*UPDATE*
Guess who has power? God does! And so does our office! Praise Him!
“God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good.” (Gen. 1:3-4)
Yippee! It is good indeed! Thanks for praying, everyone. The staff will be back in action tomorrow.
Thanks for being excited with us! We are so surprised and thrilled to be having a baby girl. My first waking thought this morning was, “It’s a girl!” Then I had to call mom and talk about it…again. You should have heard us carrying on when we had a minute to ourselves yesterday. I said, “Mom, we’ll have dress-ups and purses and shoes and…oh mom…you’ve only begun to spend money!” We died laughing because it is just so true.
We all drove home from the ranch on Monday after hearing that my house had power. My parents spent the night with us since they did not have electricity until last night. Mom babysat Jackson while Curtis and I went to my OB appointment yesterday morning. After we got the fun news, we ran over to a nearby Macy’s and bought these sweet things for Baby Girl.
We put them in a gift bag and when we got home we let my mom open them. That’s how we told her what we were having. She totally freaked out. We sent a picture of the clothes to Melissa’s cell phone and she called us bawling. My dad has this memory of Melissa and I wearing our dressy red coats when we were little girls and I told him we would be sure to find one for our princess. Curtis’ whole family was rooting and believing God for a girl and they were thrilled. Curt said his dad was giddy and I know my sweet mother-in-law is excited to pay a visit to the pink side of our favorite baby boutique in her hometown (Jelly Beans in Springfield, MO). I had a blast calling my friends Sunni and Janelle, who both have little girls born within a month of Jackson. Knowing and loving their precious daughters makes me so excited about getting to have this experience, too!
It’s pretty surreal that we actually got to have our doctor’s appointment yesterday (and even shop at Macy’s), given the state of this community after Ike. There are some areas in very bad shape. Gasoline, ice, and groceries have not been easy to acquire and a ton of people still do not have electricity. (Things are getting better in some areas.) Galveston residents are not even being allowed into their city right now. My understanding is that it is basically unlivable. There are so many things to pray for. One huge praise is that God sent a cold front this way and we have had MUCH cooler temperatures. We praise Him for His mercy! Houston is generally very unpleasant in September. Please pray for the great weather to continue and for God to meet the Greater Houston Area’s electricity, gasoline, and food needs. Pray that the poor and those without homes to return to will be provided for abundantly. We know of some people who cannot locate loved ones who were living in Galveston before the storm. Please pray that they will be found safe and sound. Most of all, pray that God will use this situation to humble us and prime this city for spiritual awakening and revival.
We do have a couple of prayer needs directly related to LPM. Our office still does not have power, but we are eager to get back to serving! Will you all please ask God to restore our power, even today? Most of us got together for lunch today to fellowship and go over the game plan for the rest of the week. One of my co-workers was able to peek into her work email account and she already had 400 emails waiting for her. We all have lots to do! Will you also ask God to power up our ministry director’s house? I believe she is the last one of us to lack electricity. Thank you so much, sisters!
Bethie will get on an airplane and head to Montana tomorrow. She will speak to some women at a prison on Thursday night and then have the Living Proof Live event on Friday and Saturday. I’m not sure if our prayer memo will go out to our prayer warriors this week, so I wanted to be sure to mention this prayer need to you, too.
May God bless each one of you today and may you have a keen awareness, as many of us in Houston do right now, of God’s faithfulness to provide every single thing you need to live and breathe. He is always at work caring for us. We praise Him with you today.
Love,
Amanda
bless your sweet heart!! i couldn’t be more excited for you!! i am around your precious mama’s age and have children close to yours and Melissa’s ages….I am getting so excited thinking about one day being a ‘nana’ – so, I am only imagining how ~ecstatic~ Beth is ‘again’!!! My dearest friend is having her first grand-daughter any day now and i am living vicariously through her and enjoying every moment! You are in my prayers for a safe and enjoyable pregnancy! To Him be the Glory!!
Oh, I’m so excited that you’re having a baby girl! I know I already said that before, but I am!! Anyway, I’m still praying for you all and especially for Sabrina who still has no electricity or at least not at the time that you wrote that. Please keep us updated. Love you all, and I’m glad you’re all safe.
Congrats on a girl!
Congratulations on the baby girl!!
We are so excited for all of you!!! God is good! Continuing in prayer for all affected by the storms. May His mighty hand of safety and provision be on all. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
I know how excited you are. Our 3rd child was our precious baby girl, who is now 23 and married. I was so excited to have a little girl then, and still am now. She is our Amanda ( Amanda Rachelle Eades. She says she is the new improved Amanda Eades because she is now Amanda Turner.). It is a great name, don’t you think!
Delighted for you!
Valerie Eades
Congratulations Amanda and family!
Siestas —- pray that the post storm fatigue will move on . . . lots to do to repair the damage to our home and we are helping the community by accepting patients at the hospital where I am the acting CNO and trying to staff to take care of the overflow is a bit of a nightmare and most taxing (inclusive n that are 12-14 hour work days) —- have no idea where Ike took my brain and energy —-
God is abounding in mercy, grace, and power —- and I need some of it!
What a beautiful gift electricity is after 8 days without it. The dark house was not that bad until the humidity came back yesterday but God have the grace for sleep in spite of it being a bit damp and no breeze!!!!
Thank you for your continued prayers. What an adventure this past week plus has been.
DigiNee
Just want to say after being without power for 7 days that I am SO, SO glad that I know my Precious Saviour. With Him there are NO POWER OUTAGES! He is the real deal, unfailing, the true Light of the World. Plug into Him today, dear Siestas!
Karla
NW Houston
Hello Moores, Joneses and Fitzpatricks –
Congrats on ALL the good news!
I am curious … what are your thoughts on encouraging young working moms? During this recession, more and more of my friends have been forced back into full-time work while raising little ones. I, myself, have a two-year-old child and was hoping to have #2 very soon, but I have now returned to full-time work since my husband was laid off from his job.
I don’t mind working, but as you know there are many in the church community who feel strongly that a “godly” woman ought to stay at home with her children exclusively. Some hurtful words have been thrown my way to this effect.
Just curious what your feelings are on this. Feeling confused and looking for some encouragement! Thanks and God bless,
Kim in Buffalo
Congratulations. Girls are sweet, so are boys but there is something about pink.
Hey Mrs. Amanda,
i think i signed up for the prayer warrior list here at your website, and you mentioned something about e-mails being sent out about that in the past, but have gotten no e-mails yet; Should i sign up again?? Just wonderin:)
katiegfromtennessee
Congratulations to the Joneses and the Moores on your new precious gift to come! I could just see Beth planning out the hairstyles (hold back on the hairspray and back combing, ha, ha). It’s always wonderful to get such great news in the midst of devastating events.
I’m writing from Southwest Florida and just wanted to let you know that we have been praying for all of you. Our Christian radio here, WAY-FM has partnered with Convoy of Hope and last week they had a Diaper Drive for those in need in Texas. It was outrageous the outpouring of love from the listeners with their response. I had an up-close and personal experience because I went to the warehouse where the diapers and wipes were being collected and I just was floored. It was beautiful. My sister is the sponsor of the Christian Club in her school and I wish you could have seen how happy they were to contribute. The Club is called Wired located at Oasis Middle School, Cape Coral, FL. They made a sign that said, “Wired @ Oasis Middle is sure the Texas is in GOD’S hands”.
Praise the LORD!
I have a boy and then a girl and it’s super fun to dive head first into pink! Just know that by April, there’s a CHANCE you’ll be wanting to throw a little bit more yellow and purple on her for a change of pace. But those first two months? Yeah, pink city. Congratulations!! Wait till you truly appreciate how much bigger the shoe selection is — that’s the most exciting part for me. 🙂
Continuing to pray for the whole area, both physically and spiritually. And for your ministry!!
God is so very good!
I am celebrating His sweetness with you.
I cannot wait to see my new little “siesta”!!
Can we have the very first ever
“Virtual Baby Shower”!??!
I have so many things I want to buy for that little blessing!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
God’s richest blessings on you all!
Much love,
Roxanne
Congratulations on baby girl! Your own little live doll to dress up! I love dressing my 3 girls up! Just 1 lonely little boy in the bunch.
I praise God that your homes are safe and sound. Every time I checked your website I couldn’t find any new blog post since labor day posting. I’m glad that everyone is fine!
Oh, I am just so thrilled for all of you!! When we found out that my little sister (okay, we’re in our 30s, but she’s still my little sister!!) was having a baby girl, we were all just thrilled to pieces – because I had two boys! So, BRING ON THE PINK!! And I’m so thankful to hear that you all are safe and home. God is so good.
Amanda–Your darling little Siesta is one of the luckiest girls in the world to have you as her Mama! Thanks for sharing this AMAZING news, and may God bless you and your adorable family.
xo Chris
Yay! We’re so happy for you and your whole family/clan! Thanks for sharing the wonderful news with us!
Love,
Karen K.
Houston
Amanda & Beth,
I want to congratulate you on your news of "it's a girl". I can tell you that my daughter and I were so very excited for you.
I do want to update a little and say that I am the siesta that lost her daughter 6 months ago to a drunk driver. I know that you have prayed for us.
We have been blessed with my grandson four weeks ago. He has brought much healing to our wounded hearts. I see the joy once again. How can one not see the joy, though, when our Father sends such great gifts as a life to care for. I love my grandson, but we do not enjoy shopping for him as much as we did for my grand daughter. I know you will have so much fun shopping, going to dance recitals, dressing up, tea parties. Oh, the fun!
Love you all so very much and will see you, Beth, at the LifeToday taping on the 3rd and 4th.
Blessings,
Laura Turner
What a blessing to have one of each! Enjoy the pink while you can…before the “big brother effect” happens. In our case, we had our girl first, so we have had the “big sister effect.” They are 22 mo. apart and I simply love the way my son adores his sister, however, at age 3, he will still say that his favorite color is pink. He can identify all the Disney princesses, and if the two of them are left alone to play, he’ll invariably emerge from his sister’s room in full princess attire, right down to the sparkly lip gloss and bead necklaces. From friend’s stories I hear that when the boy is first, you’ll find your princess wearing Thomas the Train pajamas and cowboy boots, making dinosaur noises as her brother’s beloved pets devour Cinderella’s castle…
Congrats to you on Baby Girl! Can’t wait to hear what her name will be!
If you’re really into the boutique girly clothing then you will LOVE the pettiskirts! They are the lastest and cutest things for baby girls! I sell them in my online boutique and you can even view them at http://www.jackandcoledesigns.com
Blessings to you!
Ohh, I love those precious little outfits! And what a fun way to share the news. 🙂
Thanks, too, for sharing the prayer requests with us. Love you all!