Awe Inspiring

I recently wrote Terry about a sermon I heard but I wanted to share it with all of you as well. The message spoke of God inspiring awe in our lives. That God has created this perfect world for us to take care of and enjoy. We should search out something or someone everyday that makes us step back, take a deep breath, and say 'Wow!' in order to appreciate what God has given our lives. Even if it is a beautiful sunset or a snowfall. The preacher was much more eloquent but that is my three sentence summary.

Most of you know that I am not very religious in the traditional sense of church attendance. But I do try to find time during my day at least to say thanks and acknowledge a greater presence in my life. So, I started thinking about a time pre-pregnancy that I was awe struck. I was thinking and thinking and thinking. I came up with working with Habitat, the people I met, the enthusiasm, the feeling of doing something for the greater good. But for some reason, I thought there should be something more.

My 'something more' came with pregnancy. Everyday I find myself in awe of what is happening to me, my body, and my family. Every time I feel him move inside me, I lose my breath. To become so attached, so quickly, and utterly in awe of a person that I have never met. It is an amazing feeling to know that my body is incubating another. I never had so much respect for my body before. I am awed when I see that tell tale look of pride on my parents face. I am awed that so many people have offered their help, love and support. I am so grateful that I have had the unexpected opportunity to be awed by pregnancy and new life.

This weekend was particularly awesome for me. Rebecca (with the help of some others) planned a spectacular baby shower for Bean on Saturday. It was truly amazing, the details, the effort, the time. I have had my head in this cloud of euphoria every since. I am completely overwhelmed by the entire experience. I have never felt so loved and cared for in my entire life. To know and experience first hand that my support system lies far beyond my family makes me heart-wrenchingly joyous. Being in a room filled with faces that have touched Terry and my lives in miraculous ways and knowing that our child will have all those people as well - I truly don't have the words. (For those that were there, yes, I know I have said that before).

I am awe struck, thunder struck, and all kinds of amazed. You can't even imagine how touched I am by every single one of you and all of your generosity. Seeing our families and friends come together to support and nurture Terry and my decision to have this child was overwhelming for me. I feel so blessed that our child is coming into a world so filled with love and support. My Christmas miracle was all of you. Again, to everyone, thank you, thank you, thank you, you can't even imagine how much this means to me, to Terry, and to Bean.