Packing Rendezvous

Allen and I were unexpectedly graced by the presence of friends and family tonight during our packing rendezvous. . . John and Angela brought their beautiful baby, Briley, and my sweet sister, Sarah, stopped by to help us box up our kitchen. The experience was much more pleasurable with their laughter in our home! Thanks, guys!! I needed you today. . . much more than you know. . .

Baby Belly. . . 3 Months

Flashes of Promise. . .

We have cried and wrestled the Divine. We’ve opened and been stirred . . . we’ve hoped and awaited the revelation of things to come. Our spirits are spinning. . . the essence of what breathes in us cannot be defined by words. . . It is obscure and veiled but real. It energizes us in mysterious ways. We ache to see more clearly, for the flashes of promise in our souls to illuminate the broader scope of our purpose. We are attempting to tame our spirits and anchor our hope in Christ, so that we will not be swayed by carnal impulse or worldly cravings. We ache for the fullness of God’s plan to manifest in and through us. . . no more, no less. We struggle to interpret the signals of the Divine, yet trust that despite our limited ability to grasp his intent, his sovereignty leads us on. . .

A Page is Turned

This season is steadily coming to a close. We’re boxing up our tiny apartment and preparing to move into what lies ahead (as obscure as it seems in this moment). Question marks loom in the distance. Our original plan was recently overturned, so we aren’t quite sure where we’re going. However, we are convinced God’s eye is upon us. He is orchestrating the days ahead and will soon reveal his plan. We are more confident than ever that he is with us, gently guiding us into more than we could ask or imagine. . .

May we never forget the sacred moments we shared in this place. . .

Welcome Caiden Isaac and Lydia Elizabeth!!

It's been quite an eventful week!
Caiden Isaac was born
to our cousin Bethany on August 1st,
and Lydia Elizabeth, daughter of our
good friends Ben and Kristen Webster,
made her appearance late last night
after 51 hours of natural labor!
CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS guys!
Thanks for sharing your joy!

Images of Baby Willis

Our journey toward parenthood is illuminating the mysteries of the divine hidden in the human experience. As we monitor the development of our tiny baby, we are awed by the complexities of existence . . . the intricate and miraculous weaving of body, soul, and spirit in the secret place.

We had the opportunity to glimpse the life unfolding in my womb on Friday morning. Tears streamed down our faces as the grainy image of our baby appeared on the screen before us. We absorbed the beating of his/her tiny heart (142/bpm), soaking it into our souls. It was a moment in time that will never leave us . . . the first tangible sign of the life springing forth from our love.

Above is a snapshot of our ultrasound. Baby Willis is facing left. The hollow circle to the right is the yolk sac, its primary source of nourishment until week ten (or so I’ve read). If you look closely, you can see his/her profile . . . eye spot, nose, open mouth. . . I could stare at it for hours!

Reveling in New Worlds

The life that grows in my womb is awakening new worlds in my soul. I sense the pleasure of God hovering over my body and filling my belly as he crafts our baby with merciful hands. . . meticulously weaving the fiber of his/her being. He is fashioning our child with purpose. His plans exceed the scope of our insight and imagination. . .

He is more.

I cannot describe the joy that brings warm, salty tears to my eyes and causes my heart to swell within my chest. I feel more aware now, than ever before, of God’s love and attentiveness as he strategically crafted me in my mothers womb and orchestrated my days. He has remained present, despite my disposition- whether clinging tightly to his promises or abandoning them in search of more.

Truly, he is faithful and merciful.

He is our God, and it will be an honor to awaken future generations to the reality of his truth. . . the truth that crafted all creation and spills into the deepest recesses of every soul.