Well, it's true, Lord :). I am indeed pregnant. Obviously You knew that a few millennia ago, but it warrants an official announcement! I can say without a doubt that I'm excited. But though You definitely changed my heart, I can't say that I'm totally without reservation. I still have all kinds of questions: will I be able to handle ANOTHER young child? will this baby even live very long? will I or the baby have any complications? will I have any shred of resentment about not being able to go to Sudan?

Right now I feel like I'm wallowing in too much of ME and not enough YOU. My questions should be more from Your perspective: what amazing things will You be doing in my life and my family's lives? what new lessons will You teach? will You please keep getting rid of my selfishness, please?!? what are Your special plans for this new life inside me? is this the last baby You have allotted for us? what do You want this baby's name to be? how can I obey You fully even through the inevitable morning sickness, exhaustion, etc?

Obedience to Christ
Romans 12:1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

My body is a sacrifice, daily. I know that I can lay my "need" for sleep and other things down to obey You. It's only through that surrender that I can partake of my bodily activities with the right attitude and approach. Even though it's tempting to sleep in because my pregnant body says it wants to sleep and since I am the vessel giving life to another life, it would be a perfectly logical excuse to do so. But I don't present my body as a living sacrifice to the BABY, but to YOU, Lord. Then YOU can show me how to put others before myself, and empower me to serve those I love.

Lord, I ask for your special blessing upon this baby, upon my husband, upon Marsha, Melissa J, Danielle, and Naomi today. May Your fresh goodness give them a new cause to glorify Your Name! And Lord, strengthen me today. So that I would love You, love my mom, love my doctor, love my children, and love my husband with YOUR agape. Thank You for the blessing of a new life. Thank You for being faithful. Thank You for friends and family that share in my prayers and joy! Thank You most of all for Your Son - the Light and Salvation of the world. I love You today more than I did yesterday, and not as much as I will tomorrow :).