Kate’s amniotic fluid levels have changed consistently… almost.
Here are the levels in cubic centimeters:
5 weeks ago: 12
4 weeks ago: 11
3 weeks ago: 10
2 weeks ago: 9
1 week ago: 8
This week: 8
The doctor said that if it had been a 7 this week, we would have had a C-section and welcomed the newest little Tucker into the world.
Hold on just one more week, little one…
Since I may disappear for a while, how about 2 posts for today?
Quotes I have been thinking about:
“The trouble with doing something right the first time is nobody appreciates how difficult it was.”
“Insanity is doing the same thing over again expecting different results.”
The timing for this year’s youth rally is anything but convenient. However, I do enjoy most of getting it all together. If you read this regularly, you know I’m not a huge fan of youth rallies- they’re fun, it’s great for the kid’s to get together, probably better than doing nothing- but so much emphasis is placed on the lessons and worship for one weekend. I just think that to making a meaningful impact today means regularly and consistently walking with someone, not just getting them hyped. Still, a healthy weekend boost is needed for some refreshing- or “renewing”, if you will.
Each year I try to evaluate everything we do and see if we need to continue. Now, in theory everything would be up for grabs each year. In practice, some things have to stay till people die or I’m willing to lose my job over (like our camp, which fortunately is easy to make the cut each year). The main reason Renewal makes the cut each year is it is a ministry of our youth, not just to them.
Each year, several teens will teach classes, others will perform in skits, and countless others will serve and greet those that come to visit. They bring their friends and greet visitors. I just love how each year our students become ministers.
So, as my posts spread out over this next week, keep me, our youth rally, the visiting teens, and our teens in your prayers. Also, please pray for my wife, and that our baby will come AFTER Renewal!
Here’s the latest picture of our new baby. Kate’s been having low amniotic fluid levels, which has made the doctor nervous. She said if the levels don’t come up, she’s going to deliver the baby at 36 or 37 weeks. (As a side note, 36 weeks is the week before Renewal, and 37 weeks is the week after Renewal. 37 or more is HIGHLY preferred). Kate and the baby are okay, she’s just having to stay on bed rest for the rest of the time. She’s more likely to go crazy than anything else. With all I’ve had to do with the youth rally and ministry lately, it’s been tough picking up the rest of the stuff at home. But, we’ve had some great people at church helping us without us having to ask. They’ve cooked for us, cleaned for us, and helped with Hudson, all without asking. We’re really fortunate to be part of such a great community of believers.
And no, we don’t know if the baby is a boy or girl. We’re going to be surprised.
Either way, we have a baby coming within a few short weeks!
I finally broke down and bought a new Bible yesterday.
Why is that a big deal, you ask?
I have many Bibles, of differing versions and sizes. But, this one is not just another Bible. This one replaces 2 versions I’ve already had of the same type.
About 15 years ago, my mom bought me my first NIV Study Bible (compact size). It was my first Bible to have my name on it and everything. Nice blue leather cover.
To say I’m hard on Bibles would be an understatement. I wish I could say it’s mainly from my rigorous study habits, but it’s not. It’s mainly from carrying it around, bringing it to church, accidentally dropping it, and occasionally leaving it on top of the car as we started to pull away. In college, as a Bible major, I had to carry it around in my backpack for classes. Needless to say, the binding was in shambles within a few years.
After my first year as an intern at Heritage Church of Christ, the church gave me a hardback version of the same Bible. It lasted through the second half of college and my 2.5 years in Italy, but the binding fell apart in it beyond repair.
When the second Bible gave out, I pulled out the original, and discovered I could repair it enough to carry around. But recently, it gave out as well. I was starting to lose pages, and a minister with missing pages in his Bible is a bad idea…
So, the other day, I bought a new one. It’ll take a little while to break in, but it’s like catching up with a new old friend.