Liam!

On Wednesday August 1st, Sarah and I met up with a group of our close friends for a yummy traditional Korean dinner in downtown Daegu.

About 30 minutes into our meal, Sarah's friend referenced an inside joke towards Sarah saying, "whenever I think of you in a car, I think of you peeing yourself." Immediately after she said this, Sarah looked up at everyone and said, "I think my water just broke."

Indeed, it had.

Sarah and I were quite confused by this in the moment, as the baby was not due until August 31st, roughly 5 weeks later.

In what became an unexpected whirlwind evening, Sarah was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance where she was then held overnight for observations.

The following morning, her OBGYN paid us a visit in her hospital room and relayed to us that in fact the baby would need to be delivered by c-section that very day in order to ensure his health and stability.

Less than two hours later at around 9:40 a.m. on August 2nd, Liam Jae Henry came into the world. However, the roller coaster ride had not even cleared the first hill.

Liam, roughly 3 hours after being delivered

Liam was born 5 weeks early and weighed a mere 4.3 pounds. His lungs were not even fully developed, and he was placed in NICU with an intubation ventilator. The doctors were very concerned about a wide range of things from his oxygen levels, brain hemorrhaging, blindness, heart defects, pneumonia, his digestive system, high billirubin levels,  and the list could go on.

Liam (August 4th) hooked up to the breathing machine while receiving UV treatment for billirubin

From the minute we learned of Liam's condition, the massive prayer chain was started. We had people all over the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and South Korea lifting our child up in constant prayer and asking God to protect and heal our little guy, as well as wisdom for the doctors in how to treat him and help him get better.

Day after day, we saw God's healing work being done in Liam's body. Small step after small step, Liam was able to come off of the intubation ventilation machine within 6 days of his delivery. By 8 days old, Liam was completely independent in his breathing, his digestive system was back on track, and his billirubin levels were almost in check.

Liam (August 8th) officially off on his intubation machine...a BIG answer to prayer!!

Liam (August 10th) completely breathing on his own and ALMOST off the feeding tube!

13 days after his birth and one crazy roller coaster ride, we witnessed the biggest miracle of all- Liam came home from the hospital 100% healthy and on track to being a perfectly healthy little man. Praise God!

On Tuesday August 14th, Liam was released from the hospital and came home!

We cannot fully put into words the magnificent power of God healing our son, nor the gratitude we feel  to all of you who continued to lift us up in prayer during this difficult week and a half. It was by this power alone that we were able to stay strong and keep the faith.

Liam's first day at home with his mommy and daddy

As I type this, Liam and his mommy are taking a nap together in our living room. Looking at them sleeping reminds me of the blessings God has bestowed on us and the millions of reasons we have to be thankful.

Liam showing his Buckeye spirit this morning!

God is good, and because He is good our son is still with us.

We are also ETERNALLY grateful to God for our amazing group of friends here in Daegu, some of whom stayed by us the entire time Sarah and Liam were in the hospital. We don't know exactly why Liam was born prematurely (and we may never know), but we know that had he not been, many of our friends would not have been here in Korea to help us and be our support system. The Lord works in mysterious ways!!!

A few of our good friends (Tom, Lisa, & Sydney) who were with us through the whole ordeal

Sarah with our amazing friend Soo Yean, one of the most amazing people we know who also happens to work at the hospital and was able to come with us to every appointment and visit with Liam to help translate...she is simply an ANGEL!

We are also immensely thankful to the entire medical staff at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, South Korea for their amazing work and dedication to the well-being of all the mothers and babies who come through their doors. God has gifted them skillfully, and we will be forever indebted to them!

Sarah and I with the amazing OBGYN who was with us the entire journey and successfully delivered our baby!!

I want to leave you all with this amazing verse that reminds me why there is ALWAYS reason to hope:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

-Jeremiah 29:11