This week (Wait, what day is it today? .... Thursday. Got it.) is flying by like the rest. I'm desperately praying that God allows this little girl to be born safely around 38 weeks (and all the Mama's laugh at this first-time prego). I know that it is most common for first time mothers to deliver up to two weeks past their due date, but I'm still asking that God will bring her to our arms sooner than that. The reason being that hubs will (Lord willing) be going back to school full time in the Spring and still working his 40-50 hr/week job, all around the same time Rosie girl is due to arrive. Yikes! I would just really like to have some time with all of us at home as a new family before things get crazy. The Lord is sovereign and will bring her to us when the time is right. I'm just praying that the time is a little before or a little after Christmas. ;)
Stepping back and looking at the last few months, I can't help but see the Lord's sweetness in every aspect of our lives. It's this wonderful, intermingling pattern of our needs (and even wants!) coming to the surface, and then being met by His sweet grace. He has never, ever let us fall.
I lost a job, he brought Kip a new (and better!) one.
We needed groceries, and that same week some dear friends of ours gave us frozen beef from their cattle. They had no idea, and now we STILL have steak in the freezer!
He has made it to where we have been able to pay for everything out of pocket: tuition, birth center fees, rent, etc... We may scrape the bottom of the barrel sometimes, but we've never come up short! (Luke 6:38)
I started running out of clothes that fit (ha), and my mom, my sweet sister, my best friend, and my cousin all randomly gave me maternity clothes at different times! Sometimes a girl just needs a refreshed wardrobe, even if that means something second-hand. That was such a huge relief to my heart. Not to mention my sis gave me the gift of a shopping trip for new bras this week! Helloooo! Is there anything better than new undies?! ;)
My best friend was able to drive six hours to come throw me a baby shower. It was so precious, and I was so thankful to spend the time with her! (She's the queen of party-throwing, people.) Kip's parents bought us the car seat we wanted, and my Aunt purchased the bedding for the crib. (Which should come by UPS sometime today! Eee!) People also gave us children's books to start our little collection, as well as great toys, diapers, etc...
God has provided things on our registry in so many different ways than just a baby shower. Things we've received for free or waaay cheaper than the price on our registry include: a cradle, three bins full of baby girl clothes, a boppy pillow, a stroller, a hot mama wrap, a baby swing, a play-gym, a bouncy seat, and a changing pad. All these things are thanks to two sisters with babies who have grown out of them, and a few items from Mommy groups on Facebook. Wheee!
I just sit here and look around our apartment, and it hits me that I have done nothing to deserve or earn any of this. Thank you to all who have given to us and to little Rosemary. I'm so humbled by the Lord, and thankful to know Him. I'm thankful for the little baby with her little hands and feet constantly poking me in the side. It is all His grace. I hope I never forget.
