I’ve been asked if there are any foods I crave during this pregnancy. I didn’t think there was anything in particular until figuring out dinner plans where I recommended BBQ chicken pizza for the third weekend in a row.

Several years ago I began experimenting with BBQ sauce and I made a great pizza. I’m not known for my cooking, but the one thing I’ve got is BBQ chicken pizza. When I go to restaurants I’m always interested in trying their BBQ chicken pizza to see how mine measures up. Time and again, I’m disappointed with the restaurant but proud of my own creation. I suppose the saying, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself is true. Except for Dominos.

Dominos Pizza recently revamped their menu, and while their Memphis BBQ pizza is different than mine, it has satisfied my pregnancy cravings. Good thing I discovered Dominos BBQ pizza since I am unable to make my version. Bed rest has made that famous saying impossible for me. I can’t do most things myself.

Thankfully I’m pretty laid back about things being “done right” around the house. The other person who lives here (not mentioning any names) struggles a little more. Dishes aren’t put in the places they normally go, crumbs are in the bed or scattered on the floor, toys keep showing up but not leaving, magazines and books clutter the rooms I spend time in, etc. People come over to help us, but everyone has their own way of doing things. Regardless we are very grateful.

Sometimes you have to overlook your way, or your perfectionist tendencies, and let others be part of your life. God didn’t create us to be alone. He created us to live in community, to need relationships, and to help each other. Just as a body has many parts, so the body of Christ has many parts but each their own purpose so they can work together. Just as we need hands, feet, eyes, and ears, so the church (the body of Christ) needs people with different gifts to work together.

In these days that I can’t be feet or hands, thank you for being the feet and hands I need. It’s not always easy to see what people need, but if we seek God He will show us how to reach out to others to help them. And if you’re looking for a good BBQ chicken pizza try Dominos, or in a few months I’ll make you one myself.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 talks about the Body of Christ and various gifts God has given us.

This blog post was not sponsored by Dominos, but if they would like to compensate me with free pizzas that would be acceptable.

You’ve all heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” Or in our case, it takes a village to make bed rest manageable. I had my weekly doctor appointment and wanted to share with you how God has shown Himself so faithful.

First, an anatomy lesson. Picture the cervix like a straw. One end is by the baby, one end leads to the outside. The cerclage is a stitch put around the straw in the middle – halfway between the baby and the outside. Generally the cerclage is put in because there is “funneling,” which means the end of the cervix by the baby is opening.

Throughout my pregnancy they have measured the cervix to see if there is any shortening or funneling which is bad. Every time they measured, the cervix was 3.5cm and strong, except the day of the cerclage when it was 0.4cm and funneling (normal cervix is 2.5cm). After the cerclage, they measure the cervix from the stitch to the outside and I had measured 1.7-1.9 which they were pleased with. Last week there was funneling from the baby all the way to the stitch, which is expected when there’s a cerclage.

Today, there was no funneling. As Kim, my ultrasound tech and I chatted she says, “I’m just waiting to see the cervix open.” I said, “Kim it might not open. There’s a lot of people praying for us and God can do anything.”

The doctor comes in to see me and she was smiling and so happy. “I can’t believe these pictures are of your cervix,” she said. I asked her what the measurement was and she said because there’s no funneling they measure the whole cervix, which was 3.5cm – the same it had been throughout the pregnancy!

The doctors are amazed, the ultrasound techs are amazed, the nurses are amazed, and I say God can do the impossible. Maybe we should expect amazing more often!

The doctor told me to keep up the good work on bed rest. I know it’s first because of the Lord that everything is going so well, and second because of all of you who are praying for us, bringing us meals, and hanging out with me during the day. I don’t know that I will ever have the words to express how grateful I am for each of you, but I hope you are enjoying this journey of trusting God with us and seeing Him work in amazing ways!

When I was in the hospital two weeks ago I became enamored with the water pitcher. I only spoke of these feelings to Jeff though.

Among its best features, it holds a lot of water, has a handle making it easy to carry, comes with a secure lid, and a place for a straw! The more I used the pitcher, the more I liked it, and the more useful I found it to be.

When we were packing up to leave the hospital the nurse asked, “Do you want to take the pitcher with you? It might be helpful while you’re on bed rest.”

Inside I was so excited! My dream of having the water pitcher always with me was coming true! “Um, sure, I guess,” I responded casually. I knew my growing obsession with the pitcher was strange and I didn’t want to scare the nurse.

Jeff and I got in the car. “I get to keep the pitcher!” I exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you,” Jeff responded, always supportive.

So to the nurse at Edwards, whose name I don’t remember, thank you for my water pitcher. It is always by my side.

I was going to draw some spiritual insights about Jesus being the living water, but I got so engrossed in the pitcher story I don’t remember what the transition was. Feel free to comment about how the water pitcher relates to Jesus. 😊

I had to go to the doctor for the glucose test this afternoon. My mom came with me. Even though the doctor said I can drive myself to appointments, my mom disagrees, but it’s nice to have company 🙂 I was supposed to not eat sugary things before the test. Although this morning I had Frosted Flakes… Hopefully it was out of my system by the time the test came around. Now we’re living it up with Rice Krispy treats and hot chocolate, and cinnamon rolls for dinner (thanks to Jen & Jared).

I only get to leave the house for doctors appointments and the weather has been really nice for those days so far. It’s nice to breathe in the fresh air and see the sun shine.

Now I’m working on a Bible study with Mom on Romans 8 – a great chapter of the Bible. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1)

Just thought I’d write a quick blog about my day. No deep spiritual insights on this… yet. Thanks for reading!