We have been on a rollercoaster since last Thursday when baby Isaac was born to Lacy and Jake. He arrived three weeks early at 8 pounds 1 ounce and began having breathing problems soon after his birth. Issac was put in the NICU at our local hospital and things went downhill. By Saturday, he was shipped to UC Davis Children’s Hospital. During transport, they nearly lost him in the ambulance. Isaac arrived in Sacramento in critical condition. They did an emergency procedure to save his life, inserting a chest tube into his little body. The doctors didn’t know if he’d survive the procedure.

But Isaac has proved to be a little prize fighter. Today, he is in stable condition. We are hopeful the worst is behind us. We so appreciate your prayers for Isaac’s healing, and peace and strength for Lacy and Jake. They’ve been through a lot. Losing Baby Benjamin in 2021 was so hard. The past several days have been a nightmare for our family.

These photos were taken before Isaac’s condition worsened and he was transferred to UC Davis. Yet, today is looking up! If all goes well they will remove Isaac’s chest tube soon and let him continue to heal in the NICU. Lacy was able to hold Isaac today and things are moving in the right direction.

Will you please pray that Isaac makes a full recovery and grows up to be a strong little boy who loves Jesus? In the Bible, there was another baby Isaac known as the “baby of the promise.” Our Isaac is also a baby of promise. When Baby Benjamin died, we all grieved. One morning as I was reading my Bible and weeping, the Lord spotlighted this scripture for me: Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you, Zechariah 9:12.

When this Zechariah scripture popped out at me, I knew the Lord would give Lacy and Jake two more baby boys and we were delighted when JJ arrived in 2022. He is the most precious little guy and big sister Lily loves him, though JJ likes to tease her and sometimes drives her crazy. JJ loves Lily’s attention even when she’s running away from him screaming. He loves everyone’s attention. JJ is such a little charmer. He dances, sings, and flirts like crazy. He’s going to love having little brother Isaac to play with, God-willing.

When Lacy announced her pregnancy this year, I just knew it was a baby boy. When she and Jake chose Zechariah for Isaac’s middle name, I was beyond excited. I hadn’t told Lacy God had promised another little boy for our family, making this clear to me through the Zechariah scripture. So I was stunned when baby Isaac’s birth went sideways. This battle for his life has knocked the wind out of us, but we are prisoners of hope. The Lord is faithful. We are trusting Him to heal Isaac.

Lily got to meet baby Isaac today down at the UC Davis NICU. Here she is all packed up, carrying her ice chest of Mama’s milk, ready to go meet her new baby brother.

We are praying hard and longing to bring baby Isaac home safe and sound. We so deeply appreciate your prayers for Isaac, Lacy, and Jake. Lily and JJ too. Their world is upside down right now, but God is able, and it’s always darkest before the dawn.

I wrote this post when things were still scary and unsettled, and wasn’t able to get it sent out by email. I’m adding to it now to update you on the rest of the story.

Scott and I were able to spend Wednesday afternoon in the NICU with Isaac. He was doing so fantastic the nurse told us they were probably going to send him home on Thursday. Which did indeed happen.

We are incredibly thankful Isaac is now home with his family and everyone is trying to get some rest. So appreciate your prayers that Isaac suffers no ill effects from his traumatic entry into the world. The doctors and nurses at UC Davis say he’s a little prize fighter who amazed them with his strength and speedy healing. Glory to God and thank you for all the prayers! We are relieved and exhausted. Love you, friends!