Yesterday, my niece and her husband, Angie & Nathan Luce, buried Poppy Joy, their second daughter. Actually, she only lived 3 1/2 hours on this earth. Back about 4 months ago, they learned that the precious life Angie was carrying in her womb was a trisomy 18 baby. According to the Trisomy 18 Foundation:
Trisomy 18 is also called Edwards syndrome (or Edward's syndrome) and occurs in about 1:3000 live births. Unlike Down syndrome, Trisomy 18 is usually fatal, with most of the babies dying before birth and those who do make it to birth typically living only a few days. However, a small number of babies (<10%) live up to one year.
With such a prognosis, many parents choose to not carry their pregnancy to term. Angie and Nathan, though, believing all human life is sacred, and that God had a special purpose in allowing this to happen, decided to go ahead with the process. Knowing full well that dark days lay ahead for them, they opted to cling to our Heavenly Father's loving hand, and walk through this journey together with Him.
On August 14, 2007, they opened up their blog, Poppy Joy. Along the way, they have shared openly and poignantly about the struggles, doubts, and comfort from the Lord they have found in the midst of this trial. This testimony of God's faithfulness toward Angie & Nathan forged through the crucible of real-life suffering is permeated with authenticity.
If you are interested in reading something that will build your faith in God, and help you to reflect on his tender mercies towards us in the midst of suffering, I invite you to read through the 46 posts so far of Poppy Joy, starting with the opening post on August 14, 2007. I can promise you, it will be well worth the time invested. You will not be disappointed.
5 comments:
I am so sorry David. My heartfelt sorrow to you, your niece and her husband. I spent a considerable amount of time on the site you have linked and it is everything you have portrayed here. Our God is an awesome and good God, especially in times like this.
Thank you for sharing such a personal story of love that is sufficient in itself.
russell
David,
Is it not “pure grace” that our Sovereign God chooses to spare a chosen few children the evils of this world… instead of the struggles of living in a world of sin, from the very earliest days of their lives all they will ever know is the presence of their Lord.
As someone who’s only child is with the Lord… thanks for sharing this.
Grace Always,
David, having had a baby over 40 years ago who lived just 23 hours, I can emphathize. Having lost my son whom I was gifted to know and enjoy for 33 years before the Lord brought him home, I am able to rejoice in the knowledge he lives eternally in Christ's presence now.
Thank you for sharing this blog with us. I have a friend who just lost her baby because her baby's organs were reversed in her little body. And it was her first child. She has been so faithful in trusting the Sovereignty of God in her life also. I know this will be a comfort for her. selahV
David:
Thank you for relating this very personal account and for showing how during this difficult time your family looked to the Lord.
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