28 weeks and counting!

I'm thrilled to share we had another very successful visit with the doctor earlier this week. It was a rather busy check-up this time around. I was poked and prodded for routine glucose tolerance testing, fetal heartbeat checking and a more comprehensive sonogram exam. Praise God, the doctor said this baby is absolutely perfect!

This was the second time we found ourselves in the sonogram room anxiously awaiting a live pictorial of our baby-to-be. When I hear the strong thumps of a heartbeat and notice his beautiful nose and lips, this incredible feeling overcomes me. I told my husband Baby Isaac has the most beautiful nose and lips I've ever seen...but perhaps I'm biased.

The last time we were in that sonogram room, I remember this rush of excitement along with a pacifying sense of comfort after learning we’re having a baby boy. The feeling was so intense tears started streaming down my cheeks. I was so happy, and no words could ever capture my gratitude and amazement.

This pregnancy, so far, has been so blessed…beyond what I would ever ask God for. It’s no doubt He’s watching over me and caring for this darling baby. I know that most first-time moms-to-be are overwhelmed with such joy at this point in pregnancy. I’m sure like in most cases, there’s nothing more relieving to hear than the doctor’s utmost satisfaction with the progression of the fetal development. But for my husband and me, our happiness cannot be contained as we realize what we’ve been given…a second chance.

I believe God creates inexplicable beauty in tumultuous times of uncertainty, pain and misunderstanding. God’s gift to us is the beauty of redemption found in the gift of new life. However, we never thought this would happen to us…not right now especially. As we continue to be showered with love, support, unending prayers and genuine happiness from friends and family, not everyone in our life feels the same about this new beginning in our marriage. Believe it or not, we know of individuals who aren’t truly supportive of what God has planned for us. But sadly, that’s their problem to deal with. If only they could look past the confusion of their own pride to realize there’s nothing more beautiful than new life.

I can only pray that one day these folks look up to Heaven and realize the good Lord is the God of second chances and redeeming love. Only God knows what we each truly deserve in this short life on earth. Only God can control our pre-destined fate. Only God has the gift of making what seems unlikely a reality. This is a true testament to His awesome powers.

My husband and I have endured a challenging relationship filled with trials you can’t even begin to imagine. Let’s not forget, we’ve persevered through losing our first baby-to-be just months before this pregnancy. Thankfully, God brings restoration and grants those who choose to follow Him with a second chance. We’ve had a second chance of love and now a second chance at life.

This pregnancy may be perfect in the name of science and medicine. But there’s nothing more beautiful or more perfect than this gift of new life. Thank you, Lord. How could I ask for more?

Christian Women Week

My aunt sent me the following email message yesterday. I thought it was so great that I had to post it on here. Enjoy!

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say that "I am a Christian," I am not shouting that "I am clean living.
I'm whispering "I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

No greater love than to be selfless

When I was in college, I sang a solo for two consecutive years during the Lenten season. The song is entitled “No Greater Love” by Rachael Lampa. But I will admit that I can never claim to have sung such a powerful song with the effortless musicality that Rachael does. Anyway, I’m reminiscent of this song after having had another inspiring devotional moment with my husband this morning. We’ll never understand how great love can be than to willingly lay down our own lives for our friends.

Today’s devotional reading discusses the power and merciful grace of selfless love. As a very self-centered, attention-hoarding individual that I am, selfless love is something I’m still trying to accept and apply in my daily life. I’m blessed to say that my husband standing by me and loving me unconditionally despite my mistakes and past is just a mere fraction of the kind of selfless love God gives to each of His children.

What really speaks to my heart today is the simplicity yet uniquely difficult challenge to give love in a selfless way. After all, I believe God did not create us to love selflessly by nature. How many of us can honestly say our loyalty is gripped by a genuine concern for others…before ourselves? I know in many instances, I cannot claim such a stance. But selfless love in merciful beauty shines through us in so many different ways.

For those animal lovers and pet owners who are guilty of treating our furry friends as equally important as our human companions, you all show a devout sense of selfless love.

For those philanthropists who deeply involve themselves in a cause to benefit the nameless many suffering from a debilitating disease, your efforts publicly display a selfless love.

For those mothers and fathers who work tirelessly ‘round the clock to support their children in their education, health and well-being, it’s no doubt you live selflessly for your child.

For the men and women bravely serving our county, your patriotism through your call of duty exudes a selfless love to the umpteenth degree.

…and so on and so forth…

Selfless love takes on so many different faces and so many different forms. The true beauty of God’s selfless love that He would like us to give to others as He always gives to us can take a lifetime for each of us to wonder why.

But take a moment today and challenge yourself to give and love selflessly. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the gesture may be. Put yourself second and put someone else above your priority. Although we’re not built to naturally do so, there is no greater love that you can show than this.

Six months down...three more to go!

My husband and I took our "baby bump" pictorials this past weekend. I can't believe I'm six months along in my pregnancy!

We had such an amazing time with our photographer, Rhiannon Lee (www.rhileephotography.com). I thought each moment she captured, whether posed or candid, was just beautifully done. I just have to share them with the world. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy them!

The greatest gift

I have a journal that I jot down the verses in scripture that seem most compelling to my life and this journey I’ve chosen to take. I just skimmed through it and stumbled upon my notes from the Our Daily Bread devotional on July 15th. Psalm 71 was the featured reading, and today it speaks so loudly to my heart.

My husband and I are blessed to be experiencing this new life growing within me. It’s been a healthy pregnancy thus far, and I pray God continues to protect Baby and me. I’ve written in a previous post that this pregnancy came as a shock. Although my husband and I have been trying to become pregnant since we miscarried back in January, it was a huge surprise to realize God wanted to give us a new life in our marriage right now. Truly it happened in HIS time…not in our own.

I believe this pregnancy came to us now as both my husband and I, for the first time, are going out of our way to seek spiritual guidance and wisdom. Never before have we cared so much to work towards a righteous Christian life. Ever since we decided to follow this challenging path, the rewards have been so great.

But I must admit the greatest gift of all is not just this pregnancy. I believe God’s greatest gift is the opportunity He’s given us to pass along the lessons learned to our precious baby. I believe the timing was strategically planned to allow us to see a miracle performed before our very eyes. There is no perfect time to have a baby…but there is perfection in God’s perfect plan and timing. It’s a miracle we became pregnant when we did…so soon after painfully losing our first baby-to-be.

Today we’re still facing challenges and victories within married life, family life, church life and social life. But in everything we overcome as well as every joy we’re blessed to experience, there is always a spiritual lesson learned. Each lesson can and should be handed down to the next generation. We were put in such a place to live, love, lose, learn and then to spread the good Word that binds all experiences to one sole purpose – to realize our life is not our own.

I’m so thankful for this beautiful pregnancy because I know it’s my calling as a mother-to-be to equip this baby with moral values, spiritual wisdom, hope and faith in God’s ultimate plan. As Christ followers, we’re all called to spread God’s miraculous powers to the younger generations. As soon-to-be parents, it’s our choosing to answer that call.

Singlehood

My alarm wakes me up every morning, and yes, I’m guilty of snoozing it. Instead of music blaring to get me out of bed, I have the tuner set to Christian talk radio. Yesterday morning I heard a message that made it hard for me to fall back asleep. The message was in regards to being single and finding the perfect spouse. I know a few single men and women who are searching for their life partners. These folks are still praying and looking for the perfect mate they can grow old with.

My heart goes out to those who I believe are good, God-fearing people but just can’t find the right person to share their life with. What struck me was when I heard that single men/women are believed to find their perfect mate when serving the Lord. From what I understand, if you’re in a capacity of serving the Lord, then you’ll successfully find the ONE.

For those who are single and seeking with faith that God has your perfect mate already lined up, heed these words. You will find your mate when serving the Lord…in whatever capacity that may be.