Hey there, friends! Sorry for another season of radio silence -let’s just say 2023 has been quite a year for the Babb family. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, laughter and tears, and some significant milestones in our journey. So, let’s dive right in! Eswatini - Mission Accomplished Our family’s mission in Eswatini continued to evolve, almost like it had a life of its own and the local Swazi mission is still going strong.
Hi all! We have been meaning to write a fall update for some time now- sorry for the delay! Since we got back from our three-week Swaziland survey trip in August, a lot has happened- we are officially “on board” to move to Swaziland, Brandon started a new job, and we are preparing for baby to arrive (more on him soon). First, Swaziland- We are in the beginning steps of learning how to fundraise.
I have written this story countless times in my head over the last year, long before thinking of beginning a blog. I narrate silently, as if some unknown reader will someday unfold my inner mind and care to see my thoughts. My memory is fallible, I well know, so now I write with physical hands. Adam. Our son. We knew his name before we knew he was a boy. It was so Right.
It’s pretty late here in Swaziland and it has been a tiring few days on many bumpy dirt roads, so please forgive my disjointed writing. In fact, I think my brain will be a little scrambled for the next few weeks as there is so much to take in and process here. In Yesterday, Ncobile, one of the local AIM (Adventures in Missions) staff, took us with her to the Ekudzeni Carepoint.
Brandon, my mom and I are in Seattle, WA, for the weekend for a wedding. One of my cousins closest in age to me, Patrick, is getting married today and much of my family is in town for the occasion. My father was the oldest of five and most of his siblings and their families live in different states. Before my dad and my grandparents passed, we used to have big family reunions and this wedding weekend is reminiscent of that family time.
We are pregnant! I’m 16 weeks exactly today. You’ll notice I use “we” in that first sentence- Brandon has been an absolute gem in trying to help me with morning sickness, grabbing me food when I just need to eat something “NOW.” and patiently listening to me tell him all my aches and pains. The pregnancy seems to be going well so far and I think I’m starting to feel “him” kick.
The song “Our God” just came on my internet radio and I am overcome with emotion. It was a very powerful song for me in our difficult season last year, and God made sure I got to hear it often. Today this line from the chorus especially stuck out: “Our God is healer Awesome in power Our God, our God” We prayed and prayed that our son Adam would be healed before he was born.
Last night we had a little gender reveal party! A good friend of mine, Jen, volunteered last week to make us a cake with pink or blue frosting in the middle and we had the ultrasound technician text her directly what the gender was yesterday so we wouldn’t know until everyone else did! We invited a few friends and family over and let them guess if baby Babb is a girl or a boy by which side of the room they stood on.
Last week, I received my first ever spinal adjustment. I had no idea my body could crack and pop in so many ways that didn’t result in bodily harm. My chiropractor also showed me all my lovely issues via X-ray. He warned how my body would become harder to fix as time goes on if I did nothing now. I replied jokingly, “We’ll, it’s just my body.” The doc laughed and gave a skeptical look at the crazy person in front of him (as I guess most doctors would).
Welcome to our blog! This blog is intended for friends and family who would like to know what we’re up to, but all are welcome to read. You know, for a few years now I’ve been thinking of doing this- I’m so terrible at sending out physical newsletters! Luckily for me, I have a sweet, helpful husband who knows how to navigate technology. I’m hoping that this blog will be a good outlet for us to post, share, and process what God is doing in our lives and all that goes on during our journey through life.