Today marks the 37th week of this pregnancy...I finally gained close to the amount my midwives advised, so I definitely look pregnant now/am doing the pregnant waddle.

I am not resting as much as I should perhaps (still working), but being active has been good for me, and I have been really grateful recently for this season of confusion, uncertainty, and challenges. I have learned more and more to take things one step at a time, accept help, persevere, and let go of things I cannot control (with only an average weekly weeping breakdown, ha).

I cannot control what happens with my husband's visa. I cannot control when the baby will come. I cannot control many situations in our lives, and a lot of situations are not ideal. But it's ok. Trusting God is always a challenge for me, and these circumstances are being used by Him to teach me in ways nothing else could have taught me.

I have worried about my husband as he is forced to stay home on a tourist visa, with no driver's license, and in a situation which can be frustrating as he feels helpless, he has learned to rely on God more too, and he has been an endless source of encouragement for me.We came to the United States for the birth of our child, as my visa was expiring, and just at the right time as my father had to have unexpected heart surgery a couple weeks after my arrival...

I have had days when I doubted our decision to come here for the birth of our child, but I am reminded often that this is part of God's plan, and that it has been valuable time for us as a couple.

I miss Hohhot, Inner Mongolia oftentimes too.
I miss riding around on the back of my husband's motorbike.
I miss cheap DVD's (which I know I shouldn't buy because they are pirated....but....anyways).
I miss my doggies.
I miss friends there.

But overall, I am grateful to be where I am for this season of life.