Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

mood: exhausted | drinking: milk

My niece Josette was born five weeks early this past Tuesday, weighing in at just over 5 pounds.

About 24 hours after she arrived, doctors discovered an intestinal blockage and decided to do surgery. Once they were in the operating room, they found that she actually has a very rare defect. They did the best they could, but it appears she will require multiple surgeries to correct this problem.

Right now she is in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, attended by lots of nurses and her mom, dad and Mimi Witmer. Her big brother Jude isn’t allowed in the NICU, but his mommy is showing him pictures whenever he asks, “Where is baby Josette?”

For months, we have been joyfully awaiting Josette’s arrival, my sister and I swapping pregnancy stories and making big plans for our little girls. Of course, we never factored this crisis into our plans. That’s how life works, though.

We are all exhausted and concerned and feeling like running errands and folding laundry is all we can do to help, but it is much better than sitting still.

This tiny little girl is such a fighter, and we have hope.

My sister and her husband are taking comfort in Psalm 139, the part that says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Whether you pray or you think good thoughts, send good energy or whatever, our family could use it. Please keep little Josette close to your heart. This is going to be a long haul, no matter what, and I believe the more people thinking of and praying for her, the better.

-Lo, believing that all things will work together for good.