Monday, November 23, 2015

Greater is He...and More Special News...

I didn't think I would ever have the blessed opportunity of sharing something as special as this on my blog again...certainly not after my dear mother had not one or two, but three miscarriages in the past two years...

Dear friends I am simply delighted to be writing this post today and sharing with you the workings of our Almighty Father in our lives...

My precious mother is carrying a beautiful bundle, and for the first time, it is a...little boy!
Can you believe that...? 
We have never had one of those around here...only girls have been welcomed into our little family so far...  But we are all thrilled at this new blessing due to arrive in April 2016, Lord willing of course, and we are eagerly anticipating his arrival...
How strange to say his...surprisingly, from the very beginning of my mom's pregnancy, we all fell into saying ''him'' or ''his''...this was even before we discovered it was indeed a ''him'' all safe and healthy in my mother's womb!
My mother and I bought the first little babygro the other day and what joy it was to browse the baby section of the store again...without experiencing pain and heartache...
 
Rebekah, who is now a sweet six year old, was the first baby I wrote about on my blog...I started my blog in April 2009, and she was born a few months later in June of 2009...

My mom's past three miscarriages were difficult for us as a family to accept, and it was so hard to watch our mom go through such pain - both physical and emtional...

In August my mom quietly told me she was expecting once again, and although every ounce of me wanted to shriek with glee, I withheld my joy and remained focused on serving my mother and helping her through the next few weeks...each time she miscarried, it was at about 12 weeeks.  This time we withheld from telling the little girls until Mom was further along...

At 11 weeks my mom scheduled a scan, and we all waited anxiously at home, assuming the worst...but when my dad texted me with the news that all was well...oh my!  I burst into tears of joy and relief!

This week marks 19 weeks gestation, and after another scan, it appears that we are expecting a little brother...a precious, adorable baby boy!  
Having only had sisters up to now, this is a whole new experience and I can't wait to meet him...what will a little Gray boy look like?

You can imagine the happiness around here...we are so grateful to the Lord for seeing fit to bless our family with another little one and are humbled at His goodness...

Little Sofia is four years old and too adorable for words...she was the second baby I wrote about on my blog...and I thought she was the last...praise the Lord that He had other plans!

Having gone through the pain of losing unborn siblings, I have become more sensitive towards those ladies who have either lost an unborn precious babe or not been able to have children at all...  Oh, what pain, and I pray I may never take the gift of life for granted!  

While my family may be rejoicing at this time in our lives, I realise many other dear ladies may be reading my post today and experiencing tremendous heartache...I pray that your hearts may be comforted by the True Comforter...I believe He aches for us in our pain, and sees our sorrow...

Sometimes we need to go through certain trials in life to be more sympathetic towards others...even though the past three miscarriages were not something we would have chosen to go through - no one likes to suffer - but we did come out of these challenges stronger in our faith and closer towards each other...

We chose to praise the Lord for seeing fit to allow my mom to carry and give birth to six healthy girls...I think experiencing the fragility of life makes us all the more thankful for the blessings we do have and more appreciative of the time we have had with them.

Every day we live and breathe on this earth is a gift from our Father in heaven, and each day spent with a precious loved one is only by God's grace...  I am striving to embrace and enjoy each swiftly passing moment and season in life, and thank Him for the privilege of being a big sister to so many...

Do I love being with them all the time...?  No.  Am I always wonderfully patient and giving of my time...?  Oh, definitely not!  But the Lord sees my failings and is so gracious in giving me another sibling to practice on...
How do we develop patience, self-control and gentleness within ourselves...?  By daily practicing!  What better way to rid myself of all selfishness than to be in this home where I am surrounded by imperfect individuals like myself and am constantly on call and available for His glory!  No, it is not easy and many times I cry out to our Father for His strength and grace!
And then He reminds me of the beautiful sacrifice made by my dear mother...

...She has laid down her plans and her life to carry another arrow for His army...another precious babe for the Kingdom...  I pray someday I may be just like her...what a blessing to learn from her and see the workings of our Almighty God in our lives because of her obedience.

We continue to trust Him to carry our baby brother and uphold our mom, giving her all the strength she needs...and I ask that you, my dear friends who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, would you keep this little one and my mother in your prayers...?

~
I am so glad to have had the blessing of sharing this special news with you today...all praise and glory to our Lord and King...for His love endures forever...

With joy in Christ ~


 "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:  and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty warrior; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..."

~ Psalm 127:3-5, KJV

23 comments:

Daniela said...

Sorry to know that your mother has suffered so much, and with her you all, but the Lord always rewards us, before or after, he doesn't forget us !
I'm so excited for you, I cannot imagine the joy that this little baby boy is going to bring in your family where filled with girls, on the other hand !!
I'm sure he'll be cradled and spoiled by all of you, I'm sure !!

Have a blessed Monday, my precious Kelly-Anne,
with commotion and deep gladness
Dany

Debby Ray said...

Sweet Kelly-Anne...what a precious post! May I say congratulations once more! I can sense the anticipation in your words as you look forward to the arrival of your new little baby brother! Oh my goodness...that little guy is going to be so loved and well cared for! I can only imagine how it will be to have these 6 young "mommies" fighting over him...lol! Your mom is one blessed lady to be able to have so many wonderful helpers! Of course I am partial to little boys because that is what I have known most of my life...having 2 of my own and then 2 grandsons... until sweet Olivia, my only grand daughter...the only little girl in the family, was born in 2008. I had to learn all about baby girls...lol! I was the baby out of 8 so I never had the blessing of helping with a little sister either! I know you must all be about to burst with excitement and April cannot get here soon enough. God bless you and your sweet family!

Spiritually Healthy said...

Kelly-Anne,

There's a comfort in saying "I understand" and "I can sympathize", but there is also heartache that normally follows when talking about miscarriages. My family lost a wee brother due to a miscarriage that my mama had when we were young. And while I didn't really understand why a baby wasn't coming home this time, I did so as the years went on and as I got older. Know this comes from my heart: I weep with you and your family over those precious babies. But! Praise the Lord from whom ALL blessings flow! Praise Him for this precious child that grows inside your mama! Oh, what a sweet and special gift he is! :) Congratulations!

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, You my dear are a very special and precious treasure. You have written a post to touch our hearts and to pray for a full term sweet little baby boy! I will be praying for your Mother! I rejoice with you and this news!
Hugs, Roxy

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news. I wish you and your family all the best for this new baby boy :-)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! And thanks for writing this post. ~Lisa

Anonymous said...

Kelly-Anne! This was some of the best news to get on a Monday morning :) I am beyond thrilled for you and your sweet family, and for it to be a boy! How exciting is that!! I will be praying for your dear mother and sweet brother on the way- what a special time this is for you all <3

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! Sending much love and lots of excitement your way!! :)

Stephanie said...

Oh dear friend, I am over the moon for your sweet mother and father, and for you and your sisters. What a joy and gift! And a little boy with all your girls....what fun that will be {{smiles}}

Please know that your dear mom will be in my prayers as she continues to carry this little bundle of joy. I can understand the heartache she has gone through and my heart goes out to her.

Thank you for sharing this precious news with us. Much love to you!

Kim said...

What glorious news after such heartache your family has felt. What a blessing your new baby brother will be and how very loved he will be with you all your sisters to care for him. Sending your lovely mother special prayers. Hugs to you Kelly-Anne. xx

Cheryl said...

How it breaks my heart to think of the pain of heart that your precious Mama has suffered, along with your Daddy, and you, and your dear sisters! But, then I hear this news, and it makes me think of the Scripture that says "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning" Praise God, your morning has dawned, bright and clear, and soon you will all be doting on that sweet, little baby brother! You can count on my prayers for your dear mother and baby brother. :) Give her a big hug from me all the way from the United States, and a big CONGRATULATIONS to you all!!!

Vicky Hunt said...

Oh my Kelly-Anne! This is wonderful news! I can only imagine the excitement and anticipation you all must be feeling to be welcoming another baby into the family but after the heartache of the miscarriages. And for this to be the first boy in your family is just so sweet! I imagine it does feel a little strange as well though after living in a house full of girls. Oh...I imagine this little fella will be quite spoiled by so many older sisters. LOL! Congratulations to you my sweet friend and please pass on my congratulations to your mother as well. I will keep her and the baby in my prayers. Hugs and Prayers Vicky

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear Kelly~Anne!! What wonderful news!
I am so happy and excited for you all ♥
What a marvelous and blessed event.
Please know I will be diligent in keeping your mom and precious baby brother in prayer.
My heart goes out to your family for the other 3 precious ones that are not with you.
Oh Kelly~Anne, God never wastes pain...and I am very glad you trust Him in that.
Through His perfect plan for our lives He will use everything to our good and His glory.
He will use the sorrow you have all journeyed through to comfort and bless others who face similar trials.
And now the joy this little man will carry with him...and how special he will be to his many sisters! :)
I can hardly wait until he gets here so I can see pictures. Is there nothing better then holding a sweet baby??
The Lord be with you and keep His arms of love around you all
Hugs from Ashleigh in VA

Anonymous said...

A very touching post Kelly-Anne. Praying for safety for your Mother and baby brother! Congratulations!

God's Grace Overflows said...

Oh my Kelly-Anne! What wonderful news! That precious little boy will be so loved within your family. And all the little mommies will make sure he won't get into any mischief! I will be praying for your mama and this precious little boy for the remainder of her pregnancy. Congratulations!
Hugs to you,
Amy

Margie said...

Congratulations, Kelly-Anne! Your baby brother is blessed to be surrounded blessed by doting sisters. I will remember your mom and baby brother in my prayers.

Sam (Kom) said...

Oh Kelly-Anne I was so excited when I read this post!! Congratulations to your family!! He is going to be so spoilt with all those sisters to help care for him :). Sorry to hear your Mum suffered so and sending love and big hugs to your her. Can't
wait to see pictures of your first brother!!
Such exciting news to receive before we return to SA in 9 days :)!! xx

Kelly-Anne said...

Oh Sam! What a lovely surprise to see your comment here today!! Aww! Thank you for your lovely message...I just read it to Mom and she says that if you ever find yourselves up in our part of SA to look us up! :-)
Sending you much love to you...I am SO touched that you continue to keep up with our family through my blog! Thank you!
Praying you have a safe trip back home!
Kelly-Anne xxx

Camille said...

SUCH wonderful news!! So sorry for the losses your family has endured. How precious to know that those little souls are not lost to the Lord. And...it is incredible to think that this newest little family member is a boy...exciting!! :) All I knew were boys until Emma. Three boys in succession taught me a lot about what little boys are all about. What an adventure!!! Hugs to you! Camille

Alex said...

Hi Kelly-Anne, what amazing news! I am so happy for you all and will pray that your Mother experiences a safe, healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Bless you, my dear, you wrote about it so beautifully and sensitively...she has a true ally in you.
I am back to blogging, shortly , after a bit of a slump! I send much love and hope you enjoy your visit from friends.
x

Ashley said...

Oh sweet Kelly - Anne, I'm so super happy for you and your family! Finally you will have a little brother, that will be so very precious and fun!! I'm so sorry to hear of your mother and all of your familys' losses. I'll be praying for the rest of your mom's pregnancy to go well and for a healthy baby boy. <3

Sheryl said...

Hello Kelly-Anne, what delightful news, I am so very pleased for you and your family after the sadness of past miscarriages. And fancy that ...a baby brother,,... your mind will be spinning with so many new project ideas. hugs to you all.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Kelly-Anne, what an exciting and beautiful post! I am thrilled that you and the girls (and dad) will welcome a sweet baby boy to the family! What a blessing given the miscarriages. I praise God for how He delights in giving us good things, and I know you will all be so excited as you await the birth of this new brother! Hugs, sweet friend!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Kelly-Anne, what wonderful news you've shared!!! It sounds like you can hardly contain yourself with the joy of your dear mother carrying a baby boy. He will be so loved and adored in your family. I too, suffered through two miscarriages, but it was before my the rest of my four children were born. I know the heartache that is endured through all that. God bless your dear mother and prayers will be said for her and your baby brother.
Thank you for your sweet visit to my blog and reading my post on meeting dear Celeste and her husband. What an honor and blessing it was!