Under His stars

Rewind to August 2, 2008. 08/02/08.
It is a beautiful gift.
Our own aspen meadow up the Poudre Canyon, west of Fort Collins.
What is family? What is love? How does God view us? Christa and I are about to find out more about Him. He has created, knitted and woven the object of His love and He started this work, His work, in the forest. God is good.



She is two days short of full term.
The seven pound baby is in there, with her.
And full of life.
We are about to have a little Payne.
After a little pain.
Praise the Lord.
Thanks for praying with us.
Christa's bag is packed.
This is good.

the uterus brings us closer

I know all about contractions. I see them every day and I don't have a problem with them. I have been familiar and have used them since elementary school. Mom even taught me the difference between there, their and they're. Though the use makes for ease of penmanship and quicker speech, I have learned of a better contraction than "won't", "would've" and "we'll".

I was not aware of the uterus' use of contractions. I was not aware of the beauty of these contractions. And these contractions are strange. Christa's got 'em and her uterus knows how to use them. The strongest muscle in mom's body does a beautiful thing. I understand their purpose is to get that baby out and in to the beautiful, busy, toxic and tired world. For a few seconds, perhaps she will be the youngest human on the planet-- until crybaby down the hall exits his mom's canal to fulfill another miracle.

She is about to vacate the premises. Christa is having contractions and it is good (the pregnancy has been so good. I can't believe how wonderful she looks. And she is feeling great. She was throwing a frisbee with me on Friday!). Our little zygote-turned-embryo-turned-fetus, a tiny and absolute-human all along, will benefit from the "other" contractions later in life but these contractions are the best for her current predicament.
She needs to get out.

The design and function of mom's strongest muscle is a miracle. The pituitary secretes oxytocin which activates the uterus when the time is just right and the adventure begins.

Very soon, Pipsqueak may not be welcome in the womb but she is welcome at the front porch of the birthing table, or chair, or tub or whatever works for Christa during delivery. She is welcome home. I expect my own tears of joy when God lends her to us.
The wonder of it all has graciously brought this young, blessed couple closer to Him. Every perfect gift comes from Him. Children are a gift from the Lord.

Contract away, uterus.
You've got a treasure inside you.

21 days is only 500 hours!

Christa's and my contribution to multiplying the earth is nearing fruition. Our due date of May 2 is 3 weeks away. Christa's report from the doc today indicated she is 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced-- so little time and so much to do. We don't have much time to file our taxes, set up the baby's room and realize how blessed it is to be fruitful. We've got 500 hours, give or take, to finalize this little one's name, decide on circumcision (or not) and pack mom's bag for a couple nights at the hospital.

How good it is to be fruitful and multiply. Any less than nine months of preparation and contemplation would be too short for us and any longer than nine months of anticipatory joy (and, at times, disbelief) would be quite too long for us to stand it.

500 hours to go.