First post:
Apr 21, 2022 Latest post:
May 28, 2023
For starters, this is most importantly a story about God first. Yes, it is a story about David Jon and his medical difficulties and our family's journey, but most importantly, it is about God. He is the one giving strength, peace, and wisdom. We are relying on His power and providence, and we are trusting Him with the outcome.
To God be the glory.
The last full week in February was the first ultrasound we got a glimpse of little David in the womb. It was a very surreal day, the first of many to follow. The small clinic in Goshen that we went to, found that David's heart was turned and shifted out of place and they suspected dextrocardia. We were thrilled with the news of another son, and very concerned at the same time. We knew we should trust God and not worry, because that is the way we were raised, though it is always easier said than done. They gave us a referral to St Joe and their high-risk pregnancy center where we got an appointment late the following week March 4, 2022. The last weekend in February was our youth group Winter Camp and we were busy with preparations, activities, and still our minds were swirling with our son's plight. We knew very little of any specifics, and we tried not to think about it. Trust God, and hope the doctors were wrong.
March 4th was a difficult day. A long ultrasound at St. Joe, fetal EKG, and consultation with a small team there afterwards. We were glad to learn dextrocardia was not what David had, but unfortunately he had a severe diaphragmatic hernia along with a hole in his heart, a double outlet right ventricle, abnormalities in his brain, and a few other "markers" the doctors were concerned about. They recommended a referral to Riley Children's hospital, a fetal MRI, and genetic testing. St. Joe suspected a genetic disorder, but regardless, the severe diaphragmatic hernia was very concerning by itself, before considering the additional complications with David's heart. We had now stepped definitively through a doorway and were on the most difficult journey we had ever faced. Praise the Lord for His strength, as without it, this journey would be impossible.
Mathew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Exodus 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Deuteronomy 3:22 Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Isaiah 54:17a No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Acts 17:22-25 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.