As Thanksgiving approaches, Melanie and I wanted to post a “thank you” to all the prayer warriors who have prayed for us and loved us over these past years. We are immensely grateful for God’s gracious leading through both difficult and joyous times. We have been overwhelmed by your prayer support. We are not sure why God chose to bless us with so many friends, most whom we’ve never met, who have faithfully upheld us in prayer. Thank you! May God bless each of you as you have blessed us.
I was recently talking with an extended family member who was struggling with uncertainty over her future. It wasn’t the future that was hard for her, but just not knowing how things would work out. I remember numerous times 2+ years ago thinking, “God, if You’d just tell us when You’re going to bless us with children, we’ll be happy to wait.” Waiting on Him is rarely easy, and yet that’s what He asks of Christians frequently. To wait, and while waiting, to trust. Looking back, I realize that I’m glad we didn’t know what would happen when. God faithfully supported and led. We only needed, and at times could handle, the next step.
Each month, the guys from my family, and often a few other friends, lead a chapel service at a local men’s shelter. The November service was going to be challenging. Due to a wedding, all my normal piano players were tied up. I worked and worked to find someone to play the piano for the service. After repeatedly asking God for His direction and provision, and then telling my dad about my dilemma he offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you play your guitar?” he said. I enjoy playing at home when it’s Melanie, Abigail and I and we’re finishing up our family Bible time with singing. But, at the mission with a group of men… sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. However, due to a lack of other options November 9th found me carrying my guitar into the mission. The chaplain led us to a number of different places before we ended up in an upstairs’ room. Because of remodeling, the normal chapel wasn’t available, and the two alternate locations didn’t work either. The room we held chapel in was one floor above where the piano was located. God knew we didn’t need a piano player for that service. He directed and provided in spite of my best efforts.
Rereading my above paragraphs, I’m realizing how difficult this is going to be to conclude and pull all together. I’m sure a skilled writer wouldn’t have a problem with that, but since it’s just me I’ll do my best and hopefully it is somewhat understandable. As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m impressed by two things. First, gratefulness – to God for saving and leading us, to Melanie for her love and trust over the years, and to our families, friends, and blog readers for your love, care and support.
But, I’m also reminded of the years Melanie and I spent without children. For some, five years will seem like a long time, to others short. We’re aware of how many couples there are throughout the world that desire to have children. We’re told that the holidays are all about family and memories. There is of course much more to them, but family time is important. I can remember Christmas celebrations where Melanie and I were acutely aware of the fact that we had no children. Scripture says that “even in laughter the heart may ache…” And yet now we look back at those years with a whole new perspective. They seem much shorter in hindsight than they did when we were “living” them. But, we also see God’s perfect control over our lives, what we learned during that time, and how He prepared us for what He had in store in the future. His leading is right, even when it doesn’t make sense to us or fit our desires. To trust isn’t easy, it’s required.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Nathan, Melanie and Abigail
Praising the Lord for His precious Blessing to your family. Thank you for sharing your testimony of the journey. May all the glory go to God.
Oh, and thank you for the new pictures of Abigail. She is such a precious little girl! 😀
Thank you for the family update Nathan! Your little Abigail is getting so big! She is truly a sweetie! Thank you for this testimony, I too struggle with waiting (I am single but hoping to enter into a courtship someday and have children of my own :-). God has been working on me with learning to listen to Him and wait patiently for His timing for things in my life. I am so glad for you and Melanie that God has given you this precious little blessing. (that pic. of Abigail with the cup and the one with her and Anna is so cute!).
God Bless!
Rachel
This is such a lovely post. Wishing you many, many blessings this Thanksgiving and in the years ahead. Enjoy that beautiful baby.
THIS BLOG HAS REALLY BEEN BLESSING IN MY LIFE , WHAT WONDER FUL PICTURES PLEASE KEEP IT UP THANKS APRIL
The Lord has indeed blessed you richly.
Your little Abigail is so adorable and I know she brings so much joy into your lives. I would also imagine that your little Susannah Joy is never far from your minds. I have blessed in watching you all go through the trials that you walked through and how your faith in God only seemed to grow stronger, not weaker. You have been such an encouragement to many. You are all still in our thoughts and prayers, especially during the holidays. May you all (the entire Maxwell family :o) ) have a very blessed Thanksgiving!
Blessings!
My husband and I understand exactly what you are saying. We have been married almost 5 years, waiting for a little one. The ache hurts something awful at times, especially when other relatives are birthing baby number 7, or 3, etc. However we see this time as a great opportunity to learn more and more about Christian parenting (neither our parents weren’t christian when we were young)and also maybe the chance to get an acreage. I can just a little one running around, listening to the chickens, and learning to love where we live. God’s timing is something I don’t understand but something I too also try to rest in. God Bless you, Melanie, and Abigail. I hope you all including the rest of the family have a great holiday season.
Sincerely,
Carrie-Lee
PS. I pray you all count me as a friend. We care very deeply for you all.
Oh my goodness, that Abigail is so cute! Her face just lifts my heart! Thank you for sharing the photos and your thanks-giving. It’s such a blessing when long roads become shorter. Thanks for your reflection.
Thank you for your testimony- God truly is working in His people!
Your family is so precious! I am just so delighted for you to have that precious little girl. The Lord has blessed me with many children and I am so grateful for them. God has poured out His blessings to us.
I have the most wonderful husband in the world, (according to ME, anyway!!)
and he is another incredible blessing in my life!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your whole family as well! What a precious little girl you and Melanie have been blessed with! She is beautiful! I love her bright blue eyes!
What a gorgeous baby! She looks a lot like her mama. 🙂
Abigail is just too precious! So thankful that she is now in your lives. Keeping you in our prayers.
What a beautiful baby girl Abigail is! Thanks so much for sharing pictures with us and sharing what is on your heart. You’ve been in my prayers often and I’m and so happy that you have a baby to hold and cuddle. I have been reading the blog here for a long time and have followed your story, you will never know how much I have been touched, by reading about your dear Susannah and then your journey with Abigail. May the Lord continue to show you His faithfulness.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Just a note, I was so blessed to meet the rest of your family last month here in Canada!! 🙂
nathan, thank you so much for your words, and for sharing all the beautiful pictures of abigail.
your words were edpecially touching me today, thanksgiving, as i am struggling with the diagnosis on my husband phil. trying to always remember that god is in control and i only need to trust and obey ) a favorite hymn of mine). you have reminded me of this, and thank you.
thank you too, to your family, for your continued prayers for phil.
blessings, mrs. mari
That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures of Abigail, she is precious. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you all!
And thank YOU, Abigail. You are a wonderful reminder to us all of God’s grace. Happy Thanksgiving Maxwell Family!
Peace.
My husband and I were married for almost 6 years before we were blessed with our first. We started infertility treatment before we felt God tell us to stop and wait on Him. Our church (Cedar Park in Bothell, WA) has a church service the last Sunday in January every year for couples struggling to get pregnant. We have seen over 300 babies born out of that service!! My husband and I got prayed for two years in a row before conceiving our first. Then we went down again, after realizing my body wasn’t “fixed” and we couldn’t have a second. We got pregnant with her right awya! Our firstborn started praying everyday for a brother and her prayers were answered! Our second born started praying for a sister and again God heard her prayer. Next, our third (the only boy) started praying and we gave birth to our fifth in April! I went from wondering if we’d EVER have a baby to the happy mother of five! Now, our children pray for literally hundreds of couples waiting for a baby. WE have a long list up on our refrigerator and pray for them all the year around. For those of you in a waiting time in your family, please, please know that God isn’t deaf to your desires. He hears you and care so much. I’m sure you know this in your head, but it is hard to get that to your heart sometimes. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and sometimes it is hard to trust Him. But He holds you in the palm of His hand. I pray He will pour His peace over you and touch you with His mighty hand.
It is so wonderful to see that a child was born into such a godly home. Your family really blesses my heart.
Your daughter looks so precious in the picture drinking from her cup. May the Lord preserve her precious innocence and may your home continue to be filled with Love. >