Since we first found out about Jacqueline’s complications back in October, we have been on an evolving journey filled with a lot of questions, uncertainty, waiting, and prayer. We are so very appreciative to those who have come alongside us during the most difficult time in our lives. We truly felt and still feel covered in prayer, love, and support. Words really can't express our gratitude. We sincerely thank you for all the calls and texts (even if we didn’t respond), house sitting, childcare, cards, flowers, gifts, dog walks, time off work, groceries, house cleaning, meals, books, and so much more. Thank you for following our story on this site. This will be our final post on caring bridge.  This site only allows five photos per journal entry so if you would like to see more, please ask. I am more than happy to share and talk about Jacqueline’s short, yet meaningful life. May God be glorified through her story.

Jacqueline Grace Parker

Born February 7th at 10:39 am, weighing 5 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches long

Passed two days later. Perfect except for her heart. In her short life, she knew only love.

As we prepared for Jacqueline’s delivery our prayer requests were to hear her cry, comfort her in our arms, give us time as a family, and for her body to be healed. During the two days with our sweet girl we witnessed God fulfill prayer after prayer. The next few paragraphs is our attempt to provide a testimony to God’s faithfulness in Jacqueline’s life.

Jacqueline arrived into this world feet first. Her left foot was the first to emerge and then eventually the doctors pulled the rest of her body out and the operating room was filled with her cry, the most beautiful sound reassuring us that she was alive and her lungs were working. There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a baby declaring their presence into this world. Our prayer to hear her voice was answered.

At our 32-week anatomy and heart scan the team of doctors had concerns about Jacqueline’s ability to self-regulate her body temperature due to her projected small size which was going to pose an additional challenge. This challenge became a minimal factor when she came into this world with more weight than expected. This gave us the ability to comfort Jacqueline in our arms rather than through the access holes of an incubator. Our prayer to hold and snuggle her was answered.

The time we were able to spend with Jacqueline exceeded our expectations. In the delivery room we experienced watching the joy of a big sister tenderly caring for her little sister, a brother showing confusion with being a middle child surrounded by two girls and being parents to a new life requiring us to trust in God more than ever. Our prayer for time as a family was answered.

Ultimately, the big ask for God to fully heal was not answered. The question of “why” may not get an answer in this life. What we do know with certainty is that Jacqueline is in heaven with God. The same God who heard all these prayers. Matthew 6:19 speaks to “Treasures in Heaven” and holds a significant moment in Jacqueline’s life that is too long for this post. Verse 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jacqueline will always be in our hearts and one day we will go to her. We thank God she entered the Kingdom of heaven unhindered and that is more than we could ever ask for.