I still vividly remember the day Brooke told me she was pregnant. It was a Sunday morning and I was getting ready for church when she sent me a picture of a positive pregnancy test and a text that said “Aunnntieeee Beccaaaaa. Good morning from our little Samuels adventurer #2!” Needless to say, I immediately started crying because I was so happy.

Being “Auntie Becca” is one of my favorite jobs ever, and now I get to love on another little babe.

When I think of someone who is joyful regardless of the hardships and pain she is going through, I think of Brooke. The past year has been difficult for her… They moved across the country so Mike could pastor a small mountain church in Oregon. She had a hard first trimester, where she was away from family for the first time and experiencing a cold Oregon winter. They’ve had to adjust to small town life. Prayed for protection as thousands of acres around them burned in a wildfire. Heard good and bad news from doctors. And she’s now experiencing all the aches and pains of the third trimester.

But you know what? In the midst of that she hasn’t complained.

Instead I’ve heard her talking about how excited she is to finally hold and snuggle Mollie. She’s shared all the fun, silly things Tommie does (isn’t toddlerhood both the hardest and most rewarding age ever?). She’s prayed for me as I’ve gone through some tough moments in life. She’s served her family as best as she could. And she’s learned the importance of having grace with herself.

I know these nine months have been hard, but seeing Brooke smiling regardless has made me so proud of her, and also inspired me in my walk with the Lord. She is so strong, patient and caring, and I love seeing her use those qualities with her family and friends as she loves them.
And it makes me even more excited to see her be the best mama to Mollie when she arrives in just a few short weeks.

I love you, my sweet Samuels family! And I can’t WAIT to finally meet little MJ.