Faith versus Fear

I always wish that I could sit right down at the computer to give you the update right after our appointments, but it never seems to work out that way. So thanks for your patience and continued prayers for our family!

I’m about 18 weeks along (almost halfway!), and I’m feeling good. I’m starting to show and had to give up my regular wardrobe a couple of weeks ago. I went to see our midwife last Thursday (October 22). Typical appointments include a weight check, blood pressure check, measuring my “belly” and listening to the baby’s heart beat. It took her a few minutes to find the baby’s heart beat. I think I held my breath most of that time! But…our little one has a great heart beat at about 140 beats per minute. I’m still measuring large for weeks but that may have to do with the position of the baby right now. We'll get a little peek inside in a few weeks on Friday, November 13th when we return to the maternal and fetal medicine specialist for another sonogram to check the baby’s development. I’ll update you after that appointment as soon as I’m able but until then please continue to pray:

Please pray for our little one—for that strong heart beat, for continued growth and fearful and wonderful development.

God has given me numerous occasions to choose to respond in faith during this pregnancy. Most times I have to will myself not to freak out and to trust the One who is knitting this little one together. His eyes see what ours can’t, and I’m learning to trust Him more. My stepmom has a little plaque on her bedroom wall that reads, “Worry slanders every promise in the Word of God.” Those words have often driven me to my knees and to His Word when fear tries to eclipse my faith in Him…when I first heard that something might be amiss, when I can’t sleep at night and worry about losing this little one, when I should have been feeling little kicks but wasn’t, when the midwife can’t find a heart beat, or when she says I’m measuring larger than I should. Our pastor reminded us this week that Christ left an example that we might follow in His steps and when He was faced with stress He prayed. I’m praying that whatever God is asking you to trust Him with that you will pray and find peace in the One who is ultimately trustworthy!