No Sleep, No Regrets

Yesterday another couple in our IGSL family welcomed a new baby. I didn't get to go into the delivery room this time and hold the mother's hand; it was a Cesarean and the hospital is a bit more strict in those cases. But I did get to hold the new baby a few minutes after he was born. This little guy's name is Sandesh Chhetri. His Mom is from the Philippines and his Dad is from Nepal. Both parents graduated from our school about five years ago, and are serving God in Nepal.

The doctor at the left is Dr. Mayette Sapaula, who delivers all of IGSL's babies. It's her special ministry to our school. She is my favorite obstetrician in the whole world! She has delivered literally thousands of babies. Each time, she holds the child in her arms for a moment and prays for his life and future. On my left is the baby's auntie.

This is Sandesh with his Mom. Dad is still in Nepal. He is scheduled to arrive next Monday. Sandesh was expected to arrive a week later, and Dad fully expected to be here for his birth, but Sandesh had other plans. One of my happy chores yesterday was talking to Dad on the phone and telling him that Sandesh had arrived. That was fun -- he was so proud, and insisted that I describe every detail of his appearance. His main question . . . "Does he look like me???" I took these photos to email to Dad.

I spent the night at the hospital trying to help Mom and Baby get the hang of breastfeeding. I am much too old to be waking up every two hours. But I loved every minute of it.

A Grandma Shower

The ladies in my office gave me a "grandma shower" recently. We went to a Japanese restaurant, laughed, prayed, and ate, and they presented me with little boy clothes for baby Daniel James. The Japanese restaurant had no connection to anything. They just thought it would be fun. And it was.

We are expecting our little guy to make his arrival in about six more weeks. The last time I talked to Michelle I said, "It's going to be soon, the date is almost here!" She said, "Mom, that's not soon! It's still a long time to wait!" I guess there is a big difference in the perspective of a mom and grandma. I'm not the one with the the body inhabited by two people! But I do remember that feeling . . . being soooooo tired of waddling instead of walking, wanting some SPACE for my stomach and bladder. So Michelle is definitely in my prayers these days.

In Tagalog (the language of the Philippines), the word for grandchild is "apo". One of my colleagues told me that grandmothers have an apo-stolic ministry. Corny, I know. But it made me smile! Another friend gave me a book called 365 Meditations for Grandmothers. It talks about the many important ministries a grandma has in her grandchild's life. I never knew any of my own grandparents, so this is all totally new to me. I'm already starting my first ministry of praying for Danny's life-- what a joy!

Overflowing

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing grace (Rom. 5:15)
Precious gift from You, Father, that can never be contained
You saw my need, my broken world, my fallen heart
And you gave me Your Son . . . Oh, far beyond imagination!

Oh, Your grace overflows, overflows in my heart
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing hope (Rom. 15:13)
By the power of Your Spirit as I put my trust in You
I look ahead at days to come, there's no fear
And I find joy and peace . . . Oh, far beyond imagination!

Oh, Your hope overflows, overflows in my heart
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing joy
(II Cor. 8:2, Phil. 1:26, II Cor. 7:4)
Just to be in Your family and to never be alone
Bearing burdens, sharing sorrows, tasting tears
And You turn it all to good . . . Oh, far beyond imagination!

Oh, Your joy overflows, overflows in my heart
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing comfort (II Cor. 1:5)
From You, Father of Compassion, to my soul in my distress
You heal my pain, then let me see Your aching world
And there I am Your servant . . . Oh far beyond imagination!

Oh, Your comfort overflows, overflows in my heart
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing love (I Thess. 3:12)
From one heart to another, holy, pure, spreading wide
Loving brothers, loving sisters, joy to me
And it gives You such delight . . . Oh, far beyond imagination!

Oh, Your love overflows, overflows in my heart
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

Overflowing, overflowing, overflowing thanks (Col. 2:7; II Cor. 4:15)
For the treasure that you gave us, hidden in these jars of clay
Rooted deep, growing strong, Christ in us
And this mystery brings you glory . . . O, far beyond imagination!

Oh, our thanks overflows, overflows in our hearts
Let the world see the overflow and praise You!

I wrote this poem last year after doing a word study on "overflowing" in the New Testament. The photo is from my friend Ruth, a gifted photographer. When I saw this photo, I thought the photo and the poem belonged together! The photo is posted with her permission and the poem with her encouragement.