How are you doing?...Blessed

Well, most of our friends and family know that we're expecting our 5th baby (which brings the Lowery kid total to 6, counting the one who came to live with us when he was 6yrs old and will be leaning to drive this summer -YIKES!).

Many of you also know that I have a rare blood disorder (NAIT, for short), basically an over-active immune system that sends antibodies to attack the baby's platelets.  However, if the baby has my platelet type he's not affected (because the antibodies don't attack MY platelets, just different ones).  So now that we know about this we have to do an amniocentesis to find out if the baby has NAIT.  Sarah and Ruth did (but have no lasting affects).  Paul and Mary didn't.

We believe that children are a blessing from God and we haven't seen any cause in our particular family to limit that blessing.  We know that God has planned from all eternity every individual human soul that has ever existed and will ever exist and that the ultimate purpose of every soul is to glorify Him.  Our children are not for our enjoyment (although we do enjoy them) but for God to use as He purposes.  We are humbled that He uses us in the process.

It's with that perspective that we share some news about this new baby (it's a boy by the way) :-)  Even though the reason for the amniocentesis was to find out if the baby has NAIT it is routine for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Dr.s to also test for chromosomal abnormalities.  God has chosen to create this baby boy with an extra chromosome.  He has Down syndrome.  Although this is a surprise to us we know it's not a surprise to God.  It's not a mistake.  It is something that He has planned for our good and for His glory.

This baby also tested positive for NAIT which means he is at risk for internal bleeding and I will need to begin treatment soon.  This will require me receiving an 8hr long blood product infusion twice a week and a c-section delivery.

When I first heard the news of the Down syndrome diagnosis I was sad, but it was sadness mixed with joy knowing that God knows better than me.  I was sad that this baby wouldn't be "perfect," smart, or beautiful.  But he is fearfully and wonderfully made.  He is an image bearer of God.  He is just as worthy of life and love.

I am so thankful for God's grace to me that has allowed me to view my circumstances in light of the truth of the Bible, God's goodness and sovereignty, and His omnipotent providence.  I pray that anyone reading this would know His comfort as many may be faced with actual trials and pains.  Our baby's extra chromosome and blood disorder is not a burden, grief, or trial.  It's a joy to know "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases."  Psalm 115:3

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.