It’s always fun beginning something new…like a blog! And it’s even more fun getting to write about the new baby boy that God has blessed our family with. Gideon Joseph Sharpe entered this world a week ago on March 2 at 9:28 am. Most of you know that we thought we were having a baby girl for the majority of the pregnancy. It wasn’t until we arrived back in Lynchburg and went to an ultrasound in February that we were pleasantly surprised to find we were having a BOY! Not that we wouldn’t have been happy with another girl, but we feel super blessed to have the privilege of raising a son along with our 2 precious girls.
This past week has been a busy one as we transition to being a family of five, but it has been filled with so much joy. Its been fun watching Selah love on Gideon. She is turning out to be quite the little mama. Miriam is a little oblivious to her brother, but she does like to wave at him, steal his blankets and laugh when he starts to cry. Chandler is loving the fact that there is another guy in the house. Lets just say that he is one proud Papa! And then there is me. Sweet little Gideon has completely stolen my heart for sure. I am thankful for a son to raise to know, love, and serve Jesus. I can already see him running around the dusty streets of Southeast Africa with the little friends he makes there. I imagine God has big plans for this boy.
After we sent out an announcement that Gideon had arrived we received the most heartfelt letter written to Gideon from one of Chandler’s professors from back in college. I wanted to share it with you. We look forward to the day we can share these words of wisdom with Gideon.
Welcome into our world Gideon! You have no idea right now what an important day this is, and it will take you a few years to be able to appreciate the wonder of what has just happened to you. It is a bit of a strange world out here, at least from the perspective of where you have been. It can be cold and a bit harsh at times. You won’t be cared for quite as much as you have been. You are now out here and a bit more on your own. But while there is some “rawness” to our world, as you will quickly find out, God has given you some parents to guide you through it. Listen carefully to them, but don’t expect them to have all the answers or do everything perfectly. Their role is to point you to Someone who does have all the answers, and is perfect. Make it your goal to get to know Him. And if you do, your life will take on the purpose for which you came into this world. It may be a bit of a bumpy road at times, but it will be one great adventure, and at the end, you will get to meet that One who guides you through it. In the early years that follow today, learn to trust Him, even though you cannot see Him. For today, however, you can just lay there and enjoy everyone smiling at you.
Let me give you a history lesson for your future. Back in World War 1, King George VI gave a radio message from England. In it, he quoted a poem. That poem begins like this:
I said to the man at the gate: “Give me a light that I may walk safely into the unknown.”
He said to me: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God, and it shall be to you safer than the light, and better than the unknown.”
Put your hand into the hand of God, your Father, Gideon. Welcome to the journey of life!!
Thanks for taking the time to come along this journey with us!
Making Him Known,
Jamie (for the Sharpes)
Kaylee says
Oh friends! I love these pictures! I love the letter. I cried. My heart is overflowing with joy for you guys. Love you guys!