Adjustments

We are really enjoying our new-born son.  He is such a delight.  Even the night-time feedings are special to me.  I love washing and folding his itty-bitty clothes...so soft, so little!

Having a new-born baby in the house always brings adjustments for everyone.  It is a blessing having older children, as they are such a big help to me!

We stayed at Mom's house for three weeks after the baby was born.  To say that Mom has been a big help would be an under-statement.  I don't even know how to express my gratefulness for all she has done for us.  She went far beyond what was expected of her.  We made some very precious memories in the weeks we were at her house!  THANK YOU, MOM!!!

Last week we "moved" back to our own house. (I actually wrote this two weeks ago.)  I knew there would be adjustments, juggling house work, getting my husband to work in the mornings, the children's school work, meals, etc.  Praise the Lord, our first week "alone" went very well.   But I know there are very challenging days ahead!!

My youngest, beautiful sister (she is beautiful inside and out...a lady whom I admire very much!...and who also recently gave birth to an adorable baby girl!) wrote something for me, and gave it to me a few days after our baby was born.  It really has been an encouragement and help to me, and I have referred back to it many times!

I would like to share what she wrote with you.  I have a few friends who have either recently given birth, or are expecting a baby, and I know this will be a blessing and an encouragement to them as well.

Things I wish I had remembered...or someone had reminded me...about having a new-born baby

•  Baby takes up 98% of my time.  Going to the bathroom, taking a bath, reading my Bible, doing my nails, etc....it's a luxury I can barely afford.  But after three months, I can paint my nails, read a magazine, drink a whole cup of coffee while it's still hot.
• My sleeping time is interrupted.  I am exhausted.  I am scared I will fall asleep and drop him.  I walk and pace and rock and nurse, but he still won't sleep, so I can't sleep.  But after three months, as if by magic, I put him down one night, and sleep until 7:00 a.m.!  I rush to his crib!  Is he still breathing?  Yes!  He just turned into my precious angel who sleeps through the night!
• Feeding my baby is excruciatingly painful!....I feel guilty because I dread nursing my beautiful, long-awaited, innocent little baby.  But after two weeks, this is the sweetest, most relaxing, tender part of my day...feeding my baby, nourishing his little body.  How delightful these moments are, spent feeding my baby!
• Baby swallows air.  He doesn't know yet how to coordinate sucking and swallowing, and he gets choked.  I have to burp him, then he spits up the milk he just worked so hard to suck and swallow.  One day, after about two months, I don't even notice and he peacefully falls asleep and doesn't need to be burped anymore.
• Baby ONLY wants to be held!  But after three months, he discovers his hands and will lay for long periods of time, playing with his hands.
• I longingly look at my beautiful clothes hanging in my closet.  Will I ever fit into them again?!  Yes, after about two weeks, those darling blouses and skirts will fit again!
• I wish someone had reminded me to always have wet wipes and hand sanitizer in my diaper bag at all times!
• I wish I had had a baby sling the first month of baby's birth.  This keeps people from touching, kissing or asking if they can hold baby!  Also, this sling is so, so awesome, because I can do laundry, cook, sweep and mop, teach, make beds...and baby is happily asleep.  It also provides great privacy when having to nurse in public.
• I wish I had known how much it helps him stay asleep during the first month if he is swaddled...arms by his sides, wrapped like a taco.  (While he sleeps, his hands flail around, waking him up.  If they are wrapped up, they don't wake him up.)
• I wish I had remembered what miracles 4 or 5 drops of Espaven do for his gassy tummy.
• I wish I had not felt so guilty about not caring for my older children.  Children are quick to forgive and forget that you do not hold them and pamper them like you used to.  And, yes, after the Magical Three Month Mark, everything gets back to normal!
• I WISH I HAD KNOWN THAT THERE WAS A THREE-MONTH PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT!  For me, for baby, for older children, for husband, for housework...everything does eventually get back to normal after three months.
• But most of all, I wish someone had reminded me of how swiftly time flies, how quickly they change...and yet, not to long for the days past, but to enjoy every moment, every change...and how each new thing they discover, each onesie they out-grow, each ounce of weight they put on, is a JOY because they are HEALTHY and ALIVE!

Thank you, Little Sister, for these very valuable reminders!!!

...If any of you mothers reading this would like to add your own thoughts, advice, and words of wisdom with the rest of us, please feel free to share in the comments section.   We can all learn from each other.  Motherhood is such a sweet and beautiful gift from God.  Let's learn from each other and share in the joy of this wonderful  part of being a woman!

Here is a peek into the sweetness this Little Blessing from Heaven  has added to our home:

A Baby Poem and A Miracle

Last Thursday morning (January 17), at 2:30 am, I woke up and could not go back to sleep.  As I lay there in the dark and quiet, feeling my un-born baby move within my womb, the following poem came to my heart.  I want to share that with you....

 

Little Baby in my womb

I feel you move within me

A bit of wondrous mystery,

As I wonder how you’ll be.

Miracle of life you are,

My innocent and perfect child

Formed by your Creator,

God Himself in Heaven smiled.

He looked down upon our home,

An heritage celestial, like no other

A precious blessing for our home

Gift of God, wrapped all in wonder.

Perfect little fingers, ten

I long to caress your softest skin

Little toes on little feet

Just little dots now, so small, so sweet.

Eyes of brown, or eyes of blue?

How I long to look at you.

Eyes still closed in silent sleep

I wish to gaze at you, perfect you.

For now I feel pleased and content

To feel you move within me

My darling mystery, growing within me

I wonder at you, Miracle Within...

The next day, at 10 am, I began my labor.  Andrew had a meeting in a near-by city, and Mom left to go to give her radio lesson at 10:40.  I laid in bed for an hour as I timed my contractions...7 minutes, 7 minutes, 7 minutes....5 minutes, 5 minutes...3 minutes (in that exact sequence).  When Mom arrived, I called my Doctor, who told me to come in.   We arrived at the hospital at 12:30 and I was checked immediately.  I was dilated to 2.

40 minutes later, I was checked once again, and was dilated to 4.  45 minutes later, I was at 10.  I was quickly prepped and taken into the "prepping room," because there was a C-section taking place in the delivery room.  I began birthing in the prepping room, which is when I saw my Honey come in.  5 minutes later, I was taken into the delivery room, where almost immediately our Baby Son was born.  

He arrived at 2:50 p.m. on January 18, weighing 7 lb, 8 oz, measuring 19.6 inches.  His loud cries were heard almost immediately, and the pediatrician brought him over for me to see...such a beautiful sight!   My Baby Boy, so desired, so loved, prayed for for so long.

I put my face to my husband's shirt and cried from sheer relief and joy.  

   

Truly, the birth of a baby is a miracle.  From the moment of conception, through the months of growth and development, perfectly formed and created by God's Divine Hands, placed in my womb, entrusted into our care, blessing our home.  Just a miracle.

So this morning, as I rejoice over and over, every moment of my day, at the wonderful miracle of life, I thank God for our Baby.

Rejoice with me.  May our praise and glory be for our wonderful Lord.

Over-flowing with gratitude,

Mrs. Anna Lopez     

A Special Nine-Year-Old

Our Andrew Jonathan turned nine years old on December 22.  His birthday comes at such a fun time of the year, and is usually celebrated with visiting cousins.

The last night he was 8

This year was no exception.  David and Jolene got to come for Christmas, so Davey, Nate, Brianna and Little Micah helped us celebrate, as did Tom and Mona's children.

Little Andrew told us that he didn't really want a big party.  (Boo-hoo!  Does that mean he's gotten too old for birthday parties?!)  He told us he wanted a Lego's toy set, and instead of a cake, he wanted do-nuts from Sam's.

His Do-Nut Cake

He picked out some special candy and his number 9 candle, and Andrew took him down to pick out a Lego's set (which Aunt Jolene and Uncle David bought for him!  Thank you!).  

(Thank you, also, to Aunt Mona, for the Scrabble Dash Card game...a big hit, too!!  And Thank You, Mimi, for the furry slippers...he sleeps with them on every night!!!)

--In the following picture, he's reading the card that Mimi gave to him.  She always writes the sweetest poems in her birthday cards, and I always enjoy reading them.  On Little Andrew's card, she wrote:

"I think you've grown a foot this year...

You've almost reached your Mother.

And it's a good thing,

'Cause you'll need

To hold your Baby Brother!"

I love you.

Mimi 

Proverbs 20:11

Later that afternoon, the boy cousins (and the girls, too!!!) got in on building the cool Lego's airplane.  They spent the whole afternoon working on that.

Little Andrew told me later that night, "Mommy, this was the funnest birthday I've ever had!"

I thank God every day for this little (growing) boy.  What a delightful gift he is!  He is so cheerful, always observant if Mommy needs cheering, and so ready to give a brightening smile.  He wakes up on the sunny side of life every day, and is a very positive-minded little boy.

Yesterday, we were talking about the day he was saved...almost 2 years ago!  He told me he wants to grow more in the Lord this year.

"Lord, I know You have special plans for our Little Andrew.  Please use him for Your honor and glory.  May he fulfill Your perfect plan for his life."

Preparing for Baby

There are few things that are as exciting a awaiting the arrival of a baby.  The joy of planning, the fun of buying new things, and the excitement of setting up a baby bed...what could possibly be more wonderful?!

I wake up during the night and feel the strong kicks of our baby boy, and my heart just over-flows with gratitude to God for this precious gift.  Riding in a car and sitting through a church service are becoming very uncomfortable at this stage of my pregnancy; but ever so worth the discomfort, knowing that soon this little one will be in my arms.

Our Little Andrew and Debbie hug my belly and look up to my face and say, "Our baby will be born soon, Mommy!"  Truly, children are an heritage of the Lord!!!

In preparation for the arrival of this Little One, I got a lovely Baby Shower from the ladies in our church.  It was such a special event, as the following pictures will show.

The ladies worked so hard on the decorations...

...and everything looked just beautiful.

 

"For thou has possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother's womb,

I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

marvellous are thy works...."  Psalm 139:13,14

 

One of the ladies and her daughters made these adorable favors.

 

It was a very special blessing to me to have had my sister-in-law, Jolene, as the special speaker.  She gave such a heart-touching lesson, and with each point in her lesson, she took a gift out of the bag.  Her lesson had 9 points, so Baby received 9 gifts from his Aunt Jolene!

 

 

 

Besides Jolene's gifts, I received many others from the dear, sweet ladies in our church.  As I opened each one, in my mind I imagined my sweetheart baby wearing them.  We have the most giving ladies in our church.  Each gift is very special to me!

 

 

It won't be much longer now! 

Please remember me and Baby Boy in your prayers as we approach his birth.  Please pray for my doctor, and that the Lord would give me the strength I need to go through labor and delivery.



Christmas At Home

Dearest Readers,

Thank you to each of you who read my blog and pray for us.  I love hearing from you, and knowing how the posts I write are a blessing to you.  That is always an encouragement to me.

Due to a 3-day stay in the hospital (I had a bad infection and contractions, which the doctor feared could conduce to a pre-term birth), and many days on bed rest, I have not been able to post photos of our Christmas Banquet. 

I know that many of you prayed for us that evening, and I wanted you to know how the Lord blessed that evening.

Mom always plans, saves her money, and works hard all year long preparing for this Annual Banquet. I can say that all her time and money that she sacrificed was rewarded as the Lord blessed in a great way.  I know that the years to come will reveal more fruit from this ministry.

The theme of the Banquet was "Christmas At Home," and as every year, the decorations were so beautiful.  (Great job, Mona, on planning and working so hard on all the decorations!)

We had special music, sung by 9 of Mom's grandchildren, as well as a special presentation by the children in an orphanage in a nearby town.  Our hearts were blessed by the music presented by all the children that evening.

We also had a very special surprise that day:  Philip and Liz had to make a quick, unexpected trip down, and they were able to be here for the Banquet.  That was such a pleasant surprise for all of us.  Liz sang that evening and it was a sweet blessing to me to get to accompany her once again on the piano.  (I miss you, Philip and Liz!!)

Pardon the glare in my eyes! 

Our special speaker for that night was my uncle, Tommy Ashcraft (Mom's brother).  It had been about 12 years since he had been here, and it was such a treat to have him and be able to fellowship with him once again.  I snapped this picture of  Mom and Uncle Tommy the night he got here.

 

His message ("Anxiety") was a blessing to all, and several ladies told me afterward that the Lord spoke to their hearts through the message.

 

 

Another grand treat we enjoyed that night was hearing

a special song by Mom and Uncle Tommy.  They both sing so beautifully,

and hearing them sing

 "Down From His Glory"

together was just so special!

 

"Thank you, Uncle Tommy, for coming. 

It was so wonderful having you here!"

 

Something Mom does every year at the Banquet is to recognize and honor the mayor's wife, or any former mayor's wives.  If it is their first year to attend, she gives them a Bible with their name engraved on the front.

 

This year, we had 5 special ladies present:

2 former mayor's wives, a representative of a mayor's wife in a near-by town and the wife of a mayor in a near-by village, and the mother of the new mayor in our town.  Each was honored with a special gift.

 

 

The wife of the mayor in the near-by village wept as she thanked Mom for having this banquet.  She said it was the first time she had ever attended an event of this type, and that her heart was blessed to have been able to attend.

 

 

**Just a note**

~~The village where this lady and her husband serve is one of the villages where Dad took the Gospel by donkey 36 years ago.  This village, which now has much easier access, has a Baptist church pastored by one of the Indian men won to the Lord through Dad's ministry 30 years ago.  This Indian pastor now has 6 other works in surrounding villages, and other churches have been started by 5 of his preacher sons.~~

 

 

The church choir worked hard for over 4 months, preparing a special cantata and Christmas play.  All the hard work and sacrifice paid off, as the Gospel was presented through song, and a clear salvation presentation was presented through the play.  

 

~~Great Job, Mona, organizing and working so hard on this cantata!!~~ 

 

There were 2 ladies saved that evening, and the following Sunday, one of the ladies came with her family and has been faithful to attend the church services and other church-related events.

 

Once again, thank you, THANK YOU to all who prayed and sent encouraging notes.  I know you have a big part in this banquet, and we do appreciate it!!!  May the Lord bless you for your investment in this Banquet.

 

In Loving Memory: Dad Lopez

If you have never read the book, Peril By Choice, by James Heffley (the story of John and Elaine Beekman), I encourage you to purchase this book and let your heart be stirred by these missionaries' great courage.

They made a difference in the lives of many Indian people, one of which was my father-in-law, thus making a difference in the life of my husband (one of ten children) and in the lives of our children.

I loved my father-in-law. He influenced my life...being a simple farmer, living a simple life in a far-away Indian village;  but having a fervent love for his Lord, for his Bible, and for his family. We miss him! I thank the Lord for the privilege of having been his daughter-in-law.

 

My father-in-law passed away (suddenly) on November 14, 2009, at the age of 80.  In his memory, I wrote the following poem a few days after his death.

 

Dad Lopez

 

His shoes may not have been the best

That he wore on his feet

But I know that Dad Lopez walked with God

For he radiated a joy so sweet!

 

His hands were rough from many years

Of working in the fields

But he used his hands to work for God

And he lived a Christian life that was real.

 

His clothes were old and worn,

He didn't care for things that were modern or new

But he was clothed with God's righteousness

And to his God we was always true.

 

He didn't know much about technology

Or of the fancy things of this world

But he knew how to love his family

And he knew how to love his Lord.

 

His speech was not very eloquent

His words were simple and plain

But he used his words to express his love for others

And he was thankful, and he never complained.

 

He was never served by

People of high society in this life

But someone who served him with all her love

Was his sweet and cheerful wife.

 

He was never taught how to be a good husband

Or how to be a dad

But with his actions and his words

He expressed his love and affection that he had.

 

I'll never forget how every night

When gathered around the table

He'd sing sweet songs and read to us

From his beloved Ch'ol Bible.

 

It was this Bible in his native language

That he helped the missionaries to translate

And as he read from God's Word in Ch'ol

What sweet memories he did create!

 

His house was not at all fancy

Just a simple wood house with a tin roof

But we know that he's in Heaven, walking streets of gold!

What comfort we have in this truth!

 

He's got a mansion all his own!

Built for him by God Himself!

Dad Lopez sought first the kingdom of God

And he never sought for wealth.

 

And Dad Lopez was never around people

Of great wealth or fame,

But now we know he's with his Lord,

Who's name he faithfully proclaimed.

 

For now he's gone, and we miss him

But we know that one day we'll be together

Someday in Heaven we'll be re-united

And be with him forever.



Dad Lopez teaching our Little Andrew to grind corn (2008)
 

Dad Lopez (Gregorio Lopez) was saved by God's grace when he was just a young man.  He was only 19, married, and already a drunk.

 

God's grace led Missionary John Beekman to the mountains of Chiapas, back to a village called Amado Nervo, where Dad Lopez lived.  Not intimidated by this young drunk's cursing, name-calling and rock-throwing, John Beekman faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation.  Dad Lopez, coming to his senses one night picking food out of a trash dump, remembered the words of the missionary who said that God loved him and wanted to save him.

 

He was gloriously saved.  His is a story of God's love for the un-lovable.  How grateful I am that God looked down from Heaven upon that young man, and led that fearless missionary to give him the Gospel.  I never tire of hearing how Dad Lopez faithfully served his Lord, along-side great missionaries, translating the Bible into his native Ch'ol dialect; then helping to start the first Bible Institute to train the Ch'ol young men to take the Gospel to other Ch'ol-speaking people.

 

In loving memory:

Gregorio Lopez Cruz
 

Born: May 5, 1929
Saved: May 3, 1948
Died: November 14, 2009 

 Lopez Family, January 2009

Pondering Upon a Phone Call

On Monday night, we received a phone call from Martha, a lady whom Mom has known for many years, and who has come to Mom's ladies meetings and Christmas Banquets regularly.

Martha, now in her 70s, told me that she is in Mexico City, getting treatment for cancer that has spread throughout her body.  She said, "I wanted to call and thank Billie for always remembering to invite me to her special meetings, and also to ask you all to pray for me.  I will not get to go to the Banquet this year, but I thank you for the invitation."

She got saved at last year's banquet. 

Martha is the third from the left (in the lime-green top), being honored at last year's banquet

Martha, a sweet old widow, who is the daughter of an ex-mayor of our town (in the 1940s) has been on my mind all week.  I am asking the Lord to keep her in my mind and on my heart so that I'll keep my focus on what this banquet is really all about:  giving the Gospel to ladies, some of whom might be there for the last time.

How many Marthas will be at our banquet this year?  Would you please pray with us for the salvation of the lost ladies who will be present?