A roller coaster...
The simple and blunt representation of our feelings, emotions, the reports received, milestones encountered, discoveries made, and responses experienced throughout this pregnancy.
Because to-be-honest, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, and week-by-week, Michael and I face many ups and downs. We don't do it alone, though. We feel the Holy Spirit encompassing us and carrying us through. God has also provided us the best support system that are working as His hands and feet on Earth to lift us up and be strong for us when we can't be. So, when we think about all the blessings that are standing beside us and behind us, our lows don't seem as low anymore.
It's a wild ride, but God is calling both of us - as Baby Keyes' mother and father - to share our family's testimony with the world. He is relying and depending on us to spread His word, His promise, His love, His commitment, and His faith with anyone who will listen. We are here, right now, for this moment - to build HIS kingdom though the miracles He is working through the angel in my belly. And we will teach our son to carry the torch in his generation when he is finally able to do so! Buckle up and join us! BUT, please do so with an open heart for Jesus! We so desperately want you to feel the same love we feel.
* First UP: Our first doctor's appointment - January 31, 2023. Our OBGYN confirmed our pregnancy was valid. I'd call this day more of a loopty-loop on the roller coaster. Anxious, excited, nervous, thrilled. Anxious, excited, nervous, thrilled. Over and over again. Would the doctor confirm what we already knew? Would he not? Were all those tests we took really positive? What if they were all false negatives? The devil aims to steal, kill, and destroy. So, in true demon fashion, every time we felt excited, faithful, and thrilled, panic and query would show it's ugly face. But GOD. "You are indeed pregnant!"
* Still Climbing -- Second UP: We got to share the news with those we love most and then the world! And honestly, I could sit here and tell you all about it, but my gosh, the pictures and videos are SO much better!
Can you see how we were (up to this point) on the highest part of the roller coaster? How could we not be when so many people that have loved US now already love our baby so much!? We were REELING and completely overwhelmed by joy! We didn't feel JUST on top of the roller coaster. We felt on top of the WORLD!
We went for our first ultrasound on February 15th and got the MOST amazing Valentine's gift we could have ever gotten. We got to see our little peanut! So small, and so tiny, but already stronger than we could have ever imagined.
The pure joy remained and continued to grow for a while. Nothing could have brought me down. Or, so I thought. Remember when I said at our most joyous moments, the devil will TRY to swoop in and steal, kill, and destroy? (John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.) The devil will tempt us into believing that darkness is better than light. The devil wants to rob of us of happiness and confuse our minds so that we are filled with fear and doubt, rather than joy.
Again God's word brings us good news and promise:
- John 16:22 - “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
- Psalms 30:11-12 - "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!"
With our roller coaster's highs, have also come lows. We have mourned, yes, but we are dancing now. We have cried, yes, but we are shouting now. We have grieved, yes, but we are rejoicing now. Oh Father, we owe you and give you all the praise, all the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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