Blessings through Brokenness: Monday, 12/24/07: More news about Jace

Dan, did not go back to work after Lauren’s ultrasound on Thursday but went with her to her OB, who disclosed the full contents of the radiologist’s report. At that appointment, Lauren’s OB really pushed for an amniocentesis, which as you know was scheduled for Friday morning. Dan could not miss work on Friday, so I drove my daughter to the hospital. After much prayer the night before, both Lauren and Dan did not feel comfortable with the quick decision to do the amnio which was confirmed upon our reading of the 4 pages of potential complications. Lauren, with Dan’s approval, refused to sign the papers, and we waited for 90 minutes for her doctor to arrive for further consultation with us. The doctor, Lauren and I had a good discussion with the outcome being that Lauren would not do the amnio at this time and with the promise of the doctor to refer her to a perinatologist more skilled to provide for both mother and baby. She will still visit her doctor in 10 days or so to get this process rolling, but we all feel that her OB is writing Jace off, giving us little hope after only one ultrasound. Many of his abnormalities do present as symptomatic of several possible genetic syndromes for which we have no ‘name’, but we believe in the healing power of our Lord. God has the final word. We know, too, that if He chooses to take Jace from this world at this time, that God will still be giving us a great gift that He will provide the strength for us to receive. All of us are resting in this peace. However, until God chooses otherwise, we will fight for this little guy’s life and do the best and most non-invasive testing we can.

By the way, Jace’s full name is Jace Garrett with the name origins being from Jason (Acts17-a faithful man of God who protected disciples of Jesus) and Jared (a descendent of Judah in the line of Jesus) and means ‘healer descending’. We can take that name meaning in a multiple of ways, but Lauren and Dan feel the choice of his name preceding his current diagnosis by two weeks is significant. We all feel whether in life of death, Jace will be and is a ‘healer descending’ for many.

For prayer:

Keeping unholy thoughts of bitterness, anger, hatred, and fear at bay for all of us. So far, we have been clinging tightly to God’s good hand even in our sadness and enjoy the times of laughter and tears that have come our way. We trust God’s good gift in this situation and really want to keep Satan at bay. (But, I admit even walking the mall on Friday with my daughters was one of tears as we saw babies after babies after babies and consciously changed our ‘stopping’ habits to avoid baby clothes. However, Madelyn, Barry, and I shopped for baby furniture this weekend; Lauren and Dan shopped and ‘cried’ over strollers yesterday, and Lauren wants to proceed with a shower two of my friends are planning for her in January. It’s a walk of faith, but one in which we are consciously trying to avoid simply denying the gravity of Jace’s situation.)
Finding a good, Christian Perinatologist quickly! Whether this find will be through Lauren’s OB or from some other source that God gives, we don’t know at this point. Any suggestions are welcomed! We want a good relationship with Lauren’s OB (who happens to be my OB/GYN, too) but some of her ‘writing off’ of Jace almost immediately and ‘suggestions’ for how Lauren and Dan should handle the situation was (as Lauren put it) not from the ‘same worldview’ as ours. 
Allaying financial stresses; they are young, but Dan does have good insurance with Grainger for whom he works. We do not know how much this coverage will be and a new year is about to roll over.
Our son, Sean, is leaving in less than two weeks for Spain. This preparation (and the fact that we still haven’t received his visa and passport back from Spain yet) has been VERY stressful. With him so far away and all of us not knowing what this semester will be like for all of us . . . well, we’d love some prayer for his safety and our sanity! (Boy, is Madelyn my right-hand . . . young lady! So needed and helpful! ) Looks like this semester is going to be a bit of a wild ride for all of us!
Balance for all of us. As my dear mother-in-law said on Thursday, it’s hard not to want to curl up in the fetal position and cry! But, we are not going to stop living and doing and enjoying what God puts before us. But, sometimes the first step of putting aside the ‘waiting and wondering’ is a little tough.
Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom, and sanity for all of us. We have many areas of decisions, both concerning Jace and our own individual lives, to make in the next few weeks!
Lauren and Dan really want this difficulty to be a concrete real witness to many family members and friends who are not believers or who have a very nominal understanding of the Gospel. But, it’s tough to be a light when you want to cry. They are asking for supernatural strength as they spend time with family and friends this holiday season. Lauren is also in a big wedding of her dear friend Rachel Mixon this weekend. Lots of people around; lots of party cheer being spread; a little tough to keep going at times. I think you get my drift! 
Lastly, just plain wisdom as the grandparents in knowing when to listen, when to take action, and when to sit back and keep our hands off and mouths shut in regards to helping Lauren and Dan. I’m sure many of you moms and dads can relate to the fact that you’d rather have something of this magnitude happen to you rather than one of your dear children. Yep, that’s exactly how we feel!