Wait

Things around our house have been tough lately.  But then again, ask ANY pregnant woman at the end of her pregnancy how she is feeling, and she will tell you that she's ready to be done!  The summer heat here in Houston doesn't help.  And to be honest, having 4 kids in 3.5 years doesn't help either.  It's rough on a girl's body I tell ya!  The past 2 times I have been to the doctor she has sent me over to the hospital for observation.  My blood pressure has been rising and she is concerned about it.  Each time, they keep me few a few hours, poke and prod, and then let me go.  While I am so very thankful for the fact that I can go home, it's just a pain to scramble around last minute, get someone to watch the kids, and then arrive home 4 hours later totally exhausted.

I feel like this is such a waiting period for us right now.  Waiting for this sweet baby girl to get here.  Waiting for my blood pressure to go down.  Waiting to find out what new changes Chris's company will keep making concerning his job.  Waiting for the right time to move into a different home.  Waiting for the time when we can manage all our kids and go out to dinner or hang out with friends and it not be stressful. Just waiting.

To be honest, at the beginning of the week I was really frustrated with the waiting.  I see friends starting new adventures and following the Lord's calling on their lives.  They are impacting God's kingdom and getting to serve in some awesome ways.  I've asked Chris if he thinks we should be involved in this or that or here or there.  But for right now, the Lord is just telling us to wait.

So after my appointment on Monday, and after my doctor sent me to the hospital, I sat down that night and decided I need to accept the waiting period.  I needed to stop wishing it away.  I needed to be okay with not being involved in things, not being asked to be involved with things, not attending all play dates, not going to all girls nights out.  I needed to just rest in the time that is now.

And you know what?  The past two days have been amazing.  God has shown himself to me in so many ways:

- my grandpa showed up at my parents house to see the kids.  He handed me an envelope before he left. It had exactly enough money in it for us to buy the new baby's crib mattress and a box of diapers.
Finances are so easy for our God.

- today Carson needed to go to the dr. but I didn't think there was any way I could manage all 3 of the kids by myself being this pregnant.  My sweet sweet friend and her husband so graciously kept the twins (along with their own 2 kids) so that I could just take Carson.
Schedules are simple to solve for our God.

- Carleigh's new obsession is to give kisses to anything and anyone.  Tonight after dinner she laughed and laughed while her and Chris gave kisses to her Tigger toy.
Children are such a joy to our God.

- Caroline took 8 steps yesterday.  She isn't a walker yet, but it's just a matter of time.
Our God is the great Creator.

- Carson has become completely smitten with his daddy.  Tonight Chris was stretching in preparation for a run and Carson was right by his side, mimicking his every move.
Our God is our Father.

So although I might get a little irritated tired of the waiting, I know it is all a part of God's plan.  Tonight I am so completely thankful for his promises to us and his provisions for our family.  Our desire is that our life would glorify him.  For us right now, that means we spend our nights at home with our kids, reading to them, playing with them, loving on them and showing them Jesus.  It means my days are filled with meal times, play time, nap times, diaper changes, and friendships via email and telephone.  Date nights might be few and far between, but praise the Lord for my parents who so generously keep our kids and allow us to go out.

In the years to come we will be more able to actually leave the house and serve more places, be involved in more things and meet new faces.  But for now, it is my desire to become content (and maybe even happy) with the waiting.