While it has been a few weeks since I’ve written here, you can trust God has been doing a lot of work writing on my heart. He has paved many beautiful paths for our family. My time since I last updated here has been kept busy with writing many return “thank you” notes, writing in my journal, Bible study time (Romans 11 this week), me tip-toeing around forgotten LEGOs on the rug, and redirecting my facial expressions to show JOY!
Ha ha, that last one makes me laugh because it’s very easy for my face to look a little “stormy” if I’m deep in thought, and I certainly have been deep in thought these last few weeks. I mean, can you even guess what some of those thoughts are about? :)
We have happily celebrated birthdays, my oldest turned 10 last week, and we have many more birthdays and anniversaries ahead.
Since my last blog update I have learned my amniocentesis has come back “normal” (praise to God!), so now we wait for my appointments this week in Ann Arbor.
We have settled on a name for our baby boy: Josiah Solomon Whitley.
Josiah means “God has healed.” Josiah was the king of Judah who found the Torah and wept after generations of having forgotten God, then reintroduced it to Israel.
Solomon means “man of peace.” Another Israeli king whose first and most significant act was to ask God for wisdom. He became the wisest man in history.
/ / /
I have six appointments scheduled between March 22-23. We should also know about approval for surgery on Thursday. Zack and I will be meeting with a pediatric neurosurgeon and a pediatric urologist while in AA. I will also have an MRI, an ultrasound, and we will meet with the Fetal Diagnostic & Treatment Center and Maternal Fetal Medicine teams.
I’m eager to see how the Lord is going to move this week. He has paved many paths by answering many prayers. God has flooded me with so much peace. I’ve been journaling very specific prayer requests, asking Him to move in very specific ways, and I’m seeing many of them answered.
For most of February, I felt like I couldn’t relax. It was a blustery mix of confusion, uncertainty, and a seemingly death as what we thought was happening wasn’t it at all. And while some of that is true, it’s not all true — nor is it the whole story.
In February I felt without comfort and detached from reality. I did not feel like my usual self. I know God’s presence never leaves me, but I felt very alone. Perhaps a better way to say that is is to say I felt very, very small. I cried a lot in February.
Through all of the emotions and mental struggles, one day it dawned on me that I was allowing myself to believe a lot of lies. I began to write in my journal specific prayers that were life-giving and full of healing. I prayed requests that were inclusive of God. This turned things around for me rather quickly!
March has felt like a totally new month for me. My mind has been cleared of the cobwebs. In fact, yesterday was the first day of spring! My children have enjoyed setting up little containers outside to collect the runoff water from the roof at our back deck. They’ve eaten lunch outside. We’ve heard the birds sing new songs, and the warmth of the sun is stronger.
Here’s a taste of God’s goodness.
Answered prayers:
- we have two leads on housing options,
- our concern for our family income while I’m on bedrest has been remedied,
- Josiah has been moving a lot and I feel his movements,
- I have been sleeping much better at night,
- my mind has absorbed the goodness of God.
Current prayer requests:
- for Josiah to experience miraculous healing and a beautiful birth story,
- approval for prenatal surgery (if needed),
- my children to feel comfortable and confident with the future plan,
- for Zack to continue to feel strong and unburdened,
- for me to continue living bravely.
I’ll celebrate 22 weeks of pregnancy on Wednesday. All the children come up to my belly and talk to Josiah. Maxwell is swift to take anything from me that looks too heavy, and he tells me multiple times a day how glad he is that I’m his mom. Natalie has a twinkle in her eyes every time she sees me. Marigold asks me a dozen questions each day about “baby boy.” And, Landon walks right up to my belly, cupping his hands around his mouth as he delivers very specific messages to Josiah.
We love this baby so much! The sun has been shining more often, and I’m thankful for many things.
Psalm 100:5,
“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Romans 8:31,
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
I will be back with an update at the end of this week!
xx, Maggie
Continued prayers for all of you
Thank you, Debbie!
So good to hear, all the updates! You are such a strong person . You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know, if we can help with anything. Love and hugs
Thank you, aunt Amy! I feel so held by the Church and our family. xoxo
Hi Maggie❣️ I love reading your updates. You are such a blessing. The Lord Jesus is working in the mighty ways. we can trust him in his goodness. Our Tuesday morning ladies Bible study at Walloon Church finished the study becoming a woman who is God is enough this morning. The last four weeks included God chooses for you, contentment, humility, and divine fellowship. All wonderful lessons. My Lord will never leave me, or for sake me and He is enough.
It’s wonderful to hear from you. Thank you, Ruth!
Praying over your appointments this week, Maggie, and so thankful to hear that you are seeing prayers answered as God shepherds you through March!
Thank you, Lauren! xoxo
Hi Maggie!
Praying for all of you. Josiah Solomon Whitley is a beautiful name for your baby boy. So thankful for the updates and answered prayers.
Hugs, Autumn.
Thank you so much, Autumn! xoxo
That passage of Habakkuk 3:17-19 brings me so much peace. My absolute favourite!
:) yes!
My precious children and newest Grandchild. I love this sweet encouraging update. I am so thankful to report that Jesus has given me the same blessing of peace through all of this also. The peace that only can be explained because I know HE is already there holding you by his right hand, choosing the doctors and every detail. I am in awe of all that He has provided already and I know He will continue. I am also in awe of the outpouring of love from so many. Wow. Just wow. All the glory to Jesus. Xoxo Mom W.
Thank you, mom! It certainly is amazing. I cherish your encouragement. xoxo
Praying and looking forward to the update! Bauer in a sweater.
Right??? Definitely laughable :)
As I commented on your IG before…we have a granddaughter that was dx with spina bifida in 2022. She is now over a year old. My daughter and our sweet granddaughter went in for pre-natal surgery. We stayed with them for months in Sacramento while she was on bed rest and took care of our other granddaughter. God is so good. In everything He is good. Our sweet Alice is doing well and has exceeded the doctors expectations! She has taken 11 independent steps and also RUNS with her little baby walker…through it all, God is good! Her middle name is Milagros (miracles in Spanish) May God’s face continue to shine on you all and may you experience His love and peace!!!
Always-Mel
Thank you, Mel! What a wonderful story! We are held and comforted by the Church, it’s truly wonderful to not hold the weight of life on our own. God takes such good care of us. xoxo
Hi Maggie,
I hope your appointments in Ann Arbor went well. I tried calling several times today but it seems I have a wrong number. Please give me a call.
Hi Maggie. This is Brittany Lou from IG. I am so thankful to get your email updates from your blog. I know you aren’t on IG anymore but I thank you for taking time to do these posts. Praying so much over you and this precious baby boy!!!!!
Thank you! I have so much peace,
Praise God! I’ve missed seeing your gentle posts on mothering. I hope you’re doing well? xoxo
I love hearing about your children ministering to you and baby through all of this. My heart. Praying for you all.
Isn’t it so wonderful??? It’s a treasure to me, too. I have felt so seen by God in that they are helping me to see the return of many years of mothering. It very special to me. Thank you for your prayers and comment, Ashley! xoxo
Oh Maggie, thank you so much for the update. You are and have been on my mind. Praying for strength and a strong little Josiah. God is by your side and will be with you every step of the way.
Thank you so much, Sonnie! He has carried me so far already. February felt like an awful month. Even though He was just as near to me as He is now, I felt such despair. I really believe worshiping Him and sharing prayer requests is what kicked all of those hard feelings to the curb. Thank you for being a part of my prayer team. xoxo