This is Joel's Old Blog: The Best Christmas Gift any Husband Could Ask for

Early Christmas morning I awoke in the bitter cold air wrapped in blankets and sleeping with several layers of clothes. All 3 of us were sleeping on the same bed together to keep warm in Raxaul, India, at our ministry center. My wife turned and asked me, “Do you want your Christmas gift now?” Half asleep, I said “yes”- She handed me a blank white envelope. As I opened it, I was shocked and filled with tears. It was a birth certificate of our second child. Yes, Elise is pregnant! We prayed and wept together. As you may have already have read, we had a pretty rough time down in Raxaul, health wise, and it came at a time (for me) that was marvelous news -- While we were in Kuala Lumpur a week earlier, Elise had purchased a pregnancy test and was waiting until Christmas day to tell me. I still cannot believe she waited as long as she did. She could not have surprised me more. I know what some of you are thinking, “Why did you not share this in an earlier entry?” Well, we just came to the decision to share this great news with the world, so sharing I am. Needless to say, Elise is experiencing a good bit of morning sickness. More details to come -- I guess I need to start thinking of a new name for my blog site! Any suggestions? Oh, here is our Christmas card photo (future family of 4) If you did not get one, sorry - You can see it here.