Our prayers have been answered!!! Gerson has been granted a visa and will be here on MONDAY night!
Thanks for praying. Pray for traveling safety and that he makes all his connections. GOD IS BIG!
Friday, October 24, 2008
2nd Ultrasound Update
Yesterday I had my second ultrasound in the States. My cousin Amy traveled to be with me, and my friend Liz also joined us. It's great to have so many people who are willing to come and be with me and support me during this time!
To sum up, the three of us came away from the ultrasound encouraged. The doctor said the baby had normal growth for the last 3 week period, which is a HUGE praise! That's one of the things I asked you to pray specifically for!!! God answered! According to the ultrasound, the baby weighs 1 lb. 11 oz.
There is still confusion about why the baby is so small. It's still about 4 weeks behind what the due date says it should be. However, having said that, according to the ultrasound there are no obvious deformities, defects, or problems. The baby is just small and there is still calcification in the liver. Both of those things might mean NOTHING, but they sometimes do point to genetic disorders. Usually, however, if there are genetic disorders, other things tend to show up on the ultrsound, which hasn't happened.
The ultrasound doctor did give me the option of having an amno done to rule out genetic disorders. Because Gerson is not here yet and we need to talk about it, I told the doctor that at this point we aren't interested in getting the testing done. We want to wait until my next ultrasound in 3 weeks to see if the baby continues to grow normally. PLEASE continue to pray for our baby --- that he continues to grow normally.
I go back to my OB doctor on Tuesday to "debrief" with him about the ultrasound. I'm praying Gerson will be here for that appointment! Gerson has his interview today and if he gets his visa in hand today, he will (the Lord willing) arrive Monday night in order to go to the doctor with me on Tuesday. PLEASE PRAY for that!!!
What do the next few months look like for us? As soon as Gerson gets here, we plan to begin moving into "our" cottage in Marion, Indiana. (Thanks to our church family who has been painting, cleaning, and getting it all spiffed up for us!) Gerson will have to return to Bolivia in about 3 weeks for a few days to defend his thesis to get his college diploma. I would like to be settled into our home by the time he returns to Bolivia.
In addition, my OB doctor wants to keep close tabs on me since my blood pressures continues to soar. I will meet with him once a week to continue to screen me for pre-eclampsia. I will also continue to have ultrasounds every three weeks to keep tabs on the baby's growth. So, we will be making many trips back and forth between Marion and Indy until the baby comes.
Continue to pray for us as we face our future here in the States. We will also be starting Homeland Ministry Assignment with WGM, sharing what God has done and is doing in Bolivia, as well as speaking about where God is leading us. We will have to take it easy until the baby is born, but I need to do a lot of paperwork and begin scheduling meetings. So, pray that as we face this next step together, the Lord will continue to give us strength and wisdom.
We can't thank you enough for all your prayers, words of encouragement, and love during these days. We appreciate each of you!!!!! We love you and area looking forward to seeing you in person soon. Many of you haven't even met Gerson. Can't wait to introduce you!
To sum up, the three of us came away from the ultrasound encouraged. The doctor said the baby had normal growth for the last 3 week period, which is a HUGE praise! That's one of the things I asked you to pray specifically for!!! God answered! According to the ultrasound, the baby weighs 1 lb. 11 oz.
There is still confusion about why the baby is so small. It's still about 4 weeks behind what the due date says it should be. However, having said that, according to the ultrasound there are no obvious deformities, defects, or problems. The baby is just small and there is still calcification in the liver. Both of those things might mean NOTHING, but they sometimes do point to genetic disorders. Usually, however, if there are genetic disorders, other things tend to show up on the ultrsound, which hasn't happened.
The ultrasound doctor did give me the option of having an amno done to rule out genetic disorders. Because Gerson is not here yet and we need to talk about it, I told the doctor that at this point we aren't interested in getting the testing done. We want to wait until my next ultrasound in 3 weeks to see if the baby continues to grow normally. PLEASE continue to pray for our baby --- that he continues to grow normally.
I go back to my OB doctor on Tuesday to "debrief" with him about the ultrasound. I'm praying Gerson will be here for that appointment! Gerson has his interview today and if he gets his visa in hand today, he will (the Lord willing) arrive Monday night in order to go to the doctor with me on Tuesday. PLEASE PRAY for that!!!
What do the next few months look like for us? As soon as Gerson gets here, we plan to begin moving into "our" cottage in Marion, Indiana. (Thanks to our church family who has been painting, cleaning, and getting it all spiffed up for us!) Gerson will have to return to Bolivia in about 3 weeks for a few days to defend his thesis to get his college diploma. I would like to be settled into our home by the time he returns to Bolivia.
In addition, my OB doctor wants to keep close tabs on me since my blood pressures continues to soar. I will meet with him once a week to continue to screen me for pre-eclampsia. I will also continue to have ultrasounds every three weeks to keep tabs on the baby's growth. So, we will be making many trips back and forth between Marion and Indy until the baby comes.
Continue to pray for us as we face our future here in the States. We will also be starting Homeland Ministry Assignment with WGM, sharing what God has done and is doing in Bolivia, as well as speaking about where God is leading us. We will have to take it easy until the baby is born, but I need to do a lot of paperwork and begin scheduling meetings. So, pray that as we face this next step together, the Lord will continue to give us strength and wisdom.
We can't thank you enough for all your prayers, words of encouragement, and love during these days. We appreciate each of you!!!!! We love you and area looking forward to seeing you in person soon. Many of you haven't even met Gerson. Can't wait to introduce you!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Change of Plans
Yesterday Gerson got a surprise phone call from the embassy in La Paz, Bolivia. The woman who called him told him that someone from the States had called the embassy and had explained my health situation to them. (I'm assuming that someone was from Senator Lugar's office, as they have been very helpful to us us during this whole process!) Due to my health, the embassy was willing to change Gerson's interview date to an earlier date!!!!
As I am writing this, Gerson is flying to La Paz. Today he will see a doctor who is approved by the embassy to get his physical done. He has had all the tests done and has the results with him. He just needs this doctor to write a letter giving him a clean bill of health. He should have that letter in hand by tomorrow.
Then, on Friday at 1:30 Gerson has his interview. Our contact at the embassy told him the earliest he will have his visa in hand is that same afternoon -- the latest would be on Monday. This means Gerson, the Lord willing, will be with me early-mid next week!!!! I'm one happy woman!
We have seen the Lord move mountians, and we thank you for being a part of it through your prayers. Continue to pray for Gerson as this was sudden and he was a bit overwhelmed by the quickness of it all. Pray that the details continue to fall into place and that his visa is granted with no problems.
In addition, yesterday Gerson was also told that he will need to return to Bolivia in 3 weeks to defend his thesis for his bachelor's degree from the university. The embassy has assured us that it will not be a problem for him to return for a few days to tie up that loose end. We stand amazed at how the details have come together. God's fingrerprints are all over it!
I am still struggling with high blood pressure, but the baby continues to be active and other than high blood pressure I am feeling well. I have my ultrasound tomorrow, so continue to be in prayer for that appointment. My cousin, Amy, will be going with me so I won't have to face it alone.
I love hearing from you, so write or leave a comment when you have time. Again, thanks for your prayers. I'll update this when I know more for sure.
As I am writing this, Gerson is flying to La Paz. Today he will see a doctor who is approved by the embassy to get his physical done. He has had all the tests done and has the results with him. He just needs this doctor to write a letter giving him a clean bill of health. He should have that letter in hand by tomorrow.
Then, on Friday at 1:30 Gerson has his interview. Our contact at the embassy told him the earliest he will have his visa in hand is that same afternoon -- the latest would be on Monday. This means Gerson, the Lord willing, will be with me early-mid next week!!!! I'm one happy woman!
We have seen the Lord move mountians, and we thank you for being a part of it through your prayers. Continue to pray for Gerson as this was sudden and he was a bit overwhelmed by the quickness of it all. Pray that the details continue to fall into place and that his visa is granted with no problems.
In addition, yesterday Gerson was also told that he will need to return to Bolivia in 3 weeks to defend his thesis for his bachelor's degree from the university. The embassy has assured us that it will not be a problem for him to return for a few days to tie up that loose end. We stand amazed at how the details have come together. God's fingrerprints are all over it!
I am still struggling with high blood pressure, but the baby continues to be active and other than high blood pressure I am feeling well. I have my ultrasound tomorrow, so continue to be in prayer for that appointment. My cousin, Amy, will be going with me so I won't have to face it alone.
I love hearing from you, so write or leave a comment when you have time. Again, thanks for your prayers. I'll update this when I know more for sure.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
More Good News
On Friday I got more good news from doctor. He did a test to check my protein level to see if I had entered pre-eclampsia. What he told me when he got the results was astounding!!! Not only had my protein level not increased, it had, in fact, DECREASED! PRAISE THE LORD! This is wonderful news that means I am not becoming pre-eclampsic. God continues to surprise me.
Please continue to pray for Gerson. He has to get a physical done this week to take with him to the embassy. Pray he can get an appointment with the one doctor at our clinic who does these physicals. Gerson thinks the doctor is in the States, which could cause a problem! It is the last of the paperwork he needs to go to his interview. He also had some testing done because he has been sick recently. He should get those results back on Tuesday. Pray with us that his test, too, will come back NEGATIVE.
Again, thanks for your continued prayers. We'll continue to keep you updated through this blog. Have a blessed day!
Please continue to pray for Gerson. He has to get a physical done this week to take with him to the embassy. Pray he can get an appointment with the one doctor at our clinic who does these physicals. Gerson thinks the doctor is in the States, which could cause a problem! It is the last of the paperwork he needs to go to his interview. He also had some testing done because he has been sick recently. He should get those results back on Tuesday. Pray with us that his test, too, will come back NEGATIVE.
Again, thanks for your continued prayers. We'll continue to keep you updated through this blog. Have a blessed day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
