Ladies in Waiting

That's how we feel right now, the girls and I.

Pregnant with promise and possibility, a new life just waiting to burst forth....fully expectant.

Yet...we are waiting.

As with each of my babies, there comes a point where you feel like you can't go on any longer.

Though it may feel that way, the appointed day has not arrived.

In most physical labor and deliveries, the phase called transition is the toughest. This is the time frame immediately proceeding the birth.

In my own experience, with my final three deliveries...this phase was extremely intense and a switch was triggered in me that all but caused me to lose my mind...ask my husband...he has some pretty wild stories to tell!

Our family has been walking out a very long and drawn out transition as we move from one province to another.

It hasn't looked anything like we had thought and has taken far longer than we had hoped or anticipated.

At times this transition is a lot of work, it has been lonely, it has been frustrating and even painful.

The intensity has caused me on more than one occasion

to wonder if I could really continue .

Sitting here tonight, it might appear there is no end in sight, yet there is a calm assurance within, that tells me our time is coming.

I have learned so many truths throughout this waiting time.

I have seen the Faithfullness of my God who has led and carried me every step of the way.

I have seen His incredible favor on my children.

When Mark and I have questioned our path and cried out in desperation for clarity...He showed us immediately and with crystal clear certainty that the decisions we have made to this point have indeed been wise ones.

The girls and I have learned valuable lessons.

Not the least of which is just how strong, and how capable we are, especially when we work together.

We have learned to care for one another and to have girly fun together.

We have also learned that though we are very capable on our own....we LIKE having the men in our lives. We appreciate their help whether or not we need it and we love their company.

We miss them, need them and want them in our lives.

Those are lessons I want the girls to remember as they become young women.

They are strong and capable and they don't need a man to simply to take care of them...but to value the men that God gives them and to enjoy having them in their lives.

As I have watched God's Faithfullness to both His written Word and our prayers, I am at peace.

I know that:

as quickly as He has rewarded the obedience of my youngest child and her heart to give away some bikes, with more money than she would have asked had she put a price tag on them.

As extravagantly as He has answered the prayer of my second youngest when she asked for more than 10 people to come through yesterday's open house... and 30 came.

As He has done heart surgery on my younger son and literally created a new young man seemingly over night and as much as I see God's tremendous favor on my eldest as he walks alongside my son into manhood and his own path in life.

As I see Divine connections for my husband while he prepares the way for myself and the girls...

in all of this, I am reminded of the greatness of my God and of the wonderful plans He has in store for me too.

I am at peace knowing that it can all change suddenly, the waiting will come to an end and this transition will birth a beautiful new life.