Most young couples who are expecting babies feel a combination of excitement and nerves. Nelson and Ann Sophie were getting close to their first child’s due date, wondering how it would be to become parents. How would it affect their full-time roles in Youth With A Mission? They were basically on call 24/7 while managing scores of young people from a variety of countries, along with their work assignments. And then there was Nelson’s pastorate.

How would a baby fit into all that?

Sometimes they were sure they’d have to leave their positions and their lives in Hawaii. At other times, they couldn’t see any other life. Should Nelson become an electrician in Hawaii? He’d been offered an apprenticeship. Or should they move to the mainland, near family, and do something else? Like what?

Nelson tried to puzzle it out through his journal.

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January 22, 2022

Been trying to find the new path for having a child and seeing what it means as we try it out. The countdown is on… about 6 weeks left, but people say he might come early. Maybe we can hit 2/22/22. That would be classic.

It’s good having Bates (brother Klaus) here. We took the gang to Makalewena while Annso and her gang of women went up to Mike and Teri’s place to have her baby shower. Where else could you rustle up 25 ladies to attend your baby shower? Only in YWAM. Even back home I doubt that that many people would come. I don’t think they even have baby showers in Germany.

It’s nice for her to be celebrated like that. Reminds me of Darlene’s words (wife of YWAM founder) that encouraged me to come back here in 2014. “Go where you are celebrated.” Not sure Jesus really preached that same thing, but it’s a nice sentiment that I see happen sometimes.

We have the best life here, and it seems weird to think about leaving, but with the vaccination craziness, it seems like it might have to happen at some point. Domestic travel vaccine mandate. That would do it. We’d be gone. Otherwise, I can’t see us leaving.

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“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)