Resting on great-grandmother’s shoulder. Hard to believe this precious angel cries at times, but she does. She did last night at 2:30 and after she calmed down in the living room with me and started to sleep I watched my first (but probably not my last) episode of Conan O’brien (NBC is one of only two channels we have). I am finally seeing how those many all-nighters in college prepared me for the ‘real world.’ One BIG difference – holding your daughter all night is a delight! I would not use that word to describe the holding of a biology book all night long.
Is this for real? The feelings that come with being a dad are wonderfully overwhelming! I had no idea. They tell you that it will great – but it is amazing! I told my mother-in-law tonight that I feel bad for feeling so incredibly joyful. She wisely responded by asking me if I believe that God not only delights in me, but wants me to be delighted as well… God does delight in us, and does want us to be delighted as well. So any guilt in being exceedingly joyful in my daughter is gone, and I am enjoying the blessing that God has given us. Praise Him!
Here we are heading out the hospital tonight.
Joyful parents indeed.
Below is what awaited us home, thanks to the artistic and creative Aunt Martha.
Here is a picture of our precious daughter, Noa.
Noa’s name is a Japanese name meaning “beautiful love,” and Kathryn is after my wonderful mother whose name means “pure.” The name Noa also reminds us of a man of great faith in the Old Testament who stood out among men as righteous before God. Our prayer is that this Noa would, at an early age, be clothed with the righteousness of Christ; and that her life would be one that is characterized by great faith, grace, and holiness.
The moment I have been waiting for and the moment many of you have been waiting for…
Holding my beloved daughter and getting ready to change the first diaper.
