Doubled Joy!

Each New Year's our family REALLY celebrates. No, the change from one calendar year to the next doesn't set our hearts to dancing. The reason for the doubled joy is that on January 1 each year we're privileged to rejoice over God's gift of TWINS. This year John and Alison turned 24.

I love the look on John's face here. He and Alison became best friends before their births. They have been the most remarkable cheering section for each other. Their relationship is just what you would hope of twins. Since Alison married Eric, John and Eric have developed and invested in a close friendship. In addition, John is a favorite uncle of Eric and Alison's little guy, William. John is eagerly awaiting the birth of his twin's first daughter.

We were informed, after untold testing and medication, that I would NEVER get pregnant. As a result of that never, our joy at having TWINS is to the sun and back. Our gratitude to God for the miracle of John and Alison is limitless. The Lord has shown us great kindness.

Happy 21st Birthday!

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver:

Twenty-one years ago God answered our prayers with an amazing gift… Anna Mackenzie!!

We had been childless and wanting for more than 6 years. We were hurting deeply and losing hope. Then, from the most unexpected quarter, God blessed us with the one I (Mr. Beaver) called “the little peepster” (in reference to the wonderful little peeps she made in the back seat of our car when we drove home with her for the very first time).

Anna is one of the many proofs in our lives that God hears our cries and answers with mercy beyond anything we could ever deserve.

“Who is like the Lord our God,

Who is enthroned on high…

He raises the poor from the dust

And lifts the needy from the ash heap…

He makes the barren woman abide in the house

As a joyful mother of children.”

Ps 113:5, 7, 9

And this year our blessing was multiplied as our beloved Anna married the husband of her dreams, a godly young man who will lead her, protect her, and shepherd her heart. We give thanks to God for Aaron as well as Anna.

God does indeed make beautiful things from dust!

We love you, Anna Mackenzie! Happy birthday, beloved daughter!

Dad and Mom

I Hated Mother's Day

As we went through month after month followed by year after year of infertility, I grew to hate one day above all others--Mother's Day. Going to church on that day was the worst part...smiling moms proudly cradling beautiful babies...the pastor's inevitable call for the mothers in the congregation to stand following his reminder to the congregation of the nobility of the role of motherhood in God's plan for His people...my own broken dream searing my heart as the other women in the church stood while I remained rooted to the cold, hard pew. I hated Mother's Day.

Who would have ever guessed that someone who faced such desolation and hopelessness would wake tomorrow with the happy realization that she's the mother of nine and will soon, Lord willing, be the mother of TWELVE?!? And nearly 20 years into being a mother, I love, love, LOVE my role as a mom even more than I thought I would during those difficult years of waiting.

I'm so grateful to God that he did eventually allow me the opportunity to experience pregnancy and even give birth to twins. But I'm equally grateful that the Lord has placed another 10 children in our lives through adoption. I never would have chosen this path without the blessing of infertility. Yes, I now think of our infertility as a blessing. From barrenness to bounty, my life is the story of God's plan being better than my own.

"He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!" ~Psalm 113:9

~Mrs. Beaver