for a painless and natural delivery. I began to take Holy soy milk made from Holy soy beans every day and also rubbed other holy offerings filled with Kyososama’s Divine Power on my stomach. During my pregnancy, I did not have any morning sickness and was in good condition. Since I desired a natural delivery, I consulted a maternity hospital located about 3 miles from our home. There are many maternity hospitals that refuse pregnant women of late child bearing age. But they willingly accepted me regardless of this being my first labor at the age of 41. I was working for short hours in the afternoon. I use to work longer hours, having to work overtime during busy seasons. However, as soon as my pregnancy was ascertained, I received an official notice prohibiting me from working overtime. Therefore, I was able to leave my workplace every day on time without hesitation. I was in a stress free work environment, where I did not have to take unexpected absences until I resigned at the end of November. I wanted to offer my gratitude to Kyososama as much as I could for providing me Divine protection as I spend my days of pregnancy in good health. So I actively participated in volunteer services held at the Shinreikyo headquarters until the end of the year, which was a month before I was due. During my last month of pregnancy I was even able to climb Mt. Takao, participating in an activity sponsored by my maternity hospital. During our climb, we were blessed with beautiful weather and I walked easily, with a light step, to the top. I participated in the regular service held at the headquarters on January 23rd, two days before I was due. When I got a check-up the next day on the 24th at the hospital, I was told amniotic fluid was reducing. This meant if I couldn’t give birth right away, I would have to consider having my labor and delivery in a hospital. When we stopped by our home I began to feel occasional tension in my stomach. After that I had a show and I began to experience strong labor pains. I contacted my husband who was working over-time to finish up so he could come home. We took a taxi to the maternity hospital around 10PM, where my mother came running to purify my body with Holy salt and chanted the Holy word beside me. I gave birth to a healthy boy on January 25th, 12:35 AM through natural and painless delivery with my husband present. My labor took a little less than three hours upon arriving to the maternity hospital having very little hemorrhage. All the mid wives repeatedly said, “it was such an easy delivery.” My son was only 2370 grams at birth, but has been growing very fast. My husband was able to obtain a year of child-care leave from work and has been actively helping out with house chores as we watch our son rapidly grow. Even though it was late child-bearing, I was able to face labor without any worries because of Kyososama’s Divine Protection. I am thankful from the bottom of my heart to have been bestowed a child through painless and natural delivery. |