Awaiting the arrival....

Well, Christmas 2008 has come and gone. We have had a VERY eventful and memorable December. I directed our church's Christmas Festival early in the month for two nights. I worked on finishing exams for my semester here in seminary. We moved closer to the church the weekend following the Christmas Festival. Then, the next day Beth went into labor and we had our first child on Monday, 12/15. Beth's family arrived for Christmas and we celebrated our 6th Christmas together. Whew! What a month!

As I sit here, Emma is in her swing, Mommy and Granny are out, and all of the family have gone home to California, Tennessee, and Virginia. We await the arrival of the Davis family tomorrow. It will be a great time to get to see them yet again. While Angie was unable to be here in time for the birth of Emma, I know this visit will be very special. Of course, we also await the arrival of 2009. We pray that God would continue to strengthen us for this upcoming year. We look forward in anticipation as to how God will work in and through us as a larger family. We are so blessed by everyone's prayers and support of us. This has been an incredible year as we look back. God has blessed us so much that we are overwhelmed with His love through His Body. Pray that we might be able to rest and trust His love for us and that we might be able to be extensions of the love to others as well. Thank you for walking with us as we live by faith.

Blessings....

The Zarlenga family

Emma in Christmas Outfit

Emma Comes Home from the Hospital 2

Emma Comes Home from the Hospital

Merry Christmas!

Beth, Emma Grace and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Thank you all for praying and supporting us through this time with Emma Grace. We do have wonderful news for you. As of Monday, she saw the pediatrician and has been taken off of the apnia monitor. YEAH! He said that since she had no significant episodes since she was born and the fact that the monitor has never proven to save a child's life, he thought it was best to take her off of it. This has given Beth and I a sigh of relief. Since then she has been doing very well. She has been sleeping, eating and pooping very well. He has kept her on the Mylanta and Zantac, which it seems will be for another month. We have another checkup this coming Monday.

Beth and I will be the first to admit that she is the most precious baby ever. I believe that is proud, thankful parents talking. I will put up some pictures from her coming home from the hospital and of course her in her Christmas outfit. We will be in touch soon!

Merry Christmas!
Love,
Dale, Beth, and Emma Grace

Granny and Emma

Daddy changes Emma for the first time