If you watch our worship services or were here in person, you may have seen my “blubbering” a few weeks ago during our graduate recognition service. It is true that I am an emotional person, but with my children I am especially sensitive. And while some of you know our family’s story, I thought I’d share it with all of you and offer a little insight into my speechless “blubbering.”

After Misty and I got married in 1996 she was diagnosed with a condition that would (we were told) require us to go through medical processes in order to have a child. So we accepted the fact that having a baby would be an ordeal. Fast forward to February 2001. We had moved to Warner Robins and Misty had to find a new doctor. A lady who worked for me at the bookstore recommended a Christian doctor in Macon. Misty went by herself to see him and came home with the news that he had put her on some medication which would correct her chemical imbalance and no other intervention would be necessary to have a baby. This news totally shocked us. That same week I was at prayer meeting and was paired with a group of three ladies from our church to pray with. I told them our story and they prayed for us to be able to have a baby. These saints interceded for us and Heaven answered. Three months later we found out that Alannah was on the way! And early indications hinted that we were expecting twins.

Three months into the pregnancy we thought Misty had miscarried. A frantic trip to the doctor revealed that Alannah was just fine but there may have been a twin who did not survive. We won’t know until we get to Heaven, but we are convinced we have another baby waiting for us there. The next six months were rocky and Misty was hospitalized at one point. Finally February 11, 2002 came and a healthy 7 lb. baby girl entered our lives just after lunchtime. When I went to tell our family that she was here, I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t speak. All I could do was cry. They saw me coming up the hall and assumed my tears meant something had gone wrong. I stood mute for several minutes, finally able to utter “She’s so beautiful” to their relief and joy.

So now you know “the rest of the story.” Eighteen years later I still get struck silent when I’m overcome with emotion at this child (who is now a young lady). I am forever indebted to those three women who prayed for us and to the friend who put us in touch with that Christian doctor. I am amazed at God’s goodness, grace and love in that He gave us both of our children (Walker’s arrival process was also fraught with miscarriage scares and hospital stays). I am blessed to be their father and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for their miraculously created lives. And yes, I’ll probably continue to be dumbfounded each step of the way.