No News is Good News?

In case you were wondering(which I'm sure you were), NO SWEET PEA YET! :( Isn't that frustrating? My entire family: Mom, Dad, Will and myself are all watching Mommy-to-be like a hawk. She is, as my father so eloquently put it, "a ticking time bomb". I've heard that first babies usually take their sweet time in arriving, but I never realized Baby Sweet Pea would be the type! My father and my Uncle Neal say that it's a girl because, "she's already late". Dad said laughingly, "I've been waiting on the Agnew women my entire life!". In my heart, I still believe that it's a boy. But, I'm probably wrong. My sister jokes: "Well, it's either one or the other!". At this point she's just ready for Sweet Pea to be here. I can prayerfully say that Sweet Pea will be here before the new year. You may scoff, but there are a few days left! :)
All of this baby talk has me thinking. I know: surprise, surprise!I realized the other day that we're so anxious because we're thrilled that he/she is coming! When I say anxious, I don't mean that we're fearful or worried about the process. That's definitely not the case. We do believe in a Sovereign God who will work everything out in HIS time. If anyone has displayed that, it's been my sister. She's been patient and kind; serene even. I admire her for that. I think I'd be in tears just about every day the baby was late if it was mine.We're just so READY. The nursery is decorated: bouncer, mobile and crib in place. The pacifiers are sanitized, the bottles and burping cloths are by the sink. Every children's book is on the little white book shelf and every frame is hung neatly on the wall. Everytime I walk into the room I get chills. I'm endlessly amazed at the whole process.My heart still jumps at the thought of becoming an aunt. As I was meditating on this the other day, I felt soundly convicted. Why doesn't my heart always jump when I think of spending an eternity with the God of the Universe? Why am I not constantly preparing His return? The Apostle Paul was clearly enthralled:
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
and be found in him...
(Phil. 3:7-9a)
Evidently, Paul wanted nothing more than to know Christ. Gosh, I wish I was like that. I say that I want to know Christ, but I allow myself to become distracted by the things and people of this world. Those things don't matter, Sus. Paul was ENGROSSED with the Gospel. He lived and loved it. It was the core of his existence and he recognized that. He continues in verse 12:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul had that future hope. I suppose that's the only authentic hope that exists. Hope implies anticipation and expectation. Paul's hope was consistent and confident. So, I hope for Sweet Pea, because I know he/she is coming. Shouldn't I all the more hope in the glorious return of the Father to bring his beloved home?

I'm telling you: hope has been the theme of my semester. It's only now beginning to make sense. I feel so small, and yet SO thankful.

Learning to love,

Sus

PS: I will keep y'all updated on Sweet Pea news; don't worry!