"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
We give each of our children a scriptural blessing at birth. Philippians 4:4-7 is the one which Scott and I have chosen and since prayed over our newest little one, Leah Joy.
It's been over 100 degrees here for nearly a week with no rain. And although I had been really trying to take it easy in preparation for the baby's arrival (lots of prelabor), I just could not stop myself from watering the new rose bed that Scott so kindly dug for me (as a part of his nesting experience). However, within an hour of watering the flowerbed we were headed to the hospital because my water had broken.
This picture above shows 5 of the 15 rose bushes that Scott lovingly planted while we waited for baby - which in the end sped along her arrival.
This picture below was taken just before heading to the Hospital. My mother and aunt came to watch the kids and mom snapped one last photo of Maya and me before we left.
The First time we held her! Our sorrow has been replaced with Joy!
"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13
Like the Israelites of Old, we chose the names of our children based on my (as the mother's) state in life. And so, we gave her this name because, although Leah in the Bible was a woman acquainted with sorrow and suffering, she was also a woman whose legacy was one of trusting God and the expressing of great gratitude to the Lord for the surprise gift of the birth of her son, Judah. As my grandmother used to remind me "Deprivation has a way of giving rise to a new level of appreciation."
So peaceful!
Cole and Maya comes with Nanna and Pap to meet their new baby sister.
Day 1
Delivery summary: My water broke around 8:30pm on July 7th. We were admitted into the hospital around 11:15 pm that evening. Leah Joy was born less than two hours later at 1:08 am on July 8th. (Very quick and very painful labor without epidural) Then after almost two days recovery in the hospital we were released and headed home (only a few miles down the road) on July 9th at 5:00 pm. Thank you Lord for such an uncomplicated delivery and the miracle of this addition to our family. We are overjoyed!
Here's our last picture at the hospital before heading home- Day 2!
She was originally dressed in a lovely "going home" outfit; however, just as we were leaving, she wet right through it and so she came home in this little green baby gown, compliments of the hospital. (It seems nursing is going well at least.)
Maya, Cole and Nanna, organized a little welcome home display for us - complete with Chinese food for dinner.
"Isn't she great?!", said Maya.
"God has been so good to us!," said Cole. Amen and Amen!
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life!"
To all those people who prayed for us and for this little one - THANK YOU - from the bottom of our hearts and the depth of our souls, we want you to know that we are grateful for your faithfulness in this way! I pray the Lord rewards each of you beyond your imagination for loving us in this most perfect and godly way! And to those who are even now suffering in their own heart aches and loss, my encouragement to you is the same as the Lord gave to me in my own times of pain- Do not lose heart, take your fear and sorrow to Him who cares for you and choose to believe even when you cannot see and your feelings tell you otherwise. He is faithful, He is with you, and He is for you! And He has not forgotten you!
Oh, I am so glad to be the first to congratulate you here!!!! God has been so good! Your baby is beautiful! God keep blessing y'all!
Posted by: The Other Alice | July 10, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Congratultions from California. I have been following your blog, learning from your postings on so many topics. I am also rejoicing with you over the birth of your daughter!
Posted by: Cath | July 10, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Congratulations on Leah's arrival. She is beautiful. May God continue to bless all of you.
Posted by: Julie | July 10, 2010 at 06:37 PM
We are so excited and rejoicing with you as your family grows. Please tell Scott that we send our love. Leah Joy is most beautiful. Blessings, Mark and Tricia W.
Posted by: Tricia W. | July 10, 2010 at 06:43 PM
Dear Kerry, I have been praying for you and your sweet baby for months as I read your blog... Happy to hear your news and see her little sweet face!
Lorisa in CO
Posted by: Lorisa | July 10, 2010 at 07:15 PM
Kerry,
So glad God has Blessed you and your family with sweet Leah Joy. It has been a joy to pray for you. Enjoy your family. He is Faithful. Romans 12:12 --Ann
Posted by: Ann | July 10, 2010 at 07:50 PM
Congratulations!!!! I am SO happy for all of you! Leah Joy is gorgeous and has been blessed to be born into such a loving and God-glorifying home. I am biased but the name is just beautiful. We chose Leah for our little girl for the same reasons:) Our girls are so close in age (exactly 3 months apart!) I hope they can meet one day! We miss you all so much! kisses to everyone!
Love
Jen
Posted by: Jen Mellon Peterson | July 10, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Scott and Kerry!!!
I am sitting here absolutely in awe of what God has done!! I am in tears. This post was so beautiful and touching and so personal. It is such a gift to us that you shared this special day with us! I cannot wait to let Jeff know, (who is in Israel) and to get him to visit your bog and see how beautiful Leah is!! How I love that name. I really cannot get over that picture of you and Scott kissing her face.
You have all waited so long and so patiently and your faith has been rewarded. You have inspired us all in ways you could never imagine and we cannot wait to meet her in person!!! And the looks on Cole and Maya's faces are priceless.
Thank you Jesus for blessing for friends and keeping Leah joy safe!!!
Posted by: Naomi | July 10, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Congratulations Sister! Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!!! You and baby look great! So super happy for all of you!! Love you!
Posted by: Carla Craig | July 10, 2010 at 11:23 PM
She's here! She's here!!! Oh my goodness, she is so beautiful! I have tears of joy are streaming down for you. What a wonderful and perfect gift. So true... hope deferred... but a longing fulfilled is the spring of life. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, indeed! What a day of rejoicing! Enjoy every single moment. Congratulations!
Sarah in Idaho
Posted by: Sarah | July 11, 2010 at 12:45 AM
thank you thank you thank you JESUS!!!! kerry, every morning i was lifting you up into HIS hands for a safe and wonderful delivery!! I am sooooo happy for your whole family!!!!! give her big kisses for me! love the name and the meaning behind it! (samaria's middle name is JOY too...probably for similar reasons!!!)
love you sister!
mary
Posted by: mary hicks | July 11, 2010 at 04:49 AM
Oh Kerry, I couldn't be more happy for you and your family. Leah Joy is just beautiful. Praise the Lord.
Posted by: Christine | July 11, 2010 at 08:01 AM
Kerry,
Praise The Lord! Praise The Lord! Praise The Lord!
Reading about the birth of Leah Joy has made my day. I honestly cannot think of a baby who is more blessed than she is to be born into your family. You have such a beautiful, compassionate heart to remember those whose paths may be rocky right now even as you celebrate. I am (mentally) hugging my (grown) kids even tighter today as I remember their entrances. Your post brought tears to my eyes and I wish there was a way to bottle these tears and send them to Leah, so that in the future she will know how special she is, and that lots of (kinda, sorta) strangers (aka sisters)felt the Hand of God at her birth.
Love to all from NC.
Posted by: cindim | July 11, 2010 at 09:54 AM
AWWW!!! SO amazing!
You made me cry! But yay for you!
Posted by: Heather EV | July 11, 2010 at 11:10 AM
I have been thinking about you a lot and been praying that all would go well and fast! Rejoicing with you over Leah's birth. Thank you Jesus.
Posted by: jenna | July 11, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Kerry she beautiful!!!! You look amazing... I cried when I saw the picture of you holding her for the first time! I am rejoicing with you all and cannot wait to see you guys and meet her!!!!
Posted by: Anna | July 11, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Congrats!!!! The baby is beutiful!! God is faithfull!!!
Posted by: Maria T | July 11, 2010 at 09:15 PM
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! I have been checking your blog often awaiting news of Leah's arrival, praying for a healthy birthday, and now praising our Savior for His faithfulness to and blessings upon your family! Kerry, although I have never met you and you have no idea in the world who I am, I just wanted you to know how much God has used your blog and the experiences of your life to truly touch me. (Your lessons on forgiveness have especially challenged me in recent weeks.) Thank you, my sister in Christ.
Enjoy your new daughter and sister!
Posted by: Renee | July 11, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Congrats Kerry & Scott. Loved seeing all these wonderful pictures and hearing more about Leah's arrival. Can't wait to meet her! Blessings on your family.
McKensey
Posted by: McKensey Kemmerer | July 12, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Congratulations!!!! Praise God for your beautiful baby girl!! I read your blog often and find that many of our joys and sorrows are strangely connected. I have also suffered miscarriages, but joyously have one beautiful child. Today, just 2 days after the birth of your miracle, I discovered that I am pregnant again, with our 6th child. I am hopeful and praying that this one will be born alive, healthy and whole, and I am encouraged by your experience and faith that God would provide.
Posted by: Rachel Murphy | July 12, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Rejoicing with you! Have prayed with you through sorrow and soooo grateful to be a part (even in a small way) of joy! God richly bless your family! Thank you for sharing! Love, Lyndsey
Posted by: Lyndsey | July 12, 2010 at 03:31 PM
What a beautiful family! So happy for you. Looks like her big brother and big sister have already stepped into their roles so lovingly. Congrats and blessings on this new journey as a family of FIVE!!:-)
Posted by: Julie | July 13, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Still praising God! Can't imagine how much joy is in your house right now! But I did give your blog an award: http://asinamirror.com/i-am-sun-shiney
Posted by: The Other Alice | July 13, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Congratulations to you all! She's just beautiful. Nashville welcomes her anytime!! :)
Peace and joy to all of you,
stacie
Posted by: Stacie Vining | July 18, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Leah is beautiful, God is good and wonderful. Praising God for this blessing and joy in your life. He put you on my heart today and I had completely been out of the blogging world and forgotten to check on you. Very thankful to see the blessing God has bestowed upon your family.
Posted by: JulieinCA | August 01, 2010 at 07:16 PM