It's been 5 days now since we brought Ava Gray home, but sometimes I still want to pinch myself to make sure this is all real; (yep, 2 babies in that pack-n-play!). It's been a week of adjustment for all 3 of us, minimal sleep, lots of laundry, and figuring out how we are going to do things so that all 3 Whit women get their basic needs met in a somewhat timely fashion. Interesting side note; I've discovered that taking showers and/or brushing ones teeth doesn't necessarily qualify as "basic needs": ) (Not the first mom to realize that I'm sure!)
The girls are doing well. Even though she struggles with it at times, Havyn is doing a good job of learning to share her mama. God blessed me with a very laid-back second child. (At least at this stage!) I am thankful for her & for the way she catches my eye and starts her "silent giggling" (even when I'm busy with Ava Gray & cant give her my full attention). Sweet girl! Ava Gray is starting to rest & smile more herself. Makes me think of how happy it makes our Heavenly Father when we learn that is with us and we can "rest and smile" up at Him instead of being frantic and afraid. The girls are starting to snuggle up together when it's nap or nighttime. So fun to watch them discover one another (again). We've already been to one doctors appointment, and discovered that going out is no small thing. Thank goodness for our good friend Kristina P who went with: I will definitely not be trying to do that on my own. Ever. (Ok, well at least till they're a few months older!)
In our short time home, we've been blessed with many dear friends who have stopped by to help (Thank you all!). I confess I'm feeling so cared for. It's so sweet to know that God can love us so well through one another.
I don't want this to get too terribly long, but I wanted to tell you a few things before I sign off (for the last time!):
One: I thank you so much for your prayers. They are (and were) powerfully answered. I am keenly aware of how vulnerable and helpless we were to sickness, despair & the temptation to be self-reliant during this past year. That you all have interceded for us often in prayer, I see quite literally, as friends having gone into battle to protect us. Thank you dear ones. We were spared so, SO much by the Father, through you. When you think of us, will you continue to pray? That would be such a gift! And please don't hesitate to let me know how I can be praying for you: now that we're home I have times where I can't move (babies in the arms), but have time to be quiet and talk to our Father. Would love to talk to Him about you.
If and when you do pray for us:
- I'm still praying for Ava Gray's healing. I would love for her not to need heart surgery in September because there was nothing to fix!
- Ava Gray needs to gain weight. (Even if she doesn't go to surgery in Sept). When we push her too hard she gags/spits up and can struggle to breath - scary for mama! At the same time, we have to keep increasing her feeds. I need wisdom - & I don't need to fear. : )
- My car, though currently working, will finally cost more to keep running than I could sell it for. Wisdom about how/when to sell and how/when to replace!
- I really want the work God is doing in my heart, dismantling the walls up against Him, to be fruitful, and to be sensitive to repent quickly when He shows me deeper levels of sin and hardness that He wants to forgive & heal! (Even on the day I brought Ava Gray home he revealed a whole new area of selfishness/entitlement I had never seen before). Praise Him that He doesn't give up on His kids!!!
- I would like to be making enough to support this family without any government aid by next March. There are some irons in the fire, but please pray that God would continue to provide & protect, and that I would listen & follow where He leads.
- I long to be equipped to parent these girls with grace and passion. Any parent out there knows that some days this feels like asking for the moon. Thankfully our God is loving & powerful and can give us...the moon! I know I'll need His grace hourly (minutely) - and have already had a preview of my utter weakness & helplessness or two during Ava Gray & Havyn's "simultaneous meltdown" times.
- And one of my greatest desires of all; that these two girls would know their Heavenly Father at a very young age, and would trust and love Him as they discover His character.
Thank you!
Two: I won't be sending out update emails anymore unless you specifically ask to be put on a list of folks I send "please pray!" emails to. If you want to see recent pictures of the girls and mini-updates on them (and us) though, feel free to check out my new blog: http://graceandthegirls.blogspot.com/. I'll be updating that whenever I can. : )
Three: I'd love to put a little picture book together for the girls of the people who loved them from before they were even born, and prayed them/wished them well through their first few months of life. If you're willing, would each of you email (or hard mail) a picture of yourself and/or your family to us? That would be so great! (Thank you) Our address is 2507 Woodyhill Drive, Nashville TN 37207. And this is obviously my email address. : )
Lastly; friends - HE DID IT!!! He brought her home! All those days when it looked so grim...He knew all along this day would come.
"The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him."
Praising Him for the miracle of Ava Gray and the deeper miracle of softening my heart through this,
Jules
PS. Here's a few of the girls at home. (At home!)
No comments:
Post a Comment