February 4, 2005

Hello Everyone,

Ben and I want to thank all of you for your prayers! At 1:08pm Friday afternoon, we delivered the most beautiful baby girl, weighing 4 pounds 5 oz...tiny tiny, but just like her big sister Hannah, she had BIG feet! Ha! She looks a lot like both of her big sisters, but mostly like Hannah, which is neat!

We just have to share that the Peace and Love that overflowed in that room was a witness to us and a beautiful reminder of the presence of God. His peace surpasses all understanding. It was nothing less that a miracle To know that she was looking down at us and praying for us to have peace when we delivered her earthly body was unreal and a source of strength for us. Ben said it best when he said that this is our goal as parents, to be open to life, embrace it, and lead our children to Heaven. And how blessed we are that we never have to worry about any one ever hurting our sweet Moriah, and that someday she will welcome US HOME! Wow! That helps us in our moments of missing her, which I know are not over!

But know that your prayers have brought us such strength and we are so blessed to have all of you! We laugh at the energy she had and are blessed to think of the days when daddy was so convinced she was a boy b/c of the strength in her kicks. Her energy was so plentiful that she managed to swim herself in a directions, which created a knot in her umbilical cord...and not only that, but she also managed to get herself tangled up in it, which ultimately lead to her going Home to our Fathers House. Ben also said it best today when he said that she was restless in this world and ready to be HOME in HEAVEN, It is moments and thoughts like these that just confirm the Lords hand in all of this!

God bless you all! Please keep praying for us, as I know there will be moments when our "humanness: gets the best of us...

Love...Ben, Maria, Hannah and Michaela