Signs of Progress

So, most of you know what this indicates for the Free family. Lord willing, we'll have another addition to our little herd in late November.

After Ranne was told we were going to have another baby, he was very thoughtful. We took my brother out for a birthday lunch of generous and sloppy helpings of Mexican food and Ranne said, "If you eat all that food and it goes down to your tummy, it gets the baby all messy!"

We are excited but are still in the very early stages of the pregnancy. We decided to share with you all so you could, we hope, pray for our child's health. Perhaps we were too ignorant to the possibility of miscarriage until it actually happened to us last December. Many experience it. So, though we've always praised God for the miracle each child is, we see even more the delicacy and intricacy.

The trips South seemed to go quite well. Most churches are not especially excited about the idea of us being there to ask for funds to support the ministry. But, they do like breaks from classes and preaching and such. So, we are delighted to go, encourage the bodies there and try to educate the youth in those areas about myriad opportunities to serve God while attending a state school. Interesting fact, most youth in the youth groups right now do not have parents (many do, but not the majority) who regularly meet with the church. This is good for us because we don't have to battle the Christian school vs. state but instead UNM vs. all the other inexpensive schools in NM. We would like to bring in souls to the CSC, help them mature in Christ in very visible ways and send them back home to their families and churches as strong and serving individuals.

Ruidoso on Monday went well for getting to know what is going on down there.

On Wednesday it was good to catch up with church family who nurtured my family so generously when I was there with Mom and Dad. They continue to be amazingly generous and encouraging to all who walk in. We were updated on the church history in Roswell, which was fascinating.

An interesting and giving couple hosted Garrett and Jessie and their son. Their beautiful home was opened to them as well as very joyful hosts. The Schmillies seemed honored.

We spent the night with my 'cousin'. Our great-grandmothers were sisters. The connection we have is stronger spiritually than physically, but it was wonderful to catch up with them. Their cat entertained our boys thoroughly. Their two sons were very patient with our boys and one gave up his room and sleep for our stay.

Not long after we arrived there for the night, everyone was sitting in the living room visiting. Ranne reached over to his dad, ruffled Scott's hair and asked, "Is it okay if I make them laugh?"

Toby survived the trip with a decent demeanor, but definitely more serious and clingy. He seemed to get through it all mainly through his most recent comfort of sucking on his socks. He pulls them off and acts like he's trying to nurse them. He does this around the house, stealing socks out of the sock box, sucking on them and leaving them scattered around the house. It's pretty sweet, but strange.

We're proud of him. He does really well with difficult situations. In Alamogordo on Saturday, a young girl was holding him and carrying him and generally being motherly and rough. I put a stop to it fairly quickly, but he was patient the whole time. Sunday night his face was scratched by a little girl. As blood from his cheek was oozing down his shirt, he didn't utter a peep. I'm not sure if he knew it happened or not, but he handled the stress and the anxiety of everyone else well.

He always says yes, please and thank you. His vocabulary is growing a great deal. His little voice is so sweet to hear.

We were invited to go to the Houston area to see my dad next week with a friend. I believe we'll take her up on it, though I need to call my dad to confirm with them. Scott plans on doing some major remodel while I'm gone. Painting in the house has been put off until I'm past the first trimester of the pregnancy. I don't really want to expose the new one to paint fumes while his/her organs are developing.

There are more stories, but I have two weeks of house work to catch up on so need to run.

God bless you all.