Spring update 2013

Today’s Verse: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will Praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.                                            ~Psalms 139:13-16~

Home! Just as two robins flutter here and there collecting material to build a homey nest in the spring, so have we been busy making changes in our little nest. From replacing bad flooring to painting the walls and the ceiling, the baby’s room was ready for the baby’s arrival. Our little nest has also experienced a few other projects outside of the baby’s room. We have retired our old water heater and invested in a much healthier one as well as organizing what stuff has not been put in its place from baby showers and the move.

Ok I won’t delay the exciting news any longer. It all began the 15^th of February, when Megan started having contractions early in the day. That evening we decided to contact the midwife and decide whether or not it was time to head to camp (Bancroft Bible Camp). The plan was to have a “home birth” in apartments 2 and 3 at camp. After discussing all the facts and details, we all headed toward camp for the arrival of our long awaited bundle of joy. Everything was proceeding as it should with her water breaking at 2 in the morning. Excitement was building as we witnessed the signs of the coming miracle of our little “Pearl”. Unfortunately, after 12 or so hours of contractions, the progression ceased which we found out later was caused by her water resealing. The midwife had to re-break her water which got things rolling again. In a short hour and a half, our little one was making head way and it was pushing time. That was when our world got scary… FAST! As Megan began pushing, the baby’s heart rate was fading and wasn’t recovering fast enough. Immediately our midwife, knew that our baby’s life was at stake. This once excited father preparing to catch his child instantly became a father terrorized with the fear of losing his first and only child. I began begging God for His mercy on me, knowing I was undeserving of such a miracle. I knew that death is a result of all mankind’s sin, including mine, and prayed that the Lord would help me accept His decision whatever He chooses. As suspense was building, Megan was trying to keep herself together. Knowing this baby she had carried for 42 weeks was at risk had her praying for strength to resist the urge to push. It wasn’t long before Megan was transported via ambulance to the local hospital in hopes of an emergency C-section. The Lord, our great Doctor, rode with Megan in the back of the ambulance and worked an undeserving miracle and helped our baby to push past Megan’s pelvis so that once she arrived at the hospital she was able to forgo the C-section.  It was amazing how God worked in that short trip to get our “Pearl” where she needed to be so Megan could proceed with a vaginal delivery (with some help from the doctor). So at 9:30 pm, February 16^th, born to us was a beautiful 6lb and 13oz baby girl, Maggie Joanna Walsworth. We named her with the same meaning as her mother, “Pearl”, and just like a precious pearl inside an oyster, she has proven to be an undeserving miracle after a long labor.

Both Buddy and Ninja have adjusted very well to us bringing home our little girl. Buddy, our dog, is still trying to figure out what it is we carry to and from the car when we leave. Along with wondering what could produce such noises and smells. Ninja, our cat, has slowly begun to understand that mommy has a new fragile “pet”. Ninja’s learning to share his mommy with the new little one, and has done an excellent job at finding time when he can have mommy to himself. Our lives have changed drastically but Maggie has made it worth it all.

Camp! Our life has been filled with even more excitement besides just Maggie being born. The board members of camp had a meeting April 6^th. We were busy with the retreat going on and didn’t expect much news on our status at camp. However to our surprise, Timothy Strickland (the president of the board) met us after their meeting to explain that they voted to make us full time staff! We are on a one year probation in which we are to finish our schooling and raise our support. We are extremely excited about this news and what God has in store for us at camp!  

Everyone at camp has been busy little bees doing their normal tasks as well as preparing for the summer. A couple of the exciting things in construction are the remodeling of the gym and the addition to the kitchen. Megan and I (little Maggie too) went to a Paintball Symposium in Ohio for another project we are working on for this summer. At the Paintball Symposium we spent 4 days learning about how to repair and clean paintball markers, how to play paintball, how to build a field, and how to use paintball to disciple the campers. Now, I know some of you are already asking, “How much paint covered Lucas after Megan played?” Well, I am lucky to say, that I never once received any paintball welts from my wife. We both got to enjoy this engaging game but we didn’t play each other due to one of us attending to Maggie. *Phew* Thank you Maggie. Since the symposium, I have been put in charge of constructing the paintball program. We are so excited and have been working diligently to prepare paintball for this coming summer.

 

B.U.T.T.E.R.F.L.I.E.S. and Work O.U.T. In the summer, we have two teen weeks in which we are privileged to disciple teens. However, we don’t have any discipling means for the rest of the year, so Megan and I felt burdened to start Bible studies. Megan started the B.U.T.T.E.R.F.L.I.E.S. (Beauty Undergoing Transformation That’s Everlasting, Reaching For Ladyship-by Infinitely Exploring Scripture) for the gals and Lucas started the Work O.U.T. (Work Out Unconditional Truth) for the guys. We meet once a week for fellowship snacks and study. Currently, the guys are studying different men of the bible and the girls are doing a “Foundations” study by Ken Ham.  We both enjoy meeting with the teens each week to encourage them to grow in Christ even when the camp session is over.

Work & School! School is taking longer than we had hoped. However, we are making progress. We have now completed the Old Testament section and are now working on the New Testament. The goal is to have it completely finished by April of ‘14. While I have continued to work at Jersey Mike’s, Megan’s mother has blessed us by letting Megan work at her bookstore. She is able to take Maggie along with her and enjoy these early precious months.

             Praises:

 Ø  Praise God for the safe arrival of our little girl, Maggie.

 Ø  Praise God for being accepted as Full Time Staff at Bancroft.

                  Prayer Requests:

 Ø  Pray that God will give us ideas and strength for summer camp.

 Ø  Pray that the Holy Spirit will give us patience and wisdom as we live life on fewer hours of sleep.

 Ø  Pray for wisdom in knowing what to do with our vehicles as they show their unreliability.

 Ø  Pray that we can work diligently to finish our schooling and reach our support requirement before April ‘14.