Anticipation

Little Talyver Kaysa is expected to enter our world at any moment. She will be the first child of one of my dearest friends. Each and every day I anticipate her arrival, to see her little face, to hold her little hand, to whisper words of our Savior in her ear. To see the look of awe on her parents' and grandparents' faces. To see the tears of joy. To hear her voice whether it be a cry or sighs of contentment. I know she will arrive when the Lord knows that she and her parents are ready to embrace, how I hope it is when I am here to be part of this once in a lifetime event.

I started writing this before I headed to Bolivia. I had the pleasure of being with her mom through most of the morning as we awaited her arrival on the 18th. But the time came too quickly for me to head to the airport. I contacted the hospital just as we were called to board our plane and was informed by her nurse that she had just been born 10 minutes earlier. Rach consistently told me that this little one would be here before I left Richmond, well, she was right. Talyver arrived a half hour before our plane took off. But actually being there in the hours before was such a blessing and not a place I have ever had the pleasure of being. What excitement was in the air as we watched the monitors, held hands, encouraged through the contractions, most often speechless. Such hope, so many feelings that just could not be expressed. I don't know that my friend will ever know the fullness of this blessing to me, the honor to be with her, her mom and husband during this time.

As I arrived home Monday, I went and spent a few hours with this precious little one. She is beautiful. What a blessing it will be to watch her grow, to watch my friends lead her in the way of the Lord, to be even a small part of all this is such an honor.