My Quarantine Buddy

Evelynn is 6 months old today!

Last year this time everyone was asking me the big question: 

Are you gonna give birth to your first child in Guatemala, a third world country? 

Or are you gonna postpone your moving date and have the baby in the US?

Contrary to the popular assumption I chose to give birth to Evelynn in Guatemala. I never second guessed the decision nor did I have fear or anxiety about it. When people really tried to convince me it was a dangerous idea, I often replied, “Guess what? Lots of babies are born in Guatemala everyday!” I usually received that annoyed look of “you’re right, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.” I had peace about this decision because I believed it was where God wanted us to be.

God also knew… 

…I would be stuck in Guatemala during this quarantine. 

…I would be unable to do ministry the way I had expected. 

…I would be far away from family and friends. 

…I would be without work and therefore be tempted to feel purposeless. 

So God gave me a baby. The world would say the timing of my baby was inconvenient. God would say it was perfect and so would I.

My Ministry

This quarantine I have had lots of time to love and nurture Evelynn. Time to learn how to be a mom. Time to be still and enjoy my baby. Time to focus on how amazing life is as I watch my baby grow and change. Time to consider what it looks like for me to raise my child in the ways of the Lord

My Companion

This quarantine I have not been alone. I have had Evelynn. We play together, nap together, laugh together, lay on the floor together, exercise together, and make weird noises together. We watch the sunrise and the sunset, listen to the birdies and go for walks together. During those quarantine moments when I felt sad and alone I had a baby to snuggle. She would always reach for my face with her little hands saying, I want you! One of the best things about having a baby is that they never get tired of you. Evelynn always wants me.

My Work

This quarantine I have had a baby to keep me busy and to remind me I have purpose. 

I am so thankful God gave me Evelynn right when he did. At first, I didn’t think it was good timing to be having a baby 2 months after moving to a foreign country.  Now I know God was looking out for my needs and providing me ministry, companionship, and work in a season where it was easy to feel like I lost all three. I don’t know what I would have done during this quarantine without Evelynn. God knew my needs and he provided good things for me.

My take away

We have the choice to view every situation through the eyes of the world or through the eyes of God. Often the world’s view is easier to see because it is right in front of us and we hear it constantly from other people and social media. Looking through God’s view is more challenging because we often can’t see all the details or the ending, it requires faith, trust, and hope.

Walking into day #122 of quarantine I’m holding Romans 8:28 closely, because I see it fulfilled all around me, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It wasn’t easy to see, like a baby who wakes up in the night crying because they want to eat. No, I had to actively look, seek, and ask to be shown how God was fulfilling His promise of Romans 8:28 in my life.

Encouragement for you

What is something in your life during this quarantine that the world would say is inconvenient or a bummer? Take some time to seek God and see the situation through his eyes. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”~ Romans 8:28

Lots and lots of pictures!