Willing to share

It's crazy how much you learn when there is a time to go to the hospital that you never really wanted to know. When reading all the twin pregnancy books and twin raising books, Amber was always careful to skip over the Twin-Twin Transfusion sections because we didn't want to add something to worry about that we had no control over.

One of the things that we have learned that makes this incredibly more bearable and somehow uplifting while it is still also incredibly difficult is how God's love is funnelled to us through His people. We have gotten and are still getting so much food that Amber is afraid she is going to gain more weight from snack food than she did from 2 babies! (I have to admit that we used some of it to bribe the nurses we like:) We have been sent money from people we have known and loved for years, people who we have just met, and people that we have never met but heard about us through people we know. We have been getting cards every day reminding us that there are thousands of prayers going up for us. We have been offered several different places to stay in Nashville at people's houses in addition to finding the hospitality house at the Natchez Trace Church of Christ. We have gotten so many preemie clothes since the girls have been able to wear them that the nurses are staying busy keeping them changed. (Which is good since they seem to be blowing their diapers out every day!)

I just finished a book the other day entitled Irresistable Revolution. It is definitely a different viewpoint about Christianity and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The author is very concerned about the poor and outcast that too often are neglected because...well...Jesus was very concerned about them. Throughout the book, the author makes the observation that it is important to not just fight for an issue, but to get to know people. He asserts that we will do and share anything for someone that we know. The reason poverty and desperation goes without response from the church too often is because we are disconnected from people different than us.

I believe we have seen first hand how accurate that theory is. People from all over have poured time, energy, prayers, and money out for us because they knew us, knew someone we knew, or simply got to know us a little through this blog. While we have your attention, I'd like to pose a challenge and see if this can be one of the good things that comes from this whole ordeal. You have been willing to share with us and we have been overwhelmed by your generosity. I want to challenge us not to share with someone less fortunate yet, because that feels unnatural. I want to challenge us to simply find someone hurting or in need and get to know them. Spend time with them. Eat dinner at McDonald's with them a few times and find out about their family. If this theory is right, the sharing will happen, but it will not be coerced or forced. It will be the church being the body of Christ.

(I figured I needed to preach at least once since we had this audience)
The girls are both doing well. Gaining a little weight each day. I don't have new pics to post right now, but I'll get some up soon. Mattie is 3lbs 3oz and Sophie is 3lbs 1oz as of last night. Things are calm. We are getting more and more used to changing diapers and taking care of them without fear of breaking them.

I'd like to ask you to pray for a young couple whose son is across the room from us. We have gotten to know them a little over the last several days and their company has been a blessing to us. They are having a rough day today, and could use some encouragement. Thank you again for being willing to share stories, blessings, prayers, and encouragement. It means more than you know.