I haven't harped on anything lately, so here's some thoughts for ya...

I'm reading Colson's book, The Body right now for two reasons: 1. It was recommended to me last fall when I was really struggling with all of the problems with Christianity, specifically within the Church, and 2. Because it is required reading for my Senior Seminar class. Here's an outstanding quote about conversion and "the Sinner's Prayer" and whatnot:

Over the past twenty years I've been in countless crusades and have seen thousands of people raise their hands, signifying decisions for Christ. I've seen them come forward and heard them utter the correct words. I've called them to do so myself and have seen the numbers tallied. Unfortunately, often what we are witnessing is nothing more than a "human" conversion.

Days later only a handful of those "converts" show up for Bible studies. Or they behave as Christians for a time, but eventually fall back to their old ways. And we encourage this whenever we establish our method, any method as the way into the kingdom, or lead people to believe that simply uttering certain words will assure their salvation. It is a dangerous delusion. For there is a great difference between a decision and a true conversion. Conversion is a process which begins with God's regenerating work--an instant when the Spirit gives life--and continues as we grow in faith through the process of sanctification.
--Chuck Colson with Ellen Santilli Vaughn, The Body, emphasis mine

This was an "AHA!" moment for me. There really is a difference between decision and conversion. I think that is a distinction that most "soul-winners" never realize.

I know that you all have been checking this page every hour for the last week for updates, so here's an excerpt from the email that I send to our friends and family:

We (well, Haley really) went in to be induced at 6 AM last Thursday (Feb 7). By 6:40 she was all hooked up and her contractions were starting. At 11:00 she got the epidural and things were going smoothly. At 1 PM, her labor leveled off, and it didn't really progress at all after 4. At 8 PM the doctor told her that we would be having a C-section if the baby wasn't here by 9. Somehow, Haley was in surgery at 8:30 and Mollie Kate was born at 9:06 PM. Since they were still stitching Haley up, I got to carry the baby to the nursery and stay with her while they examined her. She was 7 lbs. 12 oz, and 20 in. long, but she had a conehead from being in the birth canal so long; she may have been shorter.

Haley was in a lot of pain after her surgery (there were some problems with the anesthesia), and she had lost a liter of blood (but that's normal), but after a day or two she was doing fine.

We came home Sunday afternoon and had a classic "first night with the baby" that night. Yesterday (Monday) we got feeding figured out, and since Haley's mom is staying with us, things are going smoothly.

Mollie Kate is the best thing since wood floated on water. She's really mellow unless she's hungry. She sleeps a lot right now, and isn't fussy at all.

I really don't think you all want to hear my sappy feelings, so I'll spare you. I really feel like I have found my place in life; everything else seems so small now.

Thank you all for your emails, prayers, calls, and gifts. The support of our friends and family have made this a great experience. I think that I will have a picture of her to send out in a couple of days.