A NAME CHANGE!

Yes!  Many people I love now call me a different new name.  Gramma!  Yep, that's me and I like it.  Gramma….has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Almost a month ago, The Grandbaby  arrived!  I could write loads about the whole experience from the scary parts to the uncertain parts to the happy joyous parts but decided to follow my past experiences by showing you pictures.  Most of you who know me know that I have LOADS of pictures.

And did I say what a sweet girl The Grandbaby is?  The Girl remarked right after the birth that she is seven pounds, one ounce of PERFECT!  She lost some weight afterwards and is having some reflux issues but seems to be doing pretty good otherwise.  I don't mind if you whisper a prayer for her, though.  Won't hurt my feelings a bit.

I think she's pretty special.  Here's the pictures with some commentary:


Grandparents wait impatiently for the birth.

Finally, news of the arrival from the proud dad…

I love this picture!  The Nana's face reflects her feelings and mine at that moment….red eyed and thankful The Grandbaby had arrived safely.

Here she is before…. during…. and after her first bath…

The family of three….

We call this picture "The Paparazzi"…..

Then it was time to meet Gramma and Papa…

May I say here that The Papa, who in the past NEVER smiled in pictures and hated his picture made, has been smiling and posing ever since this night?  Just sayin'…and may I also say that this picture was taken at MIDNIGHT and The Papa looks fresh as a daisy?

…and Nana and Granddaddy…how thankful I am that The Grandbaby has many grandparents who love her.

Here's a few photos from the hospital photographer and The Gramma…

The Grandbaby had to stay an extra night while the parents came home.  Heartwrenching for parents but better for jaundiced baby.   The next day was spent by them in a small waiting type room but happily, The Grandbaby was dismissed that night to come home.

The Grandbaby wore home the same dress The Girl had worn home over 30 years ago…vintage purchased by The Girl's Mamaw.  The Mamaw would have been pleased….

The Grandbaby met her great-grandparents also…

and some aunts, uncles, and cousins….

The Grandbaby and The Papa are becoming very good friends…makes me smile….

And so she grows…..quickly……

The Grandbaby, like all babies brought into this world, is "fearfully and wonderfully made"….miracles of the best kind.  My heart is full of joy and love for this tiny little one entrusted to The Girl and The Son-in-Law.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are so very glad.

When sharing the news with a good friend, my eyes became watery at his response--a response that he used often when serving at our church and that response will be a great way to end this wonderful post today.

It says:

"And all God's people said, 'Amen'!"

OVERWHELM

I use this word so much in my daily life.  We have all experienced the feelings of being overwhelmed.  Being overwhelmed can be so in a good way or in a bad way.  I had never looked up the meaning of the word until this morning but did so and chose Mr. Webster's definition as it is a simple one and I understand simple so much better than not simple.  Mr. Webster says:

"overwhelm"-- to affect (someone) very strongly;  to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with;  to defeat (someone or something) completely

Now if I were a betting person, I would bet that many of my readers might say, "My name should be listed with that definition."  My name should be there to define it as well.   Some days I just wonder why I bothered to get up that morning.  Many times those days overtake me so many at a time.  Overwhelmed.

I can recall feelings of being overwhelmed with feeling of helplessness when watching loved ones suffer with serious diseases.

I can recall feelings of being overwhelmed with this last lengthy kidney stone "event" that seemed to take over my life.  (As a side note here, yesterday's ultrasound and urologist's post procedure visit showed all healed.  Remaining stones in other kidney are small and maybe will stay that way.)

I can recall times of being overwhelmed when there was paperwork to be done timely and little time for the timely and little energy for me.

I can recall many times when, in my own life, storms came and overwhelmed me so.  Storms with turmoils and seemingly no answers.

I can also recall The Husband and I as we stood at the foyer door of the church sanctuary before walking down the aisle for seating at The Girl and The Son-In-Law's wedding and feeling overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord for HIS provision.

I can especially recall that day several months ago as The Girl and The Son-In-Law shared the news of their being parents.  Overwhelmed is only one of the words to describe the joy.

There have many days since the year started that "overwhelmed" has hit me hard--both good and bad.   I find that I am forever encouraged that during these times that strength comes from an encouraging "Barnabas" in my life or a word from the Lord in His scriptures.

My sister gave me a devotion book for Christmas.  It was the perfect gift for me.  I love it!   I also have another favorite one that I have read for many years each day by Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest"…yes, over and over, and it STILL speaks to me.  It's pretty worn and has many colored highlights of words that touched me and it's a true treasure of mine.

April 7, Thursday of last week, my devotion in my Christmas gift devotion book was from Psalm 62.  When I read it, it hit me hard.  Psalm 62  has ALWAYS been one of my favorite Psalms because it speaks to me so strongly.  Every single day since last Thursday, that scripture has been in my heart and daily remembered.  My favorite verses of this psalm are verses 2 and 3.  They go like this:

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

I LOVE that!  Life dishes out some doozies--I think I've touched on that often in this blog.  You may tire of that but it's just the truth.  One thing is constant and that is the Savior and His love for us.  He is higher and mightier and a strong shelter when the storms come.  I've learned that God might send an answer in a way I choose or he might not, but HE does see the big picture and is faithful and I can trust Him because I KNOW HE LOVES ME.  You can trust Him too.    He promises.  

I CHOOSE FAITH.

A week or so ago I read a blog post which touched me strongly.  In the post, the author was telling how that the devil ALWAYS tries to find any way to make a Christian stumble.   His easy way is planting the seed of "worst case scenario" in a mind where there is worry and fear.

No, I'm not going to rewrite the wonderful blog.  I am wanting to share the thought that the Lord put to me when these times come.  And believe me, they come daily.  Whether fear of an illness, concern for a  family member, unrest about the country's condition, or just general "concern", the devil is ready to jump right in.

While I was thinking strongly on this, a seemingly small voice said to me, "Choose faith."  That's it….the answer in two words…."CHOOSE FAITH".  So today and every day ahead, when the devil puts out those bad pictures in my mind, I choose faith.  I. Choose. Faith.

And I hope you do, too!