Uncharted waters...

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope!
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." [Romans 15:4-6, NIV, emphasis mine]

When Kelly and I took a step back yesterday morning to gaze at all that has occured in the last 8 weeks - it was overwhelming. From...

• the Holy Spirit clearly prompting us to "get our feet wet" and prepare for a move, while having no idea "where" we were going.
• The 3 months of prayer and preparation that followed with our wise counsel, family and community to put our home on the market, and then it being under contract only 3 hours after the first showing!
• The finding of Jackson's fatal heart defect [Aortic Stenosis] three weeks later, during a routine ultrasound at 19 weeks - with only two weeks to go before closing on our home.
• The first successful "fetal aortic balloon valveoplasty" surgery in the history of Pittsburgh Children's hospital on Kelly and Jackson at 21.5 weeks, while closing on our home the same day within hours of each other
• The awesome team of Doctors [Speer, Emery and Sherman] that God assembled to be His Healing and Life Giving Hands!
• The Holy Spirit leading us into a place of "wilderness" for growth, unity and preparation for 40 days! For "what"? Only He knows!
• The development of an amazing network of "encouragers" in our lives - our prayer warriors, wise counsel, and sacrificial supporters that have expressed and demonstrated the Love, Grace, Care, Compassion, Provision and Mercy of our Heavenly Father - supplying our every need according to his riches - in glory - in Christ Jesus!
• The transformation in "agape" Waiting - unconditionally and unselfishly - in a time of great uncertainty with Christ - who is our Strength, Hope and Peace!
• The mental, physical and emotional exhaustion of the home search - that finally seems to have come to end with an incredible home that is more than anything we could have ever imagined - holding every detail of God's Promise given to us more than 7 months ago. A home of space, security and sanctuary in a community that provides stability through family, friends and fellowship of the Body, where we can do "life" and "ministry" together - advancing the Gospel and His Kingdom!
• The many opportunities He has prepared and presented to share God's story - which He is continuing to script, choreograph and reveal in His Perfect Timing - through Jackson, our move and each and every one of our lives!

And through it all - the overwhelming Peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, has guarded our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus - as we have fixed our Eyes upon the Living Water, and pursued His Promise in our Teacher and Comforter - the Holy Spirit! And I can't wait to get to heaven and see God's amusement park....because the ups, downs, lefts, rights, loops and sudden stops that occur here on earth are only a foretaste of what's to come - through the Eternal and Glorious Joy we will experience as we are in perfect relationship with our Creator through His Son our Lord and Savior - Christ Jesus! Buckle up...

Jackson Update:

As we traveled to the hospital yesterday morning - Kelly and I prepared as best we know how - through prayer, conversation, song and moments of "quiet and tears"! I have to tell you...the way that God has strengthened our marriage in unity, faith, friendship, love, encouragement and oneness through this journey...has been truly amazing! And no - we are no where near perfect and still have many areas we are asking the Holy Spirit to teach and lead us in - but, it has just been overwhelming to grow in ways we never thought possible as individuals and as a couple!

And again...it was back to a familiar spot - the waiting room! We waited for more than an hour to see the little man again-but man was it awesome to see him bouncing around! The ultrasound revealed that he is doing great in the area of physical growth and development. He is in the 77th percentile in growth - meaning he is a "chubby" little guy, as our tech - hilariously - put it! No signs of complications from the surgery! No hydrops! And no concerns associated with the on going pregnancy or pre-term delivery! Praise God...

And then a huge surprise...as our nurse/tech went to get the doctor and review Jackson's films - Dr. Emery, our surgeon, came in! We have not seen him since the surgery - and man was it ever great to catch up with him! He was so encouraged with all the reports and pictures - and as he sat down to go over Jackson with the ultrasound, he was so impressed with Kelly's recovery and progress in the pregnancy! Dr. Emery - immediately - was encouraged by what appear to be growth in Jackson's left ventricle, and the clarity and development of the Aorta!

After a great conversation with him...it was off to the Echo - that resulted in a mixed bag of news...again! The aortic valve appears to be continuing to function normally - with no leak and a good flow through the aorta. However, Dr. Sherman did share he is concerned it "could be" fusing itself together - and reverting to its original state. The left ventricle "appears" to have grown in the last two weeks, and the mitral regurgitation "may" have lessened. Jackson continues to move all over the place - which is a great sign of an on going pregnancy and no complications from the fetal surgery!

But...Jackson's left ventricle is still not squeezing! And Dr. Sherman and Emery shared that if things do not improve drastically in the next 12 weeks in the left ventricle that we are looking at the Norwood surgery process - starting two days after birth to by-pass the left side of his heart and utilize his right side as the only "pumping chamber"!

But we believe! And then the stone was rolled away...for our encouragement, endurance and assurance of our Future and Hope! Because Jesus teaches us...“that if you would believe you will see the glory of God!” [John 11:40, NKLV, emphasis mine] I believe that God has "hardened Jackson's heart" - not in a negative posture - but of a physically hardening...and this is just another opportunity for Christ to reveal the Glory, Majesty, Healing and Power of our Heavenly Father! And I pray - that the Lord continues to reveal, encourage and transform our lives and that He helps us in our unbelief!

So here is the gameplan..."wait"! We head back for another echo/ultrasound in a month from now - October 1st - where we will begin to make more concrete plans in preparation for Jackson's delivery - but right now, we must continue to wait - and wait with unwavering Faith! Kelly is due to deliver December 5th, and the doctors remain hopeful that we will see a "squeeze" before then in Jackson's left ventricle, but they just don't know what to expect! We are in waters that have never been charted, but God knows the plan! He has gone before us and He is Faithful! We give thanks for not just what He has done, is doing, or will do - but because of Who He Is!

House Update:

I just got off the phone with Stan a couple of minutes ago...and after a very intense 24 hours of prayer/conversation for him and Karen...they have shared with us the other couple has brought an offer and that they are continuing to pray and will make a decision Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. We are waiting on the bank for our approval letter - and are praying for all the components of the "mortgage process" to come together in God's perfect timing! Again - we don't know how God is going to move this mountain, but we Trust in Him - with great peace and unity - just as Abraham taught us through Isacc that He is Jehovah-Jireh...and He will Provide!

"Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” [Genesis 22:14, NKJV]

Please be in prayer for unity, peace, discernment, wisdom and provision (time, talent and treasure) in this midst of this "negotiation" process! Pray that the Lord will move in ways that will "shock and awe" us - as He continues to reveal His Glory, Majesty and Power! Pray that God would overwhelm not just us, but Karen and Stan as well with His Presence, Peace, Encouragement, Discernment, Clarity, Wisdom and Strength as we seek Him in this time of decision! And pray that we all continue to Keep our Eyes on Jesus, and pursue the Holy Spirit in our Lives - that we are not deceived by the schemes of this world and enemy, but stand firm on the Promises of God!

Let His light shine through you this weekend...and keep your Eyes on Jesus!