A Letter to my Baby Boy...

Dear Brandt, Today, I am 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant today, and we (as in you and I) have been measuring at 40-41 weeks since week 36. You were pretty easy on me for most of this pregnancy, but the end has been hard. I know it will all be worth it soon though. We are all ready to meet you, and we now know that we will get to do so in just 7 days or less!  Your big sisters are really ready to meet you. Avaree can't wait to hold you, let you sleep on her chest while she watches Frozen, and to change your diaper super quickly so that you don't spray her. :)  Felicity is ready for you to get here so that she can get comfortable in Mommy's lap again. She daily tries to move you over, but she daily gets frustrated that she can't. Recently, she has started kissing my belly when I ask her to kiss brother, and I think the two of you will be the best of friends soon.  Your Daddy is VERY ready to meet you. He wants y'all to wear your matching Superman onesies and watch football together. He wants to get a second vote for the male team in our house, and he can't wait until he can play boy stuff with you.  Daddy and I both can't wait to see what you look like. We saw Felicity via a 3D sonogram at least once every two weeks since she was 20 weeks gestation, so we felt like we knew what she would look like, but we haven't seen you since 20 weeks, and we are so anxious to she your squishy little face and kiss your cheeks!  We have been praying for you for a long time. Your name, Brandt Ryder, means "sword messenger," and we long for you to be just that--in whatever capacity God calls you. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to "put on the helmet of salvation, and the sword of Your Spirit, which is Your Word." God gave me a verse for you before we even named you, and it is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: "Be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong, and do everything in love."  I pray that you will be a man of integrity. In this world where culture often speaks louder than Truth, may you hide His words in your heart forever, and may you live them out daily.  May you be a man like your Daddy. A man who, although he isn't perfect, daily strives to put the Lord and his family first. A man that is brave enough to admit his mistakes and seek to correct them. A man that uses his past and his present to point others toward Jesus. A man that knows just when to step in and help, and also when to just sit back and pray for those involved. A man that loves people passionately and makes everyone that knows him feel loved. A man that genuinely loves life and makes it fun for others.  And so much more… I've recently learned the power of praying scripture for your Daddy, your sisters, and you. Here is what I am praying for you right now… "May Brandt honor You, God, with his heart, and not just his lips." (Isaiah 29:13) "May Brandt walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You." (Deuteronomy 13:4) "May Brandt know that You are his light and salvation--that You are the stronghold of his life; then whom shall he fear?" (Psalm 27:1) "Like Paul, may Brandt learn to be content in any situation." (Philippians 4:13). "Like Timothy, may Brandt be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) "Like David with Goliath, may Brandt stand up for You, the living God." (1 Samuel 17) "Like Abraham, may Brandt obey You in faith." (Genesis 12:4)  "May Brandt discern and follow wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere." (James 3:17) "May Brandt not have a haughty spirit, for pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) "May Brandt be wise and inherit honor." (Proverbs 3:35) "May Brandt be blameless and innocent--Your child, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation." (Philippians 2:15) "May Brandt be Your servant, Lord Jesus Christ." (James 1:1) "May Brandt love You, Lord, his God, with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might." (Deuteronomy 6:5) "May Brandt be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22) …and most of all… "May Brandt confess with his mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in his heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and be saved." (Romans 10:9) Oh little one, you are already so loved. We can't wait to meet you, cuddle you, love you, play with you, and all the other little joys that will fill your babyhood. We are also excited to see what your future will hold and how our family dynamics will grow and change once you join us.  Please know that though your Mommy is so very flawed, I will love you every day of my life, and I will seek every day to not only love you, care for you, read to you, laugh with you, play with you, hug you, and hold you (as long as you'll let me), I'll also do my best to point you to the only one that could ever love you more than me.  We'll see you soon! I love you, Mommy