Time to rest and prepare

Well, we made it - we finished the semester and Jeremy is continuing to grow, move and keep me up. PRAISE GOD!

Now, there is really time to wait, well sorta - there is the holiday next week that has been virtually ignored at our house. We have our tree up and some decorations are out, but none of the typical purchases have been made ... the question is will they? Maybe just a few things, if I can do a one stop shopping experience. I just do not want to be 1, out in the cold and 2 spend the day walking around.

Next mile stone - Christmas Day, then New Years ... then Jeremy's arrival.

Also what crept in yesterday that I was not expecting, as I left school with a few of my personal things loaded into the car - was a sense of sadness. I have spent 11 years as a teacher at North Central ( I also spent my own 4 high school years there, and all my school days In Washington Township) It has become part of who I am. To drive away, knowing that I am not returning in January was a strange, bittersweet feeling. I suppose also creeping in is the deep set reality that Jeremy will for certain arrive sometime in the next 2 weeks. And will that bring complete uncertainty in what that experience will bring. Since this is our first child the entire idea of birth in a first hand experience is totally new. Add on that we have no idea how long we will get to love Jeremy here on earth and that becomes heavy on my heart - until I realize I am not in control of that and what ever God has planned will be perfect ( or at least some day I will understand that it was perfect).

I just do not want to be afraid. Which of course when I opened my email from Joel was the title of the devotion ...
Do Not Be Afraid
Today's Scripture
“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20, NLT).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn’t know what to think. He was afraid that he was making a mistake because things didn’t turn out the way he thought they should. But God sent a messenger, an angel in a dream, to reassure Joseph and remind him that he was on the right path.Friend, let me reassure you today, God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, He has His hand on you. Do not be afraid, trust that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf and that He will lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, I choose to trust in You. Even when things don’t go the way I planned, I know You are at work in my life. Thank You for Your perfect love which casts out all fear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I will continue to walk in Faith - trusting God at all times. I know God understands the few breakdowns and questions that I ask, he is then able to comfort me and add peace that passes all understanding. I am ever thankful for that.

GRACE AND PEACE!