#ruby o'connell

Sunday and Mercy are developing the sweetest bond! Sunday reads Mercy her bible every night, and Mercy has finally stopped crying for Praise at bedtime! No matter how many times I explained Praise’s sin, Mercy still cried! I hope she grows to be more content.  

I’m so sorrowful to be losing sweet Ruby, I made this goodbye video for her and played it last night at family prayers! It had us ALL in tears! We know she’ll have a wonderful, Godly life with Henry, and will be blessed with plenty of children, but we’re so sad to be losing her in our lives! (AN: She’s not dying, Mal!)

Surprise! I had TWINS! What a blessing! No wonder I was so much bigger than usual, and had them so early! Praise the Lord, they’re healthy and happy, and we had no need for medical intervention! 

Liam decided to name them Honour Promise and Faith Heaven - together their names remind us to Honour our Faith in God and the Promise of Heaven! How poetic! Liam is so intelligent!

Praisey has been taking most of the responsibility for caring for the babies; now that she’s a teen, she could be courting and married very soon, so I reminded her that it’s good practice!

Here is Ruby and her four sisters that were bridesmaids! She had a few friends as well, but of course we know that SISTERS are the most special friends! Ruby picked purple as her wedding colour, and it suits her blonde sisters so nicely! Pink is obviously a more ladylike choice, but purple is acceptable too! This picture makes me realise how quickly my girls have grown up! From L-R is Faith, Hosanna, Ruby, Sunday, and Honour!

Ruby and Henry make the most beautiful, GODLY couple (after myself and Liam, of course!) After a mostly no-touch courtship, they’re so happy they’re permitted to be so close now! We had to remind them to keep it ‘PG’ for the children ;) 

We also snapped this adorable picture of Ruby with her littlest sisters! Mercy and Folly were flower girls, and Prayer and Joy were junior bridesmaids! It warms this mama’s heart seeing all my little girls together! In just a few short years, they’ll be grown up and married, and Mamas themselves!

I offered Ruby my own vows to say as I think they are SO perfect for a Godly Christian bride! But Ruby wanted to write her own :( Of course, she promised to obey Henry in all things, to accept as many children as the Lord gives them, and to be joyfully available to fill his needs at all times, as only a Godly wife can! 

They shared their first kiss at the altar once Liam officially pronounced them husband and wife! I’m so proud of them for maintaining chastity and purity of heart! I know how hard that can be ;) 

The first dress was my favourite! It was extremely modest and offered plenty of coverage so we could focus on Ruby’s countenance! Ruby thought it was a little too warm for a summertime wedding though, so we kept trying!

This dress was one of Ruby’s favourites - she loved the frilly sleeves and the sparkly bottom! But Henry likes long sleeves and it’s important to him that Ruby preserve her body for his eyes only, so this wasn’t the one either. 

This last dress was far too sluttish - the sleeves were see-through and the neck showed cleavage! Even though Ruby had a modesty shirt under the dress, we said it was absolutely not the right one. 

The little girls - Folly and Mercy - are so sad that Ruby will be leaving soon! They cried almost the whole way through the appointment, even though I reminded them to have joyful hearts because Ruby is fulfilling God’s purpose in her life, and soon enough it will be their turns! They still cried and begged for Ruby’s attention. I’ll remind Hosanna to work on contentment with the little girls. 

After counselling from Liam and I, and Henry’s parents, Ruby and Henry have decided on a no-touch courtship. The only exception is they can hold hands briefly, as you can see in one of their courtship photos! Of course, they chose this completely themselves after listening to all the benefits of a no-touch courtship! What a precious, God-honouring couple they are!

Speaking of photos - isn’t sweet Praisey an amazing photographer! She’s been Ruby and Henry’s chaperone for most of their ‘getting to know you’ phase, so it was perfect that she was able to witness their courtposal!

Ruby is also an extremely talented violinist! She’s been playing since childhood and is definitely the most musically gifted child we have - none of the rest have quite measured up to her skill! Ruby and Henry intend to travel to churches and provide music ministry, which is such an incredible way to share the Lord’s love!

We know that it will be hard on the family when Ruby gets married and leaves us forever! Sunday won’t be far behind, so it will be up to Hosanna to manage our household until the little girls are old enough to really be a help. Ruby has been mentoring and guiding Hosanna as much as possible, but Hosanna’s rebellious spirit continues to be a trial. Thank the Lord we still have Ruby and Sunday home for at least a few more months!

It’s another girl! Liam is disappointed, so he decided to let me name this one as long as I gave her a Christ-honouring name. I decided to name her Ruby Grace after Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies” and my own sweet Mama, Grace!