Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him…

Seven years ago, I remember that there was a great amount of excitement going through our home. Mommy and Daddy, who had left sometime earlier, put Amanda in charge of everything and everyone here at home. A  friend was on her way to stay with us for the day. It was probably around 7:00  am, maybe a little before, but it didn’t really matter. Everyone was too excited to be thinking about what time of day it was.

I walked into the kitchen. Amanda told me that Mommy and Daddy had gone to the hospital! Baby number seven was on the way!!

Any of you who have had the wonderful privilege of being an older sibling probably know what I’m talking about… the incredible ecstasy that quickly spreads through the house as the message is told to everyone that another blessing is being placed in the family.

Then, after the initial excitement, there was a time of waiting. A couple hours went by on this particular morning, and we were all very restless. Finally, not being able to stand it any longer, we decided to call. The lady who was with us called Daddy on his cell phone. We all waited breathlessly. We were kind of huddled around her, wondering the same thing: boy or girl?? We waited for what seemed like forever. Then we found out! Daddy’s exact words were, “I’m going to lose a fortune in hand-me-downs.” That was his way of telling us it was a boy! After six girls, I’m sure people were wondering if we were going to ever have a boy. That was the wonderful day that God blessed our home with Samuel Patrick, otherwise known as “Herman.”

Well, life went on. We were blessed by the addition of two more girls, both priceless treasures! Then, in February, almost a year ago, we had another day very similar to that incredible January day so many years ago! Mom had been on bed-rest for three weeks, and every day we were wondering when this baby would make its arrival.

Finally, the time had come. We helped Mom pack her bags, Dad came home from work, and off they went to the hospital. Another friend came to stay with us kids. We tried to go on with life in a semi-normal fashion, but it was nearly impossible. We waited with great anticipation for the phone call we knew would come.

Finally, around lunch time, we heard the phone ring, and of course, it was a race to see who could answer it first. I happened to have the advantage of already being close to it, so I answered. Dad was on the other line, and I heard him say, “Do you have a Bible handy?” Everyone was jumping up and down with excitement. They scrambled to get me a Bible, and waited anxiously to hear the news. “Go to II Corinthians 7 and read verses 5 and 6.” I began to read them out loud, while everyone waited in breathless suspense: “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus…” Here I was interrupted when everyone started yelling and screaming. Another boy!! I could hardly hear Daddy, so I tried in vain to hush the chaos so that we could hear  the  rest of the information. The full name is Titus Peyton. He has been such a blessing in our family. His vivacity fills our lives with great gusto every day!! 🙂

Recently, we girls made the discovery that we have BOYS! It is now in plural form. It sounds really simple, but the amazing thing is that we have two! As I sit at the table, I watch in amazement what those two boys do. Their energy is seemingly boundless, and the  laughter is almost endless. (We have learned that God gave boys the incredible ability to manufacture energy at an astounding rate!) Those two boys have been a great blessing to our family, and we praise God for putting these two boys into our home and lives!  Our prayer is that they will both “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”