Hope in Heartache

Chris and I are so thankful for God's grace and our church family being the hands and feet in a recent tragedy. Back in September, Chris and I found out we were pregnant with baby #2. We were overjoyed, and a little surprised, at the news! Clark was going to be the BEST big brother. We celebrated with family and friends as we anxiously awaited the first ultrasound. That day finally came and we were going to see our precious one for the first time! A day that began with so much joy, ended with so much pain. The doctor could not find a heartbeat and sent us for a formal ultrasound at another clinic close by. After a full day of doctors, unknowns, and SO many questions, we were given the news. Baby #2 had already gone home to be with his or her maker. In the passing days and weeks our home was filled with tears. Our tears and the tears of those who cried and walked this road with us. I am writing our story not so you can feel sorry for us, but so you can have hope. You see, even though there is sorrow and an abundance of tears, we have hope. We have hope because our Lord has already overcome death. We have hope in his promise of eternity where there is no more suffering, no more pain, and no more death. We have hope to one day meet our precious baby. For now it rests in the comforting arms of King Jesus and we have comfort in knowing we rest in those same arms. We debated making this news public or not. After much consideration, we have decided to tell you our story. Once again, not so you can feel sorrow for us, but so we can reach out and be the hands and feet as so many have been for us. The loss of a child, born or unborn, is a heartache I never expected to suffer. It has been the most challenging circumstance the Lord has sent our way. We hope and pray he will use our loss to encourage others through us personally or even simply through these words. Our sweet baby was due in May and we know difficult days are still yet to come but we want to thank each of you that has prayed, cried, and walked this road with us so compassionately.