Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

Welcome Home

If I would of known that writing a blog entry and picking up some last minute baby stuff was all I needed to do for Kristi to go into labor, then I would have done it a week ago.

Anyway, if you haven't heard, Kristi had the baby this past Sunday morning.

Sarah Michelle Rivera was born on January 20, 2008 at 6:15am.

We spent the entire night in the hospital wondering if she was going to make her appearance or if we would be sent home to wait some more. Kristi started having strong regular contractions at 8PM and by 11 PM was ready to head to the hospital. Thank God for great people who say they want to help and then do when called upon. Thanks again Robert and Jean for coming over to stay with the kids and Amy for being a great and helpful aunt.

My parents were in NY and Kristi's were in NJ were her sister had given birth to twin girls only a few hours earlier. That's right, 3 girls added to the family in 17 hours!!

They finally decided to perform the c-section at 4:30 or so. I can't remember exactly, sleep deprivation does that to a person.

She weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20 inches long. That puts her smack dab in the middle of the other kids. Smaller than the boys, but bigger than her sisters. She had a full head of hair, unlike the other who resembled dad as a baby, bald as can be.

We are all excited to have her and Elena can't get enough of saying "Baby" and kissing her.

As with any new baby the next few weeks will be an adjustment for all. Keep Kristi in your prayers as she heals from her surgery.

PB

New Math

When is two weeks longer than 8 months?

When it is the final two weeks of a pregnancy. Kristi is scheduled to deliver on January 30th, but that day seems like it will never get here.

We are all excited in the Rivera household about our new addition. No, we don't know what it is, I love the surprise. Besides, it keeps the kids happier because the boys want a brother and the girls want a sister and this cuts down on the sad faces around the house. Once the baby comes, everyone loves it regardless.

God has been so faithful that we can only say WOW. We always knew we wanted a bunch of kids, and a few years ago we thought we were on our way. We had 2 boys and a girl and Kristi was expecting. She lost that baby (a boy) and almost lost her life as well. The doctors said she was "lucky" to be alive and would not be able to have kids again. About a year later she did get pregnant again and we lost another little boy. We were excited about the pregnancy, but grieved the lost. Still we knew God was in control!

Fast Forward to 2008. Since those loses, we have had another beautiful little girl. Doctors and nurses are amazed when they read Kristi's records and hear her story. They can't believe she is still alive, let alone able to have more children. I can, because I know Who is directing our steps.


Kristi has a favorite TV show called John & Kate Plus 8. It is about a family with set of twins and a set of sextuplets(6) I think that's right. Anyway the catch phrase in the show is. Our life may be crazy sometimes, but it's our life and we wouldn't have it any other way (something like that)
That's exactly how we feel. Our children bring some craziness and stress, but nothing compared to the love, joy, and excitement we have every day because of them.

Anyway, Kristi has been having serious contractions since Saturday. Nothing consistent enough for a late night trip to the hospital, but strong enough to make life uncomfortable.

Keep her in your prayers and we'll keep you up to date.

God Bless
Pastor Ben

Global Warming is not all that bad

Global warming is not all that bad!

Really!? What a delightful week we have had. In the 60s all week long and even today with the bright sun the 50 degree weather felt great. I have never had any need for January or February anyway. And I have never wanted to move to Florida either-even if this is what their winter months are like.

So I feel as though we all got blessed BIG time this week- unless of course you are a ski-bum. Sorry for all of you.

Enjoy the blessing while it lasts-

Pastor P

Red Light Green Light

Today is the 8th day of the new year. I am happy to report that as of 7:11 this morning, I had only witnessed TWO "red-light-runners" in my immediate proximity on the roads of busy Newark. That changed abruptly at 7:15 am, when I was sitting at a red light at the corner of Elkton Road and Otts Chapel Road, waiting to turn left. Not one, but TWO cars ran their red lights in the opposite direction to me. It didn't affect me directly, as I was safely waiting for my light to turn green before proceeding with my turn, but it was disconcerting nonetheless.

Why is this something I even bring up?

Because as this year unfolds, and my daughter begins taking driving lessons in a few months, I am appalled by what she will be confronted with on our roads. Last year, I counted almost one "red-light-runner" EVERY SINGLE day! And again, that's just in my immediate proximity. I doubt that there are only 365 re-light-runners in all of Newark, and that this only happens when I'm stopped at my red lights!

So, as the year unfolds, I will be praying even more than ever. For "peace" in people's hearts and for a spirit of self-control, so that we can all be a little safer when we venture out!

Now this isn't all I'll be praying for, but it was on my mind this morning, and now it is here for all to see.

Oh, and hey, I challenge you all to start your own "Red-Light-Runners Log." Maybe we can do something more constructive with this information, than just gripe about it in a blog! What do you think?

Ms. Lucie

A New Year

Well...

It is over, 2007 I mean, and the Christmas holiday. And I got everything I could have wanted but one thing-"peace on earth". To be more accurate, I have peace but much of the world still does not have it. Whenever I contemplate Christmas I always think of it containing the promise of peace on earth. The angels promised it to the shepherds as they announced the birth of the Christ child.
LK 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Reading it more carefully I can see that the peace to be received is qualified. It is not a general presentation but rather a very personal one. What I mean is that peace can be obtained/received by anyone willing to receive Christ as their Savior. It is the only way to have peace. Also keep in mind that as we get closer to Jesus' second coming there will many who will proclaim peace for the entire world, but their offers are in vain. There is no general distribution of peace because it has to exist within us individually and the only way for this to happen is by believing the Jesus Christ is the Messiah and inviting Him into our lives.

Want real peace? Then get to know Jesus Christ.

Pastor P