17 weeks

So I am still alive, the pregnancy hasn't completely done me in... yet. I'm am feeling SO much better these days. I still get a little queasy now and then, but I think it's from not drinking enough water, so I'm trying to remedy that. I'm able to eat three meals a day and snacks in between. I've been told I don't look quite so fragile anymore :o) We don't have a scale here at the house so I'm not sure if I've gained any weight back (I'm sure I have) but I know I haven't lost any so that's the good thing.
G and I had the amazing opportunity to get up and give our testimony at church last Sunday. It's been such a blessing to have others come up to us and tell us how they needed to hear our story and how much it blessed them. Isn't it amazing when we get to be used by God? What an amazing God we serve. I know that anytime during our 4 1/2 year journey that I needed a word of encouragement the Lord would either encourage me Himself through His word, or place someone in my path to do so. I am so grateful to have such a loving Heavenly Father. One of the things that G and I spoke about during our testimony was, "Is God enough??" That was something that the Lord really impressed on us through this journey. If we lost it all.. our house, our money, friends, family, our desires, would just having Him be enough? So many times we go to the Lord asking, asking, asking. We want His healing, His provision, His direction, His mercy, His grace. When all we should really be asking for is more of HIM!! G and I knew that we would have a baby. The Lord had promised us that and He is not capable of lying. He MUST keep His promises and He does. In that time of waiting He wanted us so desperately not to seek His gifts, or His promise, but to seek Him. I'm not going to say everyday was just peachy b/c it's hard to wait even when you know it's coming. It was always amazing how on the days I would struggle the most and begin to get angry and frustrated with God, G would be there to hold me up and remind me of The Lords Truths. "He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is set on HIM because he trust HIM." Then on the days when G would be having a hard time, the Lord would have me in a place to encourage and lift him up. I would encourage you to share your burdens with others. If you are struggling, bring others into that journey with you. The Lord tells us to lift each other us, to be there for one another. Not to mention when your current struggle is through, and it will end, it's amazing to have the body of Christ to celebrate with you. I think there are many people who would love to claim part ownership of our baby b/c they have walked this journey so closely with us. Oh if only I could express to our precious baby how loved and prayed for they were before they were even created. There is so much love waiting to be poured out on him or her when they get here. How amazing it is to be part of the body of Christ!! I could go on and on about the Lord and how amazing He is, but I will stop for now... only on paper.. my heart will continue to celebrate!! So I will end with a picture we took this morning. 17 weeks... wow. I must say there was a time when I just didn't think I would make it this far. The start of this new journey was a tough one, but having come through it, I know it's all worth it!! I can't believe we are almost to the 1/2 way point. CRAZY!! Oh and many of you have asked about names. We have started a list, but are far from narrowing it down. We'll start to focus on that a little more when we find out the gender. It will be soon, so vote if you haven't already. Just want to say how much I appreciate those that have followed our journey and say don't stop praying :o) The Lord hears your prayers.