A lot has happened since our last blog entry :). Thanks to those who have reminded us that we needed to update our blog. That’s what I hope to do now.Anna Carolina is over 5 months old, and it is an honor and JOY to watch her grow and develop, learn new skills (like rolling over), try new things (like rice cereal), experience new adventures (like a road trip to NC), meet new people (like her Great Grandmom), make new sounds (louder and louder!), and settle into life with a smile. José and I consider God’s word true: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).
José and I also are embarking on several “firsts”:
- As of June 27, we will be first-time homeowners! God, in His wondrous providence, has provided a house for us that is far more than we hoped or asked for. We are looking forward to living closer to our church and many of our friends. Plus, I’ll be able to walk to Trader Joe’s – now what can beat that?!
- José and I (and Annita too) are going to a church plant for the first time in our lives. Our church (Covenant Life Church) is planting a Spanish-speaking church here in Gaithersburg, and we have the privilege to be a part of it. We’ve already begun some preliminary meetings, and it’s already quite a large church! Public meetings for Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg will commence in September. If you speak Spanish and live in or visit the area, please come be our guests!
- This last first is just José’s (though he might not prefer to experience this first). We found out that he needs to have his gall bladder removed. Needless to say, this will be his first gall bladder removal (and his last :). We’d appreciate your prayers.
Well the last first I’ll mention is that this is the first time that I (Caryn) am writing on this blog. Hopefully it won’t be the last, and hopefully I (and José) will keep it updated more frequently - José with his profound thoughts and reflections, and I with less-weighty life updates!
How can anyone ever be prepared to be a father? As soon as the baby is born, an avalanche of new experiences rushes over you. No written description can do adequate justice to the happenings in the life a novice daddy - when you change the diaper of your little one for the first time, when you cover her tiny little body with doll-like clothes, when you try to comfort her while she helplessly cries and you observe puzzled without a single chance of discovering the cause of her distress, all of this crowned by a feeling of powerlessness as you try to encourage your wife who is crying without apparent reason while she recovers from the exhausting delivery.
It is this grace that allows me to marvel in wonder at my baby when she finally gives up exhausted and falls sleep in my arms; this grace that opens my eyes to contemplate how privileged and blessed I am to have two princesses in my own house, whom I do not deserve; this grace that granted me the honor to be a father so I can understand better the love of God The Father. My heart overflows with gratefulness to my Lord for another gift of his incomprehensible mercy!