Minding Our Own Reproductive Business

Recently, Rebecca VanDoodewaard, wife of professor Bill VanDoodewaard (at PRTS), blogged here about the questions women are faced throughout their married life. 

Such questions like:  

• Are you pregnant? 
• Do you guys have a hard time getting pregnant?
•  How many kids do you want? 
• Is this one a surprise? 
• Why don’t you guys have (more) kids? 

Now I know that the person asking the question(s) could be asking because they see you are worried about something, or that you don't feel good, or simply because something in their mind seems to 'push' them into asking such questions. I understand that motive. Recently when I was going through my miscarriage I was asked if I was pregnant. No one knew about my being pregnant let alone the miscarriage and I felt maybe it was the Lord putting that thought into their mind to ask me. I ended up sharing with this dear friend the trial Ian and I were going through. The next day, she called me up and encouraged me in the Lord. Because of her asking me, I was able to share my struggle with someone who went through one herself and even had mentored someone who struggled with miscarriages. It became a blessing to me. 

These questions asked can ultimately hurt people especially since it is done unintentionally. Many don't realize the struggle some may have with even becoming pregnant. I asked the question to a friend a while back who (without my knowledge) was struggling with getting pregnant. Now I know the pain I could have caused if I had asked her right out loud instead of whispering it in her ear. I feel this issue should be addressed even if the motive is right. Yes, sometimes GOD puts into our path questions we need to face that hurt. Sometimes we need to face those questions to help us handle our pain and grief by sharing it with others. 

I hope and pray that if you are faced with one of these questions you will be able to find the positive side to them and are encouraged with the prayers of others going through the same struggles.

Waiting Room

Poem by Jonny Diez

Here in this waiting room  
Yearning for You to say go  
And though I'm convinced 
that a yes would be best
This time You're telling me no

It's not that I don't have an answer  
It's just not the one that I'd like  
But through this time Lord 
I must keep in mind
You're always wiser than I

The things that I seek are from You
Like the strong healing touch of Your hand
But when You say no 
help me trust even though  
There's a reason I can't understand

Then that miracle comes
'cause Your answer is yes
I will praise You for all of my days  
But when Your wisdom declares 
that a no is what's best  
I will praise You just the same

You have a much better purpose  
And You have a far greater plan  
And You have a bigger perspective
Because You hold this world in Your hands

I thought this poem fit what we have been through this past week. 

What a statement the last 4 lines are. Puts us in our place and shows us we are not big and mighty as we like to think, but we really are this small speck in God's universe and He does have every thing under control.

Be Still and Know that I Am GOD

A lot has happened since my last post. The Lord felt it necessary to take away a joy out of our lives. I was 6 weeks pregnant and miscarried last weekend. We have both felt the love and support from our families and friends and want to thank all of you who have expressed your sympathy towards us. We also want to say that while we are still saddened by the loss of this dear precious gift, we also feel a sense of comfort knowing this child is now in the arms of the Almighty. Because we both are children of the covenant, we believe this baby is also a child of the covenant and therefore we are comforted to know the baby is now in the land of the living. We both are doing well otherwise and are thankful that I am not experiencing more symptoms than I am. We know that if it wasn't in the Lord's will for us to experience such a trial then it would not have happened. 

"And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4:35)

Thank you for your constant prayers for us, we feel them everyday. 

We need grace

We need grace to focus on his word,

“all things possible to him that believeth.” 

Even the salvation of your soul!

There is nothing in the decree of God, 

there is nothing in the aggravations of your sin, 

there is nothing in all the twistedness involved in your coming to the Saviour that takes away from the truth that 

“whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” 

(Hugh Cartwright)

SNOW!!!!

Our official snow fall of the year 2013!!

Here are some pictures of the snow fall in the past three days. You cannot see the bottom of the fence and gate. Yesterday, Ian had shoveled a path from the back door through the gate to the vehicles, but now there is no visible sign of an attempt of a path. 

The cars were lightly covered yesterday evening, but now are completely burried under the snow!

The fence has a layer of snow on it, the shed has a thick blanket on its roof. 

The steps to the porch... and the railing.. all covered in snow.

The front yard again, the red car by the side of the road has its wheels half covered.

This next picture is of my neighbor and cousin Mark's house.. look at the railing of his steps (he was gone a couple days and the snow has not been cleared off yet) 

This last picture is in the back yard, trying to focus on the flower pot. 

I think in total there are about 8"-10" and more still coming down!

Snow is a beauty when you don't have to go out into it. We all are happy for the snow.. we hope and pray this means a good year of crop for the farmers and a minimum of bugs and mosquitos in the summer.