The good things about pregnancy

I feel inspired to write something. Maybe because I've been showered with love recently by so many people in the form of baby showers. Maybe it's simply because I have seen more answers to prayer in the last couple weeks then in the last few months. Maybe this is the last time I will start a sentence with "Maybe" and just say it's a combination of so many things. I am in the "time between times". Some of you may know that as "twilight" or "sunrise". The time right before a change form night to day or day to night. My favorite is twilight. And no it has nothing to do with cheesy vampires, so get that our of your head Twilight fans (yes, I said "cheesy"). It's generally a peaceful time of day where the sun shines through our sycamore tree on the west side of our property. It's gorgeous. But somehow, my heart is does not reflect this peace. My "time between times" is called... the last month of pregnancy. The last time I blogged I was in the exciting and energetic time called "the second trimester". It was fun. Now, I'm truly awaiting "night" or "day" to come. AKA: I'm ready for this pregancy to end. I'm over it. I'm terrified to be a mom, but it's coming... yikes!


 I have yet to write out our birth plan. I have yet to set up the nursery. We have yet to settle on a name for our son. I still need to make more meals to freeze. I have yet to clean every corner of my house so I can feel like I've accomplished my nesting freakish urges. I have had some migraines from stress. However time marches on. I will soon be a mom and no longer preggo. It's time to think positively and be thankful. Here we go.
The good things about pregnancy:

1. people insist on doing everything for you.
2. They tell you wonderful lies like " you're so cute." "What  a beautiful pregnant woman you are." and "your glowing". (I realize that they are sincere, but Mrs. Preggo find them hard to believe in her condition)
3. People enjoy giving you lots of fun gifts and throw parties in your honor.
4. People love this baby almost as much as you do. 
5. People pray for you more :) 
6. People make you food.
7. People smile at you more :) 
8. People are very interested in you and your baby. 
9. People are more polite and open doors for you. 
10. I can feel life inside of me. 
11. My husband rubs my back and swollen feet. 
12. I don't have to tie my shoes (saves time). 
13. I can talk to my belly without being deemed a crazy person. 
14. I can eat weird things and people just smile. 
15. My husband is very proud of my growing belly. 
16. Everyone wants to see pictures of my belly (now tell me what other stage of life this is true).
17. If you have int'l friends they share their advice and experiences with you. 
18.  It's amazing to realize what is going on inside your belly. 
19. I feel closer to Jesus when I think about my baby and the miracle he is. 
20. I feel like I can relate to my elderly friends with back aches, difficulty walking, or getting up out of chairs. 

That's all for now. If you think of any more. Let me know. Thank you to all who have shown me the beauties of pregnancy and how much Jesus loves me, my Brent, and our baby boy. 

Introducing our baby boy

Here is our tiny son. He's only 19.5 wks old and growing strong. He likes to suck on his hand already and I'm hoping that is a good sign for breastfeeding. I have no idea who he looks like yet, but he will be cute.

Our little warrior will be like his daddy because this momma is craving all of daddy's favorite foods; fruits, salty and crunchy things, and more salty and sour foods. He likes to move around when I'm still and I like that (right now). When he's huge I might think it's annoying. I am enjoying knowing it's a "he" and planning some names. We are keeping the name a secret. "Lord, help us to be parents worthy of this sweet life." Amen.

Introducing...our little warrior.

I am realizing more and more how appropriately named this blog has become. It describes my life to a tee. Maybe I should start expecting more of these gifts God throws at me. What do you think?
Although I'm not to fond of suspense, I do like surprises (when I don't know their coming). That's a true surprise!

This pregnancy was very much desired, but for some reason I didn't expect it when it came. I'm 11.5 wks as I write this and I feel like the end of my first trimester couldn't come fast enough. Will the fatigue get better before it gets worse? Please say yes!
Am I there yet? My jeans are now unbuttonable (yes, I know that's not a word). I call that an accomplishment as I can now see how quickly my belly is expanding. I would love to upload a "belly pic", but my camera is not cooperating right now so you will have to wait until I'm as big as a basketball (or barn). After last year's miscarriage, the nervousness is still beneath the surface, but slowly dwindling as I watch this child grow (from the inside out). I've started pestering Brent about names and he is showing his lack of interest to discuss it, quite well. When we can get past the "Albert, and Ruban" comments, I'll be happy. He shot down my favorite name since I was in high school. "Yes I know we're having a white baby. But wouldn't it be fun.....?" Oh. Apparently, J'Myra's not his #1 name.
Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant, and then I wake up. The familiar growl begins in my stomach and I roll out of bed for something (for the millionth time) to eat. I am slowly getting past the "I hate food" stage, and into the "I'm so hungry I could pass out (every 2 hrs)" stage.

I love this baby and I'm excited to see who she/he becomes. Some people doubt bringing children into this corrupt world. I too have my fears and doubts. However, what if this child could be a soldier for the kingdom of God? What if Brent and I could raise up (by God's grace and strength alone), someone who really cares and prays and shatter's the Enemies strongholds? Oh, Lord I pray that will happen! Who's with me?

New House with New Guests

Home Owners

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Mostly because I didn't feel like I had anything "new to write". No new revelations or astonishing news. We have been busy with our jobs and God has opened up "many" new doors. One of those is buying a house. We had been looking for a long time with lots of disappointments. Brent literally looked online every day for new postings and found very little we even wanted to drive by. It's so funny b/c everyone always told us..."Welp, now's the time to buy!" "There are a zillion houses on the market right now. " Like we were supposed to snatch something up over a weekend. I kept asking God, "do you want us to move out of this area, State, Country?" Are we not hearing you clearly about staying here? I've never been one to believe in storing up treasures on earth, but I really wanted Brent to have a play farm, somewhere he could express all his creative endeavors, and I wanted to bring my int'l friends to a cozy and inviting "home" with room for parties and barn dances :) I felt like God wanted us to completely trust him. Like, He actually wanted us to wait! Gasp!
It came at the perfect time. I was feeling especially dejected one day due to totally unrelated issues. I wasn't trusting God really, but I wanted to and was crying out for help. Brent came home and told me about "this place" he drove past and he thought we should check it out. I shrugged and tried not to get excited. I failed when I saw an amazing rainbow (a full one) in the sky. My camera can't do it justice, but I tried just the same. I failed to curb my excitement again when I saw this big and beautiful kitchen for me to spin around while cooking! Amazing! What I am amazed about the most was how God dropped it in our lap, 4.7 acres with two barns and a cool old home that has been updated (has the right plumbing etc), just to say... "I love you!". He owned this place and He saved for us, simply because he knew the cackle of delight that would escape from Brent's lips as he surveyed the perfect space to plant his new orchard. I want this place to be more then a place where we live. I want it to be a place where Jesus is glorified to the fullest. I want to sing his praises every day while I'm sitting out on the big front porch. I'm gloating people! I'm gloating over God's provision in a way that astounds me. Not because we have a cool house. But because His lovingkindness is better then life. He told me that day (the rainbow was a sign) that he loved me, us! He said. "Trust me with everything and for everything. I'm worth trusting." It wasn't the house that made me tear up. It was His extravagant love that we certainly don't deserve, given so freely in the shape of a rainbow (promise of His faithfulness) and a home that was exactly what we had asked for. It was even a promise of something better, yet to come. I'm excited to find out what it is.

Worship

We learned that there are many different languages and worship styles but only one God. His people reside in different parts of the earth. They eat different foods and pray differently( Koreans pray out loud all at the same time). theses Korean young people were practicing a song for a singing competition in their church.


The second video is of my Filipina sisters in Christ worshiping God in a park on Hong Kong Island during their day off. It brought me to tears to hear their beautiful worship with out thought of what people would think of them. They were a beautiful example to me. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about them and the 4 years I spent in their beautiful country as a child. I don't know their names but I felt closer to them then to many of my church members in America. They had a passion and desire to worship that out shone any thing I've seen in the U.S. These women are working as house helpers/maids in Hong Kong. They have left their families back home in order to be able to provide for them and make a better life for them. They send the money back home. It's a touching example of sacrifice and how they connect in their communities.

The Familiar

"What is that?" "Well, I'm not sure. let's order it and find out ":)
Adventure comes in different colors and definitely looks different on everyone. As members of the human race, we long for the familiar. We may enjoy the occasional adventure of "fresh eel" picked out alive from it's tank and then cooked wriggling in front of you. But unless you grew up that way, an ice americano may be more comforting.

Brent and I are learning that this is true for traffic, food, ATMs, and coffee. For example, scooters in Seoul can drive anywhere they like including side walks and in between cars and buses. It's madness trying to stay alive where ever we walk. the food is very good, but you have to like kimchi, tofu, and spicy. I like it, but it does taste the same after a while.

Apparently you have to use a special "global ATM" to be able to get any money out. It was interesting trying to find one. The internet helps :)

We splurged on Indian food last night. like I said, it's familair and a favorite of both Brent and myself. There is something comforting about familiar foods, faces, places. I'm still trying to put my finger on the reason why. In any case, I understand why my international friends feel lost in an American restaurant, or are afraid to ask for directions or what a certain food is at the grocery store. Ah yes, I understand.
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