Here we go!!!

We got news from D & S last night. Looks like baby will be making her appearance sooner than we all expected (within the week or so)!!! I probably will not update now until after the baby is here, healthy and settled at home. Please pray for a healthy delivery, safe travels and strength for all during this time....

Glory to God in the Highest!

We had a fantastic weekend and start to all the week's Christmas festivities! Friday we were able to see a few friends and then celebrate my birthday and my sister's graduation later in the evening with my parents. Saturday I helped my mom get a few things around for a family Christmas party she was hosting for dinner. The grocery stores are crazy right now and even worse when you are shopping somewhere you don't normally shop! We had to forego dinner at my parents but for a good reason Saturday night. D had an ultrasound that afternoon so we traveled to see her, S and their girls. She had a great appointment (still on track for a due date of January 14th) and it was wonderful to spend time with them. This is only going to be a quick update as I am off to pack for more fun this week and get ready for a short day at work tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14). 

Helping Hands!

I know I posted last night and you are probably wondering what I am doing writing this post right now considering it's my birthday...I should be out celebrating right?

I had a quick phone call with D last night to confirm plans for this weekend and she told me a wonderful story about what some people are doing for the students at Sandy Hook Elementary. Please read here.

Not only did she share this with me she told me that she took paper and supplies to her daughter's preschool (per teacher okay) to create these hands for the class. It melted my heart. I knew from the moment I met her she was a wonderful person but to take this kind of time out of her extremely busy schedule made me realize even more the type of person she truly is.

The OT and COTA I work with chatted today about possibly doing this with our little patients as well. Spread the word, get involved and do something for the peace of mind of all the children at Sandy Hook.

LET IT SNOW!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!! Yes, I am one of THOSE people. I LOVE snow but I think it is a must when you have a birthday in December. No, I don't really want a blizzard but a few flurries here and there are nice. A light dusting on the ground in the morning would do or a few inches to cover all the brown grass and tree branches would put a smile on my face. My birthday is tomorrow and I am pretty sure last year was the first year that I can remember that it did not snow on my birthday so I am looking forward to the white stuff tonight and tomorrow.

We have a busy weekend what with a few Christmas parties and visiting the expectant parents again. We are going to an appointment with them and really looking forward to spending some time with them. Less than 4 weeks until the baby is supposed to make her appearance. We continue to pray for a smooth journey through this process, for the expectant parents, their family, the health of the baby and for calm hearts throughout it all. We know God has been at work since the moment we made this decision and He will see us through to the end.

Be The Good

Although I don't work in a school I do work with many children on a daily basis. It was hard going to work on Monday after everything that happened in CT on Friday. I felt blessed to be a part of my tiny patient's lives and didn't want to see many of them go. It brought a  new perspective to how quick life can come and go. My heart still hurts for all those lives lost and the evil that struck the world that day. God bless all those in Newtown!

Rejoice in All Your Troubles

This is what our pastor's message was today at church. His focus was on the tragedy in CT this past week and the questions that many of us are asking..."why?" and "what do we do?" It seems strange to "rejoice" after such an event but that is what we are instructed to do in today's readings at church. We are to rejoice because God is in our midst.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 4: 4-7). 

The deaths in CT made many of my recent complaints and burdens seem minimal. This past week I had learned of several couples experiencing failed adoptions after seemingly "perfect" matches. They experienced the birth, held and fed the baby and maybe even named the child but went home with an empty carseat. It is no secret this is a fear of many adoptive parents. I became very focused on these failed adoptions and started to feel some anxiety as well. I was quickly reminded today of my many blessings and where my focus should be right now in the hour I sat in the pew at church. Right now, at this very moment, I need to "rejoice". 

These verses were not new to me today in church but as always stirs a lot of emotion in my heart. It is difficult not to have anxiety in our lives, especially with all the recent tragedies in the news. I agree with our pastor today that we will probably all have some anxiety at some time or another no matter what. So what are we to do? The Bible tells us to:  ^"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12). It is so hard to rejoice in suffering and to remain faithful during dark times in your life. Today was a great reminder to me and I hope to many others that this is what God asks us to do.

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On a completely different note here is a picture of a group of wonderful ladies who I spent my Friday evening with. This was after we finished caroling in the halls of a local nursing home. What a great experience!

12/12/12

I find it very interesting that today is 12/12/12 and there are exactly 12 days until Christmas. Do you think God knew that this day on the calendar would happen? I do, and I think it was very intentional and meant to stir the holiday spirit in those who may be struggling. Unless you live under a rock you would know the commotion that dates like today bring. Some people rushed to get married today or have babies today just so they could say that their anniversary or birthday is 12/12/12. Sure it may be easier for your child to remember their birthday or for your husband to remember your anniversary but if you look deeper than that I think it was meant to spark conversation about the glorious event that took place so long ago twelve days from now. Twelve days from now we will celebrate the birth of a baby who came to save us all from sin, A BABY! A baby who was born in a dusty, old manger with the smell of animals all around him. He could have been born in a castle but he was born in a manger and had a carpenter for a father. He grew up to perform thousands of miracles, took up his cross and died for all of us. A baby, a man, who walked this earth just like all of us. God works in the most unlikely places and through the most unlikely people. If you thought of today as nothing else than a strange coincidence or just something annoying that all of your co-workers were talking about I hope that this has made you think a little deeper about that measly date on your calendar.

Blast From the Past

We had a busy but fun-filled weekend. Saturday afternoon we went to Sauder Village to take part in their Lantern Tours. It was a great and new way to experience the village and learn about what Christmas would have looked like for many of our ancestors. It definitely opened our eyes to the simplicity of the season 100+ years ago and encouraged us to focus more on the true meaning of Christmas.

We have about 5 weeks until the baby is due. D had an appointment last week. She and the baby are doing well and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone again. The closer it gets the less focused I feel on other things around me. Not because this is the only thing I think about but because I have so many thoughts and feelings floating around in my head. We are trying to get a few things prepared that we will need to bring with us to the hospital and while we are staying in a hotel for a few days. I feel like starting now, or at least in a week or so, I will need to have my cell phone glued to me in the event that we get a phone call that D is in labor early. Her next appointment is the 18th and she was told that after that date if she goes into labor they will not be stopping it so anything could happen at that point. Please continue to pray for a the health of D and the baby, and a smooth adoption as the arrival of this baby girl gets closer and closer with each passing day!

Mary's Song

Hello! I know it has been awhile since my last post. I have been unusually busy. Over the weekend we had our first Christmas party. It was a lot of fun as usual. It was Christmas for my dad's side of the family which is always crazy but a good time. Here are a few fun pictures (and grandma, we are so happy you are back home!):

So although we had a blast over the weekend that means we were also out of town all weekend so nothing got done at home.  There has been grocery shopping, list making, laundry, cleaning, meetings and other odds and ends. I haven't even had much time for my typical prayer/reflection time and I can tell. I just feel out of sorts. I am sure it is a combination of being out of my normal routine and the realization that we have less than 6 weeks until a baby could be in our home! I have so many thoughts and feelings lately I don't know how to put it in words. I received a really sweet email from D last week. She has an appointment tomorrow to check on the baby so I can't wait to talk to her. It has been too long. With losing my voice the week before our only communication has been via Aaron, text, or 

email. 

It has been awhile since a song has affected me deeply, but today on my way home from work I was in my car listening to Christmas songs on the radio and I heard Amy Grant's version of "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" and found myself overwhelmed with emotion. The first verse about Mary being chosen to carry God's Son obviously didn't ring true for me, but the rest of the song felt like the cry of my heart lately. This is a song I have heard for years and years, I even sang it as part of my high school choir but the meaning of the words touched me today at this time in my life. I have recently been praying the Immaculate Conception Novena (the feast day is December 8th) so the fact that this particular song stuck out to me is really touching. 

Lyrics.....

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And I wonder what I've done.

Holy father you have come,

And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now.

Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong.

Help me be.

Help me.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven.

Oh and please take note of what else we have been contending with lately (I don't think a day goes by that the ornaments stay on the tree)...