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we heart hope

Things are going well here at the House. We are still hearing good heartbeats from #5, most recently this morning on my rented Doppler. I am almost 15 weeks now, so this next week is the time corresponding to the gestational point that we lost #2 (Dora) and #4 (Carolina). Thank you to everyone praying for God to sustain little #5 during this next week and beyond. I feel some trepidation, but so far I am not panicking. I am trying to focus on Jesus as my unshakable Hope who will never disappoint.

In other “heart” news, my dad, J. D., unexpectedly almost collapsed on the treadmill at his heart doc’s office last week. The docs knew his heart had some valve trouble, and we knew Dad has had a few spells of light-headedness, but it took the doctor’s insistence to get him checked into the hospital. After taking a look they scheduled him for quadruple bypass surgery and a valve replacement tomorrow at 8am. If you could pray for that, we’d appreciate that too. His team includes Doctors Noel, Saint, Mohammed, and Hurt, if you want to mention them. My dad says he is most dreading getting his entire body shaved (so they have access to any part of it for the bypass arteries). He’s a pretty hirsute guy so I feel sorry for the nurse that draws that straw. But seriously the surgery is going to be painful, with a long recovery time (6-8 weeks). We are hoping, if the ultrasound is good at 16 weeks, that we can travel up to Tallahassee for a belated Christmas with Dad.

John’s mom Peg just sealed the deal on a long-distance love affair she’s had with a certain A-frame beach house in Pine Knoll Shores, only about 10 minutes from our church in Morehead City. Now we have the perk of seeing her for lunch every Sunday after church and playing in the sand if the weather permits. Valor is dedicated to the proposition that all shells deserve to live in the ocean, rather than on the beach. That keeps him pretty busy.

We took Valor to his first live nativity last week with our friend Margaret. We rode a hayride through the exotic scenes with live animals and passionate gesticulating and got our pictures taken at the end with a Wise Man and an angel. Valor was silenced by awe when he was first introduced to the angel, so I said, “Valor, what do angels say?” Valor has learned by heart that angels say, “Glory to God! Jesus is here!,” so he was stunned when the angel opened up her mouth and said, “Hi! Do you want to touch my wings?”

Some of you will not be surprised that the main thing he talks about from that night is the big tractor that pulled the hayride. Sigh.

Valor is really looking forward to the day he can open up the presents that are starting to appear under the tree. He massages and rearranges them every day (along with all the ornaments he can reach), so I don’t know what kind of shape they’ll be in by Christmas.

He’s not the only one around here who is longing to know what next week will bring. One thing we do know: Emmanuel still means “God With Us”: our sure and lasting hope, come what may.

 

17 thoughts on “we heart hope”

  1. Thanks for the update. Am praying for you, #5, and the rest of the family. Special prayers to your dad. My parents are out of the country now, but I know that they will want to know and pray for him as well. I will shoot them an email and hopefully they will get it. Valor is increasing in adorableness exponentially. Love and miss you guys

  2. I am so glad to see the update on #5, I have been checking in frequently and praying for you guys and will step it up this week! Will also pray for your dad’s surgery.

  3. Hi Abby, John, Valor and Five!

    My heart is full for you all (and JD)…I’m hoping this Christmas is one of miracles and everday ordinary, in which God’s graces are found.

    Wonder what Valor would do if Santa pulled up on a tractor…heh!

    Merry Christmas to you all!

    Sally in Indianapolis

  4. Thanks for the update!

    I think you may have found a name for this baby if a girl: Hope. Fits right along with Valor. Of course if baby is a boy, you’ll need to keep looking for names (not sure what the masculine equivalent would be) ๐Ÿ™‚

    We continue to pray for your family.

    -Carrie

    1. So glad to hear your dad’s surgery went well. A church friend’s 77 year old grandfather just had a triple bypass and went home 4 days later; he was sitting in a chair 7 hours after coming out of surgery. I pray your dad has no complications and is well on the road to recovery. I am praying for your sweet little baby and your whole family as you go through this week. Valor could not be any cuter! How wonderful to have a grandma so close and at the beach!!

  5. So good to hear about your Dad’s surgery going ok!
    I keep you all and #5 in my prayers.

    Loved the pictures! V is getting so big!!

    Kisses

    Sabrina

  6. I know I pop up every now and then but your family stays in my thoughts, prayers, and heart daily. I was one of the fortunate to play with James during his tenure at Winnie Palmer. Nevertheless, I am hear to tell you that God has the final say, and there is power in prayer I believe it I know it therefore it is. If you didn’t know that the #5 biblically means Grace, which is so interesting since the church family I believe if memory serves correct you had here in FL was called Grace… I keep your Dad lifted in prayer. I remember the reason for the season a little humbler because of the impact James and you all have made on me. I am a nurse for all the right reasons…God Bless..

  7. Hi John, Abby, Valor & #5 –

    It has been a while since I’ve had time to “stop by” but I am so glad to hear about #5 and your dad. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers!

  8. I’m just getting the chance to catch up with some reading. Wanted to let you all know that there are prayers coming from here. Glad to hear your dad’s surgery went well – I’ll continue to pray for his healing. Can’t wait to hear about Valor’s Christmas and an update on #5.

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