“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, before a single one of them came to be”. Psalm 139:13-16
Greetings!
Please forgive the delay in updating you. We didn’t arrive home until the early morning hours on Saturday. Since then, we have been trying to adjust to life at home, and catch-up on some rest. I think that the major adjustment has been – well, no rest! 
Since this is such an important update, I wanted to take the time to process the events of the last several months, and provide an update that is transparent, and appropriately reflected our thoughts on this journey.
Friday was a day of waiting. It was the day we were expecting news of the results from the initial chromosome test to determine whether our little Sophia had Trisomy 13.
Late Friday afternoon, the Head of Neonatology walked into our room holding a single sheet of paper and announced:
“This is better than an A+ on a report card, it’s normal, everything’s normal!”
And with those words, the wait was over, and it was settled. We are obviously overjoyed, and so deeply grateful to God.
Throughout this journey, we have met with many medical professionals, who are bright and competent, and for whom, we have the deepest respect and gratitude. Along the way, these folks have cautioned us that the cell free DNA test that predicted that our little Sophia would have Trisomy 13 was highly accurate, and that false positives are extremely rare. In fact, the particular test we took, boasts the highest accuracy, and the lowest occurrence of false positives in the industry. This week, though everything about Sophia looked “normal”, a few of these professionals told us that we may just be one of the .3% (.003) who were fortunate enough to get a false positive.
To be clear, we believe that God, in His kindness and grace, has gifted men and women in the medical profession, and has permitted advancements and discoveries in medicine for the benefit all mankind. However, we will not now look to science, (i.e. a false positive) to explain what we’ve prayed for God to do on our behalf. We believe that to do so, would rob God of His glory! We’ve never prayed for a false positive. We prayed that God would heal our baby, and that is what we believe He did. We hope that this strengthens your faith, as it has ours – and that, as a result, God is bigger in your eyes.
Many of those reading about our journey have commented that our faith was “inspiring”. We do not consider ourselves special, or as having extraordinary faith. The truth is, some days; we felt we could barely hang-on. It was during these times that we experienced the sustaining grace of God. We’ve simply cried out to God and asked Him to heal our baby. Or, that if it wasn’t his will to heal our baby, that He would grant us mercy, allowing us the gift of time, and the chance to meet her. All along the way, we endeavored to hold our baby “loosely”, with open hands, affirming to God that, as hard as it was from a human perspective, we desired His glory and renown above all else. He has done more than we could ever ask or imagine.
We will always believe that God heard the prayers of His people, and healed our baby – that what we all witnessed in the birth of Sophia was a miraculous intervention of God, owing nothing to our own merit – and simply a result of His mercy. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to Him!
Our New Forever Family…
Before I close, I want to say a word about some new friends we’ve met on our journey. We have written about them on our blog before. These are the moms and dads of children with a trisomy, and these precious children themselves.
Before we received word that Sophia was at high risk for Trisomy 13, the word “trisomy” wasn’t even a part of our vocabulary. Shortly after receiving our screening results, we were introduced to some the most courageous people we’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. We were instantly adopted into this “family”, and have been counseled, cared for, encouraged and strengthened on every step of our journey. We are grateful that our Sophia does not have Trisomy 13, but we are forever a part of this noble fraternity. It is an honor to fight side-by-side with them. Theirs is a valiant battle against an insidious modern day eugenics ideology that labels these children as “incompatible with life”, and in so many cases, results in the refusal life saving treatment that could give these precious children and their parents the gift of time.
These moms and dads face a battle that thankfully, most moms and dads will never face. We are praying intentionally about what our partnership looks like going forward. But, we will forever be their partners and comrades-in-arms. The children they love so deeply are more than a genetic label, and are no less “fearfully and wonderfully made”. We love them, and they have our deepest respect, admiration and support. We carry their grief, and have wept with them as their dreams for their children were shattered. As they have mourned the loss of their children, we have mourned and wept with them.
Finally, words cannot express our deep gratitude for you – those of you who have stood united with us in prayer, and those of you who have encouraged us on this journey. So many of you have carried us on your hearts. Thank you for “standing in the gap for us”, and for your calls, text messages and Facebook posts. We plan for this blog to live on… as a testimony to God’s kindness and faithfulness, and as a resource to those who may be called to walk the road we have walked.
May any praise and glory be directed exclusively to God alone – who orders all things according to the counsel of His will. His faithfulness endures to all generations.
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:5
Andy & Jennifer
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
So happy for your family and little Sophia.
May God continue to bless you all and keep you. I’m sure he has big plans for her.
Blessings,
Lisa Bosworth
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROVISION AND CARE, HIS HEALING AND HIS AMAZING GRACE!!!! What incredibly wonderful and awesome news!!! Thank you for sharing this journey, allowing us to pray and being transparent in your journey! What a testimony baby Sophia already has!! God bless you ALL!
Baby Sophia Elizabeth is so beautiful! A true miracle of God! She certainly has a beautiful testimony to someday tell.
Love from your friend from Starbucks at TLP!
Praise God for His healing hand! Sophia Elizabeth is truly a child of God, perfect and wonderfully made. She is beautiful.
God is good all the time.
And all the time God is good!!
Enjoy the newest member of your family, everyone looks forward to meeting your little miracle!
Sheila
Nothing is impossible with God. She is blessed to have a been born into a family like yours.
God sent Miracle. The power of prayer is amazing! Thanks be to God! Amen
Jen and Andy,
We are thrilled beyond belief for the unbelievably wonderful medical report you received on baby Sophia!! She is such a beautiful baby and we know her life will be a blessing to you. Her story calls to mind Heather’s Hebrew name … Netanya Chana, which we chose because it means, “Gift from G-d, full of Grace.” This translation seems so fitting for Sophia as well. We can’t wait to meet your new bundle of joy!!!
Love, hugs, and kisses,
Alli, Mitch, Heather, Amanda, and Jared
P.S. Sophia was born just one day before Jared’s 20th birthday. Unbelievable!!
A beautiful post. Thanking The Lord with you.
I do not know you personally but we have mutual friends who have shared about your miracle on Facebook. I am crying tears of joy for your family! God is truly amazing!
Sophia Elizabeth is a miracle as every baby is. God created Sophia Elizabeth and picked out Jennifer and Andy to be her parents. God and Sophia Elizabeth thank Jennifer and Andy for being responsible parents.
The doctors owe an explanation to all of us. Ask the doctor about specifics of the test.
Often a test result that is positive for Trisomy 13/18/21, etc, is a death sentence for the not-yet born baby. This is not the proper use of medicine. Then there is what is called Neonatal hospice or palliative care. Non-treatment of remediable disease or illness is not the proper use of medicine.
To God be the glory great things He has done!!!!
Just came across this blog the day before Sophia was born. (It was shared on Facebook) I spent the time going back and reading parts of the blog and looking at pictures. I sat and cried. Checked constantly back on the blog for an update. So thrilled to hear this news and am reminded that the fervent prayers of a righteous (believing) man (woman) availeth much. James 5
Oh my, Andy….my heart is full to overflowing with joy for you and your family and with praise to God for His mercy and grace He has shown you all. May God continue to richly bless you and Jennifer and Sophia in the coming new year!
Love you….
We are rejoicing with you over Sophia’s birth and the news that God has done a healing and her tests came back normal! Praise God! She is a beautiful baby and we are so happy for you all!!
He ALWAYS makes the final decision. To God be the glory for the things he has done and will always do. Continue to be blessed.
Praise the Lord! I am so incredibly happy for your family!
It also gives me further hope that my test could be wrong or I could have a miracle too. Though I know Trisomy 21 is far less severe than Trisomy 13, I ask that you continue to keep my little one in your prayers as well (due 2/18).
Your faith truly has been inspiring and I’m so glad I came across your blog. I look foward to continuing to follow it and watch your beautiful Sophia grow up!
Blessings!
I will be praying for you.
I am so unbelievably happy to hear the news of little Sophia. It is truly a miracle and shows all of us how powerful faith and prayer are. Enjoy your perfect bundle of joy and get some well deserved sleep!
God is so good! We are overjoyed with this good news. Hugs and kisses to the whole family!
Dear Andy and Jennifer,
Enjoy this special time with your sweet baby! Update us with a picture now and then……..however we know how busy it is with a new princess who is getting used to a new kingdom
We have been meaning to post a comment since little Sophia Elizabeth was born! Congratulations! We are SO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!! All the glory to God that she was born healthy! We can’t wait to meet the youngest addition to the family! Katherine said the other day, “Hey, does this mean I won’t be the youngest kid anymore at Thanksgiving and Christmas?” I think she likes that! Much love to you all!
-Lisa, Alan, Joanna, and Katherine
Thank you for sharing the story of this sweet miracle from God. May He continue to shower blessings on your family. Can’t wait to perform an eye exam on her!!!