number 6!!

My newest nephew, Isaac Roah Shafer, arrived Saturday the 15th at 6:26 pm. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 in long. The first two days were scary as he made a trip to the ER Sunday night and had a high fever all day Monday. It was eye opening for me to watch my sister go from praying for enough love to care for her sixth child to sitting with her through tears asking if after all they have gone through this year, would God ask for this son back so soon. God has been so kind to us in healing his little body from whatever it was. He is gaining "chub" and cuteness every day and there is certainly no shortage of love for him to thrive on. There is so much more to say, and many more pictures to follow. I am loving having my niece's digital camera to play with.

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Every day they pass you by.

Some blend in as they stand quietly in the shadows on the corners of the out of the way places.

Others race past on the roadways, an indistinguishable blur of hurry.

Some may sit quietly beside you, as comfortable as a familiar idea.

Many will brush past as you go about your days - they don't know you, nor you them - yet in that touch of an instant they shape your life.

Some will arrive with a flourish that will not let you ignore or refuse. They force their way in to your routine. At first their unusual presence rubs a raw blister on your soul. With time it will harden and callous.

Still others will stand silently by for days, weeks, even years, waiting to be noticed. When you do notice is will be be as they finally walk away and you will ache with the awareness that you have missed something beautiful.

Some walk by in clusters, giving you nothing but a surreptitious glance; yet the urge that they are important - somehow - leaves an imprint on you heart.

Then there are those who will disdain and disregard you with haughty superiority.

Some will patronize you with condescending charity.

Many more you will never see at all - ever.

Every day they are there.
Every moment.
Look into their eyes; catch a glimpse of their souls.

Each one is a commonplace miracle.