Blessings through Brokenness

Jacer's Racers, a walk/run for life in memory of Jace Steinhaus

2008-08-05T13:10:00.001-05:00

Thank you, our dear prayer warriors, for the on-going prayer and thoughts for our family during this critical time of healing from our grandson’s death. We’ve all admitted being in a fog at times with some days speeding by with little real productivity. However, in the midst of this fog, we’ve been driven to our Lord’s Word for comfort, strength, and wisdom taking more time than usual to ponder

Jacer says 'Bye, Bye';June 4, 2008

2008-06-29T22:07:00.002-05:00

Musings on Jace

2008-06-29T21:32:00.003-05:00

Ecclesiates 3:11a He has made everything beautiful in its time. We are all on a journey. Knowing Christ, living each day in the attempt to glorify God, or even to understand what and how to glorify our Lord does not make that journey less treacherous, but with the bitterness of brokenness this world offers, that very real relationship with Christ offers the sweetness of honey to

Remembrance Celebration for Jace Garrett Steinhaus

2008-06-15T23:29:00.000-05:00

Thank you for all the wonderful notes and offers of support. We are overwhelmed and blessed! Lauren and Dan were able to sleep some last night after almost 48 hours up with only 3 hours of sleep during that time. Many have been praying for them. Thank you. More details for Tuesday are coming together, which I would like to share. Remembrance Celebration: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 3:

Memorial Service for Baby Jace

2008-06-14T19:54:00.000-05:00

Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV) “I have set the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;my flesh also dwells secure.For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,or let your holy one see corruption.You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore

Sweet Baby Jace

2008-06-14T07:12:00.000-05:00

June 14, 2008 Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord. ‘Plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.’” Our precious little warrior, Jace Garrett Steinhaus, passed away at 1:45 AM this morning. By the Lord’s good providence, he was in Lauren’s arms and took one last sweet look into his dear mother’s face before his little heart gave out.

Prayer for Little Jace

2008-06-12T21:57:00.002-05:00

Prayer Warriors, Little Jace experienced some vomiting and strange bowel issues the end of last week and over the weekend. Although it appears those issues have resolved, and he is able to eat more efficiently, we were disheartened at the nutritionist’s today to learn that he is malnourished despite Lauren and Dan’s valiant efforts to feed him around the clock. They will try him on a

Saturday, 6/7/08: Jace continues to thrive

2008-06-07T22:16:00.003-05:00

I've mentioned Psalm 40 in a previous post; it's a psalm worth reading again! Here's the first portion:"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear and put their trust in the

Saturday, May 24, 2008, 10:30 AM

2008-06-07T22:12:00.000-05:00

Philippians 4:4-8 A scripture worth pondering “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through

May 1, 2008, Thursday, 9:20 PM

2008-06-07T22:11:00.001-05:00

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

Sunday, 4/27/08, 7:59 PM

2008-06-07T22:03:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all who want to provide for the Steinhauses! You have shown so strongly the beauty and bounty of the Body of Christ through your ministry of prayer and care for our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. We continually are humbled by this shower of love. Please know that the evidence of God working through you has spoken powerfully to many who do not know Christ and are watching as

Saturday, 4/26/08, 1:01 PM: Jace is home with his mommy and daddy!

2008-06-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

Jace is home with his parents! They arrived around 2:30 yesterday afternoon and spent a good part of it with the hospice nurse learning the ‘ropes’ of caring for their son. I spoke with them briefly around 6:30 and understood that all was going pretty well, but they had much to adjust to. Jace, too, seemed pretty agitated with the unfamiliar surroundings. I’ve not spoken with them today but

Friday, 4/25/08, 9:03 AM

2008-06-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

Dear Ones, Psalm 68: 19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Jace, now 36 days old, may be coming home from the hospital today. Although preparations were made rather quickly with hospice and equipment was delivered to the apartment yesterday, we will hear final word this morning. Jace has been stable for about 5 days now, and I had the pleasure of

Sunday, April, 20, 2008, 9:01 PM: Jace is one month old!

2008-06-07T21:52:00.001-05:00

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine oceans depth its flowMay richer fuller be. O Light that follow’st all my way, I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze its dayMay brighter, fairer be. O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to

Wednesday, 4/16/08, 7:49 PM

2008-06-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

Dear Ones, Psalm 40: 16-17 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;May those who love your salvation always say, “The LORD be exalted!”Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. A dear friend sent this portion of Psalm 40. More than apropos and certainly timely for all of us, Dan and Lauren, especially,

Monday, 4/14/08, 9:28 PM

2008-06-07T21:50:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your prayers. We covet them more than you can possibly know. Truly, remembering that so much love is backing us up does spur us on. We have several immediate prayer requests: 1) Jace’s esophagram did not show good news. Although the area around the sutures on his esophagus is not leaking, a small connection (fistula) between the wind

April 13, 2008, 11:00 AM

2008-06-07T21:48:00.003-05:00

Do you ever have a moment when our Lord just stops you in your tracks and you realize scripture, His word, is chasing around in your head? Well, I had such a moment upon waking this morning. What a gladsome and humbling way to awaken! As Christians, we know the change of our heart-of-stone to one of flesh indicates a total inward change, one that should be reflected outwardly, as we realize

April 8, 2008, 6:26 AM

2008-06-07T21:48:00.001-05:00

Romans 5:1-5Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and

April 7, 2008, 6:50 PM: Jace's surgery outcome

2008-06-07T21:46:00.001-05:00

Little Jace made it through surgery and is recovering in his little NICU room! I know this message is what many of you have been praying for and waiting to hear. Thank you for rejoicing with us. “You are marvelous, God. You have shown us Your love through your Son Jesus Christ. You give us the gift of life, Father. You have revealed to us that through Christ we may have even greater Life.

April 5, 2008, 12:34 AM: Jace's two operations

2008-06-07T21:45:00.000-05:00

Our God reigns and His grace is sufficient for all of our needs. We are daily being renewed and reminded of God’s power and His tender care through the ministry of this little guy by the name of ‘healer’ and ‘warrior’, Jace Garrett Steinhaus. Jace is still with us. Are we showing little faith that we are utterly amazed at his presence with us still? I don’t think so, for all of us are living

April 4, 2008, 9:37 AM

2008-06-07T21:43:00.000-05:00

As Jace continues to labor for breath and his heart slowly winds down, this wonderful hymn a friend sent seems incredibly apropos: Breathe on Me, Breath of God,Fill me with life anew,That I may love what Thou dost love,And do what Thou wouldst do. Breathe on me, Breath of God,Until my heart is pure,Until with Thee I will one will,To do and to endure. Breathe on me,

March 30, 2008, 8:14 PM

2008-06-07T21:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Ones, as of 6:00 this evening when we left TCH, little Jace was doing reasonably well, breathing on his own. When we left him he was gurgling and cooing faintly for now he can make noises since his vocal cords are not being hampered by a ventilator. We are praising God for this amazing gift! He has a fighting spirit. I’ve attached two photos from today (I’m sorry for the darkness in the

March 30, 2008. 10:56 AM

2008-06-07T21:38:00.000-05:00

Our dear friends and family. This site was sent to me this morning by our pastor’s wife. Their son almost succumb to a genetic blood disorder, so she has an affinity with the grief that comes with the prospect of losing a child. We must all remember that unless we have been in Lauren and Dan’s shoes in losing a child, we can not truly comprehend their grief. Losing a spouse is similar, I’m

March 29, 2008, 1:58 PM

2008-06-07T21:37:00.000-05:00

Many of you have asked for pictures of our little grandson. I’ve attached two from the day he was born and one from yesterday with Lauren holding him. She has held him multiple of times daily and has gotten comfortable changing his tiny diaper even with all the tubes. He is precious. Please be praying for him and for his parents. Either Sunday or Monday, a big step will be taken that will

March 28, 2008, 8:04 AM

2008-06-07T21:36:00.000-05:00

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

Sunday, March 23, 2007 8:56 PM: Resurrection Day 2008!

2008-06-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

Blessed Resurrection Day to each of you, our dear friends and family, In Christ alone – my hope is found,He is my light, my strength, my song;This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!My Comforter, my all in all,Here in the love of Christ I stand.

March 20, 2008, 10:25 PM: Jace was born today!!

2008-06-07T21:32:00.002-05:00

After 6 hours of relatively smooth, yet intense labor, Jace Garrett Steinhaus was born vaginally at 9:36 AM at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was not breathing on his own, but appeared to know his dad’s voice as he actually turned his head and opened his eyes as Dan greeted their newborn son. My dear children, Lauren and Dan, blessed me with the opportunity to be in attendance at Jace’s birth. Two

March 17, 2008, 10:15 PM

2008-06-07T21:32:00.001-05:00

Our families are in a holding pattern, waiting for little Jace to make his appearance. Wednesday, 3/19/08 (just 10 days short of her due date), Lauren and Dan will visit the perinatologist for an update on Jace. If I may, allow me a moment to bring you all up-to-date. March 3, Monday, Lauren and Dan learned Jace weighed only 3 pounds 15 ounces, tiny for a 36 week gestational age. We’ve been

Wednesday, 2/27/08

2008-06-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, this Biologist (this humble author of these little Lauren, Dan, and Jace epistles) has a love for both the sciences and the arts. Often I’ve been called ‘just a little confused’, ‘a total nerd’, and certainly ‘much too excited about Plato, Shakespeare, anatomy, and levers’! Yes, a strange one indeed; I know that I am. Yet, when the reality of what I teach about the

Thursday, 2/21/08

2008-06-07T21:27:00.000-05:00

God moves in a mysterious wayHis wonders to perform;He plants his footsteps in the sea,And rides upon the storm. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,But trust him for his grace;Behind a frowning providenceHe hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast,Unfolding every hour;The bud may have a bitter taste,But sweet will be the flower.

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

2008-06-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

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

Wednesday, 1/23/08

2008-06-07T21:24:00.000-05:00

I’m sorry for my delay in sending out an update on Lauren and Jace since Lauren’s tests on Friday. Lauren is home from the hospital and trying to rest as much as possible. She has periodic contractions but seems relatively stable now. We received difficult news Friday from the geneticist and the OB specialist. It appears from the ultrasounds that Jace carries ‘markers’ for a condition

Thursday, 1/17/08

2008-06-07T21:15:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for the sweet notes and the prayer. Please allow me to share one more item with you. Lauren and Dan will see a geneticist tomorrow as well as the perinatologist who did the most recent ultrasound in the hospital. The specialist has also scheduled a fetal echocardiogram on Jace tomorrow afternoon at TCH. Again, we continue to trust in the Lord's grace in this entire draining

Wednesday, 1/16/08, 2:41 PM

2008-06-07T21:14:00.000-05:00

Dear Ones, Today's ultrasound did not show good news. Please continue to pray for healing for baby Jace. Lauren's contractions have calmed enough for them to release her late tonight after another steroid shot and 24 hours of monitoring. Lauren and Dan will see the specialist again on Friday morning and will also talk to a geneticist. A few tests at TCH are also being ordered. Thank you

Wednesday, 1/16/08, 6:04 AM

2008-06-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

Prayer Warriors, We covet your prayers on this very critical day. My daughter, Lauren Steinhaus, was admitted to Women's last night with Pre-term labor. She was 29 weeks on Monday. They are doing all to stop the contractions and began steroid shots last night to mature little Jace's lungs in case he needs to arrive by c-section today. His heart rate was dipping dramatically during the

Monday, 12/24/07: More news about Jace

2008-06-07T20:59:00.000-05:00

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

Thursday, 12/20/07: Disheartening news

2008-06-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

Many of you know that our older daughter, Lauren, is pregnant, due at the very end of March with her first child. Today, we learned that the baby, a boy, may have some severe development issues, and his life may be short if he makes it to term. Although we are very saddened by this news, all of us know that often ultrasounds are not the whole story and are even incorrect. She will have an