a letter to our daughter...

Dear Daniella, 

As I was cleaning our little apartment today and holding you... I took a moment to look down at you. I had had a rough day and was trying hard to process and work through some things, and as I looked down at you, you looked up at me and gave me one of your smiles that lights up your entire face. I immediately broke down crying... 

Little miss, you have given me one of the hardest, most wonderful, tasks. You have made me a mama. And today, the reality of that sunk in...and it hit hard. 

Darling girl, as much as I'd like to keep you from ever getting hurt, from ever feeling pain...that is outside my ability. Life is scary. It's tough. But the trade-off of life is so very awesome and wonderful. Just know, your daddy and I are here to help train you and prepare you. We love you and will always, always, always, be there for you. 

First and foremost, I am praying that you grow to love the Lord with your whole heart. That you would not know a day without knowing your savior. He died on the cross for you, baby girl. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we wouldn't have to. I know that if your heart is completely enraptured with your Heavenly Father...you will desire to obey Him and keep His commandments. It won't be perfect, but fortunately for us...God isn't expecting perfection from us and thanks be to God, he is quick and just to forgive us. 

In correlation with that,  I pray that you would love people well. That you would have a heart that seeks to serve and die to self. That you would love the way Christ loves. You're going to have many opportunities in life where it's going to take work to love and there may be times you're tempted to choose otherwise, but darling, it's worth it.  

Be kind. It seems so simple...but it can be so hard. All throughout life you will have chances to build someone up, or tear someone down. Daniella, be kind. Be considerate. Fight for the underdogs of the world. 

Be honest but gracious. Honesty is something to be admired. Honesty is a beautiful thing... But cover your words, your thoughts, your actions with grace. Be gracious to others... Be gracious to yourself. 

Work hard. Be diligent and a good disciple of what God gives you. Good work ethic is not something to be taken lightly. You are healthy and strong... Don't take that for granted. Work hard. Serve others. Be generous. Be wise with the money you earn.

Know that you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful, darling. The world is going to throw many different definitions of the word "beautiful" and try to convince you that you're not pretty enough, skinny enough, strong enough. But Dani, remember...you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. There's only one you, Daniella Marie, on this planet. So no need to spend all your time trying to be like someone else. 

And lastly, just know that your parents are not perfect. We are learning and growing right alongside of you. Give us grace...We have been granted this beautiful privilege of being your parents, and we don't take that for granted. We know we will have to ask you for forgiveness. We know that we will have to discipline you... But just never forget that we love you.  Our prayer is that you would see Christ through us. We are here for you. We are praying for you. 

Don't let anyone ever steal your sense of wonder, baby girl. 

We love you ❤️

In a few weeks, our lives will change forever. The tiny human that has been growing and squirming inside of me for the last eight months will, Lord Willing, make her entrance into the world sometime in the upcoming month. 

Her daddy has built and assembled all of her "nursery room" furniture, he has installed the car seat in the back of his truck, and every night as he holds my stomach to try and keep her feet out of my ribs, he will tell her how much he adores her and how excited he is to see her for the first time. 

And me, well, I just finished washing and organizing all her tiny outfits, slowly but surely putting up the last decorations, and daily adding and checking things off my "master to-do list".

This pregnancy has flown by...and honestly, really was pretty smooth sailing. Even though these kicks and jabs have gotten quite painful and normally take my breath away, I know I'm going to miss this amazing feeling. Even though I move a little slower due to a growing belly and lower back pain, I know it will 110% be worth it. I don't want to wish away the next few weeks...I truly want to do everything I can to savor and enjoy the rest of this pregnancy for however long that might be.

We are so incredibly thankful to all those who have prayed over our baby and this pregnancy. Thankful for everyone who is showering her with thoughtful gifts and absolutely *precious* outfits. And so, so, blown away by everyone who love her so much already. 

Looking forward to introducing you all to her. 

Hope you enjoy just a few of the photos the wonderful Rachel snapped for us a couple Sunday's ago! 

And..the outtakes! Because Peter likes to keep things fun and interesting. ;)

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

 

It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel-"HE careth for me." Christian! Do not dishonor religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord.You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to Him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to

 

"Lie passive in God's hands,

And know no will but His."

 

O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in His providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and his hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if thou art one of His family, will bind up thy wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not His grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that He loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God.

__________________________

Charles Spurgeon's words in his January 6, Morning and Evening devotion have been a sweet balm to my soul. 

Two Thousand and Sixteen is a going to be quite the year. And if there was anything that I constantly needed to learn  in Two Thousand and Fifteen, it was my need to open my clenched fists of how I thought things should go, and hold my hands open, palms upward. Because time and time again...The Lord would reveal to me through His creation, through trials and lessons, through blessings and victories, that He truly cares for and truly loves His children. That He will not ever leave or forsake us. That He will always provide. 

I already know that this coming year is going to be one that stretches me, stretches our growing little family in ways we haven't ever been stretched before. I know we are going to grow, fall more in love with each other and our daughter, go on adventures we couldn't have dreamed of...and I'm so excited. So hopeful. So thankful to have a Father who cares for His children. Thankful for a Father who is constant and unchanging...in a world that is ever changing. 

My prayer is that whatever 2016 brings, wherever it takes us, that we would stay open-palmed and not tight fisted, Because we are most happy when we are at peace. And there is no better way to be peaceful than when we are resting in and trusting our Heavenly Father.