Sunday

For the most part Madalyn moves around in the afternoon and late evening; however this morning either she was awake or annoyed. We went to church and were sitting with Kevin's parents, and my sister-in-law, Katelyn, Ryan, and Hunter. I was holding Hunter during the first couple of songs that we were singing; which were Christmas songs. As soon as I gave Hunter back to Katelyn, Madalyn started to really move around. Then during the time where they collect the offering, the praise band played this really jazzy Christmas song, and as soon as the music started, Madalyn started moving around again. I hope she was enjoying the music, but it also could have been that she was trying to sleep and the music was keeping her awake.

As we are coming into the Christmas season, we focus on the birth of Jesus. This morning the pastor talked about how Jesus's birth was prophesied many, many years before He was born. In Isaiah 9:1-7 is Isaiah prophesying about the coming birth of our Lord and Savior. I wanted to share with you part of those verses.

"(2) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of shadow of death a light has dawned. (3) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice. (6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end."

You know I was thinking the other day as I was listening to a Christmas song, being pregnant at Christmas time, I have a different perspective of Mary and what she went through. Last year, I watched this movie about Mary and Joseph and the struggles they had. But I was just thinking about Mary, and wondered what she was thinking about bringing the Lord into the world. As moms, we all know our child or children will be special just simply because they belong to us. But imagine knowing that the child you give birth to is not your own, belongs to God, and will be the Savior for the world. Which I think most of us know that our children really belong to God and it's God who gave us the pleasure of our children in the first place. I have already told God that this little blessing He has given us, belongs to Him and that we will do everything we can to bring Madalyn up in a house that shows God's love and teach her all we know about Him. So that one day we can rejoice in her coming to know Jesus as her Savior. It's such a special time in my life and Kevin's, and we are lucky to get to share this together with family and friends. Looking at Mary's life has been my new prospective this Christmas and the burden of knowing her child was God (imagine that pressure) and the joy of knowing the same thing. Maybe this Christmas you will have a new prospective and have your eyes opened to something different; and really celebrate in the miracle gift that has been given to anyone who wants to receive it. All you have to do is ask. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8