Week 11 - With Arms Wide Open

Our baby is officially a fetus, which means everything that he/she needs for life has formed! This has truly been a whirlwind of emotions for me, the mommy of our little child. When this unexpected event happened, which will changethe rest of my life, my first reaction was "what am I going to do, I don't want this!!" But then I prayed, realized I must trust the Lord with what has happened and remind myself that His plan is what's best, and what I want. I was driving to work yesterday morning (before the crack of dawn) and the song "With Arms Wide Open" came on. That song says exactly what thoughts I should be having about this baby, Creed definately knows what he's talking about:

"Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life..."

I should be estatic about this baby. Just like Zach said in the previous blog, this baby is a blessing from God. As I have been reading all the "baby news" with the pictures and descriptions of my pregnancy week by week, I realized this baby is a miracle, I should "stand in awe"... Zach and I have created life! It also makes me wonder how could any mother think that there is no God as the watch this life form inside of them... what do they think, that a baby grows inside of you "just because"??

The Lord has amazing plans for me, and this baby is one of them! What a joy this child will bring me, and hopefully the world! I get to be a young, energetic, healthy mom and although I might not have much materially, I can share so much joy and happiness and wealth with my baby through Christ! I am so blessed that the Lord has blessed both me and Zach with a child!

A Quiver of Arrows

Today it is our (me & Laura) distinct pleasure to announce that we will be having a child. This is a tremendous announcement and we are pleased that we can share it with all of you. Over the past 10 weeks we have gone through and full mélange of emotions but we are confident in the Lords plan and satisfied in His lasting word. I have taken particular comfort in Psalm 127:3-5

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Our initial thoughts consisted of shock and confusion because this was a particular gift we were not actively pursuing but those thoughts were quickly replaced by excitement and joy. As many of you know Laura is in her first year of teaching, this in its self can bring excessive amounts of stress and anxiety but because of this discovery she will not even be able to finish the school year. This isn't completely bad though if you consider some of the days she has had and some of the students she has encountered. I have worried about my ability to provide both financially and emotionally but I assure you that all of those concerns we mitigated by the sound of my sons/daughters heart beat.

Laura and I look forward to raising our child and building a home together. We are very excited about striving together to provide and raise our child in the ways of the Lord as well as experiencing the adventures and the struggles we know will be associated with it. We will continue to update this blog with progress and developments as we get them. We also thank you all for your excitement and hope you will continue with us in prayer.