house-hunting

It was time for apartment hunting again. We rent, so every time the lease ended there's always an option to continue or look for another one.

All the time, however, I always believed that if God wants us to move, He would have prepared a new place for us. That does not mean that I was not anxious. Poring over property classifieds in the paper, calling them up and visiting apartments, are really taxing. It always brought me to near despair.

Yet in the past 8 years and 4 times moving, God always led us to the right apartment. I say the right one, because every time we found the house we simply knew. From the time we stepped into the house we just loved it. Like this apartment we're staying now, it was such a beautiful surprise from Him, so lovely, so right for us, that I couldn't stop laughing and smiling after we closed the deal that time.

But I always wonder, what if this year is different? What if this year God is going to lead us to a place we don't really like? What if we don't love the new place? After all, current rent prices are disastrous and we have to downgrade.

Again I was near despair last weekend. As my hubby and I go through the classifieds and visit an apartment and arguing over the budget, I felt that surely this time is different. Surely we would have to move to a bad place.

I keep reminding myself that God is my Father. He will never abandon me. I asked Him for a house that we love, that we can afford. Even though my head told me otherwise, I believed with all my heart. Whereever it is, He knows best. Even if it's not very nice, it would be the best if it's from Him.

Well, what do we know. HE did it again! Today we went to see an apartment. We were blown away by it. Such a cosy and lovely place. Much smaller, because we cannot afford a big place like our current apartment, but it's just right. And the owner likes us so much, she gave us a very reasonable price. It's still above our budget. But that, too, we know God will provide.

We signed the contract tonight. All three of us love it. Throughout the visit my son just plonked himself happily on the sofa like he was at home already. It's just recently renovated, too. There are even little details, like furnitures that we had always wanted. It's all provided. The house is easy to clean with ceramic floors throughout. I could totally see my new baby crawling around in there.

What a lovely surprise, yet again!

I was reminded of something tonight. That my heavenly Father delights in making His daughter happy.

Whatever He allows to happen, whether good or bad, is always for my good. Always. Praise the Lord!

"... your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 6:32

The Wonder of Ultrasonography

Today we went for checkup again at our ob-gyn office. Again the doctor used ultrasonography and this time, at 12th week, I saw my baby ever so clearly!

She used to be just a tiny pea-sized heartbeat. But in three weeks since we last saw her, she has grown twice as much. She is now 4.6cm from the head to the rump.

As the doctor, my husband and myself watched, she was lying on her belly. Then to our delight she turned facing up. Then turning left and right, too, so that I could even see her oval face with two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Her chin was pointy.

Her tiny arms and legs were there. At one point we saw her moving her arms about in front of her. I couldn't believe how active she was in my tummy at this stage. Now everytime I think about her, I can know that she is not just a 'plant' growing in me. She is a person! She moves about and just simply enjoying herself in there.

Of course we still don't know whether it's a boy or a girl. I'm just referring it to a she here for practical reasons. :P

I can't imagine anyone aborting her baby at this stage. And yet some people still abort their baby even up to 20 weeks into pregnancy for whatever reasons. It's murder. Plain and simple. :(

I love my baby and looking at her with the ultrasound truly made me even more aware of this.
If you are pregnant, seek ultrasonography as early as possible. The doctor said it develops a bond between parents and the baby. He couldn't be more right.

The Lord bless you.

Trusting in my Father in Heaven

So yesterday we found out my son contracted HFMD (hand foot mouth disease). It's a deadly disease caused by virus that usually affect children.
Thank God the doctor says, for his case it will go away after a week.

But the thing is I'm almost 3 months pregnant. As all pregnant people know, chicken pox or rubella virus, etc, is fatal for foetuses.
The doctor said that as long as I don't get it, the baby would not be in danger.

So now we are keeping my 9 year old in his room, contented and happy with room service (by his dad). Thank God it is holiday also, no school.

At first I was worried sick because I am very close to my son. Just a half hour before we found the red dots on his palms and soles of his feet, I was hugging him. Surely I might get infected!

That night my husband prayed for the joy of the Lord to be my strength.
I stood up after that prayer much strengthened. The Lord's joy is a powerful thing indeed.

I reminded myself that He is my shield. He is my baby's shield also, as He forms him/her in the most secret place of the earth, in my womb! He who is in control over every molecule in this universe is in control over those viruses. He knows what is best for me and my family.

Thy will be done. Whatever happens, this baby is His.

Genesis 15:1
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,a
your very great reward.b”
a Or sovereign
b Or shield; your reward will be very great
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ge 15:1