Who loves Baby?

We have a book called "Who loves Baby" and several people have tried to read it to Nathan only to find the sad conclusion that no one is in the book. It is a book you have to put pictures into, so we have been taking pictures of Nathan with family and friends to be able to fill his book, with people who love him.

to Andrew Wayne, "In the palm of His hand"

"Today is a day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

I always hear this phrase in the morning, when I don't yet know what that day holds. But what about yesterday? Yesterday, was a day the Lord had made as well, even when yesterday was blanketed with pain.

Yesterday was a day the Lord had made... Let me tell you about a few things that happened yesterday, July 22, 2008. Three of our close friends had babies yesterday. But July 22nd was not only filled with the joy of our friends and their families.

Yesterday...
Mary Margaret was born to Mary Evelyn and Dan Fore in Memphis, Tennessee
Caden was born to Jen and Jeff Richardson in Austin, Texas
and
Andrew Wayne was born to Brooke and Scott Holliday in Houston, Texas.

Shortly after Andrew was born, he died. I do not know all of the details, but I do know that there are many family members and friends who are grieving for this small life. Many people who are feeling the pain of losing such an innocent soul. We don't always know why the Lord chooses such painful situations and I don't pretend to know here. I am just a mother grieving for another mother.

to Andrew Wayne Holliday: I know you were such a special blessing to your parents and your sister. Although you knew this world for a short time, the love and prayers that surrounded you were abundant. The way your mom and dad prayed for you even before you were created was so gracious. You have traveled to so many places and have been to parts of the world that other American children will only hear about. You have a bond with your mother that only a mother can know. You brought so much joy to your parents as you grew and as you kicked around. You are such a special boy and although I never knew you, you have made me remember how big our God is. How God is so powerful and so mighty that he can love us and forgive us. That He can grant us the kind of grace and love that is even more powerful than a parents love. Andrew, in the midst of the pain and longing I feel, you have made me reflect on how God has all of us in the palm of His hand. And there is no other place I would rather be.

As we rejoice in the Lord for these new lives we rejoice Him for our own. As Paul and I are 12 days from moving to Ethiopia with Nathan, we have to realize that no matter where we go we are not in control, but we are in the palm of God's hand.

Please pray for my friends Brooke and Scott during this time. And may we pray for all parents who have dealt with the loss of a child. Earlier this week I was reading a mother's blog who recently lost a daughter after 2 short hours of life. Please pray for her as well (Her blog is here).

Lord, my prayers to you are such a small offering of love for those who are hurting. I pray tonight for Brooke and for Scott and how they must be on their knees, filled with sorrow. I pray that you would give them glimpses of your peace and comfort. And that you would help them through this day and then through tomorrow and then the next. Amen.

love, Becca

Traveling Around

We have been having a great time traveling to see family and friends. We are currently in Atlanta and have driven almost 2000 miles! Only 1000 miles to go... Nathan's favorite thing has been his Baby Einstein DVD. That is a road trip life saver! And we figure he won't see TV for a while so few hours of Baby Mozart over and over again won't hurt. Also, a friend gave us a sign language DVD, so we are starting to teach him a few simple things, in order to increase the communication beyond grunting and crying. (Thanks Beth!)

You can see Nathan chillin' with his paci and DVD here. He uses the DVD holder as a foot rest as well. He is such a cutie!

Things went pretty well as we wrapped up in Dallas. This is a picture of our garage give-away! That picture doesn't even begin to describe the stuff we got rid of.

We were happy that some friends came by and took a piece of our Dallas life to their own homes. We know they will think of us in Ethiopia as they use the items.

Thanks to all of our friends for tons of help moving and storing and cleaning! You have no idea how much you helped.

A Busy Week...

We have been busy this week packing up the apartment. Here are some pictures to show just a few of the things we have been up to in prepartion to saying goodbye to Dallas.

Nathan started eating rice cereal. My parents took this picture while they were in Dallas helping us move some furniture.

The dietitians at Baylor had a little get together where we could hang out and Nathan and I could say goodbye. Of course at a dietitian party the babies are the only boys allowed...(Nathan is in the back and the other little guy is Pierce in the car seat.)

We put some of our things in storage. This was Paul's last trip of a million, he has worked so hard. Nathan was taking a ride on the dolly. Oh...and Paul shaved his head. It was part of a celebration of one phase of his life and he has been talking about forever and since he was done working at Baylor he decided it was time. I like it!