String of Pearls

Laura with me after Larson was born.

I have shared with some of you in the previous months about a foundation being started for families who are being faced with a fatal diagnosis for their unborn baby. Well….it is starting. My friend Laura sent me this email and I would like to pass along via blog to share with you all. Laura has been such a blessing during this past 9 months and I would like to take this opportunity to share the story again. This is a long post, but PLEASE read to the end. I think it will be worth the time!

This is string of Pearls played out….
On October 2nd after finding out that our sweet Larson had many things going on in his body and would either die in utero or shortly thereafter, Steve and I were filled with grief. The only option given to us was termination. We were told we need to make the decision quickly as we had to do it by 22 weeks. Well that was not an option for us, but we walked away from that office filled with sadness and darkness. We had 4 healthy children..How were we going to wait 18+ more weeks to welcome our child only to say good-bye. Well God was working long before this as we always know He is. We just can’t see it so hopefully sharing this will give others Hope that He is before us, with us and in front of us.

On October 17th (yes I wrote it down!) my phone rang and caller ID said…Laura Huene. Why did I know who she was? Because I heard about Laura from a good friend of mine who grew up with her and told me Pearls story 15 months before. I never forgot about this “precious girl” and of course I would ask how this girl Laura was doing. I was not pregnant yet, I did not know Laura, but I knew her story. Anyway I quickly picked up the phone and just wept. I knew finally I could talk to someone who understood just exactly how I was feeling. Well our friendship blossomed and I felt so supported. Laura was in the delivery room when my sweet Larson was born and she even told him “secrets” to tell Pearl when he got there.

This friendship God has given me is beyond incredible. I have see Him work in the midst of so much sadness. I have been given so much hope. Having someone who understands walk along side me has been priceless. Between Laura who walked the path first, and Aimee (from Alabama) who walked at the same time…Well lets just say…Our God Reigns!!!


HERE IS THE LETTER FROM LAURA ABOUT STRING OF PEARLS
Hello,

For the past 2 years Josh and I have had a vision to walk with families who are walking the same journey we walked with our sweet Pearl. The vision is finally becoming a reality. We have started a non-profit organization called String of Pearls. This is a safe place for families who have received a fatal prenatal diagnosis and have made the decision to carry the baby for as long as their body allows. We will be working alongside the medical community as a liaison for the families, provide support from other families who have been on this journey and offering so many other resources.

It has been a long process to form the organization and after long months of creating and writing our website is up, we have meetings set up with Doctors in the Denver area and our 501c3 paperwork is being approved! I feel like this has taken so long to get to this point and I am so thankful for ALL the people that have been a part of making this become a reality. I'm continually amazed at how God continues to use one tiny baby girl to reach out to so many others.

Will you pray for me and for those that are involved in String of Pearls? We are choosing to help others honor life and we need to cover these precious families in prayer as well as the people that are involved in caring for the families. Will you also consider financially helping String of Pearls? The website gives a detailed account of the services we will provide and our goal is to do this at no charge to the families. There is a place on the website to donate online as well as a mailing address. Our desire is to reach as many families as possible and give them hope and peace as they walk the most difficult journey of their lives. Thank you for praying and supporting us each step of the way. Please pass this on to your friends and anyone else you may know who would be interested in this. Go now and see our beautiful website.

www.stringofpearlsonline.org

Thank you again for being a part of this journey.

With hope and love,
Josh and Laura

Psalm 126:3-6

The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.


The families united in Grief. Walking this path together!