Tim and our "Little Man"
“The Lord made me in the beginning, long before he did anything else. I was formed a long time ago, before the world was made. I was born before there was an ocean, before the springs began to flow.”
The perfect set of verses for today!
When I was 18 years old I had surgery to remove a massive cyst from my right ovary, a few on my left, and my entire right ovary. I remember one of the first questions I asked the doctor prior to the procedure was, “Will I be able to still have children?” I was young and naïve. He assured me that I could.
Years later, after about five years of marriage, Tim and I were ready to start trying to have children. We thought for sure it would take a while due to me having one ovary. Ha! Little did we know, God was ready from the get go.
Pregnancy was great! I wasn’t sick and only gained 26 pounds, almost all in my belly. I know, I know, “Shut up, Stephanie!” some of you may be saying. All went well, I was ready to deliver (almost two weeks late), and the epidural was in place. We were just waiting on our little boy to arrive.
Time was passing by and our baby was losing oxygen. The doctor said we had to do a c-section. “Do whatever you have to do to keep the baby safe.” were the words we gave Dr. Yonfa. They discovered that the cord was wrapped around his neck.
Well, it was only minutes later and Hunter Wayne Shuff entered into this world. What a blessing! He looked like a little man for the beginning, so we always called him our “Little Man”.
Our First Family photo
That was on March 20, 1998.
It was not only a special day because Hunter was born, but he was born on my grandpa West’s birthday. I adored my grandpa. He had passed away a few years before Hunter was born. But my granny West was so excited! Granny got to meet, hold, and sing to Hunter just a few days before she went to her heavenly home. She joined grandpa on March 30, 1998.
Four generation pic: Me, Mom, Granny, and Hunter
Here we are seventeen years later. I’ve often referred to Hunter as my “roller-coaster of life child”. Why? He was the first born and there is almost much to learn from the first. But you know what? He has truly turned out to be a fine young man.
We are so proud of the choices that Hunter has made. Yes, there were a few that we were not so proud of, but he has learned from his mistakes (as we all do and should) and is becoming the man God has planned for him to be.
I’m sure this ride will have many more twists, turns, ups, and downs. But as long as we always turn to God, we will all throw our hands up in the air and yell “Woooooo” on this roller coaster ride of life.
So why did I start off by saying that these verses were perfect for today? Well, this set of scripture is talking about Lady Wisdom. Today is talking about the day that Wisdom was born. It was born before the world was made.
On this day that we celebrate Hunter’s birth, I pray he will always seek the wisdom that God provides.
HaPpY BiRtHdAy, Hunter!!! I love you! I pray that you will always seek and love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Blessings to you.
| March 20 |