My dear, sweet girl, There is so much about pregnancy that no amount of research or real-talk with friends can prepare you for. I knew you would kick and squirm now and then. I had seen pictures or videos of the baby’s movements in mother’s belly. But I never imagined how incredible your motions would feel […]
On belly shirts
First of all, Daughter of Mine, I can only hope that you have my innate desire to never wear a belly shirt no matter how in style they are. (Seriously, how are belly shirts allowed to be in style again?) Secondly, I find it ironically hilarious how many shirts I was certain would fit me throughout pregnancy. “These are […]
The Unspoken Club
As our little girl’s due date looms closer and closer, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of preparation and the questions of inquiring minds…but it’s impossible to forget where we were just months ago. In March I was truly believing that God might be calling us to childlessness. My identity was steeped in infertility, […]
Broken for You
On my morning walk before church I prayed. I was anticipating Holy Communion and asked God to examine my heart and cleanse me. I wanted to be a temple worthy to take part in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus. And He met me. Right in the middle of struggle. He had heard […]
The Summer Blur
Dear Little One, This is a busy summer for your Dad and me. It’s been fun having so many friends get to share in our excitement in person. Hugs abound, enthusiasm for the Lord’s bounty is proclaimed, and a few “bump grabs” have been occurring. (For the record, I have started to show in a bit more […]
The Struggle to Change
Dear Daughter of Mine, I am learning that being unable to control the physical changes to my body is a considerable mental struggle to overcome. I had suspected that I would have trouble with the weight gain and the clothing size upgrades, but part of me hoped that I’d just be so in love with […]
The Soul’s Winter
It can’t stay winter forever. At least that’s what we fervently hope every February or March as the bitter winds blow and the snow clouds roll in day after day. The first time you shovel or don a winter cap it feels exciting and new. But months into a Midwestern winter you begin praying for signs up […]
The First Year
Dear Little One, Today marks our 1 Year Anniversary of pastoral ministry at Monroe Free Methodist Church. Your Daddy was ordained last May, and appointed as Senior Pastor here in June. His first Sunday in the pulpit (and mine at the piano) was June 29th, 2014. It’s been a fast year, a hard year, a wonderful […]
Hindsight is 20/20
Early Sunday morning I was exchanging texts with a good friend. She told me about a Scripture verse from her devotions which had brought me to mind. As I left the house to take my daily walk, I began meditating on this passage. By means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets […]
Celebration
Dear Child of Mine, I haven’t been inspired to write anything profound, so I’m just going to start writing. Here’s my stream of consciousness. I’m eleven weeks pregnant today – you’re 11 weeks old! My pregnancy app tells me you’re about the size of a fig and almost completely formed. Now it’s just time to grow, […]