Monday, September 10, 2012

He knows the stars by name...

That is a thought too grand for me to comprehend.

He knows the beautiful stars, he places them in their places and calls them by name - each one.
I love Him so.

Sometimes it seems my life was fashioned by God purely for the experiment of outpouring
His favor in large quantities and in new creative ways on one very low person... for what purpose?
I have no idea. I'm completely blank when it comes to the question, but it's a true truth that
I am the recipient of such amazing grace. 

Today I proclaim His mercies again.

To begin, I must announce the marvel of a new baby to arrive in March!  

Until recently, all has been boringly normal with this pregnancy.
Last night, through three isolated events over the course of several hours
I believed I was losing my baby.  Everything pointed to a miscarriage and I had only to
await the cramping.
I admit, I was a bit fearful.  At nearly 15 weeks gestation I'd never lost a baby so far along.
Last night was a restless time.
AJ was due to fly across country this morning (which he ended up proceeding with), and we've
been hosting dear friends from Oregon who are not due to leave for a few days yet.  I won't
record them by number, but I had not a few questions about the unknown future.

Last night I called two dear women, friends of mine experienced in pregnancy and delivering babies,
and each of them were available to talk with.  Both offering assurances of hope which I had not expected
to hear.
Then I emailed my local midwife whom I haven't talked to since my last baby was born.
She is only in office two days a week and today being one of them I wanted to see if she'd listen for
a tiny heartbeat.  This morning she promptly replied and scheduled in into her already packed day,
but by this morning I determined that an ultrasound was probably inevitable whether we heard a
heartbeat or not.
Feeling quite well this morning and full of hope since I wasn't continuing to bleed and hadn't
experienced any cramping, I saw my husband out the door to the airport and wondered how I was
going to cope through this day with 7 children and 5 guests.

The Lord knew.  And He provided what I needed each moment - namely peace for the unknown.

After I lay 5 children down for nap I checked email one more time before I too, intended to shut eye
for an hour or so.
There was a hurried note from my midwife saying she'd scheduled me for an ultrasound at the
hospital 1 hour from the time I read my email - just barely enough time to load my crew and drive
the 45 minutes to the hospital!  Wow. 
My visiting (and very precious) friend Sarah rode with me to sit with my children in the van, the rest
of her own family followed behind offering the support of their presence.  That so put my mind at ease
and strengthened my courage for the unforeseen ahead.

I could not believe the timing of each call, letter, appointment, person available, and event
which made up the course of this day.  I was told that the small-town ultrasound technician wouldn't
be available again until late in the week, and yet an appointment right now?  Wow again.

Even on the drive to the ultrasound appointment I couldn't help but know I had experienced the love
of God in orchestrating these details so carefully - no matter the outcome.  I felt cherished.

Skipping ahead to the good part, 
the amazing technology of ultrasound imaging showed to me 
the most beautiful and perfect baby I could have dreamed up!

And there was a tiny beating heart.

There was a small round head, and two little arms waving at me, two legs tucked up near a sweet
little tummy... all screaming "life life LIFE!"
There was nothing else to do but marvel and worship.  Without making this post more about me
than I intended, I need add I do not deserve this, didn't expect this, didn't earn this.
It's all a mysterious piece of that experiment - His favor poured out on me!
Thank you Lord.


And I rejoice.

Thanks for rejoicing together with me :-)











17 comments:

Jess said...

Amen Sister

Kathy said...

Congratulations!! So glad to hear everything is all right, after no blog post for soooo long!! Blessings.

Kathy said...

Just to let you know - Christina = Kathy Tjaden :)

being molded said...

Congratulations!! So glad to "hear" from you after a bit too. Your blog always brings a smile to my face.
~Blessings, Cindy

Sally said...

Rejoicing with you--praising Him for providing for every need and for preserving that little life within you. We pray for him/her nearly every day...eager to meet the newest member of the family! My heart overflows....loving you! --m

Tracy said...

I am rejoicing with you, Dear One!!! God is so GOOD!

Blessings,
Tracy

Brenda said...

Oh Analene I am so happy for you. What a blessing. I want to share that my daughter is expecting her first child in February and she too had a very simular experience. As you, all is well with her too.
You are such a dear woman and my heart is just overflowing for you and your sweet family. I look forward to the next little buglett.
Huggs to you,
Brenda

Momma Bug said...

Jess, Kathy, Cindy,
Mom, Tracy, and Brenda...
You are true sisters. I'm so grateful for your friendship - even spanning miles and across the bounds of meeting in person for some of you.
One of these days we'll catch up on somebody's front veranda to sip something perfect and have no time constraints to catch up and know each other better.
I can't wait for that day!
You each bless my heart and my life.

~me

Photo Momma said...

Praise God for another healthy little one. Congratulations! May God continue to reveal Himself to you through this pregnancy...

Cinnamon said...

Rejoicing with you Momma Bug!! Awesome is just too small a word to encompass His glory in all this.

Thrilled you had company and they poured out love to you.

So happy for another little one in your midst. What a blessing indeed!

I know your tribe ;-) is thrilled with another cutie pie joining the ranks soon.

hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs!!

~Cinnamon

Morgan said...

Praise God! And, a big congratulations for your new little one on the way!

Kimberly Bryant said...

Oh Analene, so excited that everything is okay! So excited about your news! God is good!

Brenda said...

Analene, I LOVE the new cover photo...your bugletts are growing so fast and are just adorable!

Too Many Kids In The Bathtub said...

Oh ANALENE!!!

I am SOOO happy for you! I will continue to pray for your healthy pregnancy!!!!

Momma Bug said...

Tara, Thank you for your kind words!
I am so sorry for your loss and the ache that leaves. Thanks Lord for time which heals and removes the bitterness from the sweet.

It looks like you've make the most of your summer! My children are asking to go to the apple orchard again, so I'd better call. I can't believe it's that time of year again!

Hugs to you
~me

Chrysti said...

So excited to read you are expecting again and that your baby is doing well. I am due in March too and so excited to be blessed again. Praying the rest of your pregnancy goes well.

Shauna said...

A Baby! Oh, 'Lene, how my heart rejoices with you at the Life He is forming. It will never cease to awe me that He chooses to use these unworthy vessels of ours to weave together one in His own image!