This week is a milestone in our pregnancy.  The Lord has allowed us to reach 23 weeks pregnancy.  On Wednesday, January 14, we will actually be 24 weeks.  This is such a huge accomplishment that the Lord has blessed us to be able to reach!  Why, you ask?  Well, other than the obvious (that it's farther than we got with Collin), it is also the magic number that doctors and hospitals like to see.  At this point in the pregnancy, our baby boy is considered "viable" outside the womb, or able to live on his own if I were to go into premature labor.  It is still very early in the gestational period, mind you, but at least we know that if something were to happen like it did last time, that the doctors would at least TRY to save our son.  If he were to be born at this point, it would be a very difficult and long road ahead of him, but at least the medical community would do something to help him survive.  We are so thankful that we have reached this point!  Each week, each day, is another step closer to a successful end to this pregnancy.  We continue to pray that our little one would wait to come until he is absolutely ready, but we take comfort that the Lord has brought us this far and that it is a major step forward toward being with our son here on earth!!  Thank you Jesus!

Yesterday (Sunday) we had our first presentational meeting of this year.  We visited First Baptist Church in Norwalk, IA.  We were there previously on May 20, 2007.  It was great to see some familiar faces and to update the church on our lives and progress as well as how CBM is doing as an agency.  We only had responsibilities in the morning, so it made for a short day for us.  Since the meeting was so close and so short, I felt that I could try to accompany Andy on this meeting and see how my body handled it.  There is a different stress and anxiety associated with the meetings that I don't encounter on a regular day, so that part was taxing on my body.  But, overall the meeting went well, and the Lord allowed the baby and me to get through it well enough.  I've read that if you (the mother) are feeling anxious and nervous about something, the baby will react to your adrenaline and become especially active...well that is so true!  All morning the baby was moving all around more than normal, and when his daddy got up to preach (and I got a little more nervous) he just went mad with movement!!  It was insane!  I'm thankful for an active baby! 

Our theme for this pregnancy is, "Praise the Lord."  In everything we praise His name.  For His blessings and lessons that He is teaching us along the way.  Praise the Lord for His mercy and goodness!