"Peace be still!"

This mornings evaluation by Doctor Ridgeway went well. He did a trans-vaginal ultrasound to get a better look at her cervix. He reiterated that he was not going to say that it looked good. He was not ever happy with how it looked after the surgery, but good in this case was if it looked the same as he left it. And that was what he reported. He said it looks the same so that is *good*. He also took out her catheter and is allowing her to get up to go to the bathroom. He said the plan now is to get to Sunday. That is the 5th day after the surgery . He said 30% of people have there bag of water break the 3rd or 4th day following the surgery due to infection. So pray hard for Rachael’s bag to stay strong and that no infection takes hold.

Justin asked the doctor this morning if he thought Rachael would make it to viability- to the 24th week when little Jimmie has a chance and the doctor just raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” We can stand in the belief that she will and that she’ll go far beyond 24 weeks!! Keep believing and praying for this!!!

The situation with this sort of bed rest is that absolutely nothing can be taken for granted. All of your normal bodily functions are affected and this whole thing is like walking a tightrope. So we decided we are going to spare you all the gory details and struggles that she is going through daily, just suffice it to say pray for everything to function well. Because everything affects everything.

Now a common question I have been getting is, “How *is* Rachael doing?” I’m assuming people mean “how are her spirits?” Or- “how is she emotionally?” I don’t really know how to answer that question. Though it is a valid/good question. I guess the best way to put it would be-- she has “ups and downs”. Although the “ups” are hardly “ups” at this point in time. A scripture she has been leaning heavily on is “Peace be still!” Mark 4:39. Jesus commands the storm to still with those words. And sometimes it does feel as if a storm of fear or anxiety crashes in. She had me write “Peace be still” on her marker board on the wall so she could look up and see the words. Pray that she is filled with peace. And given the circumstances it would definitely have to be a supernatural peace from God. Sometimes it is impossible for her to control her physiological responses to her emotions whether it’s relief or fear-- her body starts to shake and she wants to sob, neither of those things are great right now. She needs to stay *still* and *calm*. She prays and asks us to pray out loud a lot. We took communion before her surgery. Justin and Rachael’s pastor Brother David has been a huge comfort and support. It is evident that God is with her and for that we are thankful. Obviously-- this is extremely traumatic-- so please pray for Rachael and Justin and little Jimmie that their hearts and minds are filled with God’s light and love. His perfect love casts out fear.

Love,
Amber