Do You Love Me?

I read today's Gospel through tears of joy. I was profoundly touched by the conversation between Jesus and Peter. I was moved to tears by the gentleness and compassion Jesus shows to Peter, and to us if we but ask.  The gregarious, outspoken disciple is finally humbled by the Lord and recognizes, maybe for the first time, that Jesus truly loves him, trusts him, forgives, and forgets all of Peter's failings and weaknesses. This passage is moving but we would do well to first read the entire 21st Chapter of John, a mere 25 verses to really understand how the relationship between these two men has moved to an entirely different level. John brings his Gospel to a close by taking us back to the very beginning of the relationship. Back then, Peter was out fishing all night, catching nothing, before his first encounter with the Lord. Here too, Peter, who is at this point confused, wrestling with emotions of hope and guilt, joy and sorrow, is out fishing all night catching nothing. Ag

Thank you! and Good News

There is a country song on the radio by Tracey Lawrence titled "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." Since we received the news that this pregnancy would be different than what we had previously experienced, we have truly found out who are friends are. We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, hugs, notes, well-wishes, meals, kind words, offers to babysit the boys (you folks scare me!), and offers for just about everything else under the sun. In all of this though the prayers have been the greatest gift. They have propped us up when we are scared, uncertain, or hurting. I can't count the number of people who have told me that they are praying for us. Or they will tell us that they are praying for baby Catherine. In my simple little mind I imagine God saying, "wow, this little girl must be something special to have all of these prayers heading toward me." She is something special. So, in short (too late) thanks for everything.

Okay, I've kept you waiting long enough, here's the update for today. With a stomach full of nerves and tears damned up ready to burst we drove to the hospital not knowing what to expect. Of course we were hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. The nerves continued to churn during our 45 minute wait to see the doctor. Luckily I remembered that I was asked to offer up my uncertainty and times of waiting for the son of a good friend of mine who is in medical school. She asked that I offer it up for him so that he would be a good Catholic doctor. I did and it helped me as well.

The ultrasound went as we thought. We watched her little hands and feet. The technichian pointed out that it looks like Catherine has a bit of hair on that little head. We were relieved when she said that Catherine was still head down and face down which will make for a healthier and safer delivery.

The doctor was happy with her growth and said he saw no reason to "pull the trigger" as he said. We were elated to say the least that she would be able to continue to grow in the best place for her at this time. We will continue the rigorous twice a week tests and once a week ultrasounds from here on out probably until the 37 week if all continues to go well.

Please continue to pray for Catherine Therese and Nicole that both continue to grow ;-) this is the only time I can tell my wife with a big smile, "wow, you are getting big" and her not hit me but be happy!!! Again, thank you all so much!!! Please know that you are in our prayers as well as we thank God for some many "friends"!!!

Comments

Cassy said…
We are soooooooooooooooooo happy to hear the good news!