Well yesterday I WAS going to blog today about another reason to hate Chicago (a $120 ticket for parking our own properly-licensed car in front of our own house). But my brief time in St Louis was so wonderful that I’m going to talk about that instead!
Tommy and I rolled over the bridge and into the greatest state in the Union about 4 pm yesterday. I was talking to my mom at the time and literally had this huge emotional rush as I saw the Arch, Derek’s old courthouse, and all the dear, familiar STL sights. Tommy and I stopped at our old Trader Joe’s to buy rice milk without the ridiculous 10% Chicago sales tax, and I kept pointing out all of the dear Brentwood landmarks–our library, our grocery stores, his doctor’s office, etc, etc. I didn’t drive past our old house because I thought I’d get too homesick. We spent the night with Seth and Leann, and it’s so nice to go to an apartment complex and not have to worry about finding a parking spot, paying a meter, or having a special sticker. I will never again take for granted being able to park where you want to when you visit a friend.
After Tommy went down, I headed up to Emily’s house for a much-anticipated evening of fellowship with some very dear girlfriends! Kat and Kelli were also able to get away for a couple hours of chocolate fondue (Emily, I forgot to ask you for the recipes–can you send me the links?) and some serious mom talk. After a really rough couple of weeks, two hours of quality time with these old friends was SUCH a blessing! I left so thankful for the wisdom and encouragement of my fellow moms. Since Emily and I are due the exact same day, we had to get a “Pregnant Emilys” picture, too. Do we look like we’re 29 weeks along?
Leann went with Tommy and me this morning as we got Tommy’s 2-year picture taken in Brentwood and enjoyed a Nadoz lunch. (I’ve been craving a chopped salad with avocado ranch dressing for weeks…) I’m going to see if I can take a picture of the picture and get it up on the blog sometime next week. Now we’re home with my fam, Tommy has had his fourth (and final) birthday celebration, and I’m ready for a week of rest and renewal in dear old Columbia. I just love being back in Missouri!
Tonight Tommy and I celebrated his birthday by hosting a baby shower for two of the young women who have chosen to keep their babies though the assistance of 
I compiled a “wishlist” of the bare necessities a new mom might need, then I encouraged our small group (and my mom’s Bible study at a different church) to claim whatever gifts sounded good to them. We also collected donations towards large gifts from friends and others at church, and we were able to purchase a travel system (stroller AND carseat) for each of the girls! They also got pack and plays, lots of diapers, wipes, onesies, sleepers, bathing and grooming necessities, pacis, bottles, a gift certificate for a portrait session with their babies, and a few little toys. I made sure to borrow Lauren’s brilliant idea from Tommy’s baby shower and had everyone write their name and address on pre-stamped thank you note envelopes so that the thank you note process is easier for them! I highly recommend this tactic to my fellow hostesses.
The coolest thing was what a witness we were able to be. We don’t know what kind of spiritual background these girls have, but a dozen Christians came together tonight to bless them with gifts, celebrate their choice of life for their babies, and pray for their futures. Have they ever sat in a circle and been prayed for by name by several Christian women? The hope is that we can give them a picture of what the Church is supposed to be like–Christ’s hands and feet–and that they’ll be intrigued to learn more. If nothing else, we’ve palpably helped make it possible for them to choose life. The more women who make that choice and get help from places like Caris, the more cultural awareness there will be that abortion is not the only viable option for an unwed teen mom! I encourage all of my friends elsewhere to look into doing this sort of thing with your small groups/churches/Bible studies. I’m so excited to see what else God has in store for this ministry!
