Flexible—just like this rubber band. That's what we have to be right now because the schedule has been switched up once again. Instead of going to Jackson each week, we'll be flip-flopping every other week with Jackson.
Next week, Dr. Morris in Jackson.
The next week, Dr. Brewer in Tupelo.
The next week, Dr. Morris in Jackson.
And so on and so on until Joel is delivered.
Yesterday, we saw Dr. Brewer in Tupelo.
Once again, they scanned Joel to find out where he stands:
- Stable.
- Good heartbeat.
- Moving around.
- Larger placenta than normal (typical with Hydrops babies).
- Possible skin edema on lower extremities now (but nothing of huge concern).
We also got all microarray genetic tests back. Normal. All of them. This, of course, has left everyone as stumped as ever. That means we've come to the end of the road as far as testing. There's no known cause in the genetics or infectious disease arena as to why Joel has Hydrops.
During our visit, Dr. Brewer said: "I'll be honest, I'm really surprised to see you guys here again. This baby has such a severe case of Hydrops that I didn't think he'd make it this long. But he's a fighter."
He sure is, Dr. Brewer. And we thank God constantly for it.
It's been a rough week for me personally. I can't pretend that I'm always living on a mountaintop of faith and positivity through this. It doesn't mean I don't hope and trust. But it does mean I'm human. It means there are days when the sadness is overwhelming and my weak heart bleeds for my son.
Recently, I've been asking God all the hard questions. We've also simultaneously been reading through a 40-day devotional on the miracles of Jesus. Inevitably, every time I start in with the what-ifs and doubts, He responds through His Word.
Two nights ago, it was:
Why our baby?
Did we do something for Joel to deserve this?
Does God see us?
Does he have compassion on us?
That night, I read John 9:1-11.
It's the story of the man who was born blind. As they walked by him, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?"
Jesus said, "It wasn't because of either one of those things! It was so the power of God could be seen in him."
Then, he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, rubbed it on the man's eyes, and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. He did and came back healed!
God's response to us: "This hasn't happened because of anything you did or didn't do. It's so my power can be seen in his life."
Then, last night, it was:
Why aren't you answering?
Why the delay in healing our baby boy?
What are you waiting for?
Sure enough, I read John 11:1-44.
It's the story of when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was very sick and his sisters sent word to Jesus.
He responded, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this."
Jesus waited around and didn't show up until Lazarus had already been in grave for FOUR days. He had compassion when he saw all those who were mourning the loss of his life. In an instant, he called him out of the grave and back to life.
God's response to us: "I hear you. I have compassion on Joel. This has happened for My glory. Everything in My time."
We get it, Lord. We hear you. Loud and clear. We trust. We believe, but help us in our unbelief.
He sure is, Dr. Brewer. And we thank God constantly for it.
It's been a rough week for me personally. I can't pretend that I'm always living on a mountaintop of faith and positivity through this. It doesn't mean I don't hope and trust. But it does mean I'm human. It means there are days when the sadness is overwhelming and my weak heart bleeds for my son.
Recently, I've been asking God all the hard questions. We've also simultaneously been reading through a 40-day devotional on the miracles of Jesus. Inevitably, every time I start in with the what-ifs and doubts, He responds through His Word.
Two nights ago, it was:
Why our baby?
Did we do something for Joel to deserve this?
Does God see us?
Does he have compassion on us?
That night, I read John 9:1-11.
It's the story of the man who was born blind. As they walked by him, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?"
Jesus said, "It wasn't because of either one of those things! It was so the power of God could be seen in him."
Then, he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, rubbed it on the man's eyes, and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. He did and came back healed!
God's response to us: "This hasn't happened because of anything you did or didn't do. It's so my power can be seen in his life."
Then, last night, it was:
Why aren't you answering?
Why the delay in healing our baby boy?
What are you waiting for?
Sure enough, I read John 11:1-44.
It's the story of when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was very sick and his sisters sent word to Jesus.
He responded, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this."
Jesus waited around and didn't show up until Lazarus had already been in grave for FOUR days. He had compassion when he saw all those who were mourning the loss of his life. In an instant, he called him out of the grave and back to life.
God's response to us: "I hear you. I have compassion on Joel. This has happened for My glory. Everything in My time."
We get it, Lord. We hear you. Loud and clear. We trust. We believe, but help us in our unbelief.
Please continue to pray that God will remove the fluid around Joel's lungs, heart, scalp, and neck. To God be the glory—great things He has done and great things He will do.
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