ABIGAIL IS HERE...amazing grace

On July 18th 2007, God granted us the undeserved privilege of meeting the new addition to our family...Abigail Renee. She was born at 7:42 pm and weighed 7lbs 10ounces. She was 19.75 inches long (but looking at her father-esque feet (specifically toes) I would contend she is longer). We have attached some pictures of her out fresh out of the womb (those would be the pics with the scrunched up face), in the hopsital, and at home. So much to write about...the all-nighter before the delivery, labor and delivery, hospital stay, visits from friends and family, moments of joy as she explores her new world (not sure how far she sees, but she is exploring), moments of sadness as she cries and nothing we do seems to be helping, and the new level of appreciation and love I have for my bride. Obviously, I do not have the time to write all of this now, but in a nutshell I would like to briefly list several reasons of why I am extremely overwhelmed by the grace of God.

--His grace in sending Christ to live a sinless life, to die a sinner's death, and to raise 3 days later has made this all possible. Apart from our salvation in Christ, we would not know true joy nor would we be able to experience and give the love which Christ desires for our family to experience. His grace has truly made this experience one of the most enjoyable of our lives. As a father (and a seasoned one at that) His grace has stunned me in thinking He would give His only Son to allow a world who would despise Him to have a right relationship with God...Isaac Watts was correct, the grace of God is both amazing and a sweet sound!

--His grace in allowing me to see the birth of Abigail. God's grace was great in this moment of worship because I was able to see my wife give all she had to bring Abigail into this world. FYI-the word on the street is out...Jackey is superwoman! She pushed in labor for 11 minutes and in the words of our delivery nurse"I wish I could frame your picture because you have been the best patient I have worked with." God's grace allows me to wake up next to not only the best patient but also the best wife daily. Also when Abigail came out and cried for the first time...God's grace overwhelmed me in that the author and sustainer of life saw fit to allow her to begin her journey in becoming (we earnestly pray) a worshipper of Christ. The whole experience leaves me speechless.

--I realize this could turn into the longest post ever and some of you might be tempted to not read any more posts I leave...so this will be the last reason for today of why I have overwhelmed at the grace of God: He has given us a biological family that loves us more than we know, and they have continued to amaze us at the ways in which they love us and their new relative. In the love of our family, God's grace is abundant. He also has allowed us to be enveloped by love by the body of Christ. Our spiritual family has been an constant reminder of the abundant life found in living a life for the glory of the Lord. His grace has likewise overwhelmed us by the way our friends love us.

In summary, thank you all for the calls, emails, visits, prayer, love, and support you have shown our family during this time of transition. We count ourselves blessed to be loved by you. Continue to challenge and encourage us to pursue God more than ever so that we may be able to parent well and emulate to our little girl what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Lastly, praise be to Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12.2). It is this good God who has given us this gift of grace...Abigail Renee Perry. We love you all.