Letting God Do The God Thing Part 2

A few months ago I wrote a blog by the same title. I did not anticipate doing a part 2, but after the events of the last two days I thought that an update would be in order.

My daughter's friend, who is as much a part of our family as anyone that is non blood related could be, had her baby yesterday, August 6. Magdelena weighs in at 3lbs and 15ozs and 18" long. If any of you read the first installment then you know the odds that were against this little baby ever seeing the light of day and if you didn't click on the link(same title) above and read it. I would like to point out a miracle or two.

1. Magdelena lived to be born
2. After her birth she began breathing on her own. A feat not expected.
3. There was concern that her kidneys would not be working, but, she is passing fluids and dirtying her diaper.
4. She was given a pacifier to see she could suck and she did. At 5:30 this morning, her mother was able to feed her a bottle. On many occasions they cannot do this and are fed with a syringe and a tube inserted into their stomach.

I don't know what God has in store for these young parents but it is obvious that he is at work. They have no expectations beyond a day at a time. They have given over Magdelena's life to him and his purpose. Pray for them as they make plans to get to take her home and for wisdom to know what to do and for God's perfect peace if and when they need it.

Letting God Do The God Thing

Last week I received a copy of an email sent by one of my good friend's daughter. In that email she was updating friends and relatives on her sister's unborn child's condition. At the beginning she cut straight to the chase. Their unborn child had been diagnosed with Trisomy 18.

Maybe you are like me and had no clue what this was. Her description was clear and to the point.

• 50% of all diagnosed children never make it full term.

• Of the 50% that do, only 50% of them live longer than 2 months.
  

• Of the children that live that long, only 2-5% live to their first birthday.
  

Secular wisdom would tell them that it wouldn't be fair to go through the entire pregnancy. Secular wisdom would say that you don't really want to subject the child to the pain it will feel after being born, or subject yourselves to the feelings of hopelessness after it is born. Secular wisdom could not be more wrong. Oh, I would consider their view although I could never follow their guidance. I have raised a mentally challenged child and though his condition pales in comparison, I could not fault them to consider those options as well. But, they have chosen, and I believe rightly so, to carry this child as long as God sees fit.

How is this affecting them? I can only imagine. But I like to think that they will handle things like this couple. Click the blue link to see their video.

I am asking you to pray for them as they walk through this journey;

• Pray that they know how to handle the questions. They are young and this is their first child and the baby is not due until August.
  
• Pray that they will accept God's will in their lives. I really believe that nothing happens by chance.
• Pray for her older sister who is expected to give birth in just a few weeks. Pray that she knows how to deal with sister.
• Pray that as strangers unknowingly quiz her about her baby, that she will have the right words in response.

Thank you for indulging me in this personal note. I have watched this young lady grow from a small child into adulthood right beside my own daughter. She has spent hours in my home and we have old video of the them and other friends as they played. My heart is hurting for them.