Esther Jade Zylstra

Hi everyone~

First of all we want to thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, hugs and words of encouragement you have given to us!! We are truly feeling held up by the power of Jesus because you have been praying constantly for us and our precious baby girl and the rest of our family!! Please keep them coming! Yesterday i can say that i felt strong, i felt lifted up and i even told our genetic counselor that was why we were so calm. :) After she commended us for our calmness. I thought, honey, you have no idea. So i told her why we were so calm. Not because we were being so strong, but because we trust in the Lord and have a gajillion people praying for us back home. She looked at me kind of blankly. That is always interesting. As one of my friends said, We are standing with you holding up your arms, as Aaron and Hur did with Moses in the bible. I thought of that many times yesterday as i went throughout the day so thankful for the strength of Jesus that we have available to us when we call on him and depend on him. I don't know what i would do if i did not have Jesus Christ in my life. He is everything and is where all hope comes from. I am so grateful for that.

I had my hour long ultrasound at Swedish Hospital yesterday and it confirmed what we heard last week from my Dr. here in Bellingham, Dr. Cook. To put it simply she has LOTS of extra fluid in her little body; her neck, scalp, head, in and around her heart, she has a big tummy and chest area. ( I loved looking at her on the ultrasound and seeing her move and wave, her little hands and feet - she looked perfect to me!) Anyway, the genetic counselor said, "All this fluid suggests eventual cardiac failure". Basically her little heart will not be able to withstand the pressure of all the fluid and it will stop. So humanly speaking she is not expected to make it out of the womb. But i am putting hope in Jesus that she could be healed if he so chooses to. He has the power to do anything!

Brian and i named her today.......Her name is Esther, which means "STAR" and her middle name is Jade which means "PRECIOUS ONE". So now you can pray by name for Esther Jade Zylstra's life!

I have another appt for an ultrasound and consultation with a specialist next Mon morning at 7 am back at Swedish.......we covet your continued prayers! We are so thankful for each one of you standing with us in prayer. I can feel it!

You are so appreciated~ Love Mo & Brian