(Pictures: Grace excited to hold Peter on Easter; Peter & bunny; the whole family with Gram & Grandad right before they left for the airport)
“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?’ He answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”
What a miraculous thing is birth. We’ve had the opportunity now to see two children be born into the world. It is an astonishing thing to watch a child appear and begin to cry and then begin to grow. Looking at Peter, we also look at Grace and notice anew how much she has grown and changed in the past two years. What will Peter be like? How will he grow and change?
Peter’s birth coming so close to Easter makes us think about life in the Spirit as well. New life in the spirit is no less miraculous than new life in the flesh. The changes that come about in those who have new life is no less dramatic. In fact it may be more so. Babies seem so malleable. Their little bodies are prepared to stretch and grow. Even the plates of their skull are not fused, allowing for change and growth. But often time the birth of the Spirit comes upon 
a weathered and hardened soul—a chunk of granite that has withstood change for ages. And yet, that cold hard stone melts under the spirit’s power. New life emerges, cracks appear, and the life softens to allow for new growth—a miracle of miracles.
Yet, nothing can compare with the new life that came about on Easter morning: new life in flesh and spirit combined; new life breaking into the world and transforming the very earth itself; the seal and promise of new life for all those who believe in Him. All these thoughts run through our head as we look at our children and reflect upon Easter. What a miraculous thing is new life. How wonderful that it is available to all.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
Peter is a dozen days old today and he’s doing very well. Megan is recovering well from her surgery. Grace continues to enjoy her new brother. We had a wonderful time with Gram and Grandad and are so thankful for their visit. They wonderfully blessed us and helped us during our initial transition to a family of four.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Gram and Grandad left on an airplane to fly to Togo where they will be working with Mercy Ships. Pray for their safe travels and that God would use them well during their time in Togo. Our time in South Africa grows short. Pray that we would be able to tie up loose ends and get ready to go home to the islands. We may have to change our departure dates because of the processing time for Peter’s passport. Pray that we would know what we should do in regard to these details. Pray for our family as we adjust to life “on our own,” and as Megan and Peter continue to recover from the birth.
