Our Ongoing Trial

In about May of 2008, my wife Grace was not quite 6 months pregnant with our 4th child. We had been going to regular ultrasound appointments, due to her prior history with pregnancies. This was actually her 9th pregnancy and we had three beautiful children, which means that she had 5 miscarriages. Needless to say, we were a little anxious about this one too. We found out rather early that we were going to have another son. He would make the count, three boys and one girl. Praise God!

It was about this time that she developed some swelling, which quickly moved on to a severe case of hypertension preeclampsia. She had never had this issue with any of her previous pregnancies. She was on complete bed rest, at home, but then ended up being admitted, because the conditions kept getting worse. First stop was our local hospital, where she stayed about a week and was then moved on to St. Elizabeth's hospital in Brighton, MA. Her condition kept getting worse and now thoughts of her dying were going through my mind. They put her on a magnesium drip, which is a nasty treatment and had her very edgy and sensitive, so there was no visitations allowed, except me, her husband.

Then came Thursday, June 26, 2008. Grace had undergone multiple testing throughout the week and by this time it was determined that the baby had to come within the next 24 hours, because she was showing signs of heart failure. They monitored her that night and the plans were to deliver the baby early the next morning.

June 27, 2008: Naturally, Grace's condition had worsened overnight so it was now or never. As the time approached, we prayed together, that whatever God had planned for us, would bring glory and honor to him, regardless of the outcome. Shortly after that the wind began to whistle just outside the hospital room window. I went over to the window and a torrential downpour started with thunder clapping and lightning striking loudly. I turn to Grace and said: "He's here. See, he is in control. He personally showed up to bring you through this." She had no choice but to believe, because there was just no doubt considering how quickly he responded to our prayers. It was perfectly calm prior to that.

Instead of the normal delivery room, they wheeled her down to the O.R. in case there were any complications. I was in the waiting room while they prepared her for the emergency caesarian section. They wasted no time, because when I finally walked in the room, they already had her opened up. I settled in near her head and kissed her. She was awake during the surgery and the extra Doctors on hand showed me what they were watching to make sure her heart stayed beating properly. It was reassuring to have them all there, but we knew that the ultimate physician was there too.

After a few more minutes, the Doctors stated that they were in and could see the baby. I had a camera, so as they began pulling him out, I snapped a picture. I got a few more before they moved him over to another station for the Apgar tests and some cleaning up. They called me over to cut the cord, which I videoed. It was official, Avery Aaron Austin was here. He was 2 months early, so he weighed in at 3 lbs. 7 oz. and was 16 3/4 inches long. Again, Praise God!!

Grace assured me that I should go with Avery to the spot they had designated for him, before going in to the N.I.C.U. I gave her another kiss and told her I would be back shortly. After staying with Avery for a while, I was anxious to see how Grace was doing, so I went back to the waiting area, just outside the P.A.C.U. where she was. I waited for what felt like a couple of hours before they came out to get me. I went in and there was my smiling wife. She asked how Avery was and then we thanked God again, for bringing both of them through the surgery, understanding that neither one of them were out of the woods yet. God was in control and he let us know that he was really there for us, when we needed him the most.

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