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A Double Blessing!

Family Updates

On April 27th we had the joy of welcoming two beautiful identical twin girls into our family! What made the birth of these two healthy babies especially precious was the recognition that the Lord’s hand of sustaining care is what brought these babies through to full term.

After the birth of Timothy in 2016, we went through two successive first-trimester miscarriages that both resulted in significant complications, hospitalizations and months of recovery. While this was a difficult journey, we are so thankful for God’s grace through this time, and the loving support of our family and people around us.

One of the outcomes of these miscarriages and subsequent testing was learning about a common genetic issue called MTHFR, which affects the body’s ability to utilize folic acid, a synthetic substitute for folate, an important nutrient you get from leafy green vegetables. Back in the 80’s, the FDA mandated folic acid to be added to fortified foods to address folate deficiencies. What was not understood at the time is that people with MTHFR are unable to process the folic acid, and it causes other problems in the body, including being considered the second most common cause in recurrent miscarriages.

After a significant amount of research on the topic, including a helpful book by Dr. Ben Lynch, we decided to make some dietary changes to eliminate folic acid, and utilize the natural forms of folate instead. Based on my own research in this area, I also felt that addressing the root issue of the folic acid would reduce the need for the blood thinners that are commonly prescribed in an MTHFR pregnancy scenario.

In September of 2018 we learned that we were expecting, but this happy discovery also came with a level of concern that these first several weeks were critical for baby’s survival. I also set up some tests to check the progesterone levels, knowing that this could also be a factor in our case. The first test came back okay, but a week later the levels had dropped to a dangerous point, and I knew that we were probably within a few days of losing the baby, based on the timing of our previous miscarriages.

I immediately called our doctor’s office to see if we could get a prescription for a supplement. To my dismay, I learned that they were booked solid for several weeks out. I felt the anxiety rising in my heart as I finished the call. If we didn’t do something in the next day or two, it would probably be too late. Valerie sweetly reminded me that we need to trust the Lord and ask Him to direct our steps. We took some time to pray together, little knowing that God already had an answer on the way.

The next morning we got a call from the doctor’s office. They had a cancellation that morning and we could come after all! With rejoicing hearts we quickly made some childcare arrangements and headed over to Longview. God distinctly blessed that visit, and the doctor happily gave us the needed prescription for us to pick up on the way home. As a special unexpected blessing, they did a quick ultrasound at the office, and we were all relieved to hear a strong little heartbeat in our 7-week old baby!

Two weeks later we scheduled a second ultrasound to check on the baby. By this time we had crossed the point in time where we lost the previous two babies, and would find out whether this little life was still with us. As we walked into the ultrasound room and the technician set up the equipment, my mind was replaying the time in this very office a year before when the technician scanned for the heartbeat, and turned to us with the pained words “I’m so sorry.” Now, in this very same place, I needed to support my wife no matter the outcome. I was bracing for either the emotion of another loss, or perhaps the flood of relief if our little one had pulled through these critical couple weeks.

The large screen flickered slightly as the probe engaged, and I held my breath to see what the next moments would reveal. In a flash the whole screen lit up and TWO!! little babies sat side by side, with strong heartbeats on both! The tension instantly was broken as smiles lit up across our faces. No wonder Valerie was feeling so sick this time! Wow! I hadn’t considered this option! How special that God would give us TWINS!!

While the folic acid concerns and progesterone levels were likely important aspects in our case, I believe the single greatest factor of all lies in the definite prayer that was offered on our behalf. Our little church in Kilgore might be small in numbers, but we have some veteran prayer warriors that were praying daily for us through this entire pregnancy, in addition to family and other dear friends that were specifically praying for the Lord to bring these two little babies through to full term.

As the babies continued to grow and develop, we had the opportunity to catch little glimpses of their progress through the monthly ultrasounds commonly prescribed for twins. At our request, the technicians were careful to keep the gender a surprise so we could enjoy that revelation at the time of the birth, like we had done for our first two children. Valerie and I worked through all the combinations of potential names…two boys, two girls, a girl and a boy.

In the third trimester there was some concern about the position of the babies. The monthly ultrasounds indicated that one or both were typically in the breech position instead of the preferred head-down orientation. I wasn’t too worried about this initially because the babies were turning so frequently on their own, but as we entered the final weeks, our midwife group ultimately had to sit down with us and discuss some options. With the presenting baby in breech position, we were obliged to transfer care to the hospital OB group, with the very likely possibility of needing a c-section if the baby did not turn.

For me, this was probably the most difficult couple weeks of the entire pregnancy. We had enjoyed beautiful natural birth experiences with our first two children, and now the thought of surgery in the OR with a crowd of doctors, having to be separated from Valerie during parts of the operation, restrictive hospital policies, extended recovery, long-term physical implications, heightened risks to Valerie and the babies, strong medications and side effects, and knowing that every future pregnancy would be affected by this operation triggered a flood of emotions as I grappled with this reality.

Somehow couldn’t we just encourage “Baby A” to turn head down? Did we lose our chance because we didn’t do something sooner? These thoughts frequently swirled through my head as I lay in bed night after night trying to sleep. So many unknowns, and so little that we could really do about it. What if we didn’t get the right doctor, or what if they overlooked her sensitivity to medication, or things went really wrong in the surgery?

Valerie would sweetly remind me that we need to trust the Lord. It was like the Lord had already given her a peace about the potential of a c-section, and we just needed to trust the Lord to direct our steps, even if that looked different from our plans. This prayer for clear direction had been our prayer through the pregnancy, and now this trust was being put to the test. As I look back, I am so grateful for how the Lord graciously gave me a couple of weeks to emotionally adjust to this new reality before the time came for us to walk through the experience together.

With this turn of events taking place around Easter this year, I found myself pondering Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. If this cup pass not from me, except I drink it… Thy will be done. While a c-section is nothing to compare to what Jesus did on the cross, I realized that I was facing the same question. Was I willing to drink the cup that God was giving me? Was I willing to trust His grace, no matter the outcome? Could I take my focus off doctors and circumstances, and accept that a c-section was where He Himself was leading us?

Slowly the peace of God began to replace the anxious concerns as God gently brought me around to the place of trust and rest. Sure, we still continued to do what we could to encourage the babies to turn, but the sense of desperation was gone. We could trust that our all-knowing Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, even if we don’t fully understand it.

It was then that the Lord used a couple passages of Scripture from II Corinthians to greatly encourage me through those days. He was doing a faith-stretching work in my heart, and those spiritual matters of the heart are of far more eternal significance than our passing circumstances.

I was also blessed in reading the account of Joseph in Luke 2. If there was ever a man that surely would have made appropriate plans and arrangements for the birth of Mary’s baby, it was him. But he was unexpectedly called to leave those well laid plans and head to an unfamiliar city where the child would ultimately be born in a barn. Talk about having to adjust a birth plan! But God, in His sovereign purposes was accomplishing far more through this than Mary and Joseph could have ever realized at the time.

Was there some special reason that God wanted us to have a c-section for the twins? Perhaps something that none of us knew at the time? I still don’t know, but I just have to believe that the Lord had a very definite purpose in it, even if we never fully understand it on this side of eternity.

The c-section was scheduled for May 5th, but the twins evidently decided to choose their own birthday as Valerie went into labor early on the morning of April 27th. We gathered our bags and headed to the hospital, and from that point on, we saw God answer prayer after prayer. The doctor that we really hoped could perform the surgery happened to be at the hospital at the time, and we were blessed to have the anesthesiologist that was everyone’s favorite. The entire medical team was as if it was hand-picked just for us! They graciously accommodated every request they could and the entire process went just about as well as it possibly could.

As we had done after Timothy’s birth, we let Abigail and Timothy be the first ones to meet their little sisters and learn their names. It was so sweet to watch Abigail’s excitement as she discovered that they were girls. (She had been praying for a baby sister for some time before we even knew that we were expecting.) Timothy was quite delighted as well, and was the first to spot the pink hats and make the connection that they were girls.

Truly the Lord had gone before us, and His hand was with us through the entire process. The twins passed all of their tests and screenings with no problems, and Valerie did so well that we were able to head home after just two days at the hospital. We are now adjusting to life as a family of six, and happy to report that Valerie is recovering well and Joanna and Ruth are growing and doing great. We are still trying to figure out how to get enough sleep, but that is just part of having twins. 🙂

I want to again say a huge thank you to the family and friends that have prayed for us over these months! God has truly done a special miracle in preserving these two little lives, and carrying us through a birth experience that was very different from what we had planned, but one in which we still see His hand clearly evident.

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Baby Brother!

Family Updates

Timothy

On the evening of July 3rd, Abigail got to be the very first visitor to see her new baby brother! Timothy Isaac Waller was born at 8:40 PM, weighing 9lbs and 21.5 inches long.

Valerie did an excellent job once again, and we were supported by an outstanding team of midwives at a birth center in Tyler. Timothy has been a really good baby, adjusting well to the big world outside Mamma.

First moments with Big Sister

In the video clip below, you can watch Abigail’s response to meeting her little brother for the very first time. What a picture of excitement, wonder and awe at this little miracle!

 

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God Provides

Family Updates

One of the beautiful things about the marriage relationship is that God not only directs us as individuals, but together as a couple. Two weeks ago, we saw this happen in a very definite way in our efforts to replace our aging vehicle.

1986 BuickYears ago, my parents purchased a used 1986 Buick from the farmer across the road, and later gave it to me as I branched out on my own. This car served me faithfully on into two years of marriage, requiring only minor repairs that I could do myself.

As a single guy, air-conditioning is a nice luxury, but it becomes more important when you are traveling with your wife, especially on long trips. Now with baby Abigail in the back seat, there were additional factors to consider, and we felt that it was time that we look at replacing our 28-year-old car with one that had air conditioning and possibly a little more cargo space.

Searching through Craigslist ads, we found ourselves leaning towards the Ford Focus Wagon, which would provide excellent gas mileage as well as the additional cargo space of a station wagon. I was looking for something in the range of $1,000 – $1,500. (I realize that’s a bit on the low side, but we are planning towards overseas mission work and don’t really feel the need to invest a lot of money in a vehicle.)

CraigslistDoes God care about things like vehicles? I believe He does. He cares for us as His own children and has promised to meet all our needs as we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness. (See Matthew 6:24-34.) Our search for a vehicle was centered around prayer that God would direct us to His best.

As you might expect, there was not much available on Craigslist for a 2000 Ford Focus Wagon within our desired price range. Several days later however, I noticed a new listing with a Ford Focus Wagon for $1,500 or best offer… Hmm… Could this be the one?

From the single picture, it looked really nice. No major rust spots or damage. High miles was not really a concern to me, as my family had driven cars like this for years. A phone call with the seller answered some more questions and everything sounded positive. Valerie and I decided to make the two-hour drive to look at the car, praying that God would make His direction very clear.

“I think we should probably make an offer on the car.” Valerie suggested. “Did you have a price in mind?” I wasn’t really sure what to say. If the car was really as good as it looked in the picture and description, the Kelly Blue Book value was considerably above $1,500. But somehow Valerie felt that we should offer $1,300 for the car.

Arriving at the beautiful country home of the seller, I took my time looking over the car. It was every bit as good as the picture, and the mileage was actually 15K lower than they had advertised. As the seller had described over the phone, the back tail gate did not open but I felt pretty confident that I could repair this. Overall, I was quite impressed. After a test drive, I turned to Valerie for her thoughts. We both felt very good about the vehicle, so we went inside to talk with the middle-aged couple that was selling the car.

2000 Ford Focus“Well, it looks pretty good.” I told the seller. “It does look like it will need a little work on the back tailgate,… so would you be willing to negotiate on the price?” She nodded and responded, “Sure. Would you like to make an offer?” I paused and looked at Valerie. Turning back to the seller, I asked if she would take $1,300. What happened next took me completely by surprise.

The seller’s face suddenly filled with emotion, and she said, “I think I am going to cry… Would you like it for $1,100?” What we didn’t know is that while we were out test driving the car, she was talking with her husband over dinner. Her husband told her, “If they offer you $1,300, I want you to give it to them for $1,100.” I was astounded! Who but the Lord could have impressed upon Valerie that we should offer $1,300? The seller went on to exclaim, “I can just feel the presence of God in this!” Valerie and I could not agree more.

After completing the transfer of title and bill of sale we were getting ready to leave when the seller reached over and handed me one of the hundred dollar bills from the stack on the table. “Here, why don’t you and your wife go out to dinner on the way home.” Needless to say, we were rejoicing all the way home, grateful for the Lord’s provision through the generosity of this couple and amazed at God’s answer to our prayer for clear direction!

The following day, I took the back door panel off and found the lock was simply gummed up and stuck from lack of use. With the aid of some cleaning lubricants, the tailgate was restored to normal operation. A do-it-yourself recharge kit brought the air conditioning back to full capacity and we enjoyed a great drive to Nashville and back the following week.

What a blessing to see how God provides for His children! He kept the Buick (affectionately known as the “Bronze Chariot”) running for all these years, and then provided us with a beautiful replacement for our needs this summer. It is great to have a car, but even more special when it has a story behind it. –And a good lesson for me as a husband to consider the suggestions of my wife. After all, He impressed Valerie with the exact offer amount that turned an ordinary purchase into a precise answer to prayer and testimony of God’s loving care for us!

Our "New" Car

 

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Abigail’s Big Day

Abigail, Family Updates

Today was a big day for little Abigail. Her first little tooth came through and she discovered the art of crawling! An enticing toy on the other end of Mommy and Daddy’s bed provided ample motivation for little Abigail to figure out how to move those little hands forward and propel herself across the bedspread. She is still working on the coordination part, but it was really cute to see her excitement as she realized that she could get from one side of the bed to the other all by herself.

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Learning to Sit Up

Abigail, Family Updates

Our little Abigail is growing up quickly, or at least that’s what it seems like as we watch all the changes taking place week by week. 🙂 A few days ago we set up her highchair at the kitchen table, and this has quickly become a favorite spot for her during mealtimes. In the video below you can see her learning to hold her spoon as she tries out her highchair for the very first time.

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Israel Pictures

Family Updates

Ruins at Bet She'anWe have enjoyed an incredible trip to Israel! Many, many special memories to take home, along with a better understanding of the land and culture in this special nation. Last night my Dad asked what my favorite part was. I told him that I felt like the whole trip was like a mosaic, where every part made up the picture as a whole.

I have compiled an album (shared on Google+) of some of the photos that I have taken during our trip. Many of the pictures include captions to explain a little more of what you are seeing. You can also check out David and Priscilla’s blog for more pictures and videos taken during our trip.

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The Trip of a Lifetime!

Family Updates

Waller Family in IsraelWith the next generation of the Waller family growing quickly, we realized that there was perhaps a narrowing window of practical opportunity for us to travel together as an extended family. This fall we finalized plans for a three-and-a-half week trip to Israel, the land of the Bible. Our group of 14 represented three generations of  the Waller family, and included all but one of my siblings. (Rachelle and her family would have loved to join us, but had to decline due to the timing of the trip.)

Walking on the Wall of JerusalemFor us, this was not a spiritual pilgrimage, but rather an opportunity to see with our own eyes the land we read about in the pages of the Bible. It is one thing to read about the Sea of Galilee, but another to actually drive through the city of Tiberias, and eat a picnic lunch on the shore, and gaze up into the hill country where Jesus fed the five thousand.

I love the verses we find at the end of Psalm 48. Picture a father walking around the city of Jerusalem, pointing out to his children the landmarks and memorials that remind us of the great things that God has done through the ages.

“Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” –Psalm 48:12-14

Abigail at MegiddoAs a new father, I find this passage of particular significance as I ponder my responsibility to teach my children to know the God of the Bible.

In this picture, Abigail is sitting in a feeding trough at Megiddo, found in the ruins of Solomon’s palace in this city.

Someday when Abigail is older, I look forward to going over these pictures with her and describing the significance of the places we carried her through at just three months old.

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Growing Happily!

Abigail, Family Updates

Abigail at Two MonthsWe just returned from Abigail’s two-month checkup appointment, and she is doing wonderfully! A happy, healthy baby, our little daughter brings great joy to our home.

Abigail’s favorite place to play is on a blanket near the patio window where she gets lots of warm sunshine in the morning. She is learning how to use her hands and enjoys batting at little toys hanging from a mobile.

Another favorite spot is on the floor in Daddy’s office. You can watch Abigail enjoying her playtime in the video below. She loves her “wiggle time” and making little cooing noises.

Many friends have told us to treasure these moments because she will grow up before we know it.  🙂  In just a couple short months it is amazing to see how much she has grown! Even in the last week or so she is starting to lose that “newborn cry” and sound more like a growing little girl! My IT consulting work allows me to work from home several days a week, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to enjoy these special moments as a family.

 

 

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Answers to Prayer

Family Updates

In the weeks leading up to Abigail’s birth, I found myself sometimes pondering a question. How do you pray for an upcoming birth experience? Do I pray through a detailed checklist of all the things that I would really want to see in the birth, or do I just trust that God knows our hearts and He is going to work out all the details as I commit these things to Him?

PrayerPersonally, I believe that prayer is really a relationship of communication and trust, not just a method of obtaining the things we want in life. Yes, God knows our needs, and He can (and often does) provide for them without our even asking, but how much more does He delight to see us come to Him as children coming to a father, pouring out our hearts before Him in childlike simplicity, being confident of His care for us?

And yet even after making our requests known, there is an aspect of trusting that God knows what is His very best for us, even if this means His answer is not quite the same as we were anticipating. Consider the nation of Israel as they were coming out of Egypt. I think that if I was there, I would have been praying for smooth roads and plenty of provision along the way. But what did God give them? A difficult path with very real needs. But God’s intent was that these very needs would become the testimonies of God’s faithfulness and loving care for His people.

Mother and BabyI love reading in Deuteronomy chapter 8 where God calls His people to “Remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness…” After recounting numerous examples of how He had provided for their needs during these difficult times, God exhorted them to never forget what He had done for them.

Remembering God’s faithfulness is what gave Joshua and Caleb the confidence that God would lead them into the Promised Land, just as He had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt.

“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” –Psalm 107:43

For me, walking through the process of the birth of our first child was an incredible opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness and loving care for us! This week my heart overflowed with tears of gratefulness as Valerie and I were reading some scripture together. God was so faithful in carrying us through this experience! All along the way, even down to the smallest details, I could see how evidently the Lord had prepared the way before us.

Strength for Labor

Timing contractionsIt is often through our weakness that the Lord’s strength is made most evident. One of my primary concerns as we approached our baby’s due date was that Valerie would have the physical stamina to go through the labor and delivery process. As all of you parents know, labor and delivery is not for the faint of heart! 🙂 It has been said that the energy required during this process is comparable to the energy expended while running a marathon.

Valerie and I were also earnestly desiring, if possible, to have a natural, unmedicated birth. We are very grateful for the advances in technology and medicine that save many lives when complications occur, but we personally believe that God designed our bodies for the birth process, and that many undesirable side affects can be avoided (where possible) by taking a less invasive approach.

Heartbeat and Contraction MonitorIt was a specific answer to prayer to see God not only give Valerie the strength for labor, but to enable her to go through the entire process without any type of pain medication! I cannot tell you the encouragement it was to know that the Lord was with us and see Him give strength for each step of the way! What a comfort to know that our families and friends were standing behind us in prayer as we worked through each contraction leading up to Abigail’s birth.

At one point before the labor really started in earnest, Valerie and I were getting tired after over 20 hours of frequent contractions and very little sleep. I knew that rest would be very important for the even greater marathon that lay before us, so at 7:30 that evening we sent out a text message asking for prayer that we could get at least a few hours of sleep before moving into active labor.

She's Here!God answered that prayer! For the next several hours till about midnight, the Lord allowed us to get bits of sleep between contractions as they slowed to about 20 minutes apart. At midnight the contractions suddenly went to 5-8 minutes apart and we moved rapidly into active labor. We went in the strength of that rest for the next eighteen hours until Abigail’s arrival at 5:58 that evening.

Many times when I see first pictures of mom and dad at the hospital with their new baby, mom looks understandably exhausted. I was amazed to look across and see Valerie holding baby Abigail shortly after birth. Instead of a pale, exhausted face, I saw a countenance that was just glowing with the joy and excitement of finally being able to hold our little girl. God answered prayer!

Just the Right People

Not only was God pouring out His strength and grace upon us as a couple, but He also put together a wonderful team to assist with the birth. The nurse assigned to us that day was one of the kindest nurses I have ever met. She was extremely gracious and sensitive to our needs, and gave us excellent care. Hearing the gentle music we were playing in the background, she asked if we were Christians, and we were delighted to learn that we shared this common bond in Christ.

Grandma and Grandpa Waller

Adam’s parents, Brian and Sue Waller

We had made arrangements for a doula to be with us for the birth, and here again the Lord put together just the right one to give helpful suggestions at key points during the hours of labor before the midwife arrived for the actual birth. The midwives on call during our labor and delivery “happened” to be our two favorites of the group, and did a beautiful job assisting with the birth, even allowing dad to help “catch” the baby.

Blessings on Logistics

As I reflect on our birth experience, I am amazed at how many things the Lord orchestrated to demonstrate His loving care for us! Even the little things, like the weather going from the sweltering 90’s the week before to a very comfortable 70’s for the ride to the hospital in a car without air conditioning. We would have survived, but it made the 20 minute drive so much easier for Valerie!

Enroute to the Hospital!Speaking of the drive, had Abigail been born just a couple days earlier, some road closures along the route would have forced us to take a detour on a cobblestone road. (Note for prospective dads, bumpy roads on the way to the hospital during labor is not a good idea.) But by the time we were making this trip, the roads had been reopened, and we had a very smooth ride.

Another desire that the Lord granted us was to be released to go home from the hospital as soon as possible, knowing that we would rest much better at home (assuming mom and baby were recovering well with no complications). Our hope was to head home after the state-mandated testing done 24 hours after birth. In spite of a very hectic day for the hospital staff, they managed to squeeze our testing in at the end of the day, and little Abigail passed all the tests with flying colors.

As we were just packing up our bags to leave the hospital, we had a surprise visit from our pastor and his wife. This was a very sweet visit, and perfect timing for us! Thirty minutes later, and they may have missed us entirely. Our pastor helped me carry our bags down to the car, and they prayed for us before our trip home.

Speedy Recovery

Two hours after the birth, we were moved across to the recovery room where we would spend our first night together as a family. The nurse explained the different pain medications to Valerie, and what we could expect in terms of the recovery process. In the hours that followed, the hospital staff was surprised to find that Valerie was experiencing very little pain, and a little Tylenol from time to time was all that she wanted.

Here again we felt that the Lord was answering prayer in giving Valerie a very smooth and speedy recovery. Many first-time mothers that are far more strong and robust than Valerie have much more painful and difficult recoveries. We recognSleeping in Daddy's Armsize that every birth is different, and there are many factors involved, but we personally believe that it is the definite hand of the Lord that is causing Valerie to spring back so well from Abigail’s birth.

Our subsequent doctor checkups have all gone well, and everyone seems to comment on how well Valerie is doing. As we hear these comments we turn to each other with knowing smiles. We know full well that it is not our strength and ability, but the gracious lovingkindness of a prayer-hearing God! To God be the glory, great things He has done! We want to give tribute to the Lord’s faithfulness in giving us strength that we did not have, and to thank each one that had a part in praying for us! God answers prayer!

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A Father’s Joy

Family Updates

Sleeping SweetlyChoosing a name for our “little one” was a special privilege for Valerie and me. More than just a name that sounded pretty, we wanted a name that would convey meaning and give a sense of purpose to the little life entrusted to our care.

Abigail — My father’s joy

The name Abigail is of Hebrew origin, and comes from the word awb which means father (like Abba Father), and gheel which means great joy or exaltation (literally, to spin around in ecstatic joy). Together they have the idea of a child bringing great joy to a father.

Waller FamilyAs a boy growing up in the Waller home, one of my most treasured memories is that of sensing my father’s approval. To see my dad smile, place his hand on my shoulder, and hear him say that he was proud of me meant the world to me. I felt like I could face just about anything in life as long as I had the simple confidence that I was bringing joy to my father.

I believe that every person is born with a deep desire for their father’s approval. We find this even in the life of our Savior Jesus Christ. At key points in His earthly ministry, you find recorded those affirming words from His Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” How those human emotions must have swelled in the heart of our Lord to hear those words! And what a powerful opportunity and responsibility for us as fathers!

P1100332aIt is our prayer that Abigail will grow to live a life that brings joy to her father. Proverbs tells us that “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” May our little Abigail be trained up in the ways of the Lord, so that her heart may be one that delights in bringing joy to her father. May the approval that she senses from her earthly father in those early years be just a foretaste of the even more important approval of her Heavenly Father, and may her life be guided by the desire to bring joy to her Heavenly Father.

Renee — Born again

Abigail’s middle name expresses our desire that she would one day place her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our daughter was born physically on September 6th, 2013, but in John chapter 3, Jesus talks of another kind of birth. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

P1100342aNicodemus was understandably bewildered by this concept of being born again, but Jesus was making a very important distinction between these two “births”. The perspective of most Jews in that day was that they were God’s people by virtue of being physical descendents of Abraham. Jesus pointed out that while they were born of the flesh (Abraham’s children), there was a spiritual birth that had to take place for a person to become a true child of God.

It is from this context that the passage goes on to one of the most familiar verses in all of the Bible, where Jesus describes precisely how a person is born of the Spirit. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Unlike a physical birth, a spiritual birth requires action on our part. We must believe in Jesus Christ, accepting His death as the just payment for our sin, and trusting exclusively in His righteousness (not our own), as the basis of our relationship with God.

Abigail Renee WallerThe beautiful thing about this spiritual birth Jesus describes is that it is offered to anyone, not just the physical children of Abraham. This is the fulfillment of what we find in God’s original promise to Abraham thousands of years before, that “…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This opportunity to become God’s child is not something we can do for someone else. We must personally make that choice for ourselves. Valerie and I have made that choice, and we pray that as our little Abigail grows in understanding, she will also make that decision to put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and be born again.

 

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