We are ready to meet our baby girl.

Today I am two days into my 41st week of pregnancy. I decided to stop posting weekly photo updates at 40 weeks, but Matt encouraged me to share a little of what I've (we've) been feeling as we get closer to meeting our little girl.

First, thank you so much for all your sweet comments, encouragement, and suggestions over my pregnancy journey! It has been so fun to share updates every week, and I have connected with other moms or moms-to-be, which was one of my hopes in sharing this blog publicly!

We are ready to meet our baby girl. We're sad that she isn't here yet, but we wait with hope, knowing that she will be here soon.

My mom was past her due date with all three of us girls, so I fully expected to go a little over, especially since this is my first baby. What I didn't anticipate, though, is how long each day could feel as we wait and the emotions that would come and go with it. As ridiculous as it is, some days I think she is never coming. The past week has been filled with excitement, anxiety, eagerness, patience, frustration, waiting, and longing for our little girl to be here - soon and safely.

In one of our many conversations this weekend about the baby, Matt said that his love for her has grown in this time of waiting. It is truly amazing how deep our love is for this little girl whom we have yet to see, hold, and care for. I went back to this blog post that I sent to a friend going through the adoption process several months ago. Marci describes this longing desire saying, "I get a glimpse of the overwhelming love our Father has for us. We are the now and not yet children of our Father. Now adopted into his family. Not yet with him." 

As far as logistics go - Since full-term is considered anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks, my midwife will allow us to delay induction until the 42 week mark. For that we are thankful. As I've mentioned before, Matt and I have been praying for a natural birth from the beginning, and induction of any sort is not what we would choose. Baby A passed a non-stress test yesterday, showing no signs of fetal distress (such an answered prayer!!). On Thursday afternoon, I'll go in for a biophysical profile ultrasound to make sure fluid levels look good, the placenta is functioning well, etc. My induction is scheduled for next Monday at 9pm if she isn't here before then.

Pray for me. Pray for us. Pray that we would stay focused on Jesus and not our immediate desire for our baby to come. That we would endure this period of waiting and respond with joy and not sadness or anxiousness. That the baby would come soon! That there would be no need for induction next week. And if there is, that I would not be afraid.

Thanks so much for joining us in this journey!

+, Lauren Aiken

1 Year {What I've Learned, Part II}

This post is a continuation from 1 Year {What I've Learned, Part I}.

What is your favorite part of marriage?

This is by far the most common question we are asked. I always have two answers, and I think Matt's answers are the same as well.

1. Sharing each day with my best friend. Hands down. Whether it's a good day, a boring day, or a really crappy day, I am so thankful that Matt is here to share in my joy and suffering, and that I can share life with him! I love learning new things about each other constantly, changing together, challenging each other, growing together, and just being together.

2. Being able to show the world that marriage is good. Our culture has distorted what marriage is really all about - displaying Christ's love for the church. It makes no sense to those who aren't believers, but marriage doesn't make sense apart from Jesus. The church is his bride just like I am Matt's (except Christ loves perfectly). Everything in our culture screams that marriage is a burden and something to be delayed until later. Men are often portrayed as bad leaders, and fighting poorly is the norm. 

I am so thankful that we can use our relationship to speak truth to others, to communicate that marriage is redeeming and good. Of course, we have bad moments, and in those moments we can turn from being selfish and ask God to help us serve one another with grace instead of becoming bitter or judgmental. I'm thankful for a husband that encourages me daily and is for me, not against me. Who is quick to apologize and who forgives me when I mess up. 

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:12-13

What has God shown you more about himself in the past year?

Our Father is faithful. Throughout the past few years, God has shown me that I am not in control, even though at times I feel that I should be. This past year, specifically, I have seen God's goodness to Matt and I over and over again!

Through all of the changes - getting married, moving to Seattle, being members of different churches, making new friends, deciding to grow our family, Matt losing his job, packing up, saying goodbyes, and finally moving to Nashville - God has kept his promises to be faithful. When the questions of where next, when, why now, and how in the world will we get through this were on our mind, God stilled our hearts, quieted our cries, and has shown us that he is faithful. In all our attempts to rely on ourselves or even each other, the Lord has smiled and seen Jesus's death on the cross instead of turning to someone other than the good and righteous King.

Honestly, Matt and I have no idea why we are in Nashville. All I can say is I love it more than I imagined I could, and Matt knows we belong here even in the face of hardship. We are here, firmly planted on the Rock. We still have questions and still want answers, but we are desperately caught up in the arms of our Savior and thankful for the changes this year has brought. 

Remind yourself this week. Jesus is faithful! Read Acts and see that he is faithful.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14

+, Lauren Aiken