He loves us so...

We made the 45 minute drive to the OB for my first prenatal visit this morning. The radio rang out the beautiful, encouraging songs from our local Christian station, Jaxson sat quietly in the back seat playing the D.S. He was so excited to go with me. Daddy was home with the 2 girls and J was at school—so it was just me and Doodle for the morning.

My mind kept occupied with the endless traffic that seems to clutter the roads on the way through Charlottesville, that place is so crowded! Have I ever mentioned that I really dislike driving? Well, I do. It truthfully terrifies me. Knowing that my safety depends on the astute reactions of complete strangers—it’s almost too much. But, of course, being that we live in the middle of the country, driving is pretty much a necessity for our life {pretty much anyone these days I suppose}. So, I push the anxiety aside each time and place my life, and that of my sweet children, into the Almighty’s hands {He’s truly the only One that is capable of keeping us safe anyways}

Irritation threatened to creep in quickly after we got to the Dr’s office. I was asked to come in 15 minutes early to fill out the paperwork {again} and surprisingly we made it there EARLY. You have no idea what a feat that is for me! I am never early, EVER! Before we started having children, I was always the one on time-promptly on time! That trait quickly went out the window when the first baby came, and became but a passing memory as each new child was added to our family.

But, today, today we arrived 25 minutes early—plenty of time to fill out the paperwork. The nurse behind the counter smiled when she handed me the paperwork and asked, “Do you want our policy again, or do you pretty much have that memorized?” I had to smile back, no I did not need to read their policy again. I politely responded, “No, I’m good I think after 4 I could probably write your policy out for you.” She laughed.

 Having children has really become second nature to me, don’t you think?

Anyways, I digressed. Back to my irritation. We waited almost an hour to be seen. We sat as every person in the waiting room was taken back, and one even left again, before they finally called my name. I had to quietly thank God for His testing, I’m such an impatient person, sometimes those reminders that the world most certainly does not revolve around me is necessary to my growth.

But, lo and behold they finally called my name and Doodle and I went back to the exam room.

The nurse, bless her heart, tried to give me some advice on the nausea. I always find it rather amusing when someone without children gives advice on something involving children. But, I listened to her advice and watched her jaw drop as she found out that this was my 4^th pregnancy and 5^th child. That always makes me laugh. People tend to say, “Wow, you have your hands full, huh.” I always want to respond with, “1 child, 5 children, it’s not the number of children but the attitudes of the children that make them a handful, and yes mine can at times be a handful thank you.” But, I never do because, well that would be rude, now wouldn’t it?

Finally the Nurse Practitioner came in for the exam. This is the 3^rd time she has seen me and she smiled immediately and quickly said, “Welcome back”. We both chuckled as she began asking the same questions she’s asked two previous times. We both agreed that nothing had changed and she could pretty much write the same thing as she did on the last intake sheet.

Jaxson sat not so patiently in his seat. He was in bitter anticipation to see the baby on the screen. He is so excited to be a big brother again, this time to “Jacob” as he has convinced himself this baby is a boy.

And finally it was time for the exam, and as the baby came up on the screen, my heart just sank and I could hear God say, “This is how much I love you”.

I’m studying the book of Ephesians and we’re reading it verse by verse, slowly, patiently, allowing His message to resonate within us.

We’ve learned that He chose us before the foundation of the world (1:4)—which as I looked at the screen this morning had a whole  new meaning—this child growing within me was chosen by Him, set apart by Him, predestined by Him for His praise and glory…WOW.

We’ve learned that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (1:3)—this child is a blessing, physically and spiritually.

His love abounds in magnificent ways and I am just truly astonished at how He just so richly blesses us.

This child, one who we were not expecting at all, is a blessing in our family and one that God has set forth to be a part of our family—one who will hopefully choose His path to becoming Holy and blameless.

How truly Amazing!