Here's a Clue...

Here's a clue that you're experiencing technological over-saturation...
You sign on to Facebook with your iPhone, then hold it up to your ear to hear your messages. And look at it twice because you wonder why you're not hearing anything.

Here's a clue that you're too deep in thought...
You drive into you driveway, press your garage door opener, and wonder why your neighbor's garage door is going up. Yep, you pulled into the wrong driveway.

Here's a clue that you have too many mobile control devices...
You arrive at work, and as you're walking toward the office door you're clicking your car remote to unlock it. Repeatedly.

These are true life experiences in a week of a sleep-deprived new father (who is loving every minute of it). Thank you for reading.

Here Comes Baby!

Because of Liz's high risk for blood clotting, the doctor wants to monitor labor and delivery as closely as possible. This week is week #39 so the baby is healthy and ready to come. We arrived at Lutheran General Hospital about an hour ago. Liz is doing well - cool, calm, and collected. I think I am, too. It's all very surreal! The induction process will begin sometime this evening, so Baby Hinkle will be here soon. We can't wait for you to meet our Little One...

If You Think God Is Ignorant...

Do you think God stands far away? Do you think He hides Himself in times of trouble?
When you see the poor pursued and seized...
...the innocent murdered....
...the helpless crushed, sunk down, and fallen.

God does see. He notes mischief and vexation and will take it into His hands.
He will break the arm of the wicked and evildoer...
...call wickedness into account until there is no more...
...incline His ear to do justice for the fatherless and the oppressed...

Read Psalm 10 today and let it cultivate trust in the faithfulness and sufficiency of our God.
He does not forget the afflicted...
...is the helper of the fatherless...
...hears their desires and strengthens their hearts...
...is King forever and ever!

Help A Daddy Out!

Technically, I guess you could say that I already am a father. Though Liz and I haven't met Baby Hinkle face to face yet, he/she is very much alive, reminding Mommy of his/her existence through a steady display of gymnastics!

But the anticipated arrival of Baby Hinkle, and my official title of "Daddy", is roughly 5 weeks away. By God's grace, I will be strive to be the best father I can be. I think that part of learning to be one is just the practical experience of doing it, but another BIG part is learning from others. What to do. What not to do. What works. What didn't.

So, I'm asking you to help a Daddy out! It doesn't matter if you are one or not; we've all had a father or been impacted by one. So, using only a couple sentences, what is your best advice for a new Daddy?

Saving Faithfulness

"But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness." (Psalm 69:13)

I'm happy to report that Liz has been released from the hospital this afternoon to come home. Our little pre-born Baby Hinkle is safe and healthy, and so is Liz. Because of the deep clotting in her left leg (the right leg is clear) she will be on a blood-thinner until delivery and up to 6 weeks after. The hematologist will continue to do some tests (pre and post labor) to determine the actual cause of the clotting. We meet with him and the obstetrician next week.

For now Liz will be at home resting and not going back to work, at least for the rest of this week. We'll see about next week, depending on the pain. We are hoping that the swelling will steadily decrease and the pain will subside. Other than that discomfort, Liz is doing as well as can be expected. She is weary from dealing with everything but is in good spirits, as usual. Her parents were able to make the 8 hour drive through the night, and will be with us for a while to help out. Already, it's been a relief having them here; they are a blessing.

Again, thank you for praying for Liz and Baby Hinkle. This means more to us than we can express. Thanks for your messages. This morning, I read to Liz the list of facebook posts, both public and private, from you all, as well as the texts, emails, and voicemails. We are humbly grateful for you and for the fact that God, in the abundance of his steadfast love, has answered us in his saving faithfulness.

Update on Liz

I know that many of you have been praying for Liz, and we are so grateful for your care and concern. Thank you! I wish I could talk to each of you, but I think posting an update here will be more expedient...

For the past week Liz has been experiencing a good deal of pain and swelling in her left leg. The doctor thought this was due to the baby sitting on a nerve. We went to the doctor this afternoon because the pain was persisting and they did an ultrasound of her leg. They found deep vein clotting all throughout her upper left leg so they sent us immediately to a hospital that specializes in high-risk pregnancies/births (Lutheran General in Park Ridge, IL). She'll be 33 weeks pregnant tomorrow.

We've been here since about 4:30pm Bottom line, the baby is healthy and fine. Strong heartbeat and plenty of movement. But they will be keeping Liz here resting for the next few days. They have started her on a blood-thinner and the hope is that this will remove the clotting. She is still in some pain but the swelling has gone down a bit.

I'm not sure what's next. We'll probably know more when we speak with the doctors in the morning. Please continue to pray! If you know Liz at all you know she is one strong woman and has really been a trooper. We know that we are held securely by Jesus, so we are praying for God to increase our trust in His sovereign care.

Thank you again for praying and calling. I'll send another update soon. Peace to you...

peek-a-boo!

here's a peek at pre-born, mystery baby hinkle at 31 weeks inside the womb! we can't tell if this kid is shy or stubborn. we're going to go with stubborn! the technician tried about 7 times to get a good shot of the face, but this little one wouldn't move his/her hand away from the eyes.

fearfully and wonderfully made, wouldn't you say? we can't wait to meet this little one! hopefully only 8-9 more weeks!

XYZ

do you remember saying that as a kid? XYZ (examine your zipper) PDQ (pretty darn quick). well, maybe i should still be saying that to myself as an adult. here's a helpful tip for anyone earning their living or fulfilling their calling regularly in front of people... make sure you have a good knowledge of - and you put that knowledge to good use - how to work the devices that hold your pants up (buttons, snaps, zippers, etc.) i'm 33 years old and yet this morning i felt like i was 3 (or 13) when i happened to notice that my suit pants were unzipped. i was sitting next to my wife and it was towards the end of the sermon. what does one do in that type of situation. it's never easy to nonchalantly maneuver a 'zip-up" while remaining seated. oh yeah, and i was on the front row... awkward. my wife just laughed at me. i've actually done this before, um, on the day that i announced our engagement to our church. well, i was able to quickly dart into my office between services and correct the problem. fortunately, i was wearing a suit coat so i don't think anyone noticed. (of course, if they're reading this, they know now.) at least for the next few times before i stand in front of a large group of people i will remember to examine my zipper pretty darn quick.

here's to the situations in life that keep us humble! :-)