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).
At Dad’s birthday party, we had a special time celebrating another year the Lord has given Dad.
As Dad opened his gift from Christopher and Anna Marie, he was surprised to find a rattle in it. Shock, awe, and excitement infused the room. Another baby on the way! We gave hugs to Christopher and Anna Marie and congratulated them. Ruthie and her newest sibling will likely be about a year apart — and we are thrilled.
They would appreciate prayers for Anna Marie and Baby during this time. Anna Marie has had reassuring bouts of morning (aka: you mamas know that it’s not confined to morning!) sickness, but she’s grateful for that. Joshua adores Ruthie, so I’m confident Baby #3 will be just as high on his “like” list.
Oh, announcing with a rattle is sort of a family tradition. Nathan and Melanie did it with Susannah’s news, and Christopher and Anna Marie have now done it for all three.
Joyfully His, Sarah for the rest
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalms 127:3
From last week…. The extended family left Saturday and Sunday, so it’s been just our immediate family this week.
Joseph made breakfast one morning.
A rainbow outside our cabin one day.
Grandpa and Josh
Making cookies.
Friday we went to visit a fish hatchery. This hatchery supplies fish to most of Colorado rivers. It was a fascinating experience! Everyone who wanted was able to feed the fish.
The ripples on the water are the fish coming to the surface.
Grandpa and Grandma restocked for everyone.
Of course, baby holding time was precious too. Drew is growing so quickly!
One afternoon, while the younger children were napping, Abby went with Dad, Mom, and GiGi back to feed the chipmunks. Abby was thrilled!
Abby set up a party for the squirrels to eat seeds. Isn’t that cute?!
Cousins!
Notice her little bear tucked in? A gift from an aunt.
“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Psalms 104:24
It started about 2:30 am for Joseph, John, Anna, Jesse, and Mary as they began their trek up Mt. Harvard. But for Dad, Mom, and I, our adventure began about 4:15 am as we hit the trail and headed for Mt. Columbia. Oh, what an adventure Monday was! But for now, I’ll leave you with a few pictures. We have hundreds from that day. More later!
Enjoying beautiful Colorado, Sarah
A headlamp beginning for sure!
They kindly built us a huge rock cairn to help us know where our turn off for Mt. Columbia was.
From the Harvard crew’s viewpoint.
We found the cairn!
Joseph and John
“They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.” Psalms 104:8
The summit is cold–freezing cold. We find a place to sit protected from the worst of the biting wind. It truly feels like you’re on top of the world. You can see so far out! We’re grateful for the weather–if it was cloudy, we wouldn’t have the same views. We try to get pictures in between warming up.
Jesse and Anna braved the biting cold and went down the summit a ways to carry Dad and Mom’s packs up the last stretch.
At first, we’re the only ones on the summit, but slowly, several more show up.
Me, Anna, and Mary
We take pictures, try to stay warm, and some manage to eat a bit. It’s so cold, some of our party decide to head down. Moving does help to keep one warm.
People coming up, and we’re going down!
As we descend, I’m surprised at the steady stream coming up the side of a mountain. It’s like a regular party! Wow! Mount Huron is popular today. We’re spread out on the mountain, some in twos, some by ones, and we enjoy chatting with others as we pass. It’s easy to give encouragement telling them the summit isn’t far. The descent is pretty easy–and the path is great–and the views continue to be stunning. We take an easy pace. Those who reach the little lake first spend time enjoying it.
John enjoying rest time.
Joseph and Anna
John, Joseph, and Jesse
A kind hiker took our picture.
We head home, and we’re happy to see Anna Marie, Melanie, and the little ones! We’ve missed them. Mount Huron is a great peak to hike. I stand in awe at God’s Creation as I enjoy this special time in the mountains! Joyfully His, Sarah
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.O Lord my God, thou art very great;thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain.”Psalms 104:1-2
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
