Yesterday began at 5:30 a.m. with an alarming text from our Rebecca to Sherry. Several days past her due date, Rebecca was now saying, “I think we’re going to have a baby today.” Joel was already at work, so Rebecca was alone.

I was already dressed, so I went to pick her up. By 9:30 we were at the birthing center, 30 minutes south of our house. Between contractions, Rebecca was delighted to know that she could someday recount that her father had actually cut through a corner parking lot, cruised through a red light, and passed some slow cars using a convenient left turn lane. Her father will, in all likelihood, deny it because everybody knows he is a law abiding citizen.

The birthing center is a tranquil place, to be sure. I can see why expectant mothers would like it there: An updated older home, open and airy, immaculately clean, with soft music and a large screen with videos of large saltwater fish. A caring place.

Our midwife friends and caretakers there gathered around Rebecca with words of reassurance and encouragement. I prayed for her. We took a picture of her with Sherry and our midwives, Melody and Venessa. Soon Joel arrived, along with his mother and one of his sisters.

I found a soft couch downstairs. The others headed upstairs as Rebecca became more aware that Arielle was on her way.

Sherry’s local family, Loyce and Mama, arrived late morning, and we camped out downstairs together. Early afternoon arrived, and Loyce took orders for lunch and ran out to Jack in the Box. By the time she returned, the upstairs crowd was too busy to eat.

At 2:19 p.m., Melody came down the stairs just far enough and long enough to give us 2 thumbs-up and say, “Yes, she’s a girl!”

We didn’t know when they would let Rebecca come home, but we had a group scheduled to be at our house last night. We gave them a code to enter the house through the garage. As we finally headed to Rebecca’s house about 7:30, my phone rang. One of the guys at our house said the security alarm company was calling and leaving messages and “What should we do?”

This seemed odd. We knew we had not even set the security alarm, so figured it would all work out OK. Then the guy called back. “Uh, there are some police at the front door.” Finally, the police just took down some info and left. I mean, how many burglary rings include a half dozen couples with small children? The fire truck left, as well.

When Sherry finally got through to the alarm company, they said they had received “multiple alarms” from our residence, including trespassing, medical and fire. We have no idea what happened.

We’re glad the home alarm was false. We’re glad that Rebecca’s alarm was true.

We welcome Arielle Catherine Christopherson into the world. May the Lord bless her and keep her, may He make His face to shine upon her, and may she find a peace that passes all understanding in His life.