my belly

My cousin, Kristin, emailed me yesterday asking when I'd post pics of my growing belly. The truth is, we haven't even taken a picture yet, because there isn't a whole lot to show for these first four months and one week. But I've heard from everyone that this is quite common for a first baby. Annika said people (other than friends and family who already knew) couldn't tell she was pregnant until about six months.

Rory and I can tell though. My body has changed greatly, even though I can still wear all of my normal pants. In most outfits this little bump is covered, so for these pictures, I chose a strategic tank top and sweater top that I thought would highlight my little bump nicely.

My guess is that one of these days I will wake up and it will be much, much bigger. But it's also funny just not knowing how I'll end up carrying this thing. For now, I'm feeling good, healthy, strong and love that my baby is now the size of a turnip (even though I had to google what a turnip looks like...)

claire helen's emails

My niece, Claire Helen, has her own email account. Obviously this is completely supervised by her folks, but I LOVE getting emails from her, and then replying directly to her (again, through her mom or dad...)

Today I woke up to this note in my inbox:
Hi Becca-
What do you think you want to name your baby? I think if it's a girl you can name it Betsy or Tacey. If it's a boy, you can name it Tom. Or Jasper.
Love, Claire

I love that I was able to just hit reply and send her a little note and know that at some point today, she'll read my message too. It absolves me of my aunty-guilt that wishes I sent more fun packages (well, any fun packages) and surprise notes in the mail.

on the other hand...

I've got a lot of you reading each day, and my only regret about this blog is that it couldn't some how be more conversational. But I do get emails each day regarding what I have written, and thought this one is a perfect counterpoint to the post I wrote yesterday.

Hi Becca, This sort is sort of a different twist on the thing you linked to from Donald Miller...

http://susielarsonblog.typepad.com/

I was thinking Jeremiah 29:11 frees us up in decision making, it is interesting how scripture can speak so differently.

I so appreciate your heart in seeking to hear God on the college decision--He encamps around those who seek Him, and scriptures talk of prayer and fasting when making decisions, etc. I don't think we're idle in true seeking, many times we do have to wait on Him...and wait longer.

I read Susie's blog post linked above and was nodding the whole time I read it.

The truth is, I don't believe one negates the other. I think we absolutely are called to listen and wait on the Lord. And often our timeline is more hurried than God's, so the waiting can seem like a long, long time. But I also believe that there are times when a word from the Lord might be hard to hear, and that there are moments in life when we are called to step out in faith, using our gifts, and trusting that God is leading.

Any thoughts? This is a fascinating topic to me. Leave a comment or drop me a line: beccagroves (at) gmail (dot) com

Jeremiah

I had this verse read at my confirmation. And I've always liked it because I like knowing that God knows the plans he has for me.

But sometimes this sort of thinking can actually not be all that helpful. It can actually make every decision a bit too huge. I remember making my decision of where I was to go to college. And the weight I put on that decision was ridiculous. I was deciding between two almost identical schools but was waiting and begging for God to tell me which school to go to. And honestly, looking back on it, there wasn't a "right" or "wrong" place for me to go. In the end, I just had to make a decision and go.

I do believe that God does call us to particular people and places at certain times. I have stories unending from my own life that confirms this is truth. But I also believe that we probably could sit still for a whole lot of our life waiting for direction as to what to do next, when God has also created us to be creative with our gifts. We're called to step out in faith, even if we haven't heard a difinitive word from the Lord.

Not sure I'm getting this all across how I'd like...but I read a post a few weeks ago from Donald Miller and I've been thinking about it ever since. Take a minute to read it.

the conclusion of a week of mama wisdom

This concludes a fabulous week of mother wisdom. I am so grateful for these seven and all that they shared. I know I had a lot of side conversations with various friends this week saying how good it was to hear their own maternal joys and struggles so validated.

Once this week got started, my mom suggested that I ask all of the husbands to these mama's a series of questions for Father's Day. Love that idea. Look for another week like this in June...

***

I had lunch with a friend this week who tried to conceive for over two years to discover they are infertile. She and her husband have now been trying to adopt for a year, but this process is slow. When we were talking I was reminded of a reading my dad used to read every Mother's Day at church. I know I have numerous pastor friends who read this, and I guess I am posting this so that hopefully a few of you might print it out and put it in your Mother's Day file for next year. In the midst of celebrating motherhood, I do believe it is also good to remember that we do live in a broken, fallen world where everything is not always as it should be.

Dad would read (and I've edited bits of this..)

Before I begin our sermon today, I'd like to acknowledge a few things. For some women, Mother's Day can be a day of great pain. I have heard that one in six couples today deals with infertility. Many of these couples have grieved in my office, and I grieve with them. There are others who have chosen not to be a mother, and this day might feel a bit exclusive. Some women never marry, not out of personal choice, and never have the opportunity to become a mother. Some of you have had husbands who have died or divorce has come before you were able to have children. Many of you mothers have suffered a miscarriage, grieving and wondering who that little life was going to be. Others of you may have had a mother who was not a nurturing-type mother and may regret having missed out on the affection and kindness you were supposed to receive. Many of you, because of death, are missing your mom today, sad that this day cannot be celebrated with her any longer. And a few of you have suffered the horror of having lost a child.

I want you to know that this day is indeed a day of celebration, and mothers are so worthy of celebration, but that these sorts celebratory days can also bring out a deep sorrow for others who have had a different life experience.

I always appreciated dad reading this sort of all-encompassing address. It felt right. It felt loving. And it also made those of us who were sitting with our own mom's a bit more grateful knowing that life definitely has twists and turns and nothing is to be taken for granted.

We're in Minnesota this weekend, celebrating baptisms and birthdays and it has been great. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Praise the Lord for this lovely weather! It feels so good to get vitamin d again!