Posted by: Mandy | 01/27/2010

In Awe

Within a matter of minutes,
God answered every prayer I prayed over the last 9 months
concerning this pregnancy and this baby.
Never before have I been so overwhelmed by God’s love and grace- I am in awe.
God alone gets the credit for the miracle of this baby boy.

While I gather my thoughts and emotions from all that has happened this last week, you can click over to Filipe’s blog and read a little more about our little boy, Efraim.  In the next few days I will post some more details about all that happened.

In the meantime, let me introduce you to:

Efraim Lucas
born 1/25/10 at 9:11pm
8 lb 1oz. and  20″ long

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Posted in Family, Life

Posted by: Mandy | 01/22/2010

another baby update & prayer request

I went into the doctor this morning for my weekly checkup and found out why the sudden stop in contractions- he turned!  Sometime between Wednesday night and this morning this baby decided to turn breech.  So, although we’re back to waiting some more, at least I have an explanation. 

So, now what?
- I have to go back to the office on Monday morning.  If his head is down they will go ahead and induce labor to avoid the risk of him turning again.
- If he is still breech then a doctor will do a procedure to turn him, and then they would induce labor.
- Or the ideal situation- he could turn on his own & I go into full labor before Monday morning (PRAY for this one!). 

My midwife seemed optimistic that he would be able to turn on his own, and said this is very common in 2nd & 3rd babies.  She also gave me some tips & excercises to help him turn, so hopefully that will work.  Also we’re making an appointment with a chiropractor to help in the process. 

In the meantime, please keep praying for us!

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Posted in Family, Life

Posted by: Mandy | 01/21/2010

Baby Details- What’s going on?!

Since many of you are wondering and praying for us, I thought I’d share the details of what is going on with this baby boy. 

- I started having regular contractions late Tuesday night.  They lasted throughout the night and became stronger between 4-6 am lasting about 7-8 min. 
- Around 8am or so, the contractions began to subside.  They continued on and off Wednesday and from 2-3:30 were about 5 minutes apart, but weren’t very strong. 
- So, I called one of the midwives just to talk to her about all that was going on and she recommended that I come in to get checked out to see where I was at.
-  Around 4pm we went to the hospital.  Everything was good with the baby, and I was dilated 3-4 cm.  The cool thing is that my preferred midwife was on call (although she wasn’t on the schedule), and she was the one that examined me and talked to me about my options. 
- My midwife told me I could go home or stay at the hospital, BUT if I were to have stayed, the hospital staff would have likely intervened (by breaking my water and/or giving me pitocin to speed up labor).  
-  We decided to go home and continue to wait out this “early labor” process.
- Last night the contractions subsided more and more and I actually slept really good most of the night!  I woke up again around 4am with strong contractions that lasted till about 6 and then I fell back asleep. 
- Today my body seems to be on hold because I’ve had very few contractions.  We took the girls out today and ran some errands so that I can walk around as much as I can. 
- Now, just waiting!

I’ve never been this far in labor naturally- with the two girls, they broke my water and gave me pitocin (which resulted in an epidural)  when I was 3-4 cm.  So although this is my third baby, in a way it feels like my first.  At this point, the main thing I care about is allowing my body get there on its own and not forcing it there.

So, overall things are good.  I’m really praying for the emotional/mental endurance to be patient throughout this time- it seems like that may be the hardest part of this whole process.  Filipe and I were talking yesterday about how our human tendency in these moments is to speed things up and make things happen- by whatever means necessary.  It feels like our lives are on hold right now, and I think part of us feels guilty for not being able to work and function normally.  You would think bringing a life into this world isn’t huge enough- as long as it happens in a timely manner right?!

Thanks for all the support and prayers!  Continue to pray for us- for patience and strength througout this time.

Just for fun- Filipe was playing with the girls this morning and caught this on video- check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHm0BCF-u0

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Posted in Family, Life

Posted by: Mandy | 01/19/2010

Waiting

Well, it seems any moment this little boy will make his appearance…and I’m ready!  Since we didn’t do anything to get ready for this new baby until after the holidays, I was a little nervous that things wouldn’t be ready for his arrival.  Up until a week ago I didn’t even have clothes or diapers for him if we were to have to go to the hospital in a moments notice. 

But I finally finished everything I wanted to do, and now it’s waiting time- which is the hardest part!  I’ve had contractions on and off for about three weeks now, and over the past few days they show up in the evening time for about an hour…and then subside.  It’s so hard waiting and then wondering is today the day! 

I don’t know how my life will change with a third baby.  I feel pretty confident about how to take care of a newborn.  But, a newborn, a toddler, and a preschooler all at once?!  Well, we’ll just have to wait (the word of the week!) and see.  I’m ready for the challenges that lie ahead of me and excited for this new adventure for our family. 

But for now, it’s back to waiting…

Nursery Pics:
   

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Posted in Family, Life

Posted by: Mandy | 01/13/2010

Blogs I read…LPM

It was way back in the fall of 2000 that I did my first Beth Moore Bible study.  I was a junior in college and joined the study to get to know some other girls on campus.  I must admit I was skeptical at first.  I had never done this style of Bible study before…oh and homework?…are you kidding me?! 

Well, it only took one session of “Jesus the One and Only” to realize that this was no ordinary study nor was she an ordinary teacher.  I was captivated!  Although I had grown up learning about Jesus all my life. I felt like I had been introduced to Jesus for the very first time.

More than her studies, Beth Moore impresses me with her life.  She has probably had more influence on me than anyone else when it comes to being a woman in ministry.  She’s open and honest, yet she remains serious about God and His Word- oh and did I mention hilarious!   And truth be told, I’ve only done a handful of her studies.   

A few years ago (2004 or 05?) I was at Living Proof Live conference and noticed Beth’s daughter, Melissa, was with her watching from the front row.  Throughout each session she caught my eye (yes, I was paying attention and what Beth was teaching was good too!).  I would watch Melissa watching her mom as she taught in front of thousands of women- and those few brave men!  I walked away from that conference with this thought:  “I wonder if my daughters can/will look at me one day the way Beth’s daughter can look up to her”.  This was before I had any children.

I felt like God wanted to teach me something in that moment.  No matter what areas of ministry He allows me to serve in, I should be motivated to strive for success if it’s “just” my kids watching me.  Sometimes it may seem like it’s only worth all the effort if thousands are watching.  When things get tough it is easy to give up when you don’t know if any one else around notices or cares.  I felt like God was showing me the importance and the impact that can come from being a role model, example, and leader that my kids can come to and learn from.  Since then, when I’m studying or writing studies, I always thinking about how my kids can be impacted by it. 

I found Beth’s blog a few years ago, and is one I’ve kept up with regularly.  Her and her two daughters, Amanda & Melissa, are both contributors to the blog, and most of the post leave me laughing out loud or crying.  If you are a women and haven’t already, check it out- I’m sure you’ll love it!

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Posted by: Mandy | 01/11/2010

Awakening

For the next 21 days we are joining with hundreds of churches around the world for “Awakening“.  We will be spending these 21 days in prayer and fasting to ask God for more of His Spirit, and His Power in our lives, families, churches, and cities.  I’m so excited not to only see the people at South Bay Church participating, but all over the country…and even the world. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

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Posted by: Mandy | 01/06/2010

Life is… a roller coaster.

Just this week I feel like I’ve experienced every emotion possible. 

- One moment I love being pregnant, the next I don’t AT ALL!
- One moment I’m at peace and relaxed, the next I’m stressed and impatient.
- One moment I’m feeling great, the next I feel miserable.
- One moment I’m content, the next I’m depressed.

I’m sure it’s all normal and comes with pregnancy- or at least it can be justified it in that way.  As difficult as some moments are, I am excited for what is to come.  It really hit me the other day that this baby is coming soon!  I’ve known all along- obviously, but this whole time I’ve been preparing for January, and now January is here.  Only a couple more weeks!

I finally started getting things ready for this little boy this week.  I’ve spent the past two days cleaning out closets, washing all of our baby stuff, and getting the room together.  There is still a lot left to do and buy, but things are coming together and I know I’ll look back in about a month and think about how fast it all went. 

That’s me this week…I’ll be doing my best to keep blogging throughout the month, but no guarantees.  Like I stated above some moments are good, some aren’t so good.

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Posted in Life

Posted by: Mandy | 01/02/2010

2010 Booklist

I’ve been working on my booklist for 2010 for a week now.  There are so many books I want to read and I’m having a hard time sorting through what I need to read, what is good for me to read, and reading for pleasure.  

You can check out my booklist at Goodreads.com (as well as my reviews from my 2009 booklist).  Anything good I’m missing?  I’m sure there will be more added along the way, but I hope to at least get through these. 

First up is On Writing by Stephen King. 

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Posted by: Mandy | 01/01/2010

A New Year, A New Challenge

I love new beginnings, a chance to start fresh.  As exciting as it is there can be something intimidating about it.  Whenever I open to the first page of a brand new journal (or for you non-writers, putting on new running shoes)- I don’t want to mess it up.  It’s so clean!  But, I finally did it.  I broke in the new Moleskine, and spent some time writing down some goals and desires for the year ahead.  Being 36 weeks pregnant and having contractions daily, it will take me about another 6 weeks to have a better idea of what life will be like in 2010. 

For 2010 I’m trying hard to be realistic about this season of life, but also challenge myself in areas I know need improvement.  The past couple weeks I’ve been reflecting, thinking, and praying about what to focus on most this year and the one word that kept coming to my mind was communication.  It’s something that we all use daily.  It mends relationships as well as destroys relationships.  It brings us a great deal of joy or sorrow.  Communication is such a vital part of our lives.  So, I’m challenging myself this year to improve in my communication skills.  How? 

There are 4 key words I want to focus on (though more may be added as I start studying this stuff): 
- Listen (focus on what the other person is saying rather than what I’m trying to say)
- Ask (learn how to ask better questions to build relationships)
- Tone (focus on my tone of voice when I’m speaking- mainly w/ my husband & kids)
- Assertive (speak up when necessary)

I’m excited to focus on this area.  I don’t think it will be easy, in fact, it may get down right painful.  But it’s worth it if it means better, healthier relationships with family and friends as well as more opportunities to connect and influence others in a positive way.

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Posted in Life, Relationships | Tags: ,

Posted by: Mandy | 12/31/2009

2009 Recap & Thoughts

The best word to describe 2009- Unpredictable.

When 2009 started, the only thing I was certain of was God was with us- everything else was a little foggy.  We had only been living in the Bay area for a few months and was still trying to figure this place out.  South Bay Church had yet to launch weekly services, and though we were confident that God was building his Church, we had yet to see the fruit of the vision. 

When 2009 started I felt insecure about what I was supposed to be doing.  I felt behind in everything- like I was constantly playing “catch up” .  I was working through where I fit in, balancing my role as a wife & mom with my gifts and passion for leading, small groups, and writing. 

When 2009 started, nothing was certain, anything was possible.  The unknown can be scary, but the one thing I knew- God is faithful and would be with us no matter what was ahead of us.  Sitting here (at Starbucks), looking back over the year, I’m amazed at all that has taken place. 

2009 Highlights
- South Bay Church launched February 8th
- Small Groups started- My personal favorite in ministry.
- Catalyst West- I love leadership environments- plus Disneyland was an added bonus!
- Baby Surprise!  Not expected, but excited for our family as we head into 2010 (at 36 weeks prego!)
- Mom Confidence- This past fall I finally felt more confidence in how I managed our home and family schedule.  I still have a looong way to go, but it was a good start!
- Writing- In all the years (since 2003) I’ve been trying to focus on writing, this year I’ve learned the most and had more opportunities than ever before.  I’ve also received positive feedback about how something I’ve written has impacted someone else.      

As 2010 begins, there are new uncertainties and expectations, new goals and areas for improvement, new challenges and commitments to make.  I’m excited to get started!  

How about you?  What were your highlights of 2009?

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Posted in Life, Spiritual Growth, What I'm Learning

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