Last Minute Decision

Thank you so much to those of you who have been praying for our sweet baby. We had our 20 week checkup and ultrasound yesterday, and our baby is doing great! Praise the LORD!!

Ryan and I have had some dear friends over the years who have chosen to wait to find out the gender of their baby until the day the child is born. The more we talked to them about it, the more excited we became about doing the same. Therefore, Ryan and I have both been pretty adamant for a couple years now that if the Lord were to bless us with a child, that we would wait to find out what we were having.

When we found out in January that we were pregnant, that was still our plan. In fact, that was our plan until about 12:45pm yesterday. At that time, we began to waiver. Our ultrasound was at 1pm, so that didn't leave us much time at all to make a decision. It was crazy that we were contemplating this--afterall, we had both been certain we wanted to wait. However, when faced with the reality and temptation that we could know what the gender was, we caved. So, we now know what we are having!

I will soon post pictures of the ultrasound and let you know what we are having, but first, I wanted to see what everyone else thinks. Is Baby Bishop a boy or a girl? Please comment with your vote.

My Grandparents Visit

Ryan and I were blessed to have my grandparents visit us from Colorado last weekend. We hadn't seen them since my optometry school graduation 3 years ago, so it was definitely time to see them again.

While they were here, we went to the National Cathedral, as well as drove by several monuments and memorials. Most of the time, though, was just spent hanging out. Once again, I didn't take that many pictures, but it was a precious time nonetheless.

We love you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thanks for coming to visit us.

Our DC Apartment

I know we've been here almost 4 months, now, but I'm finally posting pictures of our home here in DC.

Our Apartment
(An old photo--we haven't had any snow in quite awhile)



Living Room












Kitchen

Dining Room/Laundry Room














Spare Bedroom

Our Bedroom

Baby Stuff

I know I've been bad about posting stuff, so for those of you who keep asking, here are a couple of pregnancy pics:









11.5 weeks













18.5 weeks




Also, here's a picture of our sweet baby from our first ultrasound at 9.5 weeks. The doctor took several pictures that were much better, but for some reason, the one we were given wasn't very good. Anyway, a precious baby nonetheless--looks a bit like a peanut or a jelly bean. :)


We go for our next ultrasound a week from tomorrow, so hopefully we'll have more pictures and maybe even another video to post then. We do not want to know the gender yet and are looking forward to that surprise when Baby Bishop arrives in September.

I was reminded recently of a very important lesson. The gift of a child is so very precious, and I know I've really struggled with remembering that "our" baby belongs to the Lord, not to us. I am so blessed to be the vessel that God is using to carry this child, but I must daily remind myself that this sweet baby is His. I pray that God would use our baby in whatever way He deems best to bring glory and honor to His name.

Spring in D.C.

...is absolutely beautiful! I am so amazed at God's glory as I look around at all the gorgeous flowers and trees.

I was excited when we first found out we would be coming to D.C. in the spring because it meant we would be able to see the famous cherry blossoms. And they definitely did not disappoint!



How great is our God to use seasons to make us appreciate Him more! I'll admit that winter definitely starts to wear on me, but then when the bright blossoms start popping up everywhere, my goodness, it's such a gift! I know if I was able to see these beautiful flowers all the time that I would lose my appreciation of them.

Friends Come to Visit!

Though our time in DC has been wonderful, it's been difficult to be away from our friends in Louisville. Thankfully, both the Sosebees and the Pattersons have made trips out here to visit us.

The Sosebees came the first weekend in March, and the Pattersons came the last weekend in March. Both weekends were so refreshing and were a great opportunity for fun and fellowship. It was really sad to see them go, but we know we'll be back with them again really soon!

Thank you, sweet friends, for taking the time to come visit us. We miss you so much!

(Sorry there aren't many pictures. For some reason, I've gotten really lazy about bringing my camera with me, but I'm trying to get better.)

What a Year!

Happy anniversary, my Love! I can't express to you what a joy it is to be your wife! It amazes me how quickly the last 7 years have gone. It seems like just yesterday that we were united as one, but at the same time, I can't remember life without you.

You are such a wonderful example of a godly husband, constantly striving to love me as Christ loved the church. I know I don't always make your job easy, but thank you for your leadership and for your sacrificial love.

We began year 7 of marriage in Niger. Remember how excited the Songhai believers were when you told them it was our sixth anniversary!? Such a blessing it was to watch you teach those new Christians truth. That trip certainly changed our lives! We are ending year 7 of marriage in DC. Who would have ever dreamed we would end up here!? What a whirlwind this last year has been!

Some milestones in the last year:

•Niger
•Michigan
•Infertility
•CHBC Weekender (road trip to DC!)
•Accepted into the CHBC internship
•Accepted into the SBTS PhD program
•Graduation
•Bought a car
•Sold a car
•Moved to Washington, DC
•Nuevo Vallarta
•Pregnancy
•First ultrasound
•Huge spiritual growth at CHBC
•Trip to Texas to be with Ryan's dad in his last days
•Ryan's dad passed away






This last year hasn't always been easy, but it has been full of rich blessings from God. I love you now more than ever, Ryan, and I eagerly anticipate what the Lord has in store for us in the year to come.