20 weeks

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.    Isaiah 55:13

If you do not yet know Jesus as your Savior, the verse above may not make sense to you. If so, I pray it will make sense someday very soon! I simply have to tell of the Lord's renown. He is faithful. I remember that it was this very month last year that Mitch and I conceived a precious baby that was not meant for our arms, at least not this side of heaven. I think of our sweet "glory babies" often, even if they were in my womb for what could be considered only a few short weeks. I don't think it is the Lord's plan for us to dwell on the heartache that was brought about in carrying those babies. Instead, I see their precious lives as a sign of God's hand at work for our good. As you may know, He always does work for our good. It seems funny to me that I am writing about this on a "pregnancy update" post. But, I have sat on this side of the computer reading other girls' posts and let my heart sink because I wanted so badly to have what they had at that moment.... a baby in my tummy. My point is this -- whether it is realized or revealed now or a year from now or someday when you meet the Father face-to-face, our lives are for the Lord's renown. Not our own. 

I want to tell you a little story of "coincidence." I cannot say I believe a whole lot in coincidence, but it's a prevalent concept in our world so I'll just call it that. Back up a couple weeks... I recently posted about how I went to an imaging center while SJ and I were visiting my family in Kentucky. We were all so excited and I was very hopeful for my experience. I mean, if you get an ultrasound at a "spa" you are pretty much guaranteed to have a great experience, right? Stay with me. So, the ultrasound tech came out and called, "Erin" in the waiting room and as soon as I looked up and saw her face I thought I  felt heart palpitations coming on. It was the same lady who had done my ultrasound at my OB's office back in April of 2012 when we found out our baby no longer had a heartbeat. Needless to say my memory of her was nothing short of awful. During my first encounter with her at that appointment she came off as cold and just in-compassionate. When I realized my options were to go with her or find the nearest exit, I jumped up and followed her to the imaging room. As I answered her introductory questions, it was like I felt in my spirit that this was my opportunity for redemption. God spun the world into motion. He knows everything about us. And, HE gave Mitch and I this baby that was growing inside of me. HE was going to make good out of this 2nd not-so-planned encounter with "cold ultrasound tech woman" and it was going to be for my good and His renown. So, we began the scan and saw our precious, growing and already active baby GIRL and counted her fingers and toes and "ooohed and awed" at her little profile. And then I said, "thank you and good-bye" and that was that. That was that? Hardly. What were the odds of me having an ultrasound from this woman? I mean, I live hundreds and hundreds of miles away from Lexington, Kentucky... I went to an imaging center that I had no idea this woman worked at... And, I was expecting, maybe, Mrs. Santa Claus herself to perform my ultrasound and give us all hot cocoa and candy canes at the end! So, is this coincidental? No. I really do not think so. Providential... yes. God's care for each of us is providential. And so, I take that encounter and I tuck it close to my heart as a reminder of God's faithfulness. He can redeem anything.

Pregnancy Highlights...

How Far Along: 20 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a banana  

Maternity Clothes: Not yet... :)

Gender: Girl!!! 

Movement: Yes!...loving it. 

Sleep: Okay :/

What I miss: Not much.  

Cravings: Homemade pizza with red and yellow peppers. 

Symptoms: I think I have entered the "honey moon" period of pregnancy.... I am feeling really good.

Best Moment this week: Getting a great report at our 20 week anatomy scan appointment today. Such an answer to prayer. 

Looking forward to: Giving our precious girl a name. 

This girl...oh my word... she is hilarious. She announced to Mitch and I, "Listen. I am pregnant so, you need to take my picture right now." 

 Here are the pics we got today of our little love. I will cherish them forever.