The beauty of a rash

I am officially 24 weeks pregnant.The uncomfortableness of being pregnant has begun. But if that weren't enough, I've also come down with a rash commonly known as PUPPS. I will have it until baby Jonathan is born. At times its itchy, others its painful, and it keeps me up at night.Below you can see how my leg looks, it's a glimpse at how my arms, legs, back, and belly look. So you're probably thinking, "Em, your title says there is beauty in a rash...where's it at?"

Well, if you know me personally, you know that I am a pretty independent person. But being so tired and itchy and not feeling good in general has made me extremely needy. I find myself crying to Ryan, my mom, my dad, dear friends about how miserable I am. I rest a lot.

This morning at worship the Holy Spirit placed on my heart how beautiful this rash is. I have been praying for the Lord to soften my heart, my words. And He's doing just that through this rash. He's showing me just how dependent on Him that I should be. He loves me so much that He gave His son, to die in my place. Jesus paid the cost of my sins so that I could live a life in relationship with the Father. He holds my precious life in His hands. He has known me since before the world was made. The Lord knew this rash would come and that I would struggle, and in that struggle I would learn to depend more on Him. He knew I would be reminded to trust Him and see that He is good. THAT is beautiful.

Here's a song we sang in worship this morning...what a blessing to my spirit it was!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ

A son!!! I am carrying my son!

The ultrasound appointment could have gone more smoothly. But it was still picture perfect. I had my loving husband beside me, my mother and my dear friend Ami as well. It was wonderful! The ultrasound tech went through showing us what each screenshot she took was of. And then she got to his legs and pointed them both out to us, and that's when I knew. I asked her if the baby was a boy, and she confirmed it. I couldn't do anything but hold Ryan's hand and look at my beautiful baby boy on the screen, tears rolled gently down my face as I watched. When we were all done, I got off the table, I wrapped my arms around Ami and we wept.As I held my dear friend, it was all I could do but weep and thank the Lord for this miracle gift of a son.

Ryan, Ami, myself and I'm sure others have been praying for this child. We've also been asking the Lord that he give us a son. God has been so gracious through the waiting! Between Ryan and I we both had had 3 different dreams that our child was a boy leading up to the ultrasound. 

And so, with great joy, I anxiously await my beautiful son's arrival. Jonathan James Prickett you have such a wonderful namesake! You are loved my son, by our Creator, your father and I, your auntie Ami, your Godparents, your Grandparents, your aunts, uncles, cousins, and your church family too!