God's Plan Chapter 2

Chapter one of God's plan for our time here at language school was the trial/blessing of our mini van accident in Aug. God was faithful. God provided for our needs. God taught us many lessons about trusting Him and walking by faith.

Chapter two of God's plan for our time here at language school started with a seemingly complicated, but exciting, plot twist of a fourth child coming in March. Emotional excitement was felt by all. Family and friends were told. In the back of our minds, we occasionally thought, "How are we going to manage with four?" Again, we were reminded of the lessons "learned" in chapter one...trust in God and walk by faith. "God, you must, you can and you will help us again", was our declaration to God.

Halfway through chapter two, we found out that we lost the baby. Just one week after hearing the heartbeat for the first time at a doctor's appointment, there was no heartbeat. Two, three, four nurses checked and double checked. It was clear, God for reasons unknown to us today, chose to take the baby. Hard phone calls were made to family and friends. We all enjoy cliff hanger plots and twists, but not in our own life's story! The roller coaster ride of last week was emotionally exhausting.

We don't know how the events of chapter two will tie into future chapters of God's plan in our lives, but WE TRUST HIM. He is the great author of life and death, the Sovereign Loving Creator and Savior. Although grief is here now in our midst, a joy of knowing God gives peace amidst chaos, and rest amidst exhaustion.

The lyrics to a poem, by Stephen Altrogge, entitled "All That I Need", have been of great comfort to us during this time of trial, loss, and testing.

In You is strength to sustain me
And wisdom enough to guide my hand
Mercy enough to forgive me
And power to finish what You began

All that I need is in You, Jesus
The fountain of grace that overflows
All that I need is in You, Jesus
You are my only hope
You are my only hope

In You is fullness of gladness
And fullness of grace for every need
Rest for the ones who are weary
And beauty surpassing all that we’ve seen

All that I need is in You, Jesus
The fountain of grace that overflows
All that I need is in You, Jesus
You are my only hope
You are my only hope

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We would appreciate your prayer in the following areas:

1. Kristi's delivery date (either this weekend - naturally; or next Tuesday - induced)

2. Kristi's physical recovery

3. The process of grieving

4. Wisdom for upcoming financial decisions

5. For David as he attempts to balance a heavy school load and helping Kristi and family at home.

We would ask for a measure of privacy (ie phone calls) until after Kristi is home from the hospital next week. You can communicate with us via email, snail mail, or comments on the blog.

Continue to check back on the blog for further updates.