Sad News

Sadly, things with Jenny's pregnancy took a turn for the worse yesterday. We actually ended up losing our baby due to Jenny going into preterm-labor. We went into the hospital early in the morning due to Jenny having unusual contractions (16 weeks is too soon). The doctors seemed unworried about things because they had seen this before. They thought that her Uterus was simply being agitated from her Placenta Previa condition (The condition that put Jenny on bed-rest the past 3 weeks). So, she was given some pain meds in expectation that the cramping would subside as she was monitored at the hospital throughout the day. (Jenny is awesome! She has done everything in her power to take such good care of that little baby inside her.) As the day progressed however, Jenny’s contractions got worse. She was in intense pain and felt like she went through all aspects of labor except for the best part. As the contractions got heavier, an unfortunate event occurred. Jenny’s water broke. This early on in pregnancy, a woman’s water breaking means the end for the baby. Without the amniotic fluid, the baby’s lungs cannot fully develop. After the reality of this set in, doctors wanted to confirm what seemed to be inevitable. Jenny and I watched his last little heart beats on the sonogram. Not fun!

The remainder of the day consisted of delivering the little guy. We spent significant time taking in all of his tiny features. We took in as much of his life as possible. Jenny and I have been processing well together. After we spent significant time with him, he was taken away. Fortunately a generous donor has created a “garden of peace” where the baby will be laid to rest. It was so nice that some of these details were already thought through for us.

Despite the discomfort of all of this, we feel surrounded by the best of circumstances. Our doctor was absolutely fantastic in walking us through the unpleasantries of this experience. I am sure that because of his help, we were spared much deeper scars from the event. There have been other things that have absolutely been signs of God’s care for us:

· Josh turned down a possible job 2 weeks ago that would not have worked well at all with present circumstances. Thanks mom and dad for great advice!

· A fellow classmate of Josh’s who lives hours away felt a real burden for our family over the last two weeks. 2 days before being admitted to the hospital we received a significant amount of money from he and his wife. This will help pay for some of the unexpected medical bills.

· We couldn’t help but notice that Jenny’s nurse was rather emotional throughout the entire time. She told us later that this was because she had lost a baby at the exact same time and manner as Jenny had.

· We are surrounded by friends who are currently overwhelming us with their love. We don't have to cook dinner for weeks!

As the Doctors and Chaplains encouraged us, we gave the little guy a name, Jonah Robert. We named him Jonah because he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time (We can't wait to see him under much better circumstances at a future time!) And "Robert" was after Jenny's dad who passed away while Jenny was in High School. We're counting on Grandpa Bob to teach him a couple things before we get there.
Although shaken up, we are all doing fine. Jenny looks like she did on our honeymoon. God has surrounded us with His people and presence. He has used this to help us more fully appreciate the life and lives we do have for the moment. Thanks to each of you who have encouraged us through e-mails, blog responses, and phone calls. We love ya'll!

John 12:24 "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives." (We pray that new life comes out of our loss as well!)