Showers of Blessing

Editor’s Note:  I was writing this post last night and was too tired to finish it.  I looked at my email today and Andrea has this very same post on her blog today!  You might want to look at it here.  You can get Andrea’s take on the event.  And some better photos… a woman at the shower was taking pictures and she is photographer!

The ladies of Andrea’s church planned a surprise shower for her.  Andrea did not have a clue.  First of all because you usually only receive a shower with a first baby.  Secondly, these ladies had already taken up a collection and bought a new double stroller for Andrea.  So when we walked into the church on Saturday afternoon, and those ladies all yelled “Surprise”…Well it was a good thing Ben was standing by to hold her up! 

The theme of the shower was Showers of Blessing and that is just what took place!

This is Agnes and Mary, they put the shower together

This is just the dessert table. The kitchen was also full of hot food dishes.  That struck me as a labor of love, because it was really hot in New York.  I would not have wanted to turn the oven on to cook!  They even boxed up a large pan of leftovers to go home with.

Ben’s Mom and sister drove down from MA to be at the shower also.  Here’s a Grandma shot…both of us with Andrea and the little grands!

Meredith met Nolan for the first time and Sissy had not seen him since he first arrived home from the hospital.  He has put on a couple of pounds since then.

My umbrella girls! Andrea in the “special chair” and Elaine with one of the table decorations! (Have I mentioned that she is just so cute?  Not in this post anyway!)

These girls sang Cherish the Moment…very sweet.  There were a lot of teary eyed Moms when they finished.  Their Mom, Sherry Hyden, gave the devotion.  (Her husband is the Pastor of the Russian congregation that shares the same building as Ben and Andrea’s church.)

It was an acrostic of Nolan’s name and full of encouraging and practical examples.

N-new grace that God gives.  For each child and each day!
O-only you can be your child’s Mother…and it is an important work God has for you…Eph.2:10
L-look to and lean on God. Your quiet time and prayer are important.  God, Who created and knows your child best, will hear your prayers for help. 
A- a sense of adventure is a good attitude to have, whether it is an exciting time or a time of trouble.  Prov. 22:6 
N- never ending encouragement to start and to keep doing what is right.  Gal. 6:9

And then the gifts. It was just such a joy to see the love and care each of the ladies have for Andrea.

After the shower there were many “hands” pitching in to clean up and put the room back in order for the church service on the following day.  These ladies gave of their time, energy, creativity…and it was evident it was from the heart. 

From my perspective, my heart was very full.  I know in many ways it has been a struggle and kind of tough for Ben and Andrea to make the move to Brooklyn. (This is also my perspective but in a lot of ways, it is a foreign country!) But when you follow the Lord’s leading in your life, these things are not a surprise to Him. He takes care of you and in many ways it is through your church family. I was so glad to see Andrea being cared for in person and be reminded that shower’s of blessings are much more than a theme for a baby shower. It is God’s Hand of grace poured out in very real ways!