Category Archives: Family
June 2012 Prayer Letter
June 2012
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Deputation and Family update…
She’s here! Anabel May Vance was born on May 26th, was 7 lb 8 oz and 20 ½ inches long. Healthy and beautiful, both her and her mommy are doing wonderful. Amira loves having a baby sister and has responded extremely well to having the new little one around. (You can see more details and pictures on our website: www.bemagnified.org or www.facebook.com/aaronlvance)
I am constantly amazed at how good God is to us. We gained 7 new monthly financial partners in May and 4 in April. This puts us at 33% of our needed support. Praise the Lord!! Would you pray that we would reach 100% support by our goal of the middle of next year? Perhaps God would have you to join our team of partners. We’d love to help you extend your ministry to Colombia.
Out of the Mouth of Babes…
Our 2-year-old Amira is learning and growing every day it seems. Recently, when we ask her to do something (like pick up her toys) she often says, “Sorry Mommy & Daddy, I’m too busy!”. And sometimes when she asks us for something (like candy) and we say no, she says, “What I got to do?!” … Where does she pick up this stuff? 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
In Colombia, once a friendship has developed, greetings become warmer and a lot more hands on. Men will embrace and pat each other on the shoulder (known as an “abrazo”) and women kiss once on the right cheek.
There are over 200 cities in Colombia that still don’t have a Baptist church. Would you pray that God would send more laborers? Maybe he would send you. Let us know if we can pray with you about this.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do what we do without you. We love you and thank God for you. Stay even connected with us through our website: www.bemagnified.org or give us a call: 678-696-0082. God bless!
Prayer Points
1. Baby Anabel and Aubrie as they recover
2. Travels while on deputation
3. Salvation of lost friends/family
4. Financial support (now over 33%)
5. Colombia, 46 million people still need the Gospel!
Welcome To The Family, Anabel!
Well it has been a crazy day!
Last night (Friday 5-25-12) Aubrie started having contractions that were slightly harder than she’d been having for the past month. For those that have been following our story, you know we’ve been expecting our second daughter and were already overdue by a couple days. In fact, a month ago we spent the night in the hospital in which they tried to stop pre-term labor. They did a pretty good job! We spent another night in the hospital 3 weeks ago and they were sure we’d be leaving with our child in our arms then. Nope. It wasn’t time…
And, for 3 weeks she had regular contractions and was walking around at about 5 cm dilated.
Well, last night turned into early morning, and the contractions were getting so painful that we decided to go to the hospital as soon as we could.
We got there just after 2 AM and by 2:54 AM we heard the first cries of baby Anabel May Vance! Aubrie went so fast into hard labor that the doctor on call couldn’t get there in time for the delivery! In fact, though Aubrie was in extreme pain, they didn’t have time to get her meds or an epidural to relieve the pain. she went from 6 cm dilated to 10 in a matter of 3 or 4 minutes and only pushed for 2 minutes before Anabel made her grand entry. This baby was ready to be seen!
She weighed in at 7 lb 8 oz, measured 20 1/4 inches long and has been extremely healthy so far.
We decided to name her Anabel, which means Beautiful Grace of God. Her middle name is May, which was my grandmother’s name and is a part of my wife’s grandmothers name.
Amira came in later this afternoon and was thrilled to see her baby sister. She was all smiles. I think they’re going to make a good pair!
We appreciate your prayers. God has been so good to us and has been with us through it all.
Enjoy some pictures from the day….
Baby Update & Help Us Pick A Name!
Where’s That Baby?
Many have been asking me if we’ve had the baby yet. The short answer is, no, we’re still waiting. Now for the long answer…
Tuesday, April 17th we spent a few hours in the hospital because Aubrie was starting to go into early labor (see previous post). They put her on bed rest and our goal was to get to Thursday, May 3rd when she would be 37 weeks along and the baby would be likely to have fewer complications. Well, at around Midnight on Thursday the 3rd she started feeling heavier contractions and they were coming more frequently, so off to the hospital we went again.
Aubrie was measuring near 6 cm dilation and was about 65-70% effaced. We spent the wee hours of the morning on Thursday in the Labor & Delivery room, waiting on the baby to come. In fact, when we asked about the possibility of us leaving and coming again later, one nurse said… “Oh, you won’t be going home until after having this baby!”
After hours and hours with no further change, we came home. Later that afternoon we went back to the office for another check. Still no change, still no baby. When will she be here? Only the Lord knows! lol…
Aubrie is still having lots of frequent contractions, 3-6 minutes apart, but she’s the most patient mother-to-be that I’ve ever seen! I don’t know how she does it. Each day I get up knowing it will be the day, then another night comes and goes. For me, it’s been the longest few days ever. 🙂
Now for the good part…
With our first child we had her name picked before we were even married. This one has been different. We’re leaning toward naming her either Anabel or Anabela. The middle name is still up in the air too! What do you think? Vote on your favorite below:
Ok, one of those names is not really an option. Thanks so much for staying up to date with us. Your prayers and notes of encouragement mean so much. We know this baby will come in God’s timing, and we’ll keep you posted when we find out what that is! 😀
Here are some pictures from our adventure the other night at the hospital.
Bed Rest? What’s That?!
It has been an interesting week, to say the least. Not exactly what we planned, but God knows 🙂
We got home late Monday night from a missions conference about 9 hours away (BTW, thanks to the good folks of Grace Baptist Church in Newport NC for an awesome week!). Tuesday was our only free day before leaving for another two conferences starting on Wednesday. Well, since we’re hardly in town these days, we scheduled an appointment with Aubrie’s doctor. With one month to go on our pregnancy, we found out that Aubrie was having contractions every 7-8 minutes, was 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced! Basically, she was way ahead of schedule and at risk to go into preterm labor. Soooo, off to the hospital we went. Aubrie’s doctor wanted to get her hooked up to an IV to get lots of fluids in her and continue to watch her contractions and the baby.
Long story short, we only stayed a few hours before they sent us home with very specific instructions for Aubrie to be on bed rest, mainly to keep this baby from coming too early. The goal is to get us until May 3rd when she’ll be a full 37 weeks. That’s still 3 weeks early, but it will be far enough along that the baby shouldn’t have any complications.
Wait… bed rest? What’s that??
Like I said, it’s been an interesting week! I cancelled our other two conferences and decided to stay home to take care of Aubrie and Amira. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve occasionally cooked meals, washed clothes, washed dishes, changed diapers, cleaned the house and kept up some with our 2-year-old before… but this has been a whole new ball game. Taking care of these things exclusively while Aubrie rests has been an eye opener to how awesome of a wife and mother she is! To think she does this stuff all the time, without complaining and still keeping up with me as we travel… well, it’s amazing! And some people say that housewives don’t have real jobs… ha.
I know you’ll read this Aubrie… Thank you. I love you and appreciate all you do. You’re the best.
Now, if we can keep this child cooking for just a little longer that would be great. Only a few more days left until we can reach 37 weeks. Aubrie is still having plenty of contractions, even with rest. But we know our next little princess will come when she’s ready, and God will give strength and grace to bring her into this world.
I’ll let you all know when our girl arrives. As the day approaches I’ll be posting pictures and micro updates on our Twitter and Facebook accounts if you’d like to stay even more up-to-date. Thanks for your prayers. We love y’all!
Here’s a video of Amira getting ready for her little sister’s arrival. She and her mommy have made a book to read to her. It is adorable.
1094 Days Of Wow!
“And do you, Aubrie, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
And she did!
Thank you Aubrie for being my amazing bride now for 3 years. I know it hasn’t always been easy putting up with me, but I can’t imagine life now without you by my side. You’ve been a constant companion, an encouraging helpmeet, and my best friend. You always have enabled me to step up and lead like Jesus, and I love that about you. When I am preaching and happen to glance over by your side, that smile melts me every time. Those lovely brown eyes pierce my soul, and I know, I know… I’m the most blessed guy in the world. How could God see fit to put you into my life? Must be grace!
You work so hard to keep up with things as we travel now on the road, and you do such a good job of teaching and guiding Amira into being a godly and wonderful young lady like her mother. And now with our second child almost here, she will also have the joy of knowing the most amazing woman who has ever lived. What lucky girls to have you as their Mommy! 🙂
I thank God for you, and I commit to strive to be a better husband each day, leading our family in the path that Jesus has set before us, and laying down my own life to lift you up. May the Lord Jesus be preeminent in our house, our love and our lives. For it is Him that will keep us.
Happy anniversary my treasure.
Te Amo.
The Vance Family 