Tuesday, November 4, 2008

The Journey Begins

On a great day in July, we got wonderful news, we learned that WE WERE EXPECTING OUR THIRD CHILD! Praise God! What a miracle! We were so excited! I (Becca) had been praying for this child for years, so hearing this was good news indeed! We told our Rachel & Jaxon, as well as our family and friends. I had gone in for all the regular check-ups and even for an early ultrasound, and everything was going great! We began to plan and prepare (With much excitement!) for this baby to join our family.

At 20 weeks along, we went in for our routine ultrasound appointment. This is a day we had been anticipating the whole time! We had decided NOT to find out the gender of the baby. We wanted it to be a surprise :-) Jon, Rachel, Jaxon and of course myself all went in for the ultrasound. We were all so overjoyed to see this tiny baby moving around on the screen. The technician was brief in her talking about the ultrasound as she is not allowed to share information regarding the baby with us. She completed the exam, we got our pictures and home we went.

A few hours later I received a call from my Mid-Wife. My heart dropped when I saw her name on the caller id as I knew the old phrase "No news is good news" and that is also pertained to ultrasounds. She shared some devastating news with me that I never in a million years dreamt I would hear. She said there were some problems with the baby and that I would need to go see a specialist immediately for further testing. She continued on to tell me what the problems were with our baby. She said that the baby had no left arm or hand, no right arm or hand, no right leg or foot and a small partial left leg but no foot. She also shared that there seemed to be some problems with the baby's heart as well as with it's head. She continued by telling me that I also had complete placenta previa (Meaning the placenta was completely over the cervix, this can cause some problems as well as it requires a c-section at the time of delivery). WOW! What did you just say? I must be dreaming right? This is just a very bad dream and I am sure to wake up soon! Nope! It wasn't a dream at all. It was real! I was in shock.

I had an appointment scheduled for the following day to see a specialist where they would do a more extensive ultrasound, as well as an echocardiogram followed by a consultation with the doctor. Jon and I (As well as others we had told) prayed all night long as well as the whole day before our appointment. We went into this appointment feeling every emotion possible. As the technician was performing the ultrasound he looked at many things and took many measurements and notes. He was wonderful at providing us with tons of information as he did the ultrasound and we felt very "in the know"...well as much as we could anyway. He then made a comment and this is what he said "Ok, I am now going to move on and look at the extremities and take measurements of those." I almost felt offended as he said this as we knew there really were no extremities, except a partial leg. He moved the ultrasound "thing" to a bone. I assumed this was the one leg bone. He typed in the screen above the bone "Right Arm". I looked at Jon then at the technician and said "Are you saying that's an arm?" He replied with "Yes, and here is the rest of the right arm". He continued on to show a full right arm (However with an absent hand), a partial left arm (Also with an absent hand), a full right leg (With an absent foot) and a partial left leg (With an absent foot). I was stunned! During the ultrasound we also learned that my placenta was in a different place! I no longer had Complete Placentia Previa! I would be able to deliver naturally with no need for a c-section. We also learned that the baby's heart was completely fine! WOW! Praise God was all I could say!

Before we went in for this ultrasound, Jon and I had decided we did want to know the gender of the baby. We wanted to be able to call it by name and make this experience more personal. So during the ultrasound we learned that this wiggly little person inside my womb is a little BOY! We had a name picked out long ago (That God had given us) and so he will be called Israel David.

After the ultrasound was said and done we met with the doctor. She shared with us about a new problem we did not know of before. The baby's...um I mean Israel's chin was recessed. Meaning it was pushed back and not in line with his upper jaw. The long and short of that means there could be long term problems for him after he is born. He may not be able to breath through his mouth. If that were the case a traciastomy would need to be put in and surgery preformed so he could breath on his own. However this will not be able to be determined until birth.

So what does all of this mean? THAT WE SERVE A GOD WHO IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN ALL OF THIS! If in one night of praying God created limbs on this precious child, completely fixed his heart, and moved my Placentia...WOW what could he do in the next 4 1/2 months?!?!

We are praying (And ask you to please join with us in prayer!) that God would just completely heal this baby! That every arm, leg, hand and foot would be complete! That the chin would realign and that he would be a normal healthy baby.

We have another ultrasound scheduled for 1 month from now. We will keep you updated and informed along the way. There is a place on this blog to sign up to automatically get an e-mail every time I post a new entry or you can just check back from time to time.

WE SERVE A BIG GOD WHO CAN DO ANYTHING! WE ARE BELIEVING FOR THIS MIRACLE TO HAPPEN IN OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE ISRAEL.

All our love, Becca (And the rest of the family too Jon, Rachel & Jaxon)

23 comments:

Erica said...

Wow Becca. Wow. I don't think I'm sorry is even appropriate. This baby is absolutely a gift from the Lord. A boy strong and mighty. I'm taken back 7 years to my pregnancy with Olivia when we were told we had no baby. She is ALIVE AND WELL! God is a God of miracles and we will pray with you, partner with you, and intercede on your behalf for little Israel.

What an AwEsoME God we serve. Believing in the truth that IS our Lord strong and mighty!

Anonymous said...

Turkington Family, Please know that we are honored to be included on this send out blog. I have been praying since last night and will continue to do so each day. We love you and are here for you and will support you in anyway we can. We believe, as you, that the LORD we serve is mightier than we can even comprehend. Love you - The Sullenger's

Anonymous said...

Praise God for what He has done and is doing and will do! Know that when your faith wavers, we will stand in faith for you! My mother was told that I would be stillborn or, at best, mentally retarded but He had other plans. We love you and are standing with you. The Conns

Jeff/Mary Ballard (Gramma/Grampa) said...

Dearest Jon & Rebecca,

What a nearly unbelievable past 36 hours it has been. During this time, I was honored that I was able to witness your love for each other, your family, and especially for baby Israel. It is now, that you both are finding the inner strength from the deepest depths of your hearts to work through this journey and stay strong at the same time. We will anxiously await the birth of our fourth grandchild, Israel, and love him with all of our hearts just like any others. One thing for sure is that God could not have chosen better parents to raise this special baby, little Israel.

We love you with all of our hearts.
Mom/Gramma and Grampa too

Anonymous said...

Dear Rebecca & Jon,
We love you all and will continue to pray for your precious little Son, Israel, and each one of you. Philippians 4:6-7
Hugs & Love,
Aunt Teresa & Uncle Richard

Anonymous said...

We love you guys & are here for you! I know what a long road this looks like for you but I also learned that God is faithful to be there for you during it. We are hear if you need anything or just need someone to listen.
Love, Joseph & Sarah & Taren

Adam and Jen said...

Becca- this is Jen, Melanie's friend. I am brought to tears by your blog and your faith and confidence in Our Loving God. We will pray for you and continue to check back on your blog. God is good!

Anonymous said...

Becca! I love you, sister! I am praying with you and BELIEVING for a miracle!!
Any thing and everything is possible for baby Israel!
~Rebecca Mabon

Tharp Family said...

Rebecca & Jon,
Praise God for His healing power and the power of prayer. We are praying for little Israel and for your family. We love you guys.

Love,
Brandy & Darren & Family

jeff-kathy said...

Jon, Becca

I am so sorry this has happend. Remeber that God only gives us what we can handle even in are hardest times. As it says in the bible...

Rom 5:3
Not only so,but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserance.

GOD has given you such a wonderful blessing to your family, and GOd will always take care of you all. God knows the Big plans for Israel to comes. God will give you both the strenth and wisdom to get through this together. Your whole family is in my prayers.

Right now am going to commit to pray @ 9 am for 30 minutes every day for Gods healing hands, and the miracles that only he can do.

We care every much for all of you. xoxoxo
Jeff & Kathy Gillis

Grace said...

I don't really know where to begin as I'm sure most people don't either. God is good... no, God is AMAZING and He works miracles every day. We will be praying for you, Israel, the kids, your family, and that God's Will be shown.

I think that we all take for granted when we have healthy babies and everything goes "text book." God has made us all unique in our own ways to bless Him and this little guy is the billboard proving that.

If it's okay with you, I will be providing this information to my MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) group to pray since we have a prayer log as well as with my parents. The more who come together to pray, the more miracles can happen or strength we receive. I love you and I know we don't talk or visit anymore, but I want you to know that I am always here for you.

EastCampusEmergencyPrep said...

Hi Jon and Becca,
Im an older woman who volunteers at GFA and knows your super brother, Steve. We've been praying for Dave and Amity and now will pray for you and your Israel every morning. "Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Is 41:10 We're trusting the Lord to do a mighty work in Israel's life!!! love, Mary Lou Cope

Loving Purgatory said...

I'm so sorry that you have had this rough road. I know that you are strong in this as you are in other things in your life and more importantly that we serve a good God. May His will and peace prevail with you.

Love you,
Layton

Bree said...

Becca and Jon, my prayers are with you and little Israel. God is good, no matter what and His faithfulness will get you guys through all of this. Let me know if you need to talk..I am here for you.

Elizabeth said...

Jon and Becca,

Israel is in our prayers! We love you both and know that God has a plan in all of this! He has known Israel would be a part of your amazing family long before you! I know that he will be amazingly loved just by the way you love and care for your other two! We are here for you anytime. You and Israel will be in our thoughts and prayers and we can't wait to meet this precious little boy!

We love you!
Matt and Liz Bate

Anonymous said...

Jon and Becca-I thought I noticed a baby bump on your belly as you dropped Jaxon off in class at church last weekend. You look beautiful, joyful and at peace. Thank God! He's obviously doing a mighty work in you. No matter what Israel David's prognosis is, he was on God's mind even before He created the earth. Psalm 139:14-16"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
I work in an elementary school special education classroom. I know that the parents of the kids in our class had to have experienced some real disappointment and grief over not having the perfectly perfect child they were expecting. But every child in our classroom has such wonderful individual personalities, you can't help but love them to pieces. I guess what I'm trying to convey is that whatever God's plan is for your family and Israel David, I know that you will be so blessed by this little person that God chose you to be the parents for. I will continue to pray for you, that God will keep pouring out His love, peace and mercy on you! -Angie Wiltse

Anonymous said...

Becca, my heart just dropped when I saw a prayer request for "Becca" on our Mom To Mom blog and realized it was you.

After reading your story I am in tears. Tears of sadness but also just in awe of your amazing faith and of God's great power and love for us. I will be lifting all of you up in prayer and praying for complete healing of baby Israel.

Anonymous said...

Becca and John,

We want you to know that our hearts and prayers are with you. When I was praying this morning, I heard God say, "I'm still forming Israel in the womb". I'm already thinking of him as the miracle baby and can't wait to hear the testimony you will have once he is born.

We are praying for strength, courage, and peace.

Love you guys,

Tom and Denise

Valerie of Momia said...

Hi, there! I got the link to your blog through Grace. (I'm in MOPS.) I just wanted to send you this message to let you know that I'm praying for you, Israel, and the rest of the family! Blessings to you all!!

Anonymous said...

Becca & Jon,
We are so happy that you know our Lord and Savior is a loving and just God. All of us who are praying, as you live through this trial in your young lives, know that we will prevail. HE will listen to all of our prayers and will act upon our requests! HE is our God and all HE ever wants is for us to be happy.

HE knows what an awesome mom you are and was so inclined to give your family this beautiful boy, Israel David.

After the initial shock, and the waterworks subsided, David and I have decided to go to our Temple tonight and put the TURKINGTONS on the prayer roll so that many other people will be praying for Israel David and your entire family. We are also praying for all the people who love you and are praying, as well!

David is a Priesthood holder in our church and has asked if he could give you, Becca, a blessing. It doesn't take too long but it can't hurt to have as many people who believe in HIS POWER and GLORY doing what we can to help baby Israel on his journey.

We too believe in the power of prayer, and we pray to the same GOD. Just let us know when you would like a blessing and we will be there!

Our hearts are filled with love and hope and we know that whatever HIS will, we will always be here for you and will continue to pray for your entire family!

We believe you know how much your beautiful family means to us. We are very close (just a few steps away) and will be here for you whenever you need us!

Let us know about the blessing. David will need to get one other Priesthood holder to administer the blessing. We will continue to pray until and after you deliver your healthy son, Israel David!

Great Name!!

We Love You All, So Much!!!

THE GROOMS

Holly said...

God is amazing!!! Thank you for sharing!

Ann Arritola said...

Becca & Jon...

It has been a long time. I am trying to type this through very blurred vision from tears. So many emotions...

I am so sorry that I missed the opportunity to be part of the prayer going on for Izzy when you were pregnant!

I am so sorry that we don't see each other, our kids haven't seen each other, and that I haven't gotten to meet this amazing little man of God!

I am so sorry for the fear, anxiety, and pain you and Jon must have gone through, even if just for those first hours after talking with your midwife and before seeing the specialist.

And yet, I must admit, I am somewhat envious! What an amazing testament to the great, mighty, powerful, merciful, and loving God we serve.

What an amazing joy it must be to have Israel in your lives!

The blessings he brings to your family, your friends, your marriage, to the world... they are, I'm certain, immeasurable already.

Israel is so amazingly blessed for God to have chosen you to bring him into this world, care for him, and love him. For God to have chosen Jon to be his protector while he is here and show him by example what a Godly man is. And to have Rachel and Jaxon... his doting big sister and brother, to teach him the ropes about life and always and unconditionally love him the way God intended.

God is obviously already doing amazing works with Israel, just as He has done with you, Jon, Rachel, and Jaxon. I am absolutely excited to follow Israel's Journey. And see what God has in store for him, for your family, and for the world!

Love you all bunches!

~Ann Arritola, Bailey, Noah, Gabby, and Skylar

Anonymous said...

So I was just browsing blogs and I found your blog. Of my friends just lost her nephew and I will be sending the family the link to your blog. I hope that your story might help them get through this hard time. I am going to continue reading until I am up to date and I hope this story gets more inspirational as I read