Little Glass Houses

It is not an easy task trying to figure out how to explain to a very curious three year old what it means that her sister is a preemie. Adaline has been asking for months if Brylee was coming soon. Each time we answered her tender hearted little question by explaining that we want baby Brylee to grow big and strong and to do that she has to stay in mommy’s tummy. When we started seeing signs that Brylee might be entering our world earlier than planned we tried to change our answers a little bit. We explained to her that if Brylee came early that she would have to grow at the hospital just like she would have in mommy’s tummy. We showed her her baby dolls and explained that if Brylee was born early she would be smaller than her babies and until she grew big enough she would have to live in a very special house.

I am thankful the Lord directed us to prepare her little heart for the fact that the sister she has so anxiously anticipated was not going to get to come home right away. For Adaline Brylee's glass like house is a very special thing. Not something to be afraid of or to be sad over. To her to the world that Brylee is living in is some place protected, some place safe.

Many of you continue to ask how Brylee is followed by the more poignant question how are ya'll. Our sweet Brylee is doing wonderful. She is growing and her little body is learning how to regulate temperature and understand the world around her. She is aware of Mark and I's voices when we walk in the room and is gradually showing interest in her pacifier. As far as her hemorrhages go right we are in a holding pattern. She will have a new ultrasound of her head done on Thursday to see any changes or developments in her brain. The damage done by her hemorrhage will not be evident until further on in her development. So for now we are thankful that she is doing as well as she is a growing strong, because this will be key in helping her in the future. Beyond that we are continuing to pray for wisdom for ourselves and her doctors so that she can have as successful an outcome as possible. Your continued prayers with us in this have been overwhelming. Thank you for walking alongside our family in this battle.

We are so thankful that our baby girl is here and safe. However here is most truthful response I know how to give in answer to the question how are we doing. As humans we all have a picture of how things are going to go. It may not be a definitive picture, but ways you imagine things could or should be. We all have our glass houses of safety and security and things we think we can handle. I truly believe that the Lord looks at our images of our life and laugh with great joy knowing that His plan is bigger and better than ours. We know that our God is ALWAYS good and ALWAYS sovereign. We know that above all He is mighty and a God of miracles. We have witnessed Him perform biblical level miracles in our family over the last many years and we know that He is able to do that again with our sweet Brylee. We also know though that the Lord does not always promise miracles. So many times his miracle is giving us the strength, grace, and wisdom to bring Him glory in the unforeseen and unexpected situations. This is what we know. We serve a God who truly has a greater plan than ours and if that plan is going to bring Him the most glory then that is what we desire. This does not mean however that we are not human. To look as your perfect tiny little baby and hear that her little body is probably going to fail her shatters that glass house image that you as a parent imagine for your child. We know that the Lord can perform and miracle in our sweet baby and we would love nothing less, but we are also seeking the shelter of our father as we look towards a different life for our family than the one we had originally planned. We have our moments that are filled with tears and moments where we are just rejoicing her little life. Above all else we are praying for the Lords direction and wisdom for us as parents as we walk down this new road in our future.

We covet your prayers. There are few greater privileges in life in my opinion than to get to walk together as believers through the joys and trials of life, always seeking the Lord's glory above all else. The Lord has given me this verse to claim hold of the last year

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

What a great reminder to us that the Lord can perform so far beyond what we can think or imagine. His future and picture for our life is far greater than anything our human minds can conceive. We love you all.

The Stratton's