Overcoming the Odds

In 1997, I married my high school sweetheart, Wesley. Two years later, we were extremely happy when we found out we were expecting our first child.

On January 13, 2000, our son, Blaise Chandler, was born. But we discovered something was wrong; he was not breathing. Despite the circumstances, God’s peace came over me.

Blaise was moved to a different facility, where he remained for a week. Doctors concluded that he was born without kidneys, and on January 20, 2000, he went home to be with Jesus.

Almost immediately, Wesley and I started trying to become pregnant again. We met with a specialist who diagnosed our problem as Melnick-Fraser Syndrome, of which my husband is a carrier. Every baby we had would have a 50-50 chance of being born with this syndrome.

In December 2000, we were elated to find out we were expecting. We named our baby girl Sadie Jane. An ultrasound confirmed our worst nightmare: She, too, did not have kidneys and would not survive.

Shortly after what would have been Blaise’s second birthday, I was expecting again. This time the ultrasound looked normal.

I contacted several people and asked them to pray each night at 9 p.m. for the health of our baby. God continually gave me encouragement from His Word. On September 5, 2002, a perfectly healthy, strong-willed little girl, Autumn Grace, was born. She is absolutely beautiful.

In my young life, I have gone through many trials, but I need no explanation for them. I know the Lord is in control, and “His way is perfect” (Ps. 18:30, NIV).