I think it’s time for another Nathan and Melanie update. We are wanting everyone to know that we are doing well and continuing to heal – it’s been just over 7 months since we lost Susannah. I’m amazed at how God has restored our hearts. Yes, there is still pain. Both of us have had times over the past month where we’ve been around babies and experience an intense heart-ache as we are reminded that Susannah is not with us. But, healing is happening and for that we are grateful – God is at work!

I wanted to start with that paragraph because many readers may equate the above “healing process” with what I have to share next. It was important to me to communicate God’s faithfulness in the healing process first in this post; it is a work He has done day by day over the past 7 months and which continues. Having explained that, I’m very excited to announce that Melanie is pregnant!!!! For a couple that waited five years for the Lord to bless with our first child, it is almost unbelievable that His second gift would come only seven months after Susannah’s birth. Yes, Melanie is pregnant and looking at an end of June due-date! God is good!

It is a little unconventional to announce pregnancies so early, but it is important to us that we do so. So many of you have walked with us during our time with Susannah, both during a challenging pregnancy and then the few short days we had with her. You’ve wept with us and upheld us in prayer – and now God has answered so many of your prayers with this new little life Melanie is carrying. For those that have children praying for us, this is such a tangible evidence of God’s working, blessing, and answering – He answered your/their prayers. Isn’t that wonderful?

The road before us might not be easy. Lots of people have told us it will be, but we’re not so sure. We wonder what this pregnancy will be like, how things will progress, what will June of next year be like. . . we don’t know. God showed both Melanie and I yesterday that we were going to need to trust Him during this pregnancy. Without directly thinking it, in many ways we had been hoping we wouldn’t have to this time – that things would go so smoothly and without challenges. And yet, we are called to trust in all areas at all times, this pregnancy is no exception. I guess that’s what abiding is, resting and trusting. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and sharing with us in this joyful news.

Nathan and Melanie