I spent the day today waddling around the capital city of the state with the third cleanest water in the US - Minneapolis, Minnesota. Strange to actually be able to drink hotel tap water! I came out with Scott for the sixth annual Christian Alliance for Orphans conference. Actually, my main purpose in coming out to MN is to spend some time with my dear friend Paul Singer who has been having a terrible battle with brain cancer. (please pray for him and his family).
And as God would have it, the time frame worked out well for me to travel out here with Scott and attend some of the conference during these days. SCC will be performing and Mary Beth will be speaking at the evening session tomorrow; also, my former boss, Senator Mary Landrieu is also speaking at the conference and many of the Show Hope staff members and my former colleagues in the adoption community will be in attendance as well. So, for me this week will be a nice reunion with some dear friends in the adoption community. Apparently, there are over 1100 people who will be attendance at this year's orphan and adoption summit. Strange to think back 6 years when there were only 28 of us in attendance for the first summit. God has really multiplied the labors in this work. I'm excited to see what God has planned here this week! Anyhow, this is probably going to be my last "hurrah" away from home as I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and looking to stay close to home for the remaining weeks of my pregnancy.
It's funny being around a bunch of people I haven't seen for a while because to me everyone looks like they have lost a bunch of weight. I suppose that's normal since I am pregnant - I think that I am just so much larger than others that everyone looks a lot smaller to me. Unfortunately, I am not one of those women who stays thin all over except for the baby belly. Nope, I spend the first trimester widening all over first - I suppose just preparing a good base....ha ha. But, honestly, I am just really grateful that the Lord is sustaining this little one's life in my womb.
I am going to be a bridesmaid in my brother Tommy's wedding just a couple weeks before my due date and I am so happy for all the other bridesmaids as I will be kindly making them look even thinner in their dresses than they otherwise do.
I do apologize for not writing of late. I have no real good excuse...well, other than Scott having been
away a great deal, preparing our home for baby, finishing the homeschool year, oh and writer's block.
Planning to get back to it - as the Lord allows anyhow.
Thank you all for your prayers for the baby in my womb. It means more than I can say.
Started reading an old book of Larry Crabb's called Inside Out....really good read!
(((((((Kerry))))))
Good to hear from you. No apology needed; just glad all is well.
Have fun this week but don't overdo it.These re-connections are fun, aren't they? I know Mary Beth will be calmer concerning her speech knowing you are there helping pray her up.Do you still get nervous?
Praying for your friend Paul and his family. Some parts of this Christian walk are so rocky and hard to understand. Good thing we don't have to(understand). Because God knows what He's doing. We are simply to Trust.
On a lighter note (ha ha!) don't be worrying about the weight gain. All that will take care of itself in time. (Even if some weight remains after the birth, doesn't the Bible say, "The fat is the Lord's?") LOL
Carry on, Sis. Continue to prepare the nest. Enjoy the Spring.
Love from NC.
Posted by: cindi | April 29, 2010 at 08:15 AM
Great to see an update! I am so glad to hear you are doing well and are able to travel with Scott. I continue to pray for you all and your precious baby. One of my blogger friends just gave birth a couple days ago to a healthy baby girl. They had lost their firstborn son at 36 weeks and had 2 miscarriages after that, so needless to say, we have been rejoicing and praising God that Hannah Mae is here safely.
We will also be praying for your friend during this difficult time of his life.
On another note, we were finally matched with our daughter last week and hope to travel to China this summer!! :o)
I pray that you continue to find refuge under the shadow of the Almighty and have the peace that only He gives.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 29, 2010 at 09:46 AM
So nice to hear a update. Continued prayers for you and the baby during these upcoming weeks. My hubby has been trying to talk me into moving to MN after his transplant. Nice to know they have good tap water!
Posted by: Julie in CA | April 29, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Hi Kerry,
Julie Wilson here....from Charleston. I have been following your blog for some time now, but haven't posted a comment before. I think of you and Wendy in the early years at CWA, watching you and Scott before you were even married, both of you with such a heart to serve! You are so precious and have ministered to my heart in your pain and trust in the Lord. Know that I am praying for this precious little one...I didn't realize how far along you are! Praise Him!
Blessings to you as you homeschool your little ones in the midst of all you are doing. Such a challenge yet such myriad rewards!
Love and hugs to you,
Julie
Posted by: Julie Wilson | April 29, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Kerry,
I caught a few glimpses of you while I attended the conference. You looked RADIANT carrying that growing, precious little life! I was too shy to introduce myself, but I want you to know that I am always inspired by your life, your obedience to Christ, and your commitment to advocate for orphans.
Blessings!
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | May 02, 2010 at 02:10 PM
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! I'm very happy to leave my comment here, and hope that your blog will become more and more color!
Posted by: coach suitcase | June 04, 2010 at 05:16 AM