Sunday, February 03, 2008, 3:00 PM.

Lauren and Dan at this very moment are attending a La Maze class at Women’s Hospital, prayerfully hoping that Jace will turn from his current breech position allowing a vaginal birth rather than a C-section. Tomorrow marks 32 weeks gestation for our little guy. Lauren will visit the Perinatologist tomorrow at 9:00; this visit may be a critical visit for several reasons that we do not even know about yet. Jace still seems active despite the Perinatiologist insistence that he does not move when she views him on ultrasound. She’s correct, he doesn’t move for her viewing during the test; Lauren thinks she scares him as much as she scares her!

The Perinatologist is the crux of this prayer request. Ten days ago, without warning, Lauren’s OB released her to the care of the specialist, the Perinatologist who saw us in the hospital and brought the possible diagnosis of Trisomy 18. This change to the specialist will necessitate a delivery at St. Luke’s who would work in conjunction with Texas Children’s if intervention is warranted. Although gifted and knowledgeable, the bedside manner of the specialist is gruff and negative. Lauren and Dan leave depressed, sometimes feeling that she disapproves of their choice to continue the pregnancy and opt out of confirming genetic testing. Frankly, there is no cause to confirm Jace’s condition as a Trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome) patient before his birth. L & D have already been told that once confirmed, no intervention will be performed. It’s actually better to delay the testing until his birth. Due to his heart condition, the doctor will be administering prostaglandins to keep open the vessel that normally closes at birth to allow better blood flow to his heart. This little piece of information is all we know about his birth so far. Not much to go on, really.

We are praying for several items and would covet your voices being raised on our behalf, too. Thank you so very much!

1. Jace would present head first allowing a vaginal birth.
2. That God would grant complete restoration to Jace if it be His good will, and peace and patience if our Gracious Lord wills otherwise. We do trust that He knows much better than we do what is best for all of us and will grant the strength.
3. That Lauren and Dan can find the manner and words to soften this specialist heart to allow her to treat them and Jace like a living human being. Not knowing her spiritual understanding, we have been praying earnestly for her. Growing up in a medical family as I did, I know that we can become harden in viewing tough issues day in and day out. We don’t mean to be critical of her but really want her best interest, too.
4. Wisdom to know when to push to talk to a neonatologist with or without doctor approval and wisdom to glean as much information as we can about delivery and Jace’s condition.
5. Peace that surpasses all understanding as Jace’s delivery approaches. We have NO idea how long she might go before labor actively begins and what his birth will bring.
6. Lauren’s contractions have eased now that she has finally gotten over her pneumonia and the incessant coughing. She is still trying to rest, while doing odd jobs as they come up. Just this week, she was wondering just why she quit her high-paying job downtown with AG Edwards?  God’s timing is perfect!
7. Last week, L & D also found out that they will have to move. Their apartment lease is up mid-March, but they assumed without too much of an increase they could rent month to month. However, when they found that the rent would be almost a 30% increase they quickly began looking to move. We will be moving them March 15^th to apartments further from us off of Airport and Hwy 6. As you can imagine, a Mid-March move date is problematic!
8. That we all live daily corum deo, before the face of God.

From our church program this morning: Article XIII from the Belgic Confession of Faith

Q: What do you believe about God’s involvement in the trials and evils of this world?

A: We believe that God, after he had created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune, but leads and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement. Yet God is not the author of, nor can he be charged with, the sin that occurs. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he arranges and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even when devils and wicked men act unjustly. We do not wish to inquire with undue curiosity into what he does that surpasses human understanding and is beyond our ability to comprehend. But in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgments of God, which are hidden from us, being content to be Christ’s disciples, so as to learn only what he shows us in his Word, without going beyond those limits.

Lord have mercy on us; Christ have mercy on us. Alleluia! Amen!

Thank you, Dear Ones, for walking this trail with us. It’s strewn with my favorite flower, the rose, both the thorns and the scented petals. That’s life, isn’t it? 

Blessings,
Kathy for the Harts and the Steinhauses