24 weeks

The last few weeks have been marvelous. The spring sun is starting to warm things up around here. We spent all of last Saturday with the windows open as we cleaned the house, weeded the yard, and grilled out in the backyard. I know these moments are actually stolen, as it is still February and likley to snow again before it is all said and done, but for now at least it is lovely.

Two more days and we move into the 25th week of this pregnancy. Every time I feel her kick I am as excited as I was the first time. Stephen never tires of wrapping his arm around my protruding little belly and waiting for her to move. I am continually in awe of the way she is making us fall in love with her one roll, one kick at a time. My sister keeps calling to tell me about the newest pink dress she purchased for her, and my five year old niece has taken it upon herself to insure this baby girl is well suited. I smile and revel in the love that is being showered upon us every day.

The grace of this journey, the joy of this new life, and the faith that is grown in the unknown waiting is lifting and deepening my heart all at the same time. We sing a song around this house quite a bit by Sandra McCracken called Feast or Fallow. When my mind starts to get ahead of myself or my faith starts to wander into worry, these words sung over and over again carried me through the season of hoping to get pregnant and are now carrying me through to the glorious day we get to meet our daughter.

In Feast Or Fallow
Words and Lyrics by Sandra McCracken

When the fields are dry, and the winter is long
Blessed are the meek, the hungry, the poor
When my soul is downcast, and my voice has no song
For mercy, for comfort, I wait on the Lord

In the harvest feast or the fallow ground,
My certain hope is in Jesus found
My lot, my cup, my portion sure
Whatever comes, we shall endure.
Whatever comes, we shall endure

On a cross of wood, His blood was outpoured
He Rose from the ground, like a bird to the sky
Bringing peace to our violence, and crushing death's door
Our Maker incarnate, our God who provides.

Repeat chorus

Bridge:
come, oh come, Emman- u- el
come, oh come, Emman- u- el

When the earth beneath me crumbles and quakes
Not a sparrow falls, nor a hair from my head
Without His hand to guide me, my shield and my strength
In joy or in sorrow, in life or in death

Repeat chorus

Whatever comes and how it comes, our faith is sure on One who is sure. How beautiful the certainty, how loving His grace, we wait, we pray, and we sing! How, oh how, did we get to be here? I feel incredibly blessed beyond measure. A child is coming!