Our family.

It seems like I am reminded on a daily basis that my job isn't just a job but more of a family. This week that reminder was a heart-breaker.

We will call the woman "A". I have known "A" since I began my internship 6 years ago, since that time she has blossomed into a precious believer in Christ. I have also watched her children grow up and have come to love them very much. 2 of her children are in our Rock Island group and 1 is in our Underground program. Last August "A" began attending our womens' bible study. I can't recall a day that she has missed and she has really built a relationship with all the women. 8 months ago "A" found out she was pregnant and this was a tough time for her considering her oldest is 16. Still she embraced the coming baby and even had a baby shower planned this coming Saturday... all the bible study women were invited.

Yesterday morning "A" woke up and couldn't feel the baby move, which is an odd thing this late in a pregnancy. She went to the doctor and found out the baby had gone into distress and didn't make it. They started her on meds to induce labor and this afternoon "A" gave birth to a baby girl that had already gone to be with the Lord. I know if you are a mother and reading this, and even if you aren't a mother, your heart is breaking. It's hard for me to even type this, because this is such a painful subject, but I share this story with you to share the powerful ending.

Yesterday when "A' found out about losing her baby, she came straight to Cross & Crown, even before she went home to tell her blood relatives, that is the FAMILY OF GOD. Today she asked Martha Bryant to be there when she delivered the baby, that is the FAMILY OF GOD. Her first thought after receiving the horrible news yesterday was that she wanted Paul to do a memorial service, that is the FAMILY OF GOD. Today when I called up to the hospital to check on her I was told that there were tens of twenties of women there, all neighborhood women from her bible study at the mission, that is the FAMILY OF GOD.

I don't get up every morning and drive down to Northwest Oklahoma City to go to work. I get up every morning to spend time with my brothers and sisters in Christ... my family. To God be the glory!