20 Weeks

20 weeks is here!! -- Let's start with the EXCITING good news! Today we had our 20 week ultrasound and discovered the little babe inside is a GIRL!!! Needless to say, I was super excited while Paul asked the ultrasound tech if she was sure it was a girl. I think he had the slightest twinge of sadness it wasn't a boy for all of a split second. I on the other hand was very, very surprised it was a girl considering how I am carrying, the lack of nausea, etc... So was thrilled to find out that we're having a girl, and that Sophia will have a sister!!! Having a sister myself is one of the most cherished relationships that I am always thanking the Lord for- and so this was a desire of my heart for Sophia to one day have a sister. It is an answer to prayer. We are SO thankful that we have a healthy, little girl inside-with two little arms, legs, ten fingers and toes, that we are just overjoyed to know there is a little SHE kicking around inside. God knew all along who He was creating because He is Sovereign and knows the plans He has for our family. I told Paul that we'll just have to go for baby #3 for a boy :) One fun fact is that this little one's "guess date" is right around Sophia's birthday and so since I saved 99% of her baby clothes, we are going to be set on having ample clothes for her. (One concern I had was if it was a boy we'd have to start fresh buying all new boy clothes!) I see the Lord's hand at work already in providing for her and taking care of all the details!

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you     
when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 
 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be. 
-PSALM 139:13-16

 
After our appointment, we were going to run some last minute errands for Thanksgiving- and poor Sophia- I took her out of her carseat and was moving too fast and closed the door on her little finger... Ohhhhhhh my goodness, that has never happened before and she toughed it out. It was instantly black and blue and has to ice it plus take a trip up to Rev to have it looked at. She was using it to color and eat snacks by the time we left, so it was a praise moment that she didn't break it. When your little one gets hurt like that, it is like an extension of yourself and you just wish there in the moment it was you and not them getting hurt. Thank you Lord for having your protective hand over us in that moment!

Aside from that incident, we've had a repairman out at our house working on a slow water leak coming from a toilet and shower leaking into the ceiling below it (!), the washing machine that decided to break down on Sunday- but luckily we have another one upstairs we can use in the mean time. Everything happening right before Thanksgiving and we are hosting it at our house! We are thanking God for His provision for our family and for always taking care of the details in our lives. This past week we studied Abraham's life, and I was encouraged that even when His family faced unwanted circumstances that God faithfully kept His promises. It reminded me to get my eyes off the circumstances and focus on who He is and what He can do.

Writing this with a heavy but joyful heart tonight because one of the families that my bible study group has been praying for lost their baby girl this past week at only 38 days old. Juliet "Jules" Faith is now dancing with Jesus and she has an incredible story.  Read Juliet's story on her mama's blog. The Lord is strengthening and sustaining this family, and please keep them in your prayers for the Lord to carry and comfort them in this season.