Hoping in Christ Alone

It has been a busy month in the Valentine home!

Here are some things we're excited about:

• We're having a baby girl!  I'm 25 weeks crossing into the third trimester!  I had a moment the other day where this really hit me and I thought, 'oh no, I'm not ready to have this baby yet'!  Good thing the Lord has a plan and purpose for a pregnancy and Lord willing we still have 3 more months to prepare for our daughter's arrival.  We're currently attending birthing classes that we really enjoy and are both learning a lot.  The baby moves around all the time now and it brings a smile to my face whenever she moves around-even early in the morning!  (Pictures of me at 24 and 25 weeks below)
• Steve is almost done with his first year of seminary, I'm so proud of him!  He will take a break during the summer from classes and focus on raising support for his internship.
• We're moving into a house (if all goes as planned)!  When we found out our rent was going to spike up almost $200.00 more per month, we decided it might be worth looking into the housing market.  Over the course of the past 2 months, we have spent many hours looking, praying about and considering different options.  We signed a contract on a house and the closing date is just two weeks away.

With all these changes in life, it has been a variety of emotions for both of us.  Stress, excitement, anxiety, fear and hope.  Hope is the most important one and our desire is that it will supercede the other emotions.  We desire to rest our hope in the never changing (James 1:17) God.  We can only put our hope in the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to draw us closer to Christ.  This hasn't been an easy transition and over the past few weeks we have been greatly encouraged, rebuked, prayed over and spurred on by faithful friends and family who love us and are intentionally walking through life together with us.  To all those people, we are most thankful that the Lord has placed each one in our lives. 

I'm greatly encouraged by the living and active Word of God and stand firmly in the truth of scripture:

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield,

and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-3

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have

obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we

stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing

that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance,

proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope

does not disappoint, because the love of God has been

poured out within our hearts through the

Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed,

but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,

but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body

the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may

be manifested in our body. 

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

You have tried us, O God;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

Psalm 66:10

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

Let those who love Your salvation say continually,

'The Lord be magnified!'

Psalm 40:16

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer

and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be

made known to God.  And the peace of God,

Which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your

hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

24 weeks pregnant

25 weeks-beginning 3rd trimester

Hoping in Christ alone,  Jenny