Whirlwind Travels

So, from Monday to Saturday of the same week, we traveled through Istanbul to get another ultrasound and confirm Spina Bifida then on to the States where we met our families and immediately began talking with doctors.  Within a few days of arriving in the States, we met with a maternal-fetal doctor, talked with a pediatric neurosurgeon, and took a trip up to Vanderbilt to consult with the team of specialists who do the in utero surgery there. 

These were some very intense days for us, indeed.  As our family adjusted to a new time zone and place, we were trying to get our heads around the situation with Jonathan and make important decisions.  One thing alone sustained us--the faithful and fervant prayers of the church.  Family, friends, strangers all rallied around us and stood before the throne of God on our behalf.  We will be forever grateful for this!  And through those prayers, we received peace and sleep and direction and countless other things.

The folks at Vandy probably think we are crazy!  They were so wonderful and gave us lots of information and talked with us all day about Spina Bifida and how and when and possibilities...then told us we did not qualify for the in utero surgery.  We were so relieved, to have a decision so simply decided that was out of our hands.  Surely this was His answer as well, and an incredible opportunity for Him to work a mighty miracle in the womb where the only explanation is God Himself!  (At least, that's what I was sitting there thinking!!)  So, we left with smiles on our faces and I'm convinced they think something is wrong with us.

During these early days back in the States, God sent several people directly to our door that spoke truth to us with great boldness.  We wrote these down and will always cherish the way that He used the Body to minister to us.  And He always provided a phone call or an email on those hardest days when we needed a tangible reminder of His faithfulness.  We shouldn't be amazed, but it was amazing!

After all the dust settled, we found ourselves in SC close to family with a wonderful local church (and house!) and grateful for the medical team at our delivery hospital.  We've heard nothing but great things about all of them.  We went into "wait" mode, visited with lots of family, had some fun as a family, and are looking forward to meeting little Jonathan.  Surely, God is going to do great things!