Poor Theology and our theology

One of the interesting things that comes with having a child born with down syndrome is all of the poor theology that you hear from people as they comfort you. The best being a form of "God only gives kids with down syndrome to parents He can trust." I'm not saying I mind hearing it and I appreciate the affirmation we have received from so many people in that form, but deep down inside I know it's not true. For starters I'm sure there are plenty of people ahead of me that I would trust with Lucy (not that I would let anyone else have her, she's our's and no one can have her!). But in all reality plenty of bad parents have had kids with down syndrome and the kids have suffered for it. So I don't buy into that theology, though I still appreciate what I know people mean when they say it (so if you have said that to us and our reading this, don't worry about it, we know what you meant and thank you for it). People have been very kind to us in word and deed over these past two weeks and we are so greatful to them all.

Lucy's down syndrome isn't a result of God. It is a result of the fall and of sin. We live in a broken world and bad things happen. God didn't give us a child with down syndrome. God gave us a child who happens to have suffered some of the effects of the fall. When her cells first started to divide they made some mistakes that left her with an extra chromosone on her twenty first set. Thus she has down syndrome: not from God, but because the fall has affected every part of us, even down to how our cells divide at conseption.

So where is the hope? Our God works all things for the good for those who love and serve Him! That's the theology Mandy and I are resting in today. Not in a God who gives us a child with down syndrome, but in a God who will work wonders we can't even imagine or even ask for in a child who suffers, in a more visible way than most, from the fall. And He already has! He is a good God and we praise Him for His faithfullness to our family!

We see the eye and hearts doctors this week, please pray for her eyes and hearts. That her eyes may be 20/20 (or whatever new born eyes need to be) and that she may see with the eyes of God as she lives. That her heart may be perfectly healthy and that she would have the heart of God for the world around her.

P. Dubya

My DS and his wife stopped by yesterday. I call him Pastor Wilson and Mandy has shortened it to P. Dubya. He said he felt like he had a word of the Lord for us that he received last Wednesday during our district monthly day of prayer. He said he felt like God gave him three promises for us (this being before Lucy was even diagnosed though he told us after):

1. Lucy will be a big blessing to us and others.
2. Lucy will be a big benefit to our ministry.
3. Mandy and I will understand and experience God's faithfulness like few others do because of Lucy.

I think we'll hold on to those right now. Thanks P. Dubya! But more importantly thank you Jesus!

Welcome to blogging...

To see Lucy's blog go to www.beautifullucy.blogspot.com That is where daddy will place most of the updates about her, as well as a bunch of pictures. We get the genetic tests back Monday or Tuesday, we need some people to hold our arms up in prayer for us these next two days. We went to church today and everyone gathered around us in prayer. Jamie Parry led the prayer and it was beautiful as I cried the entire time.

I don't like baths! 

Update

Tomorrow, Mandy and I will take Lucy to a Children's hospital branch in Westerville for blood work to determine genetic stuff that might tell us if she has downs or not. We'll probably get a call Monday with preliminary results. Pray for us.

I think today at our doctor visit we were both hoping that the doctor would tell us that she didn't know what the other doctor was talking about, that Lucy didn't have any signs of anything, but she said Lucy did. But some of the stuff she said were signs the previous doctor said weren't. We don't think anybody knows anything right now except that she is our wonderful precious baby. It shows me how much this guy named Chris Marshall knows, check out his blog here that he posted on Tuesday. I think he knows what he's talking about.

The present is a wonderful gift. Thank you Jesus!

Isn't she beautiful? 

one happy family! 

You know what?

I'm pumped. Mandy and I have gotten to hold Lucy all day to day. She is a gift from God! I haven't cried since I've been able to hold her on a regular basis. When she was in that awful incubator all I could think about was her future and I cried and cried. But now when I hold her I live in the present with her and I am so greatful. I honestly have a completely different attitude than I had in the early morning hours today. I'm not sad and I am not really even scared anymore. I haven't forced myself to be like this, I just think God has gifted me with the right perspective for right now just like he has gifted us with the most wonderful little girl. There God goes giving us immeasurable more than all we could ask or even imagine.

Update on Lucy Kay

Dear Friends and Family,
Well the doctor came in this morning and said he couldn’t confirm a diagnosis of downs syndrome. She has some of the symptoms, but not nearly all of them. What they said seemed like a sure thing last night now isn’t. He still thinks she might have some kind of syndrome, possibly even a mild form of down syndrome, but only genetic testing will be able to tell for sure what kind it is.
The real good news is that both she and Mandy are healthy. The doctors said both should be able to come home Tuesday. We will need to eventually take her to Children’s in Columbus, but the doctor said there is no real rush. Thank you for your prayers, they are making a difference. We’ll keep you all updated…
Amazed at the wonderful gifts God gives,
Kevin, Mandy, and Lucy

Lucy Kay Peterson

Dear Friends and Family,
Mandy and I would like to announce the arrival of Lucy Kay Peterson. She came at 11:04 PM on Sunday June 12th. She weighs 7lbs. 3 ounces and is 20 inches long. Labor was quick but tough. She had her cord wrapped around her neck and they had to use the forceps to get her out quickly. We are thrilled with the precious gift God has given us and the world.
We do have a prayer request. They are 99% sure that she has down syndrome. To be honest we are very scared right now. Would you all please take a moment and say a prayer for our beautiful daughter and for her parents. Thank you! We will keep you all updated…
Blessings,
Kevin, Mandy, and Lucy

our last meal

Mandy and I went to Mansfield for our last "date" before the arrival of Lucy. We had a nice meal, then ice cream, then a relaxing ride home through Loudonvile. It's hard to belive that sometime in the next two weeks our lives will change forever. That doesn't mean we won't continue to go on dates, but things will be different.

refugee camps

I just got done talking with my mentor Joe Noonen. He just got back from a tiny country in West Africa where he and a eleven others from MVNU worked in refugee camps for two weeks. I think he needed to tell the stories of what they saw and I think I needed to hear the stories. What an awful and broken world we live in. But what an amazing God we serve who is constantly at work to restore this world with love and compassion. May we join with God in that work.

When you read this pray our friend Mark Knowles who is working with God in El Salvador.

July 19th, 2005

Unless something goes terribly wrong between now and July 19th, I should be getting ordained that night. They told me they will be recommending me to the District Assemply for Ordination. That's kind of weird now that I think about it. Now all that's left to do this crazy week is to write a sermon. love you all!!!

Interview over

Mandy made me look real good during the interview. They asked how she felt about being a pastor's wife and she gave this response that I wasn't expecting, but blew me and the board away. I wish she could have answered all the questions for me, she's good.

It was a real interview easy interview, but I'll find out the results tonight at dinner, which happens to be at the Alcove. I'll let you know...

My wife is cooler than I am: Her score

Ordination

Tomorrow, Friday June 3rd, Mandy and I go in for my ordination interview at 4:30 pm.

The #8 car