Ready

The bassinet is snuggled up close to our bed with clean sheets and a third white afghan made by a sweet lady in my mom's church. Little onesies and gowns and outfits are tucked into baskets at the foot of our bed, washed and ready to be worn. The infant seat is cleaned and installed in our car. Suitcases lay in wait, big sister t-shirts hang on our door, and Nana should be on her way less than a week from now just in case.

And I, my friends, am blown away.

I've had two girls' nights out turned showers, which meant the world to me. The first was a complete surprise from our incredible neighborhood friends, my dip and diaper shower as it was called, since we loaded up on some fine Mexican cheese and salsa (Mama Brown, I wish we had moved that big box, but I couldn't move from all the fajitas! Ha!) The second was from the wonderful women in my church small group, who made me feel special while dining on Italian goodness. They actually printed out the previous blog post and took turns praying specifically for us. It is so humbling to be on the receiving end of such love and generosity!

But to this checked off list of to-dos and sweet blessings, I am blown away by the scripture and prayers that I've tucked into a book. That I read over every single night. That will go with me to the place where our daughter will meet us for the first time. Not to mention the songs that Joe and I downloaded! I am telling you what... among the comments and e-mails and even some deliveries, we are filled up with wisdom and with truth. It is such a beautiful, beautiful thing and... well, talk about meaning the world to me???

I couldn't help but compile them here as a resource for any of you out there facing struggles, challenges, moments of fear. I'll continue to add to this as we receive any more. Pour over these verses and listen to the words of these songs. I promise you, you will feel His strength rise up within you. May it be a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful thing to each of you!

Scripture:
1 Peter 5:7
2 Timothy 1:7
Joshua 1:3-9
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Exodus 14:14
Jeremiah 17:8
Deuteronomy 31:8
Matthew 11:28-30
Hebrews 13:6
John 12:15, 15:7
Isaiah 35:4, 54:4-17, 43:1-7, 41:13, 27:1, 28:3, 26:3
Psalm 12:2, 55:22, 116:1, chapters 23 and 27 and 121, 46:10, 10:1, 62:5-7, 127:3-5, 64:1 & 9-10, 56:3-4 & 12-13, 44:3, 37:3-4, 31: 2& 5
Judges 7:2-3
1 Thessalonians 1:3
2 Thessalonians 3:3
1 John 4:18
Zephaniah 3:17
*Our former doula and now dear, family friend also shared a "prayer birth plan" that is chocked full of scripture and amazing truth! I will be glad to forward it to you if you're interested.

One to write out that has resonated with me so is this from Joshua: "... I will not fail you or abandon you... Be strong and courageous... Be strong and very courageous... This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Songs:
You are On Our Side by Bethany Dillon
All I Need by Bethany Dillon
Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon
Hope Now by Addison Road
You Never Let Go by Matt Redmon
How He Loves by David Crowder Band
Before the Throne of God Above by Shane & Shane
When I Think About the Lord by Shane & Shane
Burn Us Up by Shane & Shane
Beauty for Ashes by Shane & Shane
When You are Near by Jeremy Camp
I Need You by Jars of Clay
Amazed by Lincoln Brewster
How Can I Keep from Singing? by Chris Tomlin
Everlasting God by Chris Tomlin
Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong
Safe in His Arms by Phil Wickham
What a Wonderful World
Somewhere Over the Rainbow... Hawaiian version
Every Season by Nichole Nordeman
Where to Find Me by Watermark
If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens
Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker
Anything by Alberto and Kimberly Rivera
Healing by Faith Blatchford
Baby Oil by John Belt
Alone in His Presence by CeCe Winans
Baby Mine by Bette Midler or Alison Krauss (Holly, when I used to have music on this blog, that was one of my top songs! :)
Blessed Be by Alison Krauss
In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell
Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns
Your Hands by JJ Heller
What it Means to be Loved by Mark Schultz
God Our Protector by Steve Bell
You're Not Alone by Meredith Andrews
The Shadow of Your Wings-- CD by Fernando Ortega
I Will Lift My Eyes by Bebo Norman
Speak to Me by Jill Phillips
The Door by Jill Phillips
I Am by Jill Phillips

Two songs that were suggested more than once have lyrics below because the message of them... well, I hope I'm not wearing out the whole "means the world" phrase, but man... BEAUTIFUL!

With Strength Renewed,
Katrina


Your Hands by JJ Heller (You Tube Video)

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

I Am by Jill Phillips (You Tube Video)

oh gently lay your head upon my chest
and I will comfort you like a mother while you rest
the tide can change so fast, but I will stay
the same through past, the same in future, same today

I am constant; I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy; I am wise
I'm the only one who knows your heart's desires
your heart's desires

oh weary, tired and worn, let out your sighs
and drop that heavy load you hold 'cause Mine is light
I know you through and through; there's no need to hide
I want to show you love that is deep and high and wide

'cause I am constant; I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy; I am wise
I'm the only one who knows your heart's desires
your heart's desires

I am constant; I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy; I am wise
I'm the only one who knows your heart's desires
your heart's desires

oh gently lay your head upon my chest
and I will comfort you like a mother while you rest