Prayers for This Week

Last night I actually made it to the gym. At this point, I am just doing some cardio (Don't worry... at 8 months pregnant, I have finally parted ways for the time being with weight training :) ). While I was on the elliptical last night, I was reading in an issue of People magazine, and came across an article in which the Chapman family was interviewed. For those of you who don't know their story, a few months ago, their daughter, Maria, was killed when she was hit by an SUV, driven by her older brother as he was heading up the driveway. She darted in front of the car, and he didn't see her. Their story is one of great tragedy and sorrow, but also great beauty.

In the article was a quote that Steven Curtis Chapman had said that really stuck with me:

The only thing more frightening than walking through what we're walking through with our faith, would be to walk through it alone, cursing God.

These words spoke volumes to me, as I thought about how frightening all of this is. As the days wear on, the fear, the sorrow, and the grief mounts. Yet, I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to walk through this alone... without our faith in who Jesus is, without the the love and support of our family and friends, and without the hope in knowing that God does redeem all things for good. I thought of Job and all of his turmoil and anguish, how he wrestled with God, and how God blessed him immensely. I almost had one of "those" moments on the elliptical, but figured an 8 month pregnant girl looked ridiculous enough, and that getting teary while beign 8 months pregnant on the elliptical in a packed gym would only look even more strange :)

There are a few things we would love for you to pray for this week.

1- Please continue to pray for a miracle.

2- Today we have an ultrasound at 3:30. I can't wait to see our sweet Isaac. I know he is growing, both my the size of my belly and because his kicks are always being felt in new places (like my bladder!) Please pray that we are able to enjoy that time getting to see him. One only have one more ultrasound (I think) after this one until he is born.

3- Both Spencer and I have our Back-to-School Nights this week. Mine is this evening, from 7-9. I am dreading it... I am dreading the possible questions and the possibility of grief sneaking up on me... I am dreading the pressure in general that this night always seems to bring. Spencer's is on Thursday night. Please pray that God would give us energy to endure these long days.

4- For our meeting with the chief of neonatology and other folks at Shady Grove Hospital (where I will be delivering) on Friday. Please pray that they would be able to answer our questions, that we would feel comfortable with the care that they will be providing for us and our sweet Isaac, and that we're all on the same page with regard to our birth plan.

5- For Spencer and I as we write up our birth plan this week. For wisdom with the decisions we need to make, that we can artiulate our wishes clearly, and that we would be able to make those decisions with the most love and concern possible for Isaac.

6- For continues strength and perseverence. We are both growing pretty weary, and could really use your prayers for this.

If I have time this afternoon, I will update with some ultrasound pictures of our handsome little guy :)