May 1, 2008, Thursday, 9:20 PM

Psalm 73:28 “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all his deeds.”

Today, little Jace is six weeks old. Tomorrow, he will have been home one week. Yesterday, the hospice doctor saw him for the first time. We are so grateful to have him home from the hospital, but I have to admit the hospice doctor, as sweet as she is, was also discouraging. After all, hospice is designed for the terminally ill. But, right now, our little guy is holding his own. Monday, Lauren took him to the TCH pediatrician she will be using while Jace is at home. The doctor was relatively pleased with Jace’s health. His heart murmur is very pronounced and fluid is constantly an issue in his lungs, but the medication he is on is relieving some of the congestion. He is still jaundiced, due to his liver not processing the liquid supplement from the hospital well, but Monday’s blood test showed that his liver functions are improving. He now has passed his birth weight by 2 ozs, weighing in at 4 lbs, 3 ozs on Monday. However, preemie clothes still hang on his lanky frame for he has grown 2 inches since birth! I can’t imagine skinnier legs, except on my dear husband, but that’s a little tmi! I’m sorry!

Lauren is exhausted as Jace’s around-the-clock feedings take over an hour to prepare and administer every three hours. But, as she said on Wednesday, Jace is worth every moment. The hospice nurse will see Jace periodically as needed to ascertain his status and note any changes in his health. The doctor told us Wednesday that he is one of four Trisomy 13 or 18 babies on their service. Considering I knew virtually nothing about the syndrome before Jace, I’m amazed it is this common. I’m praying for those families, too. Not knowing if they know the Lord or not, their sorrows and joys are just as profound as ours.

So many of you have logged into the Care Calendar to offer meals. We are so humbled and grateful for the continued love showered on us. Thank you.

Please continue to pray for wisdom as we enjoy each day that God gives us with our little gift-from-God. Pray for stamina for our dear daughter and son-in-law. They are truly remarkable; I’m in awe at their devotion, love, and perseverance with little Jace. We still pray for healing for Jace, for our God is a God of miracles, yet we would be remiss not to recognize all of the other miracles He has already provided through Jace. For instance, several friends have shared that Jace’s life and struggles have proven to be an impetus for them to talk with non-Christian friends about suffering and evil and God’s goodness in the midst of a suffering world.

I do not understand how God works or why evil and suffering occur, but I know that He is good despite my ignorance. I finished up Augustine’s City of God with my year 1 class today. Every time I study this book with a class, I appreciate Augustine’s perspective about God’s grace in the midst of suffering. He wrote this work at a time when the Roman Empire was falling apart both internally and externally. Many of us might consider our own lives coming apart in a similar fashion, thus it is good to be reminded that this world is not our home and being comfortable is not our goal; happiness consists in being at peace with God and looking forward to the eternal peace with which God gifts us.

I’ve enclosed some pictures from our visit with Jace and mommy and daddy last Sunday. As you can see we are so blessed to have all five of our offspring (and offspring-in-law) here in Houston at least for the time being! Sean returned from Spain last Thursday and is sooo glad to be graduating from TAMU this month! And Madelyn and I are looking forward to the change-of-pace from classes afforded with summer’s arrival.

To you all who have been so very, very faithful as prayer partners and fellow sojourners in our travels, thank you. We love you.

Resting in the Redeemer,
Kathy for all of Jace’s family