We Are Expecting
We’ve got a lot going on in the Ladd house this week… I’ve created a baby clothes organization system, baked and stockpiled Chris’ favorite granola, and filled our freezer with meals. Nothing to worry about over here - the people will be clothed and fed. My husband has become even more super- cleaning up after dinner, taking Lifa to run errands, and not judging my newly developed waddle. Lifa has discovered he’s a song-writing and puzzle-solving champ during the first week and a half of his school holiday while he tries to curb his anxious waiting. We are waiting and expecting….
GRANDPARENTS ARRIVE IN TWO DAYS!!! We haven’t seen our families in the US in over three years and haven’t seen Chris’ parents since they came here two years ago. There’s a very active competition in our house called, “Who’s the Most Excited!?!” (Lifa is currently in the lead. It’s because of his dance moves.)
BENJAMIN WILL ARRIVE ANY DAY NOW!!! We are so ready for this baby boy. I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting on me to get my eyebrows done (tomorrow!) and for his grandparents to get here. (I’m 39 weeks today - check out this belly!)
CHURCH!!! We’ve had two discipleship groups as Love Jesus Churchso far. It’s surreal to watch God start with a living room and a very handsome, mustached man to fulfill a vision and promise he gave that man three years ago. The timing seems crazy because at the end of each group, we have to say, “If we’re not giving birth, we’ll see you here next week!” But we knew this year would be about birth. And we started expecting it.
I’ve been pregnant for almost a year. We found out we were pregnant with Annabel Brave last year on April 2nd(Benjamin’s due date). We lost two babies before we found out we were having Benjamin at the end of July. In the past years, we’ve faced many types of loss, rejection and disappointment. Churches asked us not to visit them because they didn’t want us “taking their members”, others just weren’t open for relationship, and people we invited into our lives said they weren’t interested because we are a church.
But during all that loss, rejection and removal, God kept saying, “Enlarge the place of your tent. And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left. And your descendants will inherit the nations and make the desolate cities inhabited.” (Isaiah 54:2-3) He said keep going; keep making room; get ready for a house full. He said it would be a year of birth.
We’ve been pregnant with expectation for a long time. Expecting to be able to travel to see our families and friends again. Expecting to grow our sweet little Ladd family. Expecting God to build a church that He is happy with, just like He said He would. Today I’m writing you from such a sweet spot in the expectation: We had a very encouraging meeting with a Christian immigration lawyer. I just ate a piece of Honest Chocolate – andhave more for later. (Like I said, Chris Ladd is a super husband.) We are days away from becoming a family of four plus having three weeks of grandparents. Three generations in one home! And church is happening!
We went on our last day date as a family of 3 this week - painting pottery at The Clay Cafe!
Chris and I are just realizing that, after what felt like two year of hazing, we started expecting to be rejected for the very reason God has called us into Cape Town. Recently, it seems like everything has changed. It wasn’t because of our faithfulness - because we’ve been expecting the wrong things. It was because no matter how weak we are, God is faithful. And He does what He says He will do. Every. Single. Time.
He started showing us that we are not alone, and we have not been rejected. And then… plot twist... people have started asking us about church. Thanking them for the invitation!
We’ve had to change our expectations based on what God said, not on what we’ve seen or heard.We are blown away by His faithfulness as we stand at the brink of these two special births happening at the same time. We’re ready for it all. We’re ready for the baby, our family, the visa, and for the love of Jesus to become the hope of Cape Town and the beginning of Love Jesus Church. God gives good gifts to His children who love Him. And we are expecting.