Josh and Jenna’s First Arrow in the Quiver!

Psa 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

I awoke today to my pregnant daughter explaining she had been up every ten minutes since 4 am with pains repeating.  Did I say she was 81/2 months pregnant?  We were not that excited at first but by afternoon her labor pains were 5 minutes apart, we called the mid wife.  She arrived and we began to set up the curtains and birthing pool downstairs.   We have had the privilege to host three previous births there from fellow believers’ families, this will be our fourth.  Our granddaughter’s name is Lydia Orissa Lovell, they thought that LOL would be cool initials, we’ll see what Lydia says in the years to come.

After a few hours of hand holding and encouragement, our son-in law Joshua came up overwhelmed with the suffering of his bride.  I chided him to return to her side to suffer alongside of her.  My wife encouraged him to take a break and get some more blankets, my wife is very wise in these things!  She explained that Jenna’s sisters were being very helpful giving him a break.  I can imagine the heartache, he is going through.  We’re all feeling it too…

As I am writing, I can hear her cries in labor.  My heart skips a beat as it has every time one of our children has been hurt over the years.   Every parent relates to this roller coaster of emotions which hit you as you see or hear your child get hurt or are hurting.  Nida related how difficult it was to bear through the painful wailing of Jenna as she began her final push for just over an hour.  It was at that time that the Lord drew me off this blogpost.  He led me and the boys to pray for her, the baby, and the rest of our family, and midwives.  We were on the second level of our home right over where the birth was happening.  We could hear her pain and cry out to the Lord with her for mercy with quick and less painful deliverance for them as she went through each birth pang.  However, we know that as difficult as these things are, this pain is a trial which brings forth joy when the child has been delivered.  As our Master Jesus taught the disciples about His going away.

John 16:20-22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

One of the midwives later stated, “Thank you for praying, that went about as quickly and smoothly as we could expect.”  Praise Jesus for His mercy unto our family in this birth of our granddaughter.  Boy, I really look forward to deliverance from this present world as well.  These earthly bodies we now inhabit will be planted so that we may inherit immortal bodies which shall never see corruption!  Hallelujah, what hope we have in you Jesus!

At 8:15pm Sarah Ann came rushing up the stairs, “Lydia is born, she’s cuuuuute!”

Lydia Orissa Lovell born 28 Jan, 2016, 8:15 pm to Joshua and Jenna Lovell in the McGlone home in Breeding, KY.   She is 20″ long, 5 lbs 14 oz, very active, estimated to be at 37-38 weeks of gestation.  Very white complexion, with little hair, lots of Joshua’s features; nose, chin, but Jenna’s legs, and toes.  More characteristics forthcoming in the next months…as God grows her at her momma’s breast.

Jenna and Lydia not long after delivery getting baby warmed up!

We pray for Joshua and Jenna to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as they seek Him to govern over their family as they raise Lydia.  Hopefully they will have a dozen more if the Lord wills.   I always really enjoyed the old movie, “Cheaper by the Dozen” what a classic!  They even have a scene where the father mocks a planned parenthood crony.  We love babies round these parts…

Joshua already has Daddy’s touch

Lots of love for Lydia

We were speechless, all we can say now is, “Praise Jesus!”