Bay Area Trip

Dear Samuel Lake,

Tonight you are 5 months and 2 days old. You are getting heavy to carry around. We call you big lug, little peanut, handsome, cutie pie, baby, Sammy, sweetie, etc. We just got home this evening from California with you. We went to the Bay Area for your cousin Michael's wedding. We took you all over the area, most notably to Sausalito (for which you mother remembered, there is a cookie named after it). We saw Stanford Memorial Church and basically ate a ton of sushi. You, of course, had your usual, mother's milk. We are amazed at how well you did on this trip, and realize how tired you must be from being carted around all over the place at all hours of the night (9-10pm) when babies ought to be at home in bed!

Although you have already rolled over in the past, I noticed that last evening in the bed was the first time I had ever seen you roll over on a completely flat surface, and do it repeatedly. I consider this a first time event, and wanted to jot it down for the record. Your laughs are becoming...well...real. You have started buzzing your lips as a favorite pastime, and you have the most delightful smiles once you've had some sleep. You don't complain much unless you're sleepy, hungry, or in some sort of pain. Your gaining a knack for grabbing my fingers and watch, and whatever else comes your way, although you usually drop it once you've practiced snatching it up. Your coos are getting more expressive, and your yelps of distress louder, as you gain the use of your vocal cords and realize how fun they are to use. (This trait if mostly from your mother's genetics!). You are a delight to play with, and we love to hear you laugh and see your smiles.

Your first roll-over

Dear Sammy Lake,

Yesterday I saw you roll over for the first time. It sounds silly to mention, but until now, you haven't really moved much without our help. You were hungry in the bed with mommy and I, and you rolled over toward your mother to get some milk. The funny thing was that once you rolled over onto your belly, you were laying on your hands and had yourself pinned down! You just kind of looked around as if to say, "Okay, now what?!". I have no fear that you will eventually figure out "now what". We have to start making plans to keep you safe from all the chemicals and falling objects that make houses so dangerous to babies. You are worth all the trouble!

And since you have reached a milestone this week, I would like to leave you with a piece of wisdom that I hope will follow you all of your life. It is this: Never, ever, doubt the goodness of God in your life. You will be tempted in many circumstances to believe that your Heavenly Father is working against you, and that He is in some way angry at you, or that He finds pleasure in keeping you from happiness. But that is merely a lie from your enemy (The Accuser) who will lie to you day and night about the goodness of God. I could argue the reasoning for this, but it would do no good for your inexperienced mind. Only through the test of time and hindsight will you see His goodness. This is because we have such difficulty perceiving what God is up to until we look back on life and see the truth.

I have been tempted many times to doubt His goodness, and many times I have fallen for it. But you will read in the scriptures, and you will eventually have the experience in your life to realize, that the Lord always abounds in goodness to those who trust in Him. Don't believe the lie.

Changing Priorities

There was no way anyone could have described motherhood to me--it can only be experienced. Extreme emotions of joy over your coos and half-smiles to hair-pulling frustration at 3:00 feedings...and yet, it brings joy as only breastfeeding and cuddling you can. Little victories in seeing you sleep in your crib...bittersweet feelings in knowing that you are ever-growing, ever-changing. Sigh.

Just got a call from a local hospital's chaplain on parish nursing. I told him I had more important priorities at the moment: YOU. He chuckled and said he understood. How redeeming...for someone to agree and not look down upon motherhood as less-than-desirable. You, dear Buck-o, are mommy's priority--next to loving God and your Pop. And all these fit together in God's perfect plan, somehow. It's working out that way...we're all growing together. I love you, little Lakeman. I hope you feel that even now.

Here's lookin' at you, Sam.

Dear Samuel,

You know you must be a wonderful blessing from the Lord...what else would cause me to brave the wilds of publishing online, except my desire to pass something of my heart to you for your life, and your generation. Today you are only 38 days old, so I've got a little time to clean this up before you read it!

I have so many things I'd like to say to you, but I suppose I'll start with the most basic of stories...the choosing of your name, Samuel Lake Hawkins. Actually, I can't take any credit for it. Your mother came up with both names on different days. In fact, I think she had the name Samuel on her heart from the time we found out you were going to be born. You are named after the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The scriptures say of him:

¹⁹ Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (AMP)

It is our hearts' desire that you speak the very message of God to a generation of people that scarcely know the voice of God. Samuel was one who knew God's voice from childhood, and this is what we believe God wants for your life as well.

Lake...that was a moment of inspiration on your mother's part. It was May 15, 2005. We were at Joe Davis Stadium that Sunday for the Global Day of Prayer. I don't even know how it came up, but Karen looked over at me and excitedly whispered the idea that we name you after John G. Lake. Who was John G. Lake? By the time you read this, you will know who he was. Mr. Lake was a mighty evangelist during the early 1900's who spent most of his ministry between Cape Town, South Africa, and Spokane, Washington. Because of his faith and perseverance, he saw many divine miracles including healing and the raising of the dead. Gee, no pressure or anything, but we DO believe God will reveal Himself in your life through amazing miracles that prove His love for mankind.