The Home Stretch

As we near the end of Nathan's first deployment and of our third pregnancy, I keep wondering where the time has gone, as well as wishing it would move faster.  Both Nathan and I are very weary at this point.  Aside from being away from the family, Nathan has had almost no fellowship with other believers for months.  And being almost 36 weeks pregnant, I am very tired, physically as well as emotionally.  We are literally taking it one day at a time, because that's all we can do.  

We recently rejoiced with another family that we have spent a lot of time with as they welcomed their husband/daddy home, and as much as I thought it would make me sad, it has given me hope.  To see that they really do come home, and that life does get back to normal, is very encouraging.  

The Lord has continued to provide for our needs and has been our comfort through some very hard days.  He has given us a greater appreciation for each other, and increased our love for one another (something we weren't sure was possible:)).  He has demonstrated his faithfulness in countless ways, and I don't think any other time in our lives has shown His providence to be for our good and His glory more clearly.  As tired and drained as we are, we know His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and that is such a comforting truth that we have known for so long, but had never had the opportunity to truly experience until now.  

One of our greatest encouragements has been how well our children have handled this time.  While there are a few obvious reactions to not having a father present, they have done amazingly well, and we are so thankful to God for that.  It has made mothering them alone a lot easier than I feared it would be.  Kylie has started walking and is learning new words daily, which is so fun to see.  Even in her saddest moments, she always manages to put a smile on her face, earning her the nickname "smiley Kylie".  Zach has been memorizing scripture at an amazing rate, so much so that I am not able to keep up.  This alone has been such an encouragement and motivation to me and has helped us stay in the Word as a family.  I would encourage any parent who has a child who can speak in sentences to begin memorizing scripture with them (long before they are able to read), it is such a blessing to participate in hiding God's Word in your child's heart, and you will end up memorizing it, too!  

We appreciate everyone who has prayed for us, and ask that you continue to lift us up as we prepare for our family to be reunited and to add a new member!  We are praying that both transitions would go smoothly, and that Nathan would be able to make it home before Lydia makes her debut.  We will be sure to share pictures of his homecoming and of baby Lydia when she gets here!