John and Chelsy’s premie baby, Maddy, was released from the NICU on Thursday to go home. She is doing well. John and Chelsy were thrilled to introduce Maddy’s big brothers to her in person. She is about two weeks from her due date.
We are grateful for the Lord bringing Maddy through her early birth and the weeks in the NICU and for the care she received there. It was a long, tough couple of months for John and Chelsy, but they came through it well. We observed them navigating the emotions, disappointments, and hardships with the Lord’s strength and His help.
Thank you for praying for Maddy.
“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).
We’re excited to share the Lord has blessed John and Chelsy with a baby due January 23rd, 2019!
We’re so grateful to have a family who not only values children but loves them. John and Chelsy announced with a creative flair. When you get to be the fourth one married and twelve nieces and nephews down the line, you have to think outside the box.
One Sunday, when everyone was gathered for lunch (except Anna and Mary were on their trip), John had his plan. When someone prayed to bless the food, John quickly taped Psalm 127:3 over our Scripture board. Opening our eyes, we looked at the board, and we knew someone had baby news! Yes, it could have been any of the couples, but the obvious grinning couple was John and Chelsy. We older ones hugged and shared congratulations. I loved watching the nieces and nephews as it dawned on them, and the talk began. Even Drew looked across the table and asked one of his cousins if they’d just heard the news! The nieces and nephews adore new babies!
Chelsy is just over half way and feeling great 🙂
Love, Sarah
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3
Seven months and six days ago, Elissa and I were happily married. Since then, we have greatly enjoyed setting up our new home. Between my work and Elissa’s upkeep around the home, the time has flown by. Our favorite time of the day is when we relax on our living room couch and open God’s Word. It is exciting to see how our love has grown over these past months as we draw closer to each other and to the Lord.
You probably wanted to know all of that information. Well, the reason for this blog post is to answer the question that you wanted to ask: we are expecting a child in October and are very excited about it. We believe that children are a blessing from the Lord, and we couldn’t be more overjoyed to welcome this little one into our family, and as many more as the Lord chooses to give us.
We covet your prayers as we travel this new (for us) and amazing journey. Elissa is now over the worst of her morning sickness, which is a blessing.
In Christ Jesus, Joseph and Elissa
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Lydia Joy was born at 5:31 p.m. on Monday, March 23rd. She weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces.
We couldn’t have asked for anything different with a wonderful home delivery (we’re grateful for our amazing midwife). Mommy and Baby are doing great!
Anna Marie and I spent a lot of time talking and praying about Lydia’s name. For me, talking about baby names has been something enjoyable these past few years when a little one was on the way. Anna Marie, on the other hand, so enjoys thinking about baby names she has been doing it since she was a little girl. We love the name Lydia Joy for a number of reasons. First, Lydia in the Bible was a woman who loved God, worshipped Him, served Him, worked hard, and was hospitable (Acts 16:14, 40). A literal translation from the Greek for Lydia means travail, implying hard work. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that should be prevalent in the life of a follower of Jesus, and we felt it was a perfect middle name for Lydia. And as many of you know, she does share a middle name with her cousin Susannah Joy who, eight years ago today, entered into the fullness of joy living in the presence of Jesus Himself!
Our prayer is that Lydia Joy will be one whose joyful spirit is a testimony of her love for Jesus as she diligently works at the tasks the Lord gives her.
“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2)
Thank you for your prayers, and we covet your continued prayer support as we seek God’s grace to raise these little ones in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! Parenthood is delightful, amazing, fun, and challenging–we’re loving it!
Rejoicing in His mercy, Christopher and Anna Marie
Meet Lydia Joy.
Tiny hands!
Sarah holding Lydia this afternoon.
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Acts 16:14
It’s been awhile since we’ve done an official baby update. Anna Marie is due soon. Her pregnancy had an interesting twist this time, as her varicose veins became quite severe. Believe me, she tried tons of things to help, and while they all probably did help, her left ankle was quite painful at times and had to be regularly elevated. Thankfully, starting a few weeks ago, the pain has been significantly better. For those who know Anna Marie, she does not complain–she just doesn’t. She had such a sweet spirit despite the pain. Now that the veins have improved, she’s feeling quite good. The baby is extremely active and seems to be right on track growth wise. As it stands now, we anticipate the baby arriving in the first two weeks of March, but you know, babies do come on their own time, so we shall see!
Christopher and Anna Marie are grateful for your prayers as they prepare to welcome another child into this world. They decided not to find out the gender, so we’ll all be surprised. It’s funny; I’ve given up guessing on what someone will have. After all, it’s going to be a 50/50 chance.
Love, Sarah
“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” Psalm 128:3
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
