Embryo Donation and Adoption

Mary, the sweet little girl in the video, is the precious daughter of one of PAI's volunteers.
Mary is a true miracle and a gift from God.

For more information on embryo donation and adoption, visit: http://embryoadoption.org/

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Solomon's Beloved

Watch Vonda Skelton's hilarious YouTube video of Solomon's Beloved.

Enjoy!

5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party!

Ultimate Blog Party @ Every Day Matters

Postpartum depression

We hear many news stories about Moms suffering from postpartum depression. Sadly, without sufficient medical and/or mental health assistance, the consequences can be devastating.
The good news is that there is help, hope, and healing available. Reach out; let those around you know you're hurting.

If you feel you may be experiencing depression after the birth or adoption of your baby/child, please visit Out of the Valley Ministries founded by Tara Mock. Tara is a Mom who has been there - in the midst of severe postpartum depression and despair - she is a survivor and longs to minister to other hurting women.


Quick Links from Out of the Valley Ministries, Inc.
~Symptoms and Information
~Planning and Prevention
~Additional Resources and Links

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Luke 2:10-12 (KJV)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Seeing Christmas through Mary's Eyes

by Betsy Ann St. Amant

This Christmas, everything is exactly like it's always been. Icicle lights drape off my roof. My artificial, pre-lit tree, adorned with a wide variety of beloved Hallmark ornaments, stands in its usual place of honor in front of the red living room drapes. My nativity scene sits on the entertainment center, and my vast penguin collection decorates every unoccupied corner of the house.

Yes, everything is exactly the same--but at the same time, everything is completely different. This Christmas offers a greater impact than usual, and it has nothing to do with the warm glow of holiday cheer or the toasty feeling I get when drinking hot chocolate and melted marshmallows. Instead, it has everything to do with the fact that I'm two months pregnant.

It is very strange to think that next Christmas, Lord willing, I'll have a five-month old in my lap while opening gifts with the family. There will be a car seat in the back of my Sebring, next to the pile of presents on the way to my grandmother's house. There will be toys and tiny clothes and pacifiers everywhere--oh, I can't wait! Yet even though I realize that next Christmas will be radically different, I can't help but feel that this Christmas is the most unique of them all.

And it's all because of Mary.

I can't stop thinking about how she must have felt. The Christmas story in the Bible has become real to me in a sense that is hard to explain. My pregnancy differs from Mary's in oh, maybe a thousand ways, yet I feel that I can now understand her a little bit better. Growing up, hearing the nativity story in church, Mary always seemed somewhat distant. She was a nice girl, chosen by God, to bring Jesus into this world. She was young, yes, and a virgin, which is mind-blowing the miracle of God's ways, but I never really got her.

Until this year. Now, I think of her situation and tears fill my eyes as if on cue. Mary was a teenager, alone, scared, and with a huge mission. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe what lay before her! When I found out I was pregnant, it was from a home test. Mary didn't have one line or two pop up in a little circular window--she had an angel of the Lord break the news! My husband and I were planning a pregnancy--Mary hadn't ever known a man. Our family and friends were ecstatic with our news--Mary's family and friends scorned her and doubted her integrity and purity. My husband and I have drawn closer together through the discovery of this new adventure--Mary almost lost the man who loved her because of disbelief and shame.

The differences continue to amaze me. Just because Mary was pregnant through a miracle doesn't mean she didn't experience the regular symptoms every pregnant woman experiences. Every ache, every hunger pain or craving, every cramp or sore muscle or mood swing must have reminded her of the incredible task to which she'd been assigned. I feel a random twinge of pain and immediately wonder if something might be wrong. How much more would Mary worry, knowing the importance of the child in her womb? Then again, Mary realized her son was blessed by God, and would be protected. Still, as a woman, I don't know if that would have kept me completely anxiety-free!

In the midst of my sympathy for Mary's situation, for the emotional roller coaster she surely rode, for the unknown stretched before her like a giant canyon, lies a sense of deep respect. I don't know about you, but if I had been in Mary's sandals, I might not have responded to the angel so politely. Luke 1:38 - "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

I have to admit, my response would have probably been something more like "Are you kidding me? That's impossible. I haven't even had my first kiss! I'm too young. Don't you know what everyone will think of me? What this will mean to my future? No one will want to marry me if I'm pregnant. I'll have no security, no husband, no means of taking care of myself..." And probably would have gone on and on until the angel hushed me up like the Lord did to Zechariah!

But one thing I'm certain of is that my God is bigger than my mood swings. Despite any doubts Mary had, any fear or anxiety, I know God gave her peace and strength to get through it all. She carried a miracle in her womb, and would go down in history as a chosen woman of God. To be such an essential part to a life altering, world-changing event such as Christ's birth was surely worth the midnight food cravings and the swollen ankles. Something tells me that Joseph, good man that he was to stick with her throughout those scandalous nine months, probably rubbed Mary's feet for her!

I'm only getting started in my pregnancy. Still in the first trimester, with lots to look forward to and also worry about it, if I let it consume me. I'll possibly worry a little anyway, but just like Mary, I know God is in charge of things here! He's got it all under control. Just like Mary probably sobbed with relief when she heard those piercing first cries in the stable that star-studded night, I'll cry for joy when I receive the first glimpse of my own little miracle.

This year, my nativity scene is right where it belongs on my entertainment center. But I can't quite look at the figurines the same. I can't see Mary and baby Jesus the way I did last year. My heart has been opened, and I think that's the best Christmas present I could have ever unwrapped.



Betsy Ann St. Amant resides in northern Louisiana with her husband, Brandon. Betsy has a bachelor's degree in Christian Communications from Louisiana Baptist University and is actively pursuing a career in inspirational writing. Her first published Christian Fiction novel, Midnight Angel, is now available on amazon.com. You can contact her at betsystamant@yahoo.com

Comfort for a Mother's Heart

The Christmas season can be a time of great sorrow and sadness for those who grieve the death of someone they love. For all the precious Moms who have lost babies to miscarriage, stillbirth, and/or infant death my heart grieves with you. I pray you find comfort in this very special poem.


This poem was given to us at my Uncle Harry's funeral.
God uses the beauty of His creation to remind us of those we love and have lost.

Harry Hayes Dimmick Jr.
December 14, 1936 - December 11, 2007


Though you don’t see me,
I’m right by your side each night and day,
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone, but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free, but I will never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I’ll never wonder out of your sight.
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.

I’ll never be beyond your reach.
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.
I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.

I’m the beautiful flowers, of which you are so fond,
the clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I’m the first bright blossom you will see in the spring:
the first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you will see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there is no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.

I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep,
and the beautiful dream that that comes when you sleep.

I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me. I’m everyplace.

It's CHRISTmas with a capital "C"

Both my Aunt Linda and Uncle Jack sent me the link to this awesome video.

All I can say is AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Please share this video with others.

Christmas

From as far back as I can remember my Mom and Dad gave to others. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, my parents would 'adopt' a family (or two). They would provide a meal on Thanksgiving Day and share the love of Christ by helping a family in need at Christmastime. We learned as children how important it was to care for others, even strangers. To reach out to those in need and help comfort those who may have a hurting heart. It is not material gifts that matter most. It is doing our part to help people feel important and cared for.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5


The first Christmas after Dad died, our extended family bought a toy that reminded them of Dad. It was fun to shop, to laugh, and to see the different items that brought back special memories of Dad. I recall a few of the toys - dump trucks (Dad worked for the Texas Highway Dept years ago) - several Teddy Bears - basketballs (Dad was a Houston Rockets fan) - a few art sets (Dad worked in the sign business and was gifted in art). The toys were donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation. Our family continues this tradition every year and I pray my kids will teach their children to care for others.

At Dad's funeral there were people who shared story after story of special things my parents did for them. Things that no one knew about until after Dad's death. He didn't do things for his own glory or recognition. He was always there for people who needed him. Even for those who he would never meet this side of Heaven.


Merry Christmas!


~~~Steps to Peace~~~