Our little secret

Me and Samuel have a little secret. We both know he's going to be just fine because God is taking care of him. So when we go in for appointments, he and I both giggle inside and smirk when the doctor says things like "his heart rate is great and he is continuing to practicing breathing" because it's no news to us! It's fun to imagine the look on their faces when the surprise is revealed and he is a perfectly healthy little guy! (Can you say "best day ever"?!) We just got back from our Mankato appointment and all is well (still no amniotic fluid). His heart rate is 143, he was making breathing movements and his feet are now tucked down by his little bum (as they should be). He is moving into the correct position! Thank you, God! We got to see his tiny, perfect little foot on the screen. It was probably one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Five tiny yittle-bitty toes, just waiting to be tickled :)

Earlier today I was talking to him and he was kicking up a storm. I can't wait to hold him! He is the joy of my life!

I'm in my 32nd week. So we could be holding him in 8-10 weeks...oh my goodness! Our Bradley classes are going well and we are learning all we can to have a healthy and natural delivery.

Sometimes I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I know God is holding us up and protecting us on a daily basis. I love that when the devil planned to be the worst, most horrible time of our lives, God has turned into some of the most joyful days. Every once in a while, I think about what life could be like during this time. Fear, depression, anger, hurt, anxiety... so much pain and sadness. Our marriage could be falling apart. Our finances could be wrecked. Instead we turned to Jesus. We have joy and excitement, a deep love for each other and our little Samuel, fun date nights, and (due to very generous people* and God's constant guidance) our finances are intact. I've really learned a huge lesson about the choices we make. When trouble comes (and it will) what will I choose? I can give in to the emotions and let the devil speak destruction into my life (he will die, he's in pain, he won't look normal, you're going to go through all this just to lose him, people are making fun of you for having hope, etc.) or I can say "NO" to him and turn to Jesus. I can listen to His words of love and comfort and joy. I can feel His presence as people pray for us. I can know that He is in control so I don't have to do anything but ask for His help and have faith in His promises. Why wouldn't you choose Him?

Psalm 40: 1-3 says:
¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
   he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
   out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
   a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
   and put their trust in him.

Thank you, Lord! I don't have to wallow in self-pity and anxiety. He has picked me up and given me a firm foundation to stand on.

The other day, someone said to me "I just know he is going to be a miracle baby". I just knew it too! There are two kinds of "he's going to be ok" I get from people. One is just a nicety someone is saying because they care about us. The other is like this was; the words of faith coming from a person who knows God and His awesome power. I welcome those kinds of pronouncements!

Thank you Lord God for your mighty love. You are so faithful! We asked you to be with Samuel and You are. We asked for him to be strong and you made him so. We asked that he move into the correct position for birth and you're already helping him move! We asked for your patience and courage as we wait for his birth and you have given it abundantly. You are an awesome God!

Psalm 103
Praise the LORD, my soul;
   all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
 ⁶ The LORD works righteousness
   and justice for all the oppressed.
 ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
   his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
   they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
   and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
   and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
   and remember to obey his precepts.
 ¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
   and his kingdom rules over all.
 ²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
   you mighty ones who do his bidding,
   who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
   you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the LORD, all his works
   everywhere in his dominion.
   Praise the LORD, my soul.

*On a side note: we were given an amazingly generous gift by a new friend of ours: free maternity photos! What an awesome blessing! I know it will be a gift we treasure for the rest of our lives. We should get them in about two weeks, so keep posted to see them! Also, check out her site - www.kimberlyschroederphoto.com - she does great work!