The State of DMCD Address – Part Three

This is the last in a three part blog series today reviewing the state of my being as I turn 33.  It obviously makes sense then that reviewing a year of three’s and how it’s been all about that number that I do a three part series.  Following the look at how life has been changed traumatically in the home situation and also how things have changed in the terms of my work conditions, the heart of the whole life of DMCD also went to the third degree.

Family

In November 2009 I was aware that Authrine was expecting the third child of our marriage. Deborah Christina was the first and so there would be a five year gap between the oldest and this latest entry. 2006 saw the birth of the middle child Abigail Elizabeth Danielle.

That brings about a whole heap of complications that merit the whole issue of childbirth as a trauma in itself. Authrine’s health in the run up to the birth deteriorated to a worrying degree and I strongly believe it was the support of loving friends who are virtually family who rallied around her and served her sacrificially that helped her to cope up until the point of delivery. As it is at present I have no desire for anymore children. Partly because of the pain of seeing Authrine in the months before and after the birth. Also with three children in the family and the Authrine’s age there is more than enough to be getting on with in doing family with these three fantastic children. My dad had three children and had enough to be getting on with.

Maybe under different circumstances I’d want something different, but this is the responsibility God has given me and despite not giving birth to a son, I am delighted and wonderfully blessed and privileged to have these three girls and be given the honour of raising them in the fear and knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. Deborah is at the age now where she’s a lot more talkative and engaging. She wants to get involved – with her mouth usually – and now she also has to be the Big Sister for Abigail and now Zoë. That is a pleasure to see and also participate in when necessary.

The addition of the third child, though, has also been at a very critical stage in family developments. Family to me has meant different things at different times as I’ve reported on before. Where once it was a case of the local church being family, the decisions of 2009 has seen a change in that concept for 2010. Family for me has involved beloved members of Christ’s Body – wonderful folks like Ritson and the Fruit Lady who in particular has shown breathtaking love and generosity. Yet in the main it has been from unorthodox sources that I’ve received familial support. Where it sits at the moment I once again marvel at God’s care and support and celebrate Him and hope to be likewise a vessel through whom others get to see that love in action.

With that in mind, I’m hoping for an even better 34^th year and am eager to see what other changes God will bring about. Speaking of which even this blog has changed a number of times in the year from 2009 on Blogger to now on WordPress and you would have picked up on some design changes that have been going on since the move. That hasn’t stopped and as I gradually get into this blogging business I’d expect some other changes to take place over the time as God allows.

So that’s been the state of DMCD as I celebrate my 33^rd birthday. 33 is a fairly significant age as future blogs will go onto establish, but thanks to the people who have made this year possible and special thanks to Jesus who has become a greater reality in this last year than ever before. My desire is to please Him and be more like Him with every passing day, let alone year. As I pursue that desire keep tuned to this blog to see how the journey goes.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd