40 Days.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we read a story about how Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days.  Not that I’m trying to chalk up my life to that of Jesus, but here on day 39 of 2019, we’ve had our moments of walking through the wilderness, blindfolded, arms open and hearts surrendered and trusting God through some difficult times.

When our sending church from Virginia announced they would be pulling their support at the end of this year, we had to step back and re-evaluate.  “God, is this where you REALLY want us?  Are you SURE?”  In the hurt and confusion of all of this, my mind became darkened with doubt.  I recalled a blog post when I announced our pregnancy.  Just a couple months prior, God was very clear that we were to stay here as we embarked in this new journey.  “Quedar” is the Spanish word.  Stay.  Wait.  Remain.  I had felt peace then, why couldn’t I feel it now?

I was soon to see God’s grace in full blown high-lighter yellow.

On January 30th, at 10:15pm,  John Edward Saulton came blazing into this world after a very difficult [nearly failed] induction.  John- the name of my father, grandfather, and a good family friend.  A name meaning “God is gracious”.    10 fingers, 10 toes, 7 lbs 15 oz and nearly 21 inches long, he looked every single bit of perfect.

The following day we were prepared for hospital discharge with my seemingly healthy baby.  However, my doctors wanted to run one simple lab test because of the work I was involved in during my pregnancy.  This test would not have been done in the US, as it was not routine and insurance wouldn’t cover it.  But a $3 Guatemalan test saved John’s life.  John was septic with neonatal pneumonia, yet showed no clinical symptoms.  Had we taken him home or had him in the US, it could have turned out much worse.

An extended hospital admission, + at home IV antibiotics (it helps when your mommy is a pediatric nurse and your Grandma is a home health nurse!) and a little over a week later, all is clear.

Thank you God.  He is faithful.  The first 40 days of 2019 were not easy, but already we can look back and see God’s providence through the difficult times.  I wish in all of my stubbornness and doubt that I didn’t have to be reminded of this, but  here we will “quedar” because God has offered us grace upon grace.

Hoping your 2019 shows you this same grace.
Always remember, you are loved.
-Whit

Thankful for my mom and Edgar Linares photography for capturing beautiful pictures of this day.