Just a Waitin'

Although we officially have nine more days until the actual due date of our new arrival it feels like it is just a waiting game now. To think it could be any moment is so exciting! I know the Lord has the perfect day and time for Elizabeth to make an official entrance into the world but the waiting is a little difficult. I am so grateful to still be feeling so well. It seems almost to good to be true. In some ways it doesn't even feel like it is "time".

On the 10th of April our church had a baby shower for us. The love and blessing we felt was indescribable. All of the preparation, people in attendance, and wonderful gifts made us feel so loved! We received a stroller and car seat travel system so now we officially can bring Elizabeth home from the hospital. :) I was also very excited to receive an album and other cropping supplies to preserve all of these precious memories for generations to come. There were many cute little outfits given. Some people say I am going to have to change her more than once a day in order to let her wear them all. The shower was so much fun and...wow... I just can't describe it! Our family, both church and blood, loves us so much and we can feel it!!!
I will be posting some pictures of the shower soon.

After the shower Brandon helped me open all the gifts and organize, organize, organize! It was actually really fun. Not only did we completely organize and prepare the nursery we went ahead and did all of our spring cleaning. Brandon is a great organizer and I could not have done near the things we got done without him! It just doesn't seem like there is much more we could do in order to prepare for Elizabeth. It is wonderful to have a very clean house! :)

Thank you all very much for praying for my family during the loss of my Great Grandma. The funeral services were good and although my voice wasn't "normal" I was able to sing with my sisters.

May the Lord bless each one of your households!!

Rachael

Trust in the Lord

“Trust in Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and HE SHALL direct your path.”

Life is full of giants. Giant bills. Giant task. Giant problems. Giant temptations. Giant decisions. At times it feels like these giants are to big for us to handle. The truth is... they are.

We cannot face the giants alone or in our own strength. We grow tiered. We grow weary.

"But those who wait on the Lord will RENEW their strength. They will mount up on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

Where is your trust? Where is your strength? When life knocks you down what do you do? Do you grow weary or do you put your trust in the almighty God who is in control of everything that happens? God is still on the throne! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! And no matter what man may try, no matter what happens to you, nothing will remove Him from His throne. He is eternally steadfast.

And what does He ask from you? The same thing He has been asking from the beginning of time. For you to love Him more than anything. “Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” Love Him more then sin. Love Him more then self. Love Him more then family. Love Him more then friends. Love Him more then dreams. Love Him more then desires. Love Him.

When we do this, we will unlock a relationship with our Savior that will surpass all others. Why? Because He loves us with pure and undefiled love. He loves us with a love that nobody else can. How do I know? Because He proved it:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him should not parish but have everlasting life.”



The Lord directed me to share this with you all today. I am not sure who this is for but I pray it will minister to you all. May you stand in awe in the presence of His love today and put your full trust in Him. If you would like for Rachael and I to pray for you please feel free to leave us a comment or catch up with us later. We love you all!

In Christ,
-Brandon

37 Weeks! Baby Shower at Covels.

We have officially reached thirty-seven weeks! Elizabeth is now considered full term! Friday I had an appointment with Ann. She said things are progressing well and now it’s just a waiting game. As far as being pregnant goes I have been feeling great and my cold/sinus stuff seems to slowly be getting better.



Something you could be in prayer for me is that I will have my voice back in its entirety by Tuesday. This past Wednesday night my great grandma Kelley (my mom’s grandma) passed away. The funeral services are going to be held on Tuesday and my sisters and I are supposed to sing. Although it isn’t something I look forward to, I know it would greatly honor the family and especially my great grandpa.

This last Monday a baby shower was held for us at a friend’s home. Our extended family and friends were invited. There were so many people there.
We truly were showered with many gifts and felt so loved and blessed! There were many ladies that helped to prepare a table full of wonderful snacks and afterward one of the young ladies there rubbed my feet! I felt like such an honored guest!!!
We are almost completely ready for Elizabeth’s arrival. The only thing we lack as far a necessity goes is a car seat. Of course, I’m sure if she makes an early appearance we will be able to overcome that obstacle with little to no problems.
The nursery just keeps looking better and better. I love to go in and just think how any day now our baby could be lying in that crib! WOW! God’s design truly is perfect.

For more pictures of the shower visit our web album:

Family Baby Shower

27 Days to Go!!!

It is getting soooo very close! Brandon and I were looking at the calendar and thinking of the “best” times for Elizabeth to arrive. I was amazed at how many “important” things we are supposed to do this month. However, I have no doubt those “important” things on the calendar will be able to be adjusted rather quickly whenever Elizabeth is born. The Lord’s timing is perfect!
According to my weekly email update Elizabeth supposedly weighs about 6lbs. now and is a little less than 19 inches long. At my last appointment the midwife said they would not do anything to stop my labor at this point. She said I was good to go anytime! She would still be considered premature if she were born this week. Ann (my midwife) and her assistant were guessing what the baby weighs. The assistant guessed currently a weight of 5lbs. 9oz. and my midwife guessed she would weigh 6lbs. 8oz. at birth! It was fun to have them guess and I must admit I would be thrilled if Ann was close in her guess. They both agreed that the baby didn’t feel very big. Yippee!

How much do you think she is going to weigh? Leave a comment with your guess!

Both Brandon and I have been fighting sinus stuff or some virus going around. He seems to be on the down side of his but mine unfortunately just started. Yesterday I was able to rest all day and sleep a lot, which seemed to help some. Today I am feeling better but would like for both of us to be able to completely knock this thing before Elizabeth is born. Please be praying for quick healing for us both.

35 Days and Counting

On Friday I received my weekly pregnancy email update. It was pleasantly surprising to read there were only 35 days left! (As of 3-23-07) I thought that sounded far less than five weeks. The email also informed me that all of her functioning organ systems are pretty much functioning and these last few weeks are mostly for gaining weight! Yes, slightly discouraging. I certainly want a healthy baby but….let’s not get carried away Miss Elizabeth. She should already weigh about 5lbs. This pregnancy has seemed to be pretty easy thus far. My heartburn hasn’t given me problems for several weeks now and although I have been dealing with the regular slight ankle swelling I just can’t bring myself to complain. I’ve have seen too many other women have things far more difficult.

This past week while Brandon was gone my mom came over and helped me get the nursery cleaned and organized. It looks really good. I was so grateful to have her help! It was really fun putting on the bedding. (Mom T. bought it for us as a gift.)We still have to hang some things on the walls but everything that I currently have is ready. After my baby shower I will just have to put the final things away.

Mom W. found this beautiful dresser set and small nightstand (seen in picture above) at a garage sale. Our crib is white but I think this furniture looks great in the nursery anyways. It is really good quality furniture made by Broyhill. Mom and Dad W. bought it for us as a shower gift. It was really a great blessing to us and I am sure we will use it for many, many years to come.





We are excited about the things the Lord has in store for us! This is quite the adventure!!!

Pictures from Colorado!

Well, I have some pictures from our ski trip! Tonight is our last night at the lodge and then we start home. We will be home around 2:00pm on Saturday! It has been fun but I am sooooo ready to be home!

To view the pictures visit our web album.

Colorado Ski Trip!

-Brandon

Character First! Ski Trip

Hello from Colorado! I am on the CF!E ski trip with the CF! group from WHC. We are having a great time here (but I miss Rachael).

I snowboarded yesturday and plan to do it tomorrow too. I hope to take some jumps and a couple blacks before the day is done. Rachael and I normally do this together so it is VERY different this year. I am still having a lot of fun but I think about her most the day (and Elizabeth too!).

I am sitting in my room in the lodge. I got to room with my dad and brother this weekend! It has been really great. Jonathan is very funny and is making the trip fun (as long as he is in a good mood).

I am going to go swimming in a couple hours (after the girls) and then call it a night (it is 7:45pm in Colorado). The weather here is HOT (for Colorado). I nearly burnt up boarding yesturday and some of the young people did!

Jacob M. broke his sholder on the first run down and has to sit out. Pray for him that as he goes through that. Also pray for a quick healing.

Well, I gotta go. I will post pictures to the blog and web album when I return.

Signing off for now,
-Brandon

A Week Apart

Brandon is on the Character First Ski Trip this week. Since we've been married we've been apart for single nights at a time but this is our first week away from each other. It has been…among other things, thought provoking. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you love someone until they aren’t there for you to hold or talk to. It makes me grateful Brandon is only going to be gone for one week! I’m glad he got to go though and I’m sure he is having a great time!!! Those of you who are married know exactly what I am talking about.

Brandon, if you check the blog, I love you and am counting the days until your arrival!

Some of you may have noticed I missed last week’s countdown update for Elizabeth’s arrival. Sorry about that, we were really busy getting ready for the ski trip.
I am feeling good still. My swelling seems to be less than it was – I am grateful for that! Yesterday my mom came over and helped me get the nursery cleaned and organized. That room used to be our office/shed but now looks like a cute nursery! I will try to post pictures with next weeks countdown update.

Blessings,
Rachael