Hurry up...and Wait!

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity…1 Timothy 4:12.

For the past few weeks, we have anxiously been waiting for the arrival of our newest grandchild!

To be prepared for the special event…

I charged my camera battery and placed my camera on the kitchen counter where I could quickly grab it as I rushed out the door!

Next to my camera was my bag filled with knitting materials and the blanket I was making, which I could also grab quickly!  I thought I could knit while I sat in the waiting room!

And for the past few weeks, I planned each day with the possibility that I might receive a call/text from Zach or Rachel, stating that Rachel was in labor and they were headed to the hospital!

At night, I slept with my phone on my pillow…with the ringer turned up so I wouldn’t miss a call/text! 

In addition, I would wake up several times throughout the night, checking my phone to make sure I had not missed that important call or text!

Needless, to say I was prepared and ready…just as all of the grandparents were!

My husband was working out of town and would call each morning and evening to see if there were any updates. 

And each morning and evening I would provide him with updates, which was often merely…”No news yet”!

We discussed if he should just hang tight, or come home…not knowing if the baby would arrive while he was here!

However, this past Saturday, Don decided he couldn’t wait any longer, and drove home that day!

I have to say, his instincts were right!  He arrived in town Saturday afternoon, and our precious grandson arrived Monday morning at 6:04 a.m.

After several days of having contractions….some only a few minutes apart…some that took Rachel’s breath away, this little one came rather quickly!

As I headed to the hospital early Monday morning, I received the text…”We have a baby”!!

I quickly called me husband…who was driving separately…to let him know the good news!

I have to be honest…my foot got a little heavy as I headed to Bloomington.  Hoping and praying that I wouldn’t get a ticket…I could hardly wait to get there to meet this new little one!

Not only were all of us anxious to meet our newest grandchild, we were also going to find out if we had a new grandson or our first granddaughter!

Rachel was holding her new baby when I walked in the door…and tears came to my eyes as I gazed upon his precious face!

After asking Zach and Rachel if we had a little boy or little girl, they smiled and said…”we have another boy”! 

This would be our 7^th grandson…and I couldn’t be happier! 

He was healthy and absolutely perfect!

Papa and Papi arrived shortly after I did and were just as excited to see their new grandson!

Lola would be there soon…she was getting this newborn’s older brothers ready to come and meet their new sibling! 

Zach and Rachel had promised Graham, the baby’s oldest brother that they would tell him the baby’s name first and let him have the honor of sharing the name with all of us!

So, we were excited for Graham and Emmett to arrive and meet the newest addition to their family! 

It wasn’t too much longer before these precious brothers strolled our way and greeted their daddy in the hallway! 

Taking them by the hand, he led both boys into the room to meet their new little brother…providing them an opportunity to share this special moment as a family of five!

Moments later, we were called in to join them in continuing the celebration of this baby’s birth!

Upon entering, Graham was sitting on the bed with his mommy and baby brother, and Emmett was being held in his daddy’s arms.  With a smile on his face Graham shared that their new baby brother’s name was Joel Timothy!

It was absolutely perfect!

Zach and Rachel have chosen a scripture to go with each of their son’s middle names, and the scripture chosen for Joel Timothy was… Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity…1 Timothy 4:12.

I love that they have chosen a beautiful scripture for each of their sons! 

I love that these little boys will read these scriptures in the future…and one day will learn the story of why their parents specifically chose that particular scripture for them!   

As I gaze upon Joel’s sweet face, I am already picturing this baby boy growing and setting an example for others!

I will be joining his parents in prayer…praying and believing that his speech and conduct will always glorify our Heavenly Father!

I pray that others will not look down upon him when he is young, but will see this precious baby reflecting Jesus Christ as he grows and matures!

I know that God already has a wonderful plan for this precious baby!

But for now…we will enjoy this tiny baby…gaze upon his sweet features…hold him close to our hearts…cuddle him in our arms…and just relish in this moment!

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for the gift of life!  Thank you for Godly parents who are choosing this day to raise their children in the ways of the Lord!  Encourage and bless them Father…and keep your hand upon these precious families who love you with all their hearts!