week 17

Hello, week 17! This week I'm finally  loving being pregnant. I'm feeling little flutters and brushing my teeth without getting nauseous! Huge progress. :)

Saturday night we went to see "Mamma Mia!" in Louisville with an alumni group from LWC. Little Man apparently loves the music of Abba. It was during the show that I felt movement that had to be from his dancing. I still haven't had a bonafide, "you now have my attention" kick, but he's definitely movin' and shakin'. 

Here's a picture update of week 17. I wish you didn't have to give up maternity jeans after having the baby. I am in love with elastic waistbands. :) Excuse the Sunday-afternoon messy hair and lack of make-up... and that double chin?! Where did THAT come from? 

snips and snails and puppy dog tails

Baby G is a BOY! 

On Tuesday we went in for our monthly appointment. After all of the typical fetal heartbeat, mom's blood pressure and weight stuff, Dr. Crosslin comes in and asks us a few questions. He signs my slip and tells me he'll see me next month, then looks down at his watch. He says, "Come across the hall and let's take a peek." Tevie and I weren't expecting an ultrasound today and when we told Dr. Crosslin that he said, "Well I've got a few minutes to kill before I pick my daughter up from swim practice." 

He had to turn the machine on and we eagerly waited for it to warm up. Tevie asked if he could tell the sex at 16 weeks. The doctor said he could but to "keep your receipts" because he doesn't make any promises. :)

The first picture he took was this one. How cool is it that you can see the little bones in his arm and leg!

  

He drew a little a arrow and told us to look there. Then he said, "That's a boy!" At which point Tevie may have passed out in the floor from excitement! :) He snapped the following pictures that show that our little man apparently isn't afraid to strut his stuff in front of the camera! :)

Those two little circles all the way to the right are the umbilical cord. We could see it pulsating on the ultrasound. So cool!

We'll do the "official" ultrasound on March 14 at our 20week appointment, but the resounding word from the doc (and the evidence in the pictures) shows we're welcoming a SON!

Thankfully we have nearly 24 more weeks to decide on a name. We both really like Spencer Perry. Spencer is Tevie's brother's middle name and my great grandfather's name (as well as my grandmother's name) was Perry. So both hold a special place in our hearts. 

Don't go monogramming anything yet, Kristin! The jury's still out! 

Much love,

--Allysa

"Moore" wisdom from Wanda Beth

Corny title, I know. PS: Did you know that Beth Moore's first name is Wanda? She totally doesn't look like a Wanda, does she? I love reading her blog at blog.lproof.org. She and her daughters are filled with wisdom and there's always a little nugget to take away. Today, this jumped off the page at me:

"God’s grace really is sufficient and He really does meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. As much as we want to see all that manna heaped up in a mountain of provision a week in advance alongside those upcoming demands, His promise in Philippians 4:19 is to meet each one AT THE TIME WE NEED IT. Thank You, Lord. If we could learn to live in this present moment with this present provision, oh, man, life would be so much less stressful, wouldn’t it?"

This type-A planner would love nothing more than flashy neon signs and sneak peeks at the provisions God has in store. But if we knew what was ahead it wouldn't be called faith.  

I'm still plugging along trying to memorize a scripture every two weeks. To be honest, I'm not doing so hot. I can paraphrase what it says by the end of that time, but I get no where near memorizing. I am carrying that cute little book around though and I pull it out and read my memory verse each day... or so. Ugh, that's probably the problem! I do find the more time I spend in the Word the easier it is to think good things. My verse for Feb 1-14 was Philippians 2:14-15: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."

I definitely cheated and read that straight from my book. :( That verse has been so good for me the past few weeks as my hormones are kind of out of control and I sometimes say the first thing that pops into my head. Ooops. It's so hard not to grumble when you're tired of snow, heartburn and exhaustion. Christ set us apart from this world- to be not of it, but transformed. Nothing would make me happier than to hear people say that I am a positive, pure Child of God who doesn't grumble or argue. Maybe Phil 2:14-15 should remain my memory verse for a little while longer! :)

Today we pick up a new verse. James 2:12-13 says, "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." Another verse to encourage me to think before I speak. I need a daily reminder that my sins are no purer than my neighbor's. The Word says that we ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. Each day we are bombarded by people's judgments. A few weeks ago I heard a professing Christian call a well-known gay man the most awful derogatory name. And I thought to myself, "Thank you, fellow Christian. Thanks for being like Jesus. You're following his example in John 8 when the religious leaders bring an adulterous woman to him and Jesus looks at her and calls her a whore." Of course, if you've read John 8 or any part of the Gospels you know that was NOT the way of the Lord. 

Don't we all do that though? If even in some small way? We think our sins are somehow better than those of others. If you haven't gotten your hands on Radical by David Platt, you definitely should. In reading it I have been so convicted to study the Bible deeper and attempt everyday to follow Jesus' example.  And let me just say, it's HARD. But praise Jesus, it's doable! I'll never be perfect but I'm not who I was.

I could keep ranting on this subject... I've got another post working in my head on what I've gleaned from Radical so far.

16 week baby check-up today! Prayers are coveted and updates later!

--Allysa

baby news

Since some of our dearest family and friends are spread from California to Florida, I figured the best way to share in our journey to parenthood would be to post pictures and stories here.

I've read a lot of blogs by moms who don't care share stuff on facebook where there's a chance that some random kid you went to third grade with would see and comment on your pregnancy update for your beloved aunt in California. Of course, that could happen here as well, but since we only have 14 followers and most of them are family, the chances are slim. 

So, to my beloved family and friends from coast to coast. Here's an update on Baby G. Tomorrow we head to the doctor for our 16week appointment. Another routine, in-and-out in twenty minutes kind of visit... but next month is THE BIG ONE! Hopefully on or around March 14 we'll know what color to buy for this little one. 

I've not been so good with the belly pictures... mostly because I don't think there's really anything to look at yet. But here's our progression so far.  (and bonus points to anyone who can tell me why they keep uploading sideways!)

12 Weeks

13 weeks

 15 weeks

This is the bathroom in my office building. This particular morning we had a temp of -3 and 6inches of snow on the ground. Hence the ponytail and jeans. 

I was so hoping I would be one of those who loved every second of being pregnant... the first trimester and all it's nausea seemed to linger forever. Life in the second trimester is so much better... aside from all of the uncontrollable crying and sore back. :) I still don't know how women do this more than once. 

I read so much it's probably unhealthy. Ha. Tevie said I start every sentence with, "I read today that...". But when it's your first, how else are you going to learn?! I am totally amazed at just how awesome God is. How He creates life from almost nothing. Babies truly are miracles and I feel blessed beyond measure that in some small way He lets women assist in this particular miracle. 

More updates to come!

--Allysa

service through words

Since our board president stepped down in December, I have the privilege of writing the articles in our pregnancy center's monthly newsletter. Since I usually have something floating around in my head, I happily accepted this challenge...er, ministry. :) 

I wanted to share these articles with you in hopes that you'll join me in praying for this ministry. There is a false idea that ministries should struggle. That it's not ministry if you have budget surpluses and enough staff. I disagree. But we're struggling to overcome this stereotype. I hope you find the following articles encouraging. Check out our website at www.agapehouseprc.com for more information.

January 2011

It is with great joy that I write to you this month! One doesn’t have to be a part of the Agape House PRC for very long to see all of the amazing things God is doing in the lives of His people.

While Agape House is ready for the good things 2011 will bring, I can’t help but think about the Christmas season we just celebrated. Each day at Agape House we have the privilege of seeing God’s light shine through the faces of precious children and babies. I will be the first to admit that God laid it upon my heart to serve in this ministry months before I finally obeyed and joined this amazing group of volunteers. Through His word he showed me time and time again that He is passionate for these mothers, fathers, and children.  I find such peace in knowing that our God has a special place in His heart for babies born in less than perfect circumstances. How do I know this? His very own son entered the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter. He wasn’t expected. Our glorious king and savior, born as a tiny baby, laid in a dirty manger, wrapped in rags… and loved more than life itself by his faithful, God-fearing parents. Out of mess came the Messiah.

It brings me such great joy to know that our great God, who used that tiny baby to change the world, still uses children to touch our hearts and change our lives. God is at work in the lives of the mothers, fathers, and children served by Agape House. While they may find themselves in less than perfect circumstances, God is weaving each detail of their precious lives into a beautiful tapestry. Sometimes that’s hard to see when we are looking up at the tangled mess that is the backside of that masterpiece. Because God is always faithful and always good, we know that as we strive to serve Him and obey His will, the blessings will be more than our feeble human hands can hold.

Psalm 65:11 is the memory verse I have chosen to begin this New Year. The New Living Translation reads, “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hardest pathways overflow with abundance.” This is my prayer for you this year- that even when the pathway is hard, you are blessed beyond measure. Please join me in praying this same prayer for the children, families and volunteers of Agape House. Thank you for your continued support of our ministry.

February 2011

As we prepare for the final full month of winter, I find great happiness in knowing our furry little groundhog friend predicted an early spring. While we rejoice in the God’s beautiful creation and the purity of freshly fallen snow, it’s encouraging to look forward to the promise of spring and the new life it brings.

For many, February means roses, sappy cards and chocolate. One of my favorite Valentine’s Day traditions is poking my way through a big box of chocolates. Come on, now, we all do it! In fear of getting the yucky mystery- fluff-filled one, you poke your thumb through the bottom of each one, looking for sweet caramel gooeyness.  Wouldn’t life be easier if we could do that with people? What if we could see what’s inside of them before we get involved? There would be a lot less heartbreak if we could pass people through an x-ray and see their sour core before getting attached.

Do you know the beautiful thing about God’s grace though? He uses those relationships, the people who hurt us, and every poor decisions to bring us good. He promises that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).” Everything. Every triumph, every good thing, every poor decision, every stumbling block. Everything is used to bring him Glory. What peace there is in believing that truth!

Each day, the staff at Agape House Pregnancy Resource Center serves men, women and families who need to hear this truth. Our volunteers bring hope to the hopeless and light to the darkness by sharing the message of God’s love with dozens of people on a weekly basis. Many of our clients wouldn’t choose to be in the position in which they currently find themselves. Maybe right now you can say the same for yourself. Take comfort in knowing that our Great God will always be glorified and is always, always near to the broken hearted. What satan intends for destruction, God uses to construct a new life, a new hope and a new joy.

Before you dig into that box of chocolates next week, thank God for not just using the sweet ones, but the mystery-fluff-filled ones too! This month, we’re praying for you right where you are. Please prayer for the mission, ministry, volunteers and families at Agape House.

in His service,

Allysa