Giving Thanks.....

"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7

     The Archer family is coming off a very busy, but blessed Thanksgiving weekend. Not only did we have some yummy food and time with family and friends, but we have been extra thankful for the news we received at our last OSU visit on the 18th. The visit before last, we saw the fluid level almost double on one side of Zoe's brain and we felt a bit discouraged. This visit we left rejoicing in the news that the fluid levels were stable and had not grown. We were told at the last visit as well that we would probably be delivering her at 36 weeks, which is the week after Christmas. With this latest news, we will now be waiting until closer to her original due date, January 17th. Considering she is going to be a baby who will undergo surgery probably a day after she is born, this is good news. The longer she can grow and become stronger helps her longtime prognosis. We still do not know what the future holds, but every little bit of news like this strengthens our faith and our hope that all will ok. Of course we know that all will be ok - no matter what....because we believe God made our little girl and has wonderful plan and purpose for her life. Our next visit to OSU is Friday, December 9th and I will probably get a concrete c-section date that we can start counting down to. We also are praying that the fluid continues to be stable and not grow. We of course, always pray and believe that the fluid can still go away. God has sustained us and been so faithful and we trust Him even more as we wind down this part of the journey and begin another part after she is born. 
     Words cannot express how thankful we are first to God, who has been our comfort and strength through this and will continue to give us what we need in the future. Without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing. I was reminded of this when I read this passage in Acts 17:24-28 this morning....

  “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  For in him we live and move and have our being."


We are also thankful for all our family, church family and friends for their love, support and prayers. We are truly blessed! 
     Emma continues to be super excited about her Baby Zoe coming and she is looking forward to Christmas! She is singing lots of Christmas songs and of course, telling us all of things she wants Santa to bring her.  We put up our tree this weekend and did some shopping, so we are officially in Christmas mode and counting down! I'm also looking forward to seeing if my Bobcats can win the MAC Championship on Friday, December 2nd. 
     In the midst of uncertainty, there is so much life to live and love to give. In the meantime, I'm reminded in 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 what God's will is for my life....
   ^"Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  " 
   So in the end, Thanksgiving should be a way a life and not just a holiday or a season. Thanksgiving is living a life of worship and submission to God, who is worthy of our everything. It is a life of rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving in the hard times. 
   We are heading back to school tomorrow after some much needed rest and time at home. We appreciate all of your prayers as we head into the remainder of this pregnancy and delivery of our daughter. God is faithful!

 Faithful by Chris Tomlin