First a little encouragement and devotional, then update:
"The journeys that we take in life,
Though unexpected they may be,
If we commit to follow Christ,
His work through us the world will see. —Sper"
I read a short verse in Philippians, 1:12-14 "12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." I realized that this was me....what we went through with Tobi, on the verge of death and his long road to being a healthy little boy, meeting Layah and losing her too soon, was all for a greater purpose. He will use any circumstance in our lives to fulfill His plan for us, like I mentioned last post. So many people can see how the relationship I walk with the Lord is very honest and open. I want others to have the freedoms through Christ I have, not for "fire insurance" as some say, but just because He's done so much for me, physically, emotionally, relationally.....SUPERNATURALLY! If you're excited and passionate about something, you express it; you talk about it; you share it with others. No, I'm not perfect, good Lord, if you could hear me mad while I'm driving and surrounded by idiot drivers, (no I don't use profanity, but I'm not asking the Lord to bless them either), among many things, would show you how much I need to be forgiven and given much grace and mercy on a daily basis. He is just such a beautiful Designer and perfect Creator of life. Anything the enemy intends for bad, He can and will-if given the okay by us- to create something beautiful. I hope each of you can experience this.
Wednesday, we had a friend I met online, (that "coincidentally" knows one of my best friends I recently found out), do some professional photography. She is such an amazing photographer. She also is blessing us with a CD of the proofs. I cant wait to share them with you all. This is just a "sneak peak" picture she sent me before she had to go out of town for a family emergency. The pictures were taken at Aldridge Gardens, property that was owned by a family and donated to the city of Hoover if it would be protected and maintained. It's a beautiful scenic place. Thursday, I went to the OB. Joey did a GBS, (Group B strep) culture, which obviously I've never gotten before, having never gotten to this point of 35 weeks. I told him I'd had a few episodes of contracts and was not alarmed. I knew they were not intensifying or getting closer and there was no spotting. The plan is still to take out the cerclage on Tuesday-again for those of you who don't know, Tobi's 7th birthday is this day also! I told him I was a bit nervous about having it removed in the office, considering how unprepared I was for it's placement and how painful it was. He assured me that if it was not going to be simple, they'd take me to L & D to give me drugs to remove it. We have Luke's room ready, bags packed and car seat installed, however, I find out from the fire department here in Alabaster, (the same sweet guys that came to our lovely home the weekend before my 30th birthday when my dear husband about burned our house down cooking some shrimp on the stove and fell asleep!), was installing it, that it's not recommended to keep them more than 6 years....Tobi's was made in 2002, so now we have to buy a new one-that's a pain. I have a plan if my water breaks at work, to drive over to Matt's parents' home, since they live about 2 miles from where I work. Joey said that should be fine for me to drive over there. Luke has the hiccups at least once a day now. I've been assured it's normal and actually healthy, but I feel him having them and think he's being shook so much! Joey said they think that it's actually comforting to them. Ummm, what else, oh! Tobi is loving Taekwondo and has gotten his yellow stripe recently. He will get blue and red before moving up to the yellow belt. Once he has a green belt, he can "spar", which is what he looks forward to most at this point. We are celebrating his birthday tomorrow, here at our home, with just family. I couldn't do a party this year with trying to plan for Luke's arrival. It doesn't matter to Tobi, as long as he gets presents! That's it for now. I've been up since 2am, from contractions early this AM, but again, they didn't progress and were uncomfortable, they weren't what I know they have been before with Tobi and Layah in the throws of labor. I will keep you all updated. I'm looking for ward to a long, relaxing weekend. My "nesting" energy is draining now, so it's a good thing everything is done and I can just be lazy this Labor Day holiday. The only thing I don't want to do this Labor Day, is go into LABOR yet!
Faithfully His,
Mika
"The journeys that we take in life,
Though unexpected they may be,
If we commit to follow Christ,
His work through us the world will see. —Sper"
I read a short verse in Philippians, 1:12-14 "12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." I realized that this was me....what we went through with Tobi, on the verge of death and his long road to being a healthy little boy, meeting Layah and losing her too soon, was all for a greater purpose. He will use any circumstance in our lives to fulfill His plan for us, like I mentioned last post. So many people can see how the relationship I walk with the Lord is very honest and open. I want others to have the freedoms through Christ I have, not for "fire insurance" as some say, but just because He's done so much for me, physically, emotionally, relationally.....SUPERNATURALLY! If you're excited and passionate about something, you express it; you talk about it; you share it with others. No, I'm not perfect, good Lord, if you could hear me mad while I'm driving and surrounded by idiot drivers, (no I don't use profanity, but I'm not asking the Lord to bless them either), among many things, would show you how much I need to be forgiven and given much grace and mercy on a daily basis. He is just such a beautiful Designer and perfect Creator of life. Anything the enemy intends for bad, He can and will-if given the okay by us- to create something beautiful. I hope each of you can experience this.
Wednesday, we had a friend I met online, (that "coincidentally" knows one of my best friends I recently found out), do some professional photography. She is such an amazing photographer. She also is blessing us with a CD of the proofs. I cant wait to share them with you all. This is just a "sneak peak" picture she sent me before she had to go out of town for a family emergency. The pictures were taken at Aldridge Gardens, property that was owned by a family and donated to the city of Hoover if it would be protected and maintained. It's a beautiful scenic place. Thursday, I went to the OB. Joey did a GBS, (Group B strep) culture, which obviously I've never gotten before, having never gotten to this point of 35 weeks. I told him I'd had a few episodes of contracts and was not alarmed. I knew they were not intensifying or getting closer and there was no spotting. The plan is still to take out the cerclage on Tuesday-again for those of you who don't know, Tobi's 7th birthday is this day also! I told him I was a bit nervous about having it removed in the office, considering how unprepared I was for it's placement and how painful it was. He assured me that if it was not going to be simple, they'd take me to L & D to give me drugs to remove it. We have Luke's room ready, bags packed and car seat installed, however, I find out from the fire department here in Alabaster, (the same sweet guys that came to our lovely home the weekend before my 30th birthday when my dear husband about burned our house down cooking some shrimp on the stove and fell asleep!), was installing it, that it's not recommended to keep them more than 6 years....Tobi's was made in 2002, so now we have to buy a new one-that's a pain. I have a plan if my water breaks at work, to drive over to Matt's parents' home, since they live about 2 miles from where I work. Joey said that should be fine for me to drive over there. Luke has the hiccups at least once a day now. I've been assured it's normal and actually healthy, but I feel him having them and think he's being shook so much! Joey said they think that it's actually comforting to them. Ummm, what else, oh! Tobi is loving Taekwondo and has gotten his yellow stripe recently. He will get blue and red before moving up to the yellow belt. Once he has a green belt, he can "spar", which is what he looks forward to most at this point. We are celebrating his birthday tomorrow, here at our home, with just family. I couldn't do a party this year with trying to plan for Luke's arrival. It doesn't matter to Tobi, as long as he gets presents! That's it for now. I've been up since 2am, from contractions early this AM, but again, they didn't progress and were uncomfortable, they weren't what I know they have been before with Tobi and Layah in the throws of labor. I will keep you all updated. I'm looking for ward to a long, relaxing weekend. My "nesting" energy is draining now, so it's a good thing everything is done and I can just be lazy this Labor Day holiday. The only thing I don't want to do this Labor Day, is go into LABOR yet!
Faithfully His,
Mika
still think of you every single day. talked to my mom today and she was asking about you also. so amazingly thankful for you to be where you are in this pregnancy. I love your devotional. I feel EXACTLY as you do. I am so grateful for HIS Grace because I don't deserve HIS love at all. I can't figure how people aimlessly wander through life without HIM. I fail daily as a person, mom, wife, you name it and I fail at it (in HIS eyes) but HE loves me no less. Amazing! No words to confess...I know he orchestrated all that we went through with our pregnancy last year. YOu are my role model. I always look forward to read what you have written. Even though I don't always leave comments. I always think deeply about what you write.
ReplyDeleteWe have something else for Luke to bring him WHEN YOU ARE IN THE HOSPITAL HAVING HIM IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. My mom said she was so happy for you and wanted more than anything for you to just have a good ole "normal" delivery and be able to "BRING YOUR BABY BOY HOME WHEN YOU COME HOME"...What a pure blessing your story has been for others to share in. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Happy birthday to Tobi..what a miraculous day it was 7 years ago. I know you will relive each moment of the day.