Words of Encouragement

Things have been pretty overwhelming at the moment, which have lead me to fill pretty down. So much is happening. Recent ultrasounds have shown that Bubba is on the small side and the amniotic fluid is low. What made it particularly stressful was the fact that the doctor came to look at Bubba during the ultrasound and they scrutinised every aspect of the baby. I was by myself and I didn't handle it very well. The doctors want to monitor the baby's growth, which means having an ultrasound every week. I found this quite upsetting, especially when things like, 'need to check that the baby's growing,' and, '...the placenta may not be working properly,' were mentioned. The good news is that no abnormalities were found and that Bubba's heart rate and movements are fantastic (in fact, Bubba's doing his/her usual rhythmic kicking right now). The doctor's don't seem overly concerned, but they just want to keep monitoring the baby. They tell me not to worry or be concerned - easier said than done! We have been really blessed in receiving great care from the Hospital.

As you know, we are also renovating our house at the moment, with the hopes of having it all finished before the baby arrives (how many people say that??). Thankfully, we have finished painting the rest of the house. Dave started laying down floorboards last weekend, but he's only half-way through it. He's been such a superman and working so hard. All the skirting boards have been taken off (which makes the house cold) and we need to paint them, before replacing them. We can't put them all back on until the floorboards have been layed. It's taking so much longer than we expected. I'm no use, as my movements are getting less graceful and agile by the day, and I can't really lift anything. It takes me about 1 minute to bend down and try to get on the floor to help Dave measure something. We got to the point this morning where we thought we'd never get it finished. Dave's sick and running out of momentum, although he's determined to push through and get it done over the next few days. He's got two assignments due soon, which he hasn't started. He's also starting a new role at work next week and he needs to do some preparation for that, but is running out of time to do it.

So, this morning, I am feeling miserable and rather sorry for myself. I decided to check my emails and I had a lovely email waiting for me from my dear friend Claire. She gave me great words of encouragement, "know that God is in control 100% working toward his purposes, and he has your & Bubba's best interests in mind". The best words she gave me came from Psalm 193. These words have challenged and encouraged me to remember that Dave, Bubba and I are all in God's hands. Here are the words of encouragement:

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

The hard thing is to continue to remember this and live my life by these words. Thanks for these great words of encouragement Claire.