International Graduate Student Ministry – Gracepoint Berkeley

I just couldn’t resist doing posting at least one newer baby picture of Baby Emily. I know, its shameless… but I hope that you will pardon my excitement of being a father.

We wanted to thank everyone for your visits to keep baby and mom company, your prayers for our baby’s health, food (thank you for the brownies Sara!) and all of the gifts. We got so many clothes that I don’t think the baby will be able to wear every piece of clothing once before Baby Emily outgrows it! We’re really thankful to be part of a community like International Student Ministry and Gracepoint Berkeley, where we have received so much love. We look forward to raising Emily into a woman of God together. (In case you were wondering, Emily is named after Emily Blatchley)

The long awaited baby girl, Emily, was born to Thomas & Kate at around 630am this morning! Praise God that both Kate and Emily are doing very well after the delivery. Emily was born at 7lbs and 6oz, a very healthy baby girl.

When I visited the family at the hospital, Emily looks absolutely adorable with her big eyes and plumb cheeks. Usually baby girls take on dads’ features while baby boys moms’. But Emily looks a lot like Kate. Of course, little babies change almost everyday, so it’s too early to tell who she will look like.

Congratulations to the new father and mother!

Baby Christopher Tianle (“heavenly joy”) was born tonight on Sunday at 8:30pm! He weighed 6lb 5oz, and both the baby and mother are doing well. Karen and Shufei are especially thankful as the baby had his umbilical cord around his neck but miraculously the baby was fine and Karen had a natural delivery. PTL!

If you can’t tell from the photo, this baby looks just like Karen. (Karen has some pictures of herself as a baby… it’s eerie) The Kong family genes are very strong!

Here is an email from the couple:

Karen and I want to thank you for the many resources, support, prayers, and care that we received during her entire pregnancy. We are most thankful to God for blessing us this gift of life. Through the pregnancy and the delivery, we realized, in a more personal way, that indeed every life is provided and sustained by God. Praise the Lord.

Attached are a couple of pictures of Christopher, who looks like Karen in every way. We are excited to bring Christopher into our community. We hope that as he experiences joy through this body of Christ, he can be a source of joy to those around him.

Karen will be at home for the next few weeks, and they’re both tired… and yet excited, new parents. Feel free to drop a comment to say “CONGRATULATIONS!”

To welcome baby Chow and baby Lei, we had a babyshower for the parents. We tried to predict the weight and length of the newborns, suggest names, and predict which features of the parents they will have. We also put the fathers to the test by having them change a diaper while blindfolded. There were lots of laughs, but overall a lot more gratitude for how God has blessed each of the couples.

Recently (on April 20) we had a babyshower to welcome Frito Lei and Kitty Chow to ISM and express our anticipation. Soon to be parents, Shufei and Karen, and Wedmod and Meowmeow, were showered by warm wishes, food, advice, and gifts from close friends from college and the ISM group. We gave suggestions for what to name the babies since neither of the couples had chosen a name. Feel free to give your suggestions in the comments area.  We played a hilarious game of putting the facial features of both of the couple to guess what their child would look like. Then we put the fathers to the test as we blindfolded them, spun them around to disorient them, and timed how long it would take to change the child and feed the child. It was a simulation of them having to feed their child and then put him/her back to sleep when the child woke up hungry in the middle of the night. The more experienced parents then gave advice to the soon to be parents and then we took pictures. Wedmod even modeled how stylish he would be with the baby bag. Our group has indeed grew and changed. It’s still growing especially with the addition of these two precious babies. Both couples shared how thankful and blessed they felt to be able to raise their children with the advice of many and within a community that has strong relationships. Their children will not be raised in isolation, but the kids will have many aunts and uncles to teach them godly values. We will let you know when the babies arrive. Karen is due in 2 weeks, but it can come any day now, and Meowmeow is due in mid-June.

As you may or may not know, baby Joshua was born to Joseph and Carolyn on December 20, 2008.  (the day of our ISM Christmas Party)  He was a hefty 8lbs and 1oz, and is officially the smallest and youngest member of ISM Berkeley!  He is the result of many prayers and we are thankful that God has protected the family so far.

Of course, the parents are at home resting…  but various people at ISM have been keeping them company.  They are quite happy…  and when we’re there, Joshua has been such a good baby.  (he’s really cute)

If you get a chance, you should drop by.  Or just wait until he is old enough and healthy enough to start making cameo appearances at Friday Forum or ISM outings.  Either way, please join us in welcoming this precious child to our family!