Christmas

Here are two videos from Christmas day. Emma received a very cool piano from my uncle and the second video is her opening her Shaun the Sheep toy (she then proceeds to tell us that he has two legs, two ears etc) it's very cute. (of course)

Hallelujah Chorus

This is my contribution to spread the Christmas spirit. It's very clever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

Singing to William

Here's Emma singing Insty Winsty Spider to William.

The kids

This was our first day at home. Emma is very gentle (for the most part) with William, it's lovely to see them together.

Introducing . . .

William Luther Wetherston

Born November 24th, 2010, 3.150kg and 51cm

~ ~ ~ PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW ~ ~ ~

I am so amazed at Gods continued kindness, goodness, graciousness and love towards me a wretched sinner. I do not deserve the blessing of children and feel completely out of my league having them entrusted to our care for the time He appoints.

William arrived all too easily. After the horrific experience of Emma's 45 minute birth I 'umm-ed' and 'ahh-ed' about how to handle this one. In the end God provided me with a very providentially timed conversation with a friend who was in a similar situation and I finally (with many tears) made my decision. We had William induced so I could have some pain relief and OH MY WORD! the difference of a birth with pain relief! I almost feel guilty at how easy it was. It was still only 2.5 hours from beginning to end, so I'm extremely thankful I didn't have to feel it.

Lyle and I went in at 6:30am after a lovely dinner the night before and Emma stayed with my parents for the night and the following day. In the end we were bored all day long until the epidural was put in at 1:30pm and my waters were then broken. It seems like it was a busy day in the labour ward!

Naming Baby

William: simply because we like it!

It is a name I've liked for a while and from memory it was tossed in the pot when we were expecting Emma (as we didn't know her gender before birth). It's also circumstantially my Grandfathers name, which is sweet to William's only living great-grandparent my maternal Grandmother.

Luther: Martin Luther is too profound a man to be ignored. The Lord used Him mightily, giving him discernment to fight for the truth of God's word. This is our hope for our boy. That he will know and cherish God's word as truth for all.

It's intimidating having such hopes for such a little person. Especially as I reflect on my lack of knowledge of the Bible myself. I don't say this as a cop-out, but I'm SO glad I'm married to a theology student!!

Here are the words to 'A Mighty Fortress', a hymn by Martin Luther.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe --
His craft and pow'r are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

2

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He --
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same --
And He must win the battle.

3

And tho this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim --
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure --
One little word shall fell him.

4

That word above all earthly pow'rs --
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thru Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still --
His kingdom is forever.