It has been so long since I took the time to write anything, and the truth is it may be a long time until I do again. But, today I have a renewed desire to post something weekly, so here goes.
First item of business, the name of this blog has got to change! We were once a family with 5 little women, and as much as I envisioned adding little men to that mix, God's plan was to bless our family with 7 little girls first! Who He has next in mind is yet to be seen. Haven't completely decided on the new title, but have a pretty good idea...hope to make that change soon.
The most recent excitement around the Groff household is of course our 7th little blessing. Carissa Nicole let out her first cries at 5:11 on Friday evening, July 20th. After a week of questioning whether or not I was really in labor, we finally checked into the hospital around 9:30 Friday morning. Our fears of Ryan stuck in rush hour traffic driving home from his job site in Penn State were ended when they admitted us to have a baby with him present, pheww. Praise God for that answer to prayer. A nap, a few walks, a couple of hot showers and a breaking of my water, and the heat of labor finally ensued. I have to admit that my verbal response to the announcement and sight of our baby being a girl was "Really?". We were convinced that she was a boy, but thankful for who God made in Carissa! Besides, she really is the cutest little thing, with a head full of dark hair and such teeny, tiny features (I might be a bit biased).
The 6 big sisters just adore her, well those who realize she's here. For good or for bad, she hasn't actually disrupted life as we know it too much yet since she is in her pack n play most of the time under her billi blanket, trying to combat some jaundice. And she's a pretty sleepy little girl...God sure was gracious in giving us women sleepy newborns for a good week (even though they are frequently not so sleepy during those long nighttime hours, sigh).
The truth is, life as we Groff's know it is always changing. And with baby girl #7 it is sure to throw us curves once again. There are times, many perhaps, when I wish for some regularity in our life (and as some of you are thinking, so why don't you choose it! Well, that's a post for a different day)...a desire for something constant, instead of always adjusting to what's coming next (usually in the form of a new baby) or already came depending if we are ahead of the game or still playing catch up. I'll let you guess which is the more accurate description.
If I take a minute to pause, I do find and with open eyes can see the constant. And it is in God, our creator who has given the life so abundant in our family. The provider, who continues to meet our diverse and in some ways growing needs (in other ways they are becoming less as we learn to live more simply and fully in Christ, but that's another days post). The sustainer, who lifts us up and keeps us going in the day to day. The healer and giver of peace, who continually shows us how to live in harmony (and not in constant cat fights! Or, as is the case with some of my little girls, dog fights. They can battle with the best, or shall I say worst? of them).
The list of God and His many descriptions is never ending, but you get the point. In the midst of our ever changing chaos, God is our constant. And really, it is in the rising and crashing of the waves, the blowing and ripping of the winds, the dripping and down pouring of the rain, that life happens and we are changed, for the better if we are willing.
Instead of resisting it, I will CHOOSE to embrace it. No more wishing for things to remain the same. Just praise for a God who is constant and causes us to change.
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