Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Our Own Little Miracle

A few weeks ago, I posted an entry about a Miracle.  The past 72 hours we have experienced the realities of miracles ourselves.  It often gets forgotten about as a miracle, but I am reminded how very fragile we are and how much the birth of child really is a miracle.

It seems so long ago that Marti realized she was pregnant.  I can remember both of us being filled with mixed emotions...pregnant again (happy) but will we have another miscarriage (sad).  And will we have complications because of Marti's age (worry)?  And how will we do this after moving back and trying to settle (anxiety)?

But Tuesday afternoon, after literally traveling thousands of miles, packing and unpacking, quitting a job and starting a new one, feeling nauseated and puking almost every day for 9 months (Marti, not me) and so on and so forth, God graciously answered our prayers when Amy Lynn entered this world at 3:25pm.  You can not imagine the overwhelming sense of relief, joy, and amazement as I stood in front of Marti delivering Amy (yes, I was the delivering doctor...how cool is that?!).  I could not believe my eyes as I realized that at 8 lbs, 10 ounces that she was not only finally here, but that she was healthy.

And so, one journey is complete (pregnancy), and yet another starts (child rearing).  But what an incredible reminder that miracles still do happen.  When I think about the fact that there are so many things that can go wrong after conception until delivery, I am amazed.  God is good.  He reminds me once again in an everyday event (Amy was not the only baby born on 9/11/07) that He controls the whole universe.  And He answers prayer.

Welcome to our world Amy.  Thank you Father in heaven.

Pictures

Now that we are back and have reliable high speed internet connection AND we have a new baby in the house, I will try to keep the photo album on this blog (located on the right hand of the screen), up to date.  Enjoy the pics of our latest addition, Amy Lynn.

Captain Ben

Right before we left Kenya, Ben started talking about wanting to play on a football team when we got to Williamsburg.  I wasn't quite sure if he was serious but he persisted in his talk.  When we finally arrived in July we looked into the possibility.  The first thing we found was a football camp that was being held in mid-July.  I figured if he could handle a week of camp in the humid weather of Williamsburg in July, he was probably serious enough about playing for a season.

We were fortunate to get Ben signed up as we had already missed the registration deadline.  The Williamsburg Hornets had decided to add a second team to their Midgets division which is made of 9-11 year olds.  The weight limit for the group is 120lbs.  Ben only weighs 111 lbs.  So, with his height of 5-2 he is one of the bigger kids on his team.  When I asked him what position he wanted to play when he signed up, he said "I want to be on the line." 

Practices started a month ago.  They have practiced 4 nights a week.  They have had one scrimmage game in which they got crushed.  But through it all, Ben has been loving it.  Even though he isn't one of the fastest kids, he is a hard worker.  And an encourager.  And he seems to understand the game.  And so he has become a leader.  Besides being a starting Left Guard and a starting Nose Tackle, he was named co-captain for the first game of the season as an honor for his (and the other two co-captains) hard work and dedication during this first month of practice.

Today they had their first game.  Having attended all his practices, I wasn't so sure how they would stack up.  Like Ben, the whole team is made up of kids playing football for the first time.  And they seem slower and smaller than the other kids in their division.  But, after some good defensive plays and playing smart (they were only penalized twice the whole game), they forced the game into overtime tied up 12-12.

In the overtime, each team would have possession for 4 downs only and try to score from the 10 yard line.  If both teams scored, they would end of tied.  If one team scored and the other didn't they would win.  The opposing team started with the ball first.  On their first down, they ran for 8 yards.  On their second play, Ben's team (the Gold Hornets) forced a fumble and recovered it.  With a chance to win, the Gold Hornets were stopped for no yards on their first play, but then ran the ball for a touchdown on the next play.  Ben's team won their season opener 18-12.

It was great to see these kids win their first game.  They have worked so hard.  And of course, I was very proud of Ben.  As a nose guard he didn't have many tackles (the other team kept running the ball outside), but he provided leadership on the field.  And that is why he was Captain Ben for the season opener.