Deciding whether to post such a sacred family event has been difficult. However, since our family uses this blog to document many of the things that really matter to us throughout the year, missing a baby that we'd hoped for in April 2010, cannot be left out.
We had been slowly sharing the good news of expecting our ninth precious child, when at week seven, on September 13, he/she suddenly left us. This was a first for our family. I am especially thankful for the ease of the process. In a week I was "back to normal", although I hadn't really wanted to be. Friends who knew were especially kind and prayerful. I spent what could have been a terrible week feeling truly cared for by God and by people. Even my mother, who lives eight hours away, was close to my heart (by phone) on one of the more difficult days.
We will not forget that this one little person awaits our family in Heaven. We are so very glad that he is in the best possible place and that his life has been nothing but pure perfection and love. We do not grieve for him. I have grieved for dashed hopes, and a miscarriage-free history, but not for long, because I know I am truly blessed. If God never gave me another child, I am satisfied in Him and with our family. Of course, I truly hope not to miscarry again. But regardless, God is sovereign and He is the same One, worthy of all my trust in any circumstance. Since we trust Him completely with our womb, we look forward to another baby, in another season-if God should be so generous. And I am beginning to understand a fraction of the pain that other ladies who've miscarried are experiencing. This is good.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. "Romans 8:28
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." II Cor. 1:3-4
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
City Gardening
Over the last year, Bob and I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with a man and his wife who are master gardeners. Bob met the husband while swimming at the YMCA. Our family visited their home and farm this summer. They generously shared blueberries, raspberries and figs they'd grown. They own several acres and have gardened for decades.
Recently this nice couple began to teach us how to make raised beds for ourselves. This fall, following their instructions, we've built two raised beds and planted seeds for lettuce, spinach, chinese cabbage, and some herbs. It's been a slower process that what we'd intended due to heavy rains, and borrowing a truck for transporting dirt, and family illness. But we're finally seeing some of the "fruit" of our labor.
Today, after only five days, I observed sprouts from our newly planted seeds! God brought sunshine followed by alot of rain during the last twenty-four hours. This was exactly what was needed since we have been inside with the flu for two days and haven't thought much about watering. I love to see God's hand in all the little details of our life. We are praying that our money and efforts towards raising some of our own food will be very fruitful again in this season. Thankfully, we were able to save enough money over the summer by raising our own salad tomatoes and sweet peppers, to buy all the supplies for the garden, summer and fall!
Bob built two different size beds. We'll decide over time if the deeper one is worth the extra expense.
Daniel, Anna and I moved most of the dirt to the beds on this past Monday.
Both children were so diligent and faithful. I really appreciated their help.
The hoops will support butterfly screens initially, then plastic when it begins to frost at night.
I purchased two packs of plants so that our harvest would be staggered. They were so very reasonable compared to buying the produce at the store! We're praying the butterflies do not find them before we get them covered. Bob's face was priceless when he thought these plants came from the seeds I'd planted a couple of days earlier. : )
One of our first spinach sprouts.
Today our friends brought plenty of spun bond (looks like interfacing to me) for covering the plants. So the beds are safe from butterflies for now!
Recently this nice couple began to teach us how to make raised beds for ourselves. This fall, following their instructions, we've built two raised beds and planted seeds for lettuce, spinach, chinese cabbage, and some herbs. It's been a slower process that what we'd intended due to heavy rains, and borrowing a truck for transporting dirt, and family illness. But we're finally seeing some of the "fruit" of our labor.
Today, after only five days, I observed sprouts from our newly planted seeds! God brought sunshine followed by alot of rain during the last twenty-four hours. This was exactly what was needed since we have been inside with the flu for two days and haven't thought much about watering. I love to see God's hand in all the little details of our life. We are praying that our money and efforts towards raising some of our own food will be very fruitful again in this season. Thankfully, we were able to save enough money over the summer by raising our own salad tomatoes and sweet peppers, to buy all the supplies for the garden, summer and fall!
Bob built two different size beds. We'll decide over time if the deeper one is worth the extra expense.
Daniel, Anna and I moved most of the dirt to the beds on this past Monday.Both children were so diligent and faithful. I really appreciated their help.
The hoops will support butterfly screens initially, then plastic when it begins to frost at night.
I purchased two packs of plants so that our harvest would be staggered. They were so very reasonable compared to buying the produce at the store! We're praying the butterflies do not find them before we get them covered. Bob's face was priceless when he thought these plants came from the seeds I'd planted a couple of days earlier. : )
One of our first spinach sprouts.
Today our friends brought plenty of spun bond (looks like interfacing to me) for covering the plants. So the beds are safe from butterflies for now!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Kelsey's Fourteenth Birthday!
Today Kelsey is fourteen! Last night Bob took her out for a very nice dinner. They both dressed up and when they were ready to go, Bob gave her a necklace of pearls to wear. She looked lovely. They had a delicious dinner and brought home beautiful chocolates to share with Kendal and me.
We made a great Sunday dinner for her birthday this afternoon. We also put a candle in her dinner roll and sang to her. We weren't able to go to church due to alot coughing in our family. But we've had a nice day together.
This evening Kelsey asked if she and I could drive to Edenton, NC and visit Ms. Ennis ( a dear friend of our family). Since it is her birthday, Bob agreed and let us go. We had a short and lovely visit. It would be so nice if Ms. Ennis were closer. We're glad to see her every chance we're given. 
We made a great Sunday dinner for her birthday this afternoon. We also put a candle in her dinner roll and sang to her. We weren't able to go to church due to alot coughing in our family. But we've had a nice day together.
This evening Kelsey asked if she and I could drive to Edenton, NC and visit Ms. Ennis ( a dear friend of our family). Since it is her birthday, Bob agreed and let us go. We had a short and lovely visit. It would be so nice if Ms. Ennis were closer. We're glad to see her every chance we're given. 
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Family Reformation Conference
Today we had the privilege of listening to James and Stacy MacDonald speak about raising children for the glory of our God. Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald came from Illinois with eight of their children to minister to our little group today. It is an honor to have people visit our church who have shaped our lives through their ministries and books. Tomorrow Mr. MacDonald will give the sermon during our household worship service. And we will gather with their family in the evening for a small social over dessert at our pastor's home. What a blessing!
Mrs. MacDonald wrote a spectacular book called Raising Maidens of Virtue. Mr. MacDonald is a pastor of a family integrated church, founder of their family ministry and radio speaker. His email newsletters are biblical and encouraging.
Kendal and Kelsey read a couple of the MacDonald family blogs regularly. I think they especially enjoy meeting other, somewhat famous, virtuous young ladies.
The MacDonalds talked about many things. Their message was bible-based and practical. We especially enjoyed their talk about courtship. They have one married daughter and one in a courtship relationship. With seven daughters and three sons, they'll be pros in due time.
Mrs. MacDonald wrote a spectacular book called Raising Maidens of Virtue. Mr. MacDonald is a pastor of a family integrated church, founder of their family ministry and radio speaker. His email newsletters are biblical and encouraging.
Kendal and Kelsey read a couple of the MacDonald family blogs regularly. I think they especially enjoy meeting other, somewhat famous, virtuous young ladies.
The MacDonalds talked about many things. Their message was bible-based and practical. We especially enjoyed their talk about courtship. They have one married daughter and one in a courtship relationship. With seven daughters and three sons, they'll be pros in due time.
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