Mardi Gras starts in a couple weeks and Paul had a hankering for a king cake. He got on line and found a recipe and between him, his mom, and his dad we got to eat this…

Lily is being spoiled by her Cap and Nana on a daily basis. Paul’s parents have been here this week and it’s been great to have them. They are such a big help with Lily. I don’t think we’ll be hurting from a lack of baby sitters when we get back!

Yesterday we went to the Consulate. I know what you’re thinking….here we go again. And you’d be partially correct.

We headed down to the Consulate about 10:15 a.m. However, we forgot to get out money ahead of time so we had to stop by the ATM. Then we headed to the metro. We waited for about 20 minutes or so for the metro in order to go ONE stop. That’s right, one stop. It finally arrvies and we have about 15 minutes to get to our appointment on time.

As we travel up the escalator from the metro I say, “I know what we forgot…an envelope (for the Consulate to mail our documents back to us).” Paul’s reaction, “Uhhhhh.” But no worries, there is a post office right by the metro stop. So I bop in to get an envelope and apparently my Italian has gotten so bad over the last month from a lack of seeing lots of Italians that I have a hard time just getting an envelope.

But I exit the post office with an envelope and after walking swiftly we arrived at the Consulate more or less on time. A very nice man, who spoke perfect English, helped us and everything was going smoothly until he saw Lily’s passport photos. He said, “This probably won’t work,” and my heart sank because I knew what was coming. But he was nice enough to try it anyway. The results were not good. He directed us to a photo shop that would take the picture. So, we turned in all the paperwork and headed down to the photo place.

Now Paul had tried for about two weeks to get this picture. The photo man did it in about 30 seconds. That says nothing about Paul’s ability to take the picture but everything about us not having the sense to take her to a photo shop in the first place.

We then head back to the Consulate, turn in the photos, pay, and then wait for the head honcho to come and approve the documents and make us swear that they were filled out correctly. We waited for around 45 minutes. However it was entertaining because there were two sisters there, who are Italian and American citizens, trying to get some paperwork filed. But that is a different story for a different day. After what seemed like forever the vice head honcho did all the swearing in and whatnot because the main head honcho never showed and we were free to go.

We will go back in about 10 days to pick up the documents. Oh, that’s right I forgot to tell you. After all the junk with the envelope we ended up not needing it because we can go pick it up. After we have the birth certificate and passport we can get the social security card.

Did I mention this whole time Paul’s parents were sitting outside in the wind and cold because security would not let them come inside and sit? Fun times.

When you have a baby overseas you not only have to get birth certificates from the country you are in but you also have to get all the paperwork from America, i.e. birth certificate, Social Security Number and a passport. Ok, sounds simple doesn’t it? Not really though.

So far we’ve made two appointments with the Consulate and canceled both. Why? Because we can’t get a photo for Lily’s passport that will work. Do you know how hard it is to get a newborn to look straight at you with open eyes and not crying…pretty dog gone hard.

So we will try again next week. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

December 15 – Paul and I go to the doctor and are told that my amniotic fluid level is too high, preventing Lily’s head from becoming fixed in my pelvis.

December 17 – There is no change in the amniotic fluid level and Lily’s head is still not where it needs to be. The doctor tells us Saturday, December 19, I will have to have a cesarian section.

December 19 – We started out early, around 6:15 am. We arrived at the hospital at 7:00 am and I started getting ready for Lily’s arrival. Her heart beat was checked and was normal. At 8:30 am it was time to go down to the operating room. At 10:30 am I was back in my room and Lily was getting cleaned up.

My doctor came in a little later and told us (me, Paul and Shannon Worthy) that when Lily was born the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice and then around her shoulder. One of her legs was by her shoulder. A natural birth would have been impossible and if it had been attempted the results could have been very bad.

I was so nervous about the high amniotic fluid level, but if God had not allowed that level to be high and her head to not be fixed in my pelvis then Lily might not be here. So many things could have changed the outcome of Lily’s being here: if we were an hour later arriving at the hospital, if the c-section had been scheduled for the next day, if the doctor had been running late, etc., etc. I am not dwelling on these things, but am writing them to acknowledge that God is sovereign over all things. Praise be to the God who knows all and holds our lives in His mighty and capable hands. Thank God for high amniotic fluid levels.

This has been an experience that we have been able to share with our friends here, both Christian and non-Christian. We have shared how God knows everything and everything is in His hands. So, I praise God that Lily was born without complications. I praise God that He used what I thought was a big thing to bring Lily into the world safely. I praise God that through this He name is glorified. I praise God that through this we are able to share with others how great and wonderful He is.

How sweet it is to rest in the knowledge that God is soverign over all things.

Christmas has come and gone and we had a lot of fun celebrating. Between opening the pile of gifts from America, feeding and changing Lily, and making and eating gumbo we had quite the day. I was really glad my mom got to be here, even though I hate she missed Christmas with everyone else.
Lily made out pretty good. She got lots of pretty clothes, books, and toys from family. Thank you all for the gifts. Enjoy the pictures.

Really, why do I even attempt to take pictures anymore when I have a husband who can take this??

“I can’t take all the flashing and clicking anymore!!”

Fish toy from Cap and Nana (aka Paul’s parents)

Ben Worthy trying to figure out why Lily is swinging in his old swing.

Hurrah for Christmas!

First Christmas picture

I think most people after they have gone through something really big or long or trying or wonderful reflect back on that time. I am no different.
Today I can say that God has brought me into a deeper relationship with Him over the past nine months. The following lyrics, written by Daniel Doss, sum up more or less this time in my life. I will always be thankful and praise God for EVERYTHING that has happened during this time because of where I am now. Sometimes it is when we are at our lowest that we learn the most. Thank God for the valleys and the mountains.

A couple of weeks ago we started receiving boxes from my family. We have received four in total. Each box has wrapped Christmas gifts for me, Paul, Lily and even some for my mom who will be spending Christmas with us.

Thank you to my family who are so considerate and loving. We love you and look forward to spending Christmas with you next year.

There is it folks. The ninth month belly. Soon we’ll see what’s been in there this whole time.

Yesterday, in Fort Worth, TX, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary held commencement services. Had Paul been in America he would have walked across a stage, shook Dr. Paige Patterson’s hand, and received his Masters in Missiology degree.

But we are not in America, so…….

We threw him a surprise graduation party! I printed up a “degree” and presented it to him. We had cake and ice cream and celebrated Paul’s graduation from seminary. YEAH!!