Saturday, September 15, 2012

10 Weeks and Fire Trucks!

So I am 10 nearing 11 weeks along (2 1/2 months) and feeling pukey!  But that is ok with me!  Jared was nice enough to take my first maternity picture so we have a 'starting point' to look back on.

I started School of Ministers on September 4th which runs weekly on Wednesday and Fridays. It has been SO AMAZING!  It's a long day and lots to take in but I am really enjoying it!  Our first few classes have been on things like, God's love for us, prepping your testimony, Intro to Old Testament Scriptures, Purpose of the Scriptures and Retaining the word.  It's been SUPER interesting!

I am really excited about this weekend and I'm not totally sure why I'm SO excited.  Yesterday Jared started  a driving course with the Steinbach Fire Department which continues through the weekend.  Today I scurried down the road to watch them for a while!  They were actually in the parking lot of our church.  It appears that they were practicing backing up the trucks and how to properly guide each other in backing up.  They had pylons all over the place, doing all kinds of turns and such.  I only watched for an hour but I took a ton of pictures!  I realized that all firemen look the same when they have their gear on!  Luckily they were not wearing helmets, so eventually I did figure out which one was Jared.

Engine 411
Jared driving Engine 411
Engine 412
Jared with some of the fire crew.  These men did not know I was taking their picture so I blurred out their faces just in case they didn't want their face posted on the internet.

This weekend is also my birthday!  Yay!  Not that I'm having a party or anything, but I'm looking forward to making cupcakes with this weeks' daycare kidos and bringing them to SOM to share with my small group.  Oh, I will also be visiting my Grandma, Auntie, and cousins this weekend which should be fun!  The long drive will give me a chance to work on my SOM reading!

But right now I should really get the floors washed and a load of towels done.  I hope you all are having a fabulous week!





Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Discovering our 'Ferrari'


Well now that our baby news is out, I'm sure many of you are curious about how we found out and how long we've known...  I think this story is unique because of the journey preceding it!

First of all, I was late!  I know, sounds pretty predictable because you know the outcome of this story before I'm telling it, but stay with me.  My expected 'day of defeat' was August 1st.  Having been a number of days late in the past, just to be greeted by the 'dreaded red', I didn't think much of it.

We were on holidays at West Hawk Lake August 6-11.  We stayed in a tiny cabin at Tall Pine Lodge close to the lake.  We did a lot of hiking, some canoeing, swimming, fed some deer, enjoyed the jacuzzi and just enough relaxing!







Around Wednesday or Thursday I started to notice an uneasy stomach.  Amazingly, my first thought was not 'Maybe I'm pregnant!' seeing as I was 8-9 days late already.  No, what I thought was: 'I must have eaten something bad'.  

Reminder:  just a few months earlier, I'd been 15 days late and devastated by the dreaded red on day 16.

Saturday, 11 days late, still queasy...  I am DARING to hope, but still thinking I might just be sick.  I have one Dollarama pregnancy test in the drawer.  So I tell Jared: "Ok, tomorrow, I'm going to take that pregnancy test.  Here are your options for when I see the results:  1.  If I come back crying, I want you to say nothing, just hold me and let me cry.  2.  If I come back screaming, we're pregnant!  I'm going to want a big reaction!  Like: 'Woo!  That's awesome!' kind of reaction.  Ok?"  (Jared tends to be a little less expressive than me.  Not a bad thing, just different!)

So Sunday morning rolls around and I cannot sleep in.  I lay there awake... nervous...terrified...PRAYING!
Amen!
I roll out of bed...
I walk to the bathroom...
Go fishing through the drawer for that crazy test...
I read the instructions carefully, I did't want to do it wrong (not much to it!)...
I followed the instructions EXACTLY, I even had a stopwatch going so I had the time perfect!
I prayed one more time...
I opened my eyes...
I opened them WIDER...
Then I found those instructions and read them a few more times!  I turned that test every direction to make sure I was reading this correctly!
YES!  2 beautiful bright lines told me I was pregnant!  I have never been so proud of my pee!
I went SCREAMING back to Jared and yelled: "Are you ready to be a Daddy?"
He said: "Yes!"  Enthusiastically enough for me!  WOOOO!  I was up for the day!  Not many words to my prayers now but THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

And then telling people!  Ooo that's fun!  Many people ask how I told our parents:
With Jared's parents, we pinned a little note to Abby's (our dog) shirt that said: 'Big sister, April 2013'  It felt like forever until they noticed!  I think Mom read it twice!  Then she said: "Jack, read Abby's shirt!"  And then we all erupted in excitement!  Lot's of: 'Wow!', hugging, and praising God!  Dad couldn't stop looking at me a smiling; Mom couldn't stop praising... It was great!  Even now that they've known a while I catch Dad looking at me and just smiling!

With my parents we'd planned a long time ago what we'd do.  My dad has been fasting from pop for the last 2 1/2 years or so, until we would conceive (or receive through adoption) a baby.  So I had a can of Pepsi in my purse.  We sat down and just chatted a bit.  Then Abby started walking between me and my Dad, back and forth.  I think she wanted help getting up on the couch but I used that opportunity to ask her: 'Did you want me to give this to Grandpa?' taking the Pepsi out of my purse and handing it to my Dad.  I had taped a little note to it from the baby to be cute, but the can was all he needed to see!  My Mom nearly stole all the air in the room (gasping) as she lifted off the couch and began hugging us!  The biggest smile on my dad's face as he read the note and came for hugs!

Telling everyone has been a LOT of fun!  Many awesome reactions and SO many hugs!  I'm a huggy person so I love that! I wish I could post all your reactions on here, but that would take FOREVER!  I have enjoyed telling each of you and it's just as exciting each time I tell it!  Thank you for all your hugs, emails, comments and praises to God with us!

Thank you all so much for all your encouragement, prayers and support!  Please stick with us on this new journey toward parent hood!  We'll keep you posted!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Songs To Lift You Up

During this long journey of waiting, there have been a number of songs that have blessed me; songs that I sing from the depths of my heart, the words a cry and a prayer to God.  I would like to share a bunch of those songs with you now and I hope they will be an encouragement to you as well!

Also, please scroll all the way down to see lyrics and a picture at the end of this post!

'Praise You In This Storm' -Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away


[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth


[Chorus x2]

'While I'm Waiting' -John Waller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY
I'm waiting 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
And I am hopeful 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
Though it is painful 
But patiently, I will wait 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 
Takeing every step in obedience 
While I'm waiting 
I will serve You 
While I'm waiting 
I will worship 
While I'm waiting 
I will not faint 
I'll be running the race 
Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
And I am peaceful 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
Though it's not easy 
But faithfully, I will wait 
Yes, I will wait 
I will serve You while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting 
I will serve You while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting 
I will serve you while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord


'Worth The Wait' -33 Miles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew0YWiernig&list=PL4CC22F466841F1EF&index=15&feature=plpp_video
I can see your heart is yearning
Everything is so unclear
Is the answer ever coming
After all these years
It’s not an easy feeling
Sometimes it seems unfair
But He knows just what He’s doing
With unanswered prayers
So hold on

It’s worth the wait
Just keep believing
God has perfect timing
Never early, never late
It takes a little patience 
And it takes a lot of faith
But it’s worth the wait

What if what you’re desperate for
Isn’t what you really need
What if there was something more
Than what you dreamed
We may not always see
We may not understand
But He knows just what He’s doing
He’s got a bigger plan
So hold on

CHORUS

In His time, you’ll be fine
All this waiting, now, is by design

CHORUS

In His time, you’ll be fine
All this waiting, now, is by design


'Blessings' -Laura Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ&list=PL4CC22F466841F1EF&index=6&feature=plpp_video

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe


When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home


What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

'Stronger' -Mandisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3TPq8ZSvTk&feature=BFa&list=PL4CC22F466841F1EF

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares


[Chorus:]
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger


Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares


[Chorus]

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this


When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

'Everlasting God' -Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhMdWjL2kiU&list=PLD0358CD15AB4A504&index=31&feature=plpp_video
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles


'All Is Well' -Robin Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuhijtYVVHw&list=PLD0358CD15AB4A504&index=35&feature=plpp_video
He lowers us to raise us
So we can sing His praises
Whatever is His way all is well

He makes us rich and poor
That we might trust Him more
Whatever is His way all is well

All my changes come from Him He who never changes
I'm held firm in the grasp of the Rock of all the ages

All is well with my soul
He is God in control
I know not all His plans
But I know I'm in His hands

He clothes us now then strips us
Yet with His Word equips us
Whatever is His way all is well
And though our seasons change
We still exalt His name
Whatever is His way all is well


'Never Once' -Matt Redman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1bXG4WIesA
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful


You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful




If you do not understand the meaning behind this picture check out my post  from November 29, 2010 called: 'The Road I Walk - a story to help you understand.'

http://blatzbabble.blogspot.ca/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=3