Doubly Blessed!

We have a new look and a new name for our blog! My friend, Leslie, at Sweet Berry Designs designed it for us. Thanks, Leslie!
I wanted to give a little background on the new name for our blog. As I wrote in my last post here we struggled with infertility for several years. During that time there were a few times that God really seemed to speak to me about it and give me words of encouragement and strength to get through the difficult times. If I looked back in my journals I could tell you when the following happened but having just returned from China with our second child I don't have a lot of time for reflecting back through my old journals right now :-). Somewhere along our journey God really spoke to me from Isaiah 61. In verse 7 it says, "Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they shall shout for joy over their portion." In verse 9 it says, "Then their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed." In Bible times and in some cultures still today it is very shameful to not have children. Even in our western society many times women who are childless feel shame. I know for many years I did. When God spoke this to my heart I felt that He told me that someday in place of my shame He would give me two children and I felt that they would be twins. Although our children are not biological twins - in our hearts and eyes they are twins. They are only 4 days apart in age and will be raised as twins with many of the same issues and blessings that twins have. I could start preaching here but won't! I just want to say that we are doubly blessed with our two wonderful children and know that God has great things in store for them and for us through them!