New Life

  Caleb Ralston Jones was born at 4:38 Monday afternoon.

  To prove that he is Rachel's child, he decided that he would arrive right on schedule, on the due date. Her water broke at 2:00 Monday morning, and as soon as I woke up I knew what was going on! It was a looong, exhausting day, and Rachel did great, despite being exhausted and in pain. Caleb didn't make it easy on her, and his entry into the world ended up being far more dramatic than I thought it would be, but he's here and he's beautiful.

  He's 20.25 inches long and weighs 6.14 pounds (had he been any bigger, the doctor doesn't think he would have been able to make it out, simply due to the way God made Rachel's body.)  Everybody is healthy, though Rachel is a bit worse for wear, and I've got to work out some kinks, due to the fact that the hospital decided that having a 5 foot couch was a great idea to provide fathers a place to sleep.  (ouch)

  He's got big, interested eyes--as one nurse said to him, "Everything's a big deal on the first day of life."

  I've never seen such a miracle.  Surely, Caleb is made in the image of God, and what has happened in this place, and in Rachel's womb over the last 9 months, is nothing short of a miracle to be celebrated.  Surely, God must delight in the birth of each newborn, knowing and trusting that each is a wonder of its own.  Little hands reach for the world, and little feet kick with delight.  He makes the saddest little cries, but he's lovely.  I surely appreciate God allowing us to borrow him and raise him, that he may be glory to God in his life.

  We are so grateful for all the love and prayers that have gotten us this far, and we will continue to lean on them in the days, months and years to come.  Caleb has a large family of people to look out for him, and we are so grateful for the community that surrounds us and lifts us up.