I don't really want to go into all the details here- some things are just too private and precious for the internet, you know? I will tell you that last year there was an ache in my heart that I was struggling to bear. A good and wise friend counseled me to pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena for a miracle. I'm not used to praying for such radical miracles. But I prayed anyway.
With tears streaming down my face and a heart heavy as lead, I prayed every day for the gift of a miracle baby- the one I was rather certain I would never get to hold.
And now, just one year later, I'm washing itty bitty baby clothes and making room for a crib right next to my bed. Because our God? Is a God of miracles. And He loves to spoil His children.
My bubbling joy at this pregnancy overwhelms me every single day. And so we're celebrating today, November 30th, the Feast of St. Andrew and the beginning of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. And we're celebrating in the best way possible.
With the Primary Food of Heaven, of course! Chocolate. :) And we're putting up these lovely prayer cards all over the house.
 |
| (These are gluten free K-Toos dipped in melted mint baking chips and rolled in Christmas sprinkles. They taste divine. I'm certain St. Andrew himself is indulging in such heavenly fare today! ) |
Happy Feast Day, friends!
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena
And now I'm crying. Thanks a lot. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're beautiful - inside and out. Have a blessed Advent!
What a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI usually do the St Andrew novena, but decided to do the Immaculate Conception novena instead this year....your post decided it for me, I'm doing both!
Weeping happy tears for you, sweet friend. I love this story so much. Give your big Andrew a hug for me and wish him a happy, happy feast. Enjoy your celebration!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sarah! I could have written the same post - except my miracle baby was a result of the pleading of his 4 big sisters to Mary during a Immaculate Conception Novena 4 years ago! Not a day goes by that I don't look at his sweet face and give thanks again for his life. I really never thought it would happen again.
ReplyDeleteI must say, that of all the lovely things you are amongst, you, yourself, are the loveliest of all.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you :)
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGod is good!
you are simply gorgeous, I miss you.
ReplyDeleteAlso love the new look
Praise God for your precious miracle baby.
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers you.
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Lena
Oh, and those belly pictures? amazing. I'm staring. You are so darn cute and you're even cuter pregnant:-)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for sharing that miracle Sarah! I'm with Elizabeth, your belly pictures are so beautiful ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh my, thank you for all the sweet words. Primrose took those pictures; didn't she do a good job?
ReplyDeleteOf course, I didn't post the ones where I was CRACKING UP because she put on a photographer's accent (whatever that is) and started saying "That's right! Arch that back, lady!" :)
Thanks for sharing those great pregnancy pics. And, I'm so glad you included that lovely one in your header. The pregnancies seem to last forever, and then you can barely remember how it feels to carry a baby. Those pics will help you to always remember how darling you looked in these days. And, thanks for sharing the novena. So simple, and I felt the HS when I said it.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you look marvelous in all that baby joy! Your blog looks great as well. You are so talented in so many ways. Enjoy your miracle! Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThe blog looks terrific!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed your bubbling joy in this pregnancy, and it touches me that it's your fourth, not your first. I didn't realize there was such a story behind it; it makes me wish we could hear more (privacy respected, though, of course).
God Bless You and your beautiful family. What an inspiring story of God's Glory and Infinite Mercy. Like yourself, I wasn't used to praying for radical miracles but I prayed to St. Jude this summer and Boy did he answer my prayers! I'm starting the Saint Andrew novena tonight inspired by your post.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog makeover! I would LOVE to know how you are able to design your blog headers! Your pictures are so lovely as is your growing belly.
Peace to you!
Elizabeth, I make my blog headers in Picasa, as a collage. Then I just paste the collage in as a single picture. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteThank You Sarah for responding to my banner question. I've been meaning to check out Picasa since I do just about everything else with google. I can't wait to check it out! Oh before I forget, I love what you did to that fireplace picture - Awesome. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to hear of long-for prayers answered with a God-sized YES! You are radiant and your joy is shining in your face. Motherhood is beautiful and so are you!
ReplyDeleteI love the St. Andrew novena, too. :-) This was such an inspiring and beautiful post - thanks for sharing it! (And you look great! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Beautiful momma. Beautiful post. Beautiful prayer. :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your little one, Sarah.
What an encouraging, beautiful post this was. You look lovely. I'm so excited for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI wish this novena worked for me. I have prayed it for 2 of my babies. Both of them died. Why does God only answer some people's prayers??
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYour post breaks my heart. I am so, so sorry. I don't have an answer for you, but I have prayers coming your way.
Much love,
Sarah
that bump!! it's spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and inspirational post, Sarah! God is indeed good. You radiate beauty and are even more beautiful right now. I am so happy for your entire family and will keep you all in my prayers. I am new to the St. Andrew Novena this year and am asking for my own Christmas miracle as well. Like I said, God is good :D
ReplyDelete