1. We have a healthy baby girl on the way, she is surely growing!
12 weeks...
And now 20 weeks (how did even my nose get bigger?)...
2. Derek and I have taken full advantage of this season to rest and enjoy our time together before baby comes. Besides napping almost everyday and eating out most meals (yikes!), we got to cross off two things on my bucket list, going to see Coldplay and seeing Lion King on broadway. Both are life time memories.
Glow bracelets at Coldplay that were programmed to light up at different points in the concert, amazing show!
"Remember who you are!"
3. We have some of the best family, friends, neighbors, and church family. I have been so encouraged by numerous acts of kindness, uplifting words, and sweet memories I've had with many of them. The Lord has truly showered out his goodness towards us through these people.
This is our "son" Thomas (that's his prized sail boat behind us) who lived with us this summer while he was an intern for the church. We see the Lord working greatly in him and many other college students giving up their lives for the sake of the gospel.
Some of the junior small group girls before Zumba, "It's ok, we're not baptist..." :) These girls are so precious to me!
Girls weekend to Charleston with some of my very best friends. This photo was taken at Husk, a restaurant that lived up to all the hype (you can't get reservations there unless you call a month ahead, but somehow - we just walked in, thank you Lord) and a memory of eating on the porch of this historic building during a storm that we will not soon forget!
We got to spend a weekend with this sweet girl, my niece Eden! A definite highlight of my summer.
4. I wanted to include a mention about "nesting" here because I have been in awe of how the Lord is providing for this baby. Not only have we been given so many practical hand-me-downs by our family (crib, swing, changing table, bumbo seat, bobby, etc etc!) but Derek and I have been able to refinance our home, saving about $300/mo, and the money that we saved to cover our outdoor patio we can now continue to save because our builder decided to give us the covering as a baby gift. Talk about provision! I have a feeling the Lord has a bigger plan for us than pouring money into this house and baby stuff, I'll keep everyone updated on that.
5. As a recovering baptist, I swore never to do another Beth Moore bible study. But through God's absolutely PERFECT timing and grace towards me, he placed a group of sweet women from my community in my life and a study of Esther in my hands. The main themes I've been living on this summer:
- I'm responsible for the what, God is responsible for the how.
- "Do not fear" is the most commonly given command in the Bible. Lord ~ may my decisions be made in the power of your spirit and not in the spirit of "what if?"
- As much as I'd like to see miraculous events occur in my everyday life, the fact that God is in the everyday, "mundane" things is an absolute miracle.
- We don't serve a God of coincidences.
- The Lord covers me with dignity, He doesn't take it. His plans are for my wholeness a.k.a He is in the business of giving life, not taking it away.
- In the famous words of Mordecai "Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” A jammed pack sentence, but my friend Beth said it best "Who knows?" turns into "I know." in light of God's revealing Himself to us. He truly delights in doing that, you know?
Oh Beth, as much as I hate it, you've become a dear friend of mine! You and your crazy Texas hair!
6. Derek and I have been asked to lead a community group in our church. You know the thing about coincidences? Well, it was not a coincidence that I was going through the Esther study as we prayed and sought wisdom about this big decision. Our fear was timing, but the Spirit lead us down a path of confirmation and peace that now is the time! Sometimes it's a whisper, but this one was a loud, clear affirmation sent by the Lord to those who we trust and respect as leaders. Absolute wonder probably comes the closest to describing why He might entrust us with this huge responsibility. Not only is our group comprised of 95% those our senior, we are only going on a 26-30 year life span of wisdom! He knows that, right??? We are trusting that we took responsibility of the What? and He will take care of the How? So Lord, How will this work with a newborn? How will we shepherd your children? How will we fit everyone in our living room?? Ok that is all my How? questions for now, the good news is, I'm not responsible for answering them! Praise God!
