Another beautiful granddaughter is born unto us this day!

Raven · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:33 pm

The Raven and his Raveness (I and my wife) are very proud to announce that today, Monday, March 24, 2008, Our youngest son and his wife gave birth to a very precious and most beautiful little girl! Cheers

Olivia Marie came into this world at 12:20 this afternoon! She weighs 6 pounds 8 ounces and is 18 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing fantastic. Dad is probably sleeping even as I type Laughing

Scorecard: 8 Grandchildren (7 girls, 1 boy)
Oldest son and wife: 2 girls, 1 boy
Daughter and husband - 4 girls
Youngest son and wife: 1 girl and many more planned Wink

We thank our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, for this most perfect little girl. We have been and we will continue to remind all our children and grandchildren of the blessings that are bestowed unto parents from God and the awesome responsibility and expectations that God has for parents and grandparents.

This passage of Scripture is one of my very most favorites. I started to write my own message as to the meaning and purpose but it was starting to turn into a full blown dissertation so I have opted to reprint a few lines from a sermon I came across that is very much more organized, summarized, and right on (or spot on as my British neighbor would say).

May your hearts be touched by the reading of God's Word! Amen!

Psalm 127:

v.3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD
- Though this phrase is usually understood to be "children are a gift from God," it is better understood as "children are a gift belonging to God," ie, they are placed by God in our trust - for our enjoyment and profit. Jewish rabbis used to teach that every child has three parents: God, father and mother. When we understand what children really are, it will change our perspective of them which will in turn change our parenting methods. Firstly, since they belong to God, then we can trust Him for their provision and protection. Secondly, since they belong to Him, then we must train them up in His way (not our way, a church way, your way, etc) - and we can expect His help as we train them up. Thirdly, we are accountable to Him for the way that we train them. Fourthly, He has the right to use them for His service and even the right to take them away.
As we train up God's heritage in partnership with Him, we will enjoy joyful, sacrificial but restful parenting.

v.3 (cont.) And the fruit of the womb is his reward
- Divine partnership produces a child who will bring joy, will be a testimony of the parents' wisdom (in training the child in partnership with God), will be a joy and support to parents in the old age, and will be transmitter of this joy to the next generation. Many people consider children to be a liability, rather than a reward. If the child is not considered to be a "heritage of the LORD," then they are right!

v.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man
- Arrows were necessary for defense and attack. Children in our homes will defend us from the common "household attacks" of emptiness, loneliness, discouragement and disunity. Well-trained children are the best proof of the reality of our faith to an unbelieving world. However, arrows can also hurt the user if he is not careful and poorly trained children are a source of great sorrow to parents (Proverbs 17:25). An arrow is made from a piece of rough, knotty crooked wood. In the same way, "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15).

v.4 (cont.) so are children of the youth
- There is a trend to delay childbearing to later years. This is not only medically unsound but also biblically unsound. Both childbearing and child training are physically strenuous tasks. Note from Raven: In as much as is possible, we should try to bear our fruit in early season in order that we can reap the joy and blessings of harvest season Wink

v.5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them
- The world says: many children make rich men poor. The Bible says to Christians: many children make poor men rich! Few earthly treasures can give as much happiness as a Christian home filled with God's gifts!

v.5 (cont.) they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate
- In the past, only men of honor, strength and stature could face their enemies in the city gates.

Amen

kguske · Site Admin Joined: Jun 04, 2004 Posts: 4625

Congratulations to Raven, his Raveness and all the Ravenites!

fresh · Regular Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 74

Congratulation to the whole Raven's family. Hahaha i like the scorecard lol

montego · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:02 pm

Yes, congratulations are indeed in order. However, the scorecard is a bit one-sided... need to work on that O'l Boy. lol.

virtualwar · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:29 pm

Congratulations, Raven, Raveness, and Raven's youngest son and wife!!

That is awesome!! I wish you the best of luck with your first child. =D

Wow... That's quite a few girls, Raven! You better watch you... they may gang up on you!!! =P Naw... j/k. Actually, girls are my fav. I want to have three girls when I have kids =)

Again, congrats guys/gals =)

~VDub

Raven · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:38 am

Thanks to All!!

From The Estrogen Zone killing me

"Barbies to the left of me, Mileys to the right, here I am; stuck in the middle with ..."

fresh · Regular Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 74

First i thought raven had a child coz i was thinkin raven was around 20's lol then again i saw "granddaughter" so i was curious to c this msg LOL

Guardian2003 · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:12 am

The Ravenites - now thats a name to conjure with!
Hope they all have a drum kit.
Congratulations to all!!!

montego · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:53 am

Raven, OMG you are a HOOT!

ROTFL

Susann · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:11 am

Congratulation to you and your family !

Reading the scorecard I´m a bit jealous cause I´ll never reach this. Smile

ANTH · Regular Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 62

Grats I myself am expecting a baby in June Smile

my First

webservant · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:44 pm

Congratulations! A blessing upon your son and his wife, and another blessing upon you and your wife! May both your children and their children (and their children ...) both love and serve the Lord and be a blessing to His name!

nagahosting · Regular Joined: Nov 03, 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Nagalim

Congratulations Raven Family!! Very Happy

God Bless your family Very Happy

Dove · New Member Joined: Jun 29, 2004 Posts: 11 Location: USA

Congratulations Raven & family on the new fledgling! Wink

FireATST · Involved Joined: Jun 12, 2004 Posts: 480 Location: Ohio

Congrats to the Raven clan...... Wave

southern · Client Joined: Jan 29, 2004 Posts: 530 Location: Texas

Congratulations, Raven. May there be a multitude of ravens Smile

mars · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:03 pm

Congratulations! It is always a joyous occasion to see children brought into loving families! Smile

rino · New Member Joined: Dec 06, 2005 Posts: 12

Congratulation to you and your family ! I wish you the best of luck with your first child Olivia Marie! Wave

Raven · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:10 am

rino, Thanks! Actually it's our 8th grandchild Smile

. It's the first one for our youngest son and his wife Smile

redhairz · Worker Joined: Nov 17, 2006 Posts: 216

*Clap* Congrats! Rock and rolL! Olivia Marie aka Raven

Raven · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:09 am

to all who have sent congratulations Cheers

! Olivia is 11 day's old today and she has communicated, with her eyes Wink

, that she can't wait to get her first LAMP empowered lap top. I am just sooooooo proud wuvUbaby

samgunner · New Member Joined: Jan 31, 2008 Posts: 3

I can tell she will be very spoiled by her feathered Paw Paw. Congrats Raven!
And also thanks for all the great work you and your team have done
for the Nuke community.... Smile

....

gazj · Hangin' Around Joined: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 26

Congrats raven best wishes to the newest member of the raven clan may she bring joy and happiness to you and your family. Very Happy