number two is on the way,

and boy, were we ever surprised! This picture was taken just as Dave came home. I suspected something was off... maybe it was the several nights of vivid dreams, the looking into the fridge and having a wave of nausea come over me, the exhaustion (but that's a given) or the emotional breakdowns and tears at every sappy Olympic commercial. I can be a sucker for sap, but the Canadian Olympic pride commercials? Come on! So I took a pregnancy test, and didn't have to wait more than about 4.5 seconds for it to be positive (I still wonder if I'm carrying twins, but don't know yet). And promptly burst into tears. Happy overwhelmed tears. I was home with Josie alone while Dave was having coffee with a friend. I knew he'd be home soon, and I paced the floor, in disbelief and tears and smiles. I sat down with the Bible for some encouragement, and though I am forgeting what it was, it was something about God blessing us and our children, so of course, very reassuring.

The previous month, my sister-in-law Lisa, who gave birth to Sophia 8 hours before Josie, announced that she would be delivering #2 in August. I choked, and after catching my breath (we had just moved across the continent and Josie hadn't really slept much-- either had I). I frankly couldn't believe it. And to myself though, "you are crazy". Time to eat my words right?

Well, as I waited for Dave to arrive, my precious daughter sat on my lap decided that was the right time to slobber all over my face with kisses and giggles as I sobbed and laughed. When Dave walked in the door he must have suspected by the mascara streaks coming down my face that something was up. We sat on the couch and I blurted out "we're pregnant!" He laughed and congratulated me, hugged me and kissed me. Well, at least he wasn't disappointed! He told me that he had suspected anyway. At least it wasn't too big of a surprise... to him.

We've probably saved a good majority of our earnings over the last 7 years, but a salary in China saved doesn't go very far in Vancouver. When we look at our spending in just a month on the necessities and then project it over the next 3 years, wow, lets just say it doesn't quite match our savings account. But, we've seen God's hand in so many things since we've gotten here. Our housing this semester is a sheer miracle. We live in a gorgeous house with a dog next to a rainforest minutes from campus. The owners travel the world on business until the end of April so needed someone to keep the house and take care of the dog. We have been so blessed by them!! And in May, a dear friend's family has housing in campus they offered to us for what we were able to afford. And it's way below rental cost. Again, we feel blessed beyond measure.

And there's the health care system in Canada. Once April 1st hits, we are fully covered for the entire maternity process and I'm even able to see a midwife now, for nothing. Wowzers. In this country, working moms get a year of paid maternity leave. Everyone. Can you imagine? (Unfortunately, I've never worked in this country).

So, this post is a little about the expectation of our second child. But it is about something else too. Parallel to my story another woman's story has been unfolding. She lives across the ocean from me and also unexpectedly found out she was bearing child #2. Only, in this place, this kind of thing isn't allowed. And the consequences for having this child are grave for the family if they don't have the money to pay hefty fines. And health care and pre-natal care isn't provided for free for the family. And most families who are unexpectedly expecting are faced with the heartbreaking decision to terminate the life of the child, because they have no choice. But this woman, she's got guts and she's got HOPE. She hasn't given up her child, instead, she's trying to find a way to give birth to this little baby. She tried to come to the US, so that the child would bear a separate citizenship, but was turned away at customs, forced to return from where she came. But she's holding on to hope, holding on to the child that is growing in her womb, having faith that she can give this child life, love, hope, and a future.

The story and needs of this woman have come to my attention, and probably like you, I want to help and support her in some way. It this is the desire of your heart as well, email me and I can let you know more details.

It is a little crazy to think that when Josie turns 2, I will have another little one her current age crawling around and clinging to my legs. Another one teething and blowing spit bubbles, giggling and throwing fits. Oh my, it will be busy. But hey, it's nice to know that God is in control and knows all these things. He knows our needs, our wants. He knits together these little lives. And He is faithful. It's nice to know that when our worlds seem so crazy.