March 28, 2008, 8:04 AM

A few of you know that yesterday, Lauren was admitted to St. Luke’s Emergency with uncontrolled bleeding. She was holding Jace and thankfully was seated when the bleeding and faintness began. After ultrasounds and some fluids, she was released to return to Jace’s cribside. It is so difficult to get in touch with them when they are in the NICU that I can only surmise, since we have not heard anything more last evening or this morning, that they are doing reasonably well. Our family rushed to the hospital, stayed with Lauren and Dan during the ordeal, and rejoiced when she was released. The cause of the bleeding was not determined, but both Lauren and Dan are completely exhausted with the vigil in the NICU. They must make some very difficult decisions soon. We, as the grandparents, do not even know the extent of those decisions. Please cover them all with your prayers. We are praying for comfort and strength from our Lord for Jace and his parents in a really tangible way.

Jace seemed to be struggling with life on Tuesday, but Wednesday rallied back and was very active yesterday. He even seemed aware that something was amiss with his parents. We know that long-term on this earth, his prognosis is dismal. He is dying; we just don’t know when. Please pray for strength, comfort, even joy in the midst of this tragedy. Life is abnormal, and nothing so poignantly shows the sin of the world and the humans in it, than the death of a child, really death itself shows just how abnormal this world is as it was not part of the creation God declared good. BUT, God knew of man’s sin before creation and already had the plan in place for our salvation and eventually the glorification of His own. We cling to the fact that this abnormal world is not home, heaven is. I’ve had several friends who have lost little ones, and the overwhelming concensus has been that though the pain may subside a bit, the hole in the heart always remains; yet, they insist the beautiful reminder is that heaven is sweeter, and truly God’s blessings here on earth are even more profound and appreciated.

To our dear friends and family, you who want so badly to do tangible, concrete things for Lauren and Dan including visit, I do not know if they are up to much outside contact. It is hard for Lauren, especially, to leave Jace to come talk to anyone, and only the parents can really usher visitors in to see Jace which is tiring. Even answering our questions when we visit has become a chore for them. They are exhausted. Please keep praying for them and understand if they can’t see you or don’t return calls in a timely manner or at all. Let it be a reminder to pray all the more for them. Thank you so very much for you love and care.

I know with Jace’s loss, the pain will escalate for our daughter and son-in-law before it subsides a bit. Please pray for their hearts to be very open to the Lord’s healing in whatever form it takes, for blessings unaware at this time, for joy that right now seems almost impossible to them to ever return, for unspeakable peace that only Christ can shower upon them, and for confidence to continue to boldly walk before the face of God in this broken world.

What a reminder to those who know Christ, that we can not make idols of anything in this abnormal world.

Let the Lord speak peace to your hearts today for His glory on this earth and be reminded that we live daily before His face and that our eyes can not be on this broken world.

Blessings,
Kathy for the Harts and Lauren, Dan, and Jace