Sonogram #4

On Tuesday, we got the news at our Sonogram #3 that the yoke sac (the circle to the right of the white dot) was abnormally large. Since this condition can possibly indicate a chromosomal defect and/or an impending miscarriage, Duffy and I experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the next few days. These emotions were compounded by the fact that Duffy would be leaving for Africa shortly, and would be gone for two weeks. We went back into the Doctor on Friday to try to get more information and a fourth sonogram revealed that at 7 weeks & 2 days, the baby hadn't grown any bigger (and was measuring 5 days small - which is not a good sign) but that the yoke sac had grown to 7mm. On the positive side, we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Duffy brags that it sounded like he was banging a bass drum in my womb.

It left us in a difficult place of decision. Should Duffy go to Africa and lead the mission trip as planned - or should he stay with me in case something went wrong with the pregnancy? If he went to Africa and something went wrong - there would be no way for him to get home to me and not even a good way for me to contact him to let him know what was going on. Should he "give himself up for his wife" or leaving family behind "take up his cross and follow [Christ]"?

Ephesians 5:25
"Love your wife as Christ loved the church. Give yourself up for your wife."

Matthew 10:37-39

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

We spent alot of time praying about it and in the end felt that we should trust God's timing and purpose here. God knew that Duffy would be leaving for this mission trip, He knows that we just lost our two girls less than a month ago, and he created Baby Johnson to have this large yolk sac. Nothing is a mistake or accident...God is active. So we're not sure what the test is, or why God is walking us through it in this manner, but we know we can trust Him, He is always good, and this is for His glory.

Please pray for us over the next couple weeks as we are seperated, struggling at times to be positive, and clinging to God for comfort and direction.

James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."