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Janine Claire Robinson
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Welcome to my little writing corner. I count my many blessings to be a cherished wife and an ever-learning-loving-growing mother to 3 amazing children this side of Heaven and a precious little boy in Heaven. Together as a family we pastor a precious church community called Redeeming Hope Church. I've had the privilege of loving and following Jesus Christ since my earliest memories as a child. No matter what I've gone through in life, He has always been so present. At heart, I'm an encourager ... so this is a place where I get to wear my heart on my sleeve and share my journey of learning to live a life of love in action.

Almost 35 Weeks!

Hello precious friends. Sorry that it's taken me some time to post an update, but I am really trying to pace myself in these last few weeks of being pregnant. This coming Monday I will be 35 weeks! 

I have to write what a miracle this is for us!!! I have mentioned before that our firstborn came prematurely at 35 weeks after being in pre-labour for 10 days. With our second born, it all started so much sooner and she was born at 33 weeks. When Brett and I decided to ask the Lord for our precious little boy, we did so in faith that it would be completely different this time and a testimony to the doctors on board (as they have all told us that this one would come even sooner). Our prayer all along has been that he would not come early and be whisked away from us into icu. Well, our little man is staying put and at our last scan this week he is steadily gaining weight and there are no signs of labour! Yay Jesus! These are all big testimonies to us at this time. 
Other precious blessings to us are the amount of people praying for Zac. We stand in awe of the army of believers that God has raised up to stand alongside us in faith for Zac's miracle heart. I cannot tell you how many messages I have received from people all over the world and in different parts of South Africa that I have never met who keep encouraging us and letting us know that they and their friends and family are all praying for Zac. I have even had precious people come up to me in shopping centre's (you know how I love visiting a shop or two - hee hee) to introduce themselves to me and let me know that they too are believing God's healing promises for our sweet boy. It absolutely infuses our hearts with love and faith as we continue to stand, believing and looking to our precious Jesus. 
I must admit that some days are harder than others. It's a constant guarding of your thoughts to stay in unity with what God says over what you have heard or feel. I want to say that I totally believe that there is nothing wrong with "feelings". God has given us the ability to feel as a gift. What I have learned in my life though is that to live simply guided by those feelings is a roller-coaster ride!!! Feelings are a great gauge to uncover what is locked up in our hearts. But if I have to choose how to tackle a day with all that we are believing for ... my feelings would never bring me peace of mind or stability. I will FOREVER be thankful for the revelation of God's Word and Person that has become my anchor. His love takes my breath away! He stands so close to us. It has literally kept my heart secure and steadfast in peace from the day we learned of the miracle Zac was in need of. 
This blog has always been a place of honesty for me. In that light I will let you in on some of the things that I have battled against in my journey so far. Tuesday was a really tough day for me. I just felt so flat and tired. It didn't help that I had a migraine. In my heart, since that Cape Town appointment when we heard "the news", I have carried this desire in my heart to fast for my son, but I knew that it would be totally unwise for me to do. Zac is underweight compared to other little ones this far along in the third trimester, so I need to keep eating healthily to give him every opportunity to grow in strength. After the scan on Tuesday although my heart was full of all the positives, I just felt like bawling my eyes out. I wanted it to be the scan that unveiled his complete miracle. I sat on my bed and told the Lord how I needed a little encouragement that day. Oh how faithful He is friends! That's when he reminded me again of how He is simply asking me to rest in faith and not strive. He has all the bases covered. I was visited by a friend who told me she wanted to bring me a meal and pray for us and Zac. She had been fasting all day for me! Do you know how much this consoled my heart!!!! The one thing I had wanted to do but could not, God had raised up another to do on my behalf never knowing the cry of my heart. I woke up on Wednesday morning to another faithful friend who felt released to tell me that since hearing the news in C.T. God had directed her to fast for Zac on certain days. She has been doing this all along since the day my heart cried out to God and she never knew my heart's cry. Oh Jesus. How faithful He is!!!
I know my posts are long these days and all about our journey with Zac, but in this season of our lives all I want to do is testify to how real and powerful God is. It has been the hardest, yet richest time in our lives as Jesus has revealed so much of Himself to us. Our faith is resolute as we look to Him and wait. 4 more weeks today until the scheduled c-section. As you have been following this blog, my greatest heart cry is for you to see Jesus for the God of Love that He is. All I have encountered in the darkest place of our lives is His Light, Love and Peace. He is close to the brokenhearted. May your heart be touched by His Presence as you seek Him out. No matter how dark your day is ... He brings Light and clarity and with that comes peace beyond any rational understanding. He loves us with a relentless love!!!
All my love,
Janine    

Comments

Aritha V. said…
Thanks! What a blessing: your blog.
Bev said…
Jan, such a beautiful blog. So many of us are so blessed by your constant leaning on our Father God. I'm so glad that He is Faithful! Trusting Him with you for Zac's miracle. Lots and lots of love from all of us here in the USA!
Anonymous said…
Hello Blessing.... not long to go now and little Zac will be with you and he will be an amazing testimony to the world.
You are constantly in my prayers.
Love Debs xx
Niqui said…
My precious sis, you inspire me! Watching how you and Brett have walked this road, is awe inspiring! You are such a blessing. Thank you so much for sharing your honest heart. Know that y'all are constantly in my prayers! I so can't wait to hold our little Zac in my arms! We serve such an Awesome Mighty God! I love you with all my heart!

Niqs xx
Janine,

I come back everyday to read your blog awaiting your updates on your little man Zak.

My heart weeps for you as you go through this trying time and yet, I feel comfortable in the fact that knowing everything is going to be just right.

I am so glad you have found the Peace in your pregnancy and the joy in your family.

I pray everything goes excellent in 4 weeks and Zak comes out happy, healthy and screaming proving that the Divine calling on his life starts with his first breath.

I pray for strength for you & your family to overcome these hurdles and that you fly and the Wings of His love and feel His warm embrace when you need it most.
You and Zac are in my heart- I just wanted to make sure you knew that!

You know, the concept of fasting is new to me. And not something I am completely comfortable with because it messes with my sugar levels and then I tend to get dizzy and have migraines. Which last for days. So I have decided that fasting is not necessarilly about food intake. For my understanding, it is to make us hyper aware of our Lord and His sacrifices and to help us focus on our conversation with Him. So I personally believe that one can "fast" from non-food things that play an equally large role in your life. Fast from TV or a blackberry or all forms of internet (that's mine- and it is beyond challenging for me- tests every fiber of my being- but also allows me to really focus), or talking or drinks other than water (I know people who claim they can't drink plain water bc they need things to be sweet). So perhaps if you feel called to have a day of fasting, there might be other ways for you to still eat but also have your concentrated day long chat with God too.

Just an idea. And I truly hope I did not offend anyone by suggesting alternatives to food fasting. As I said, it is a very new concept to me so I am still learning. This is just my understanding of the purpose at this time.

KK
Kelli said…
Hi Janine! God is so good, and compassionate. I am thankful for His work in your life and the hearts of thousands who are following. You were on my heart last night, so I continued in prayer for you, Zac and your family. I am continuing to pray in faith, knowing He is working all this for good. Thank you for sharing, and may you have a peaceful and uneventful weekend. :)
DNA ENTERPRISES said…
Janine you constantly display courage, peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for honouring the Lord with obedience and being such a safe place for little Zac to be growing in. The Lord's abundant blessing be your portion.

Love
Brigitte
Brigitte said…
Janine you constantly display your faith, peace and joy through our Lord Jesus and I pray a special blessing for you and your family and that your obedience will be rewarded as only HE can. Little Zac is in such a safe place through your spiritual journey, as he is nourished and nurtured into this world. What a testimony and blessing this little chap is even before his birth...fearfully and wonderfully made is Zac!
Love
Brigitte
Emily said…
What an answer to prayer that you've made it to 35 weeks, and how incredible that he impressed on your friends to fast when you can't. Our God is truly great!
Onlythemanager said…
I so look forward to your posts. Thank you for your honesty.
Anonymous said…
Hi Janine - God will finish what He has started and do a good work in you and Zak. You are so right about the whole feelings thing and having to correct your mind with the word constantly. I stand with your friends and family in prayer for you and for the miracle God is going to do. God bless precious new friend.
Tracy
minifilhasara said…
Dear Janine and family!
What a blessing it is to have them known. The faith you have built not only my life but all that is known.
As I said many people from various parts of Brazil and the world are clamoring for Zac and for you through our prayer network. Many have asked me news about Zac.
Janine, I did not understand that Zac was not born yet. I thought he was a newborn who was admitted to the ICU.
No matter what, it just matters who is taking care of everything, which is the Eternal God, Almighty. He is the God Emanuel, he is with you. Zac is already part of our lives, still in its belly, glory to God!
Look, I often get up at dawn to pray and you are part of this moment of prayer.
Certainly, it is prudent for you to fast, Janine. All of us will fast for you in favor of Zac. Another thing, I understand that fasting is not always fast stop eating, but leave something or what has prevented td that seek the Lord in one place. Fasting is abstaining from something we deem very important and what is more important then God and His fullness, His kingdom, you know? In the case of food, stop eating may be something like: red meat, coffee, bread, things without which we can not live without them. Wish you have understood.
Janine, you look beautiful with this belly blessed by God.
Believe that God is always the best for us. He is improving all for Zac and for you. We are of yesterday and know nothing, as Job said in his book. Our God knows and have everything ready in 1 ยช quality Christ for each of their children.
When Zac was born give a big party. Now we begin to celebrate the one who is worthy of all honor and glory, Almighty God, hallelujah!
In the love of Christ, in whom lies our hope, peace!
Kisses for all of your home!
Carol F said…
Oh my precious Darling Girl,

Thanks for your inspiring blog - Rest in His loving arms of Peace as you gain strength for each day. Love you & my Prince. XX

'What God says, is; What God says, will become. Had He not wanted it to be, He would not have said it.' (E.W.Kenyon - Jesus The Healer)
Anonymous said…
thanks for sharing what a blessing your blog too.. loves from across the miles.. soraya
Reformed rebel said…
Janine~I'm so glad I visited today. I haven't been here for a while now and I didn't know that Zac was about to become "JESUS' latest miracle!"
I am adding you and your family to my prayer list. You are an inspiration to me. I can feel your faith all these miles away!
GOD bless you...Chelle

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