Soul Carving

      Ever since my first child was born, I've harbored a secret wish. I wished to have a "Mama Chair". Over the years we've owned several second-hand rocking chairs. There was the antique wood and wicker rocker that had belonged to a friends grandma. Such a dainty thing, and though not very comfortable, I loved the idea of rocking on stories! We have an old padded, reclining rocker which, judging from its burnt-orange upholstery and shredded sides, must have once graced a 60's home where several cats made use of it. Its unseemly appearance is redeemed by its coziness and usefulness in late-night feedings and soothings. And there's also the traditional wooden glider with the blue cushions that Richard surprised me with to replace one that had broken right before baby # 3 was due to arrive.        Each of these chairs hold special meaning for me. But as the children have grown and moved into their ow...

       Ever read the novel "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens? Neither have I. But I know part of the story. A poor boy, known as Pip, with no connections to speak of, is granted sponsorship from an anonymous benefactor which allows him, among other things, to study at the University and make something better of his life than he would have otherwise been able to.        In a very real sense, I know my Heavenly Father has great expectations for me -- 6 to be exact. Richard and I found out about 4 months ago that we will soon be blessed with a new addition to our family!  I feel much how I imagine the hero of Dickens' novel must have felt. I saw the two lines on my pregnancy test and initially felt absolute shock. (It's absurd, really. I mean, I wouldn't be taking a test unless I had some suspicion that I might be pregnant, so why am I always so surprised when I see the positive result? I think in part it's because I've known the c...