By now I think everyone has heard... we're pregnant! Actually, to be more precise, I'm pregnant, but we're having a baby!! Yes, we are so excited, and no, we are not crazy. In fact, God, in His infinitely wise and often amusing timing gave us this little gift about three weeks after we decided to move to Paris. Oh the irony... But I'll explain.
Chris and I have actually been hoping to get pregnant for almost two years now. I have to give a little credit here to Ben and Tiffany Wall who gave birth to the oh-so-adorable Addison Elizabeth back in December of 2007. It was around that time that Chris and I decided we wouldn't mind having one of our own. But God obviously had different plans.
It's funny (and those of you who have struggled with infertility will know exactly what I'm talking about), the longer it takes, the less you want to talk about it. It can be very demoralizing, to be honest. But, like all trials, God has used His beautiful plans to accomplish our sanctification. Throughout these past two years, I was frequently reminded of Isaiah 55:8 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." And Proverbs 19:21 was a sometimes stinging, but ultimately refreshing (like conviction usually is!) reminder - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." For years (probably since early high school), two of my favorite passages have been James 1 and Romans 5, both of which discuss rejoicing in trials and tribulations because of the refining/perfecting work which God does in us through those experiences... I guess God thought I needed to learn that lesson experientially rather than merely intellectually.
At times when there is persecution and martyrdom taking place in many other places on the globe, I feel that I must include an asterisk: I know that my trials were minor. I was blessed in so many ways while we were waiting: I had a blast traveling and enjoying alone time with my sweet husband; I was blessed over and over again by the privilege of teaching at Houston Christian High School; I had time and energy to pour into friendships that probably would not have grown as they have if I were busy with an infant, and we now have this opportunity to live in Paris for a year, which may not have seemed feasible with a little one. I really am thankful that God had other plans than we did. But I also can confess that, minor though it may have been, wrestling with infertility is challenging; it is humbling; it is discouraging at times... but, ultimately and most importantly, it is refining.
So, back to the irony, about three months ago when we found out about the opportunity to move to Paris, I literally thought to myself (and even confessed to a few people), "Wow, maybe this is why God has been putting off the 'baby thing.'" I figured that at least this would be a fun distraction and a great way to spend our childless time, right? Maybe... But three weeks later I found out that our childless time would only include the first half of our time in Paris. Wow. Lots to wrap my head around.
This post is becoming VERY long - my apologies. I will try to end soon by saying that this obviously brings up MANY more prayer requests: safety for our child, preparation for our hearts, a fabulous doctor/midwife in Paris who speaks English, a quick and smooth transition into the French healthcare system (since I am supposed to be seeing a doctor within our first month there, which also happens to be the holidays, of course)... So many things for which we are so dependent upon the Lord!! I wouldn't want it any other way, though.
And one more little note: this is the real reason that I didn't actually do any traveling while in Windsor a few weeks ago. I noted in a previous post that I was "overly ambitious" about what I could accomplish on my own while Chris was in meetings. That's true, but the cause was not as I implied. Actually, I was vomiting over and over and over again. In fact, after almost 72 hours of nothing staying down, I went to see a doctor. Since I was terribly dehydrated and my blood pressure had dropped to 80 over 50 and I had lost close to 10 pounds since I got pregnant... They admitted me into the hospital. Unfortunately, we had not yet told anyone I was pregnant, since I was not quite 8 weeks yet, so we tried to keep it a secret that I was in the hospital... The whole thing was a bit of a mess. I tell you all this for two reasons: first, so you can laugh at me. And those who know me well know that I HATE, FEAR, DREAD doctors... Fortunately, they were all very kind, and I was even able to smile by the third day there (I was there for four).
Second, I tell you because I want you to know how wonderful my husband is. The whole reason we were there is because his company sent him to attend meetings in preparation for his new position. He was in a dilemma, therefore, about taking care of me (in a hospital 20 minutes away from the hotel) and attending his meetings, since the company had paid for us to be there. Anyway, he was wonderful. He managed to juggle both, be there for me in the hospital for hours on end, take about a million taxis back and forth (since we had no car, of course), and still do what he needed to do for his company meetings. All without ever complaining. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!! And I am SO glad that he is the father of my child; I know he'll be a wonderful dad. In summary, praise the Lord for his graciousness, timing, gifts, and sovereignty.
Though the bedrooms are rather small on US standards (and the bedding may not be my style), they're huge on Parisian standards (trust me, the fact that there is room to move around the bed is a good sign!):
The entryway has great charm:
And it opens to the dining room/living room (which are connected) via beautiful french doors. I especially love the big windows with their picturesque views of the other Haussmann buildings (the style of Parisian buildings from the late 19th century) in the neighborhood:
Additionaly, I love the kitchen. Again, a bit small on US terms, but large, renovated, and beautiful on Parisian terms... And very functional:
Probably the best part of all is that this apartment has BOTH a washer AND a dryer, and they have their own room so I can close the door, and that room has further storage space... It's heaven:
