Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, For He is good. His love endures forever.

Mary Beth

I was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, the middle of three girls. We were raised Catholic, 8 years of Catholic school, and church every Saturday night, without fail. I am thankful our family went to church together. Jesus has always been part of my life. But somehow, I always felt He wanted me to know him more closely than the church would allow me to get to him. Then, while in high school, a Jesus People rally came to town. My older sister, Elizabeth, brought me along to the rally. And it was there, in the ice arena, I understood the good news and accepted Jesus as my personal savior.

I'd like to say from then on I was on the strait and narrow path, but as a young adult I was "lookin' for love in all the wrong places." In August of 1987, Elizabeth decided to move to Gig Harbor and I decided to go with her. I met Eric on October third, two months later.

Eric

I was born and raised in Tacoma. I was blessed to have parents that always strived to give me a better life than they had experienced. They were raised with Christian values and it was important that I be raised the same. It was a life filled with church, lots of activities that included boating and skiing, and lots of love..

When I was eleven I was given a brother for my eleventh birthday - talk about divine intervention! I was ecstatic! We are very close even to this day. So early in my life, God was active.

We moved to Gig Harbor in 1969. As a young adult I wandered away from God. I¹d always believed, but I didn¹t live a life that was pleasing to Him. And it wasn¹t until my last year in college that I became interested again and started to pursue Jesus.

Mary and I met, of all places, on a blind date. We dated for two years and were married on Oct. 7, 1989. The minister that married us asked why we thought we should be married. We both replied we believed God had a plan, and that he brought us together. Well, he didn't believe God could "send lightning bolts through the sky or move people around." It made us think "Hmmm...impotent God? Why is this guy a minister?" We believe in a God of action in our lives!

We were looking for a church we could call home and began attending Chapel Hill Church. Our faith began to grow.

In April of 1991, Mary¹s parents moved from Wisconsin to be closer to two of their three daughters.

Mary Beth

That was an act of God in itself. If you knew my parents you'd know they never veer from routine. Shopping Thursday, church Saturday - followed by Burger King or Dairy Queen. And never out for "a real" dinner "cause we can't eat that much!" Homebodies! To think they left everything they'd ever known behind!

It was then that I told my sister I had had a dream years ago - At our family's home in Wisconsin, we were waiting for the Lords return. Mom, dad, Elizabeth and I walked together up our driveway, over to the corner stop sign, turned and looked up to the sky in the direction of the Northwest. We were a bit afraid, but waiting in anticipation to see Jesus. I wondered why my younger sister, Jean, wasn't there in the dream.

Do you know, my sister Elizabeth, had had that same dream! We both believe it was God revealing part of his plan for us. My family lives here now, except my younger sister Jean, who lives in Minneapolis.

The day we moved my parents into their house I worked like crazy. Exhausted, I went to bed that night and began to cry, "Does anyone appreciate anything I do!" What was that? Surely not me. The next few days I was feeling dizzy and disoriented. Definitely not myself!

Eric

Mary soon went to the doctor. After checking the basics and asking her questions, he recommended an antibiotic to clear up an ear infection, and then suggested starting antidepressants. But, for some reason, (God), she felt she shouldn¹t get the drugs but go in for a pregnancy test. Now mind you, we were told we¹d have a difficult time getting pregnant!

Mary Beth

So I told the nurse I really didn¹t know why I was here because there's "no way" I was pregnant. And when she confirmed I was, I thought she was kidding. I argued with her until she showed me the test result. No wonder I feel goofy! Aha - the Lord brought my parents to help with the baby!

Eric

We were surprised, delighted, and a bit freaked out about becoming parents. And so we began this roller coaster ride with a rough start.

On Mary's first visit to the OB doctor, he told her he thought she had an ectopic pregnancy, "Come back next week for further examination." The next week he told her it wasn¹t ectopic but there was a cyst on an ovary that likely had cancer and we¹d have to operate at the end of the 3rd month. We were shocked and afraid!

There were lots of prayers! And we were anxiously waiting!

At the end of the third month all looked fine. "But what about the cyst?" we asked. "What cyst?" the doctor answered. "The cancerous one!" "I told you that?" he replied. We were so angry! Yet we were so relieved. Thank God!

Mary Beth

After that things moved along smoothly for a while. We took child birth classes early "just in case." (again God had his hand in the details) During this time the verse: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever." kept running through my mind. Now, for how far along I was, I was getting rather large! So on the next doctor visit we asked why?. He very casually said, "You could just have a big baby, or extra amniotic fluid. That could indicate your baby could have Down Syndrome!"

CRASH!

He did an ultrasound and found a double bubble in the baby's abdomen, which meant nothing to us, but indicated a problem to him. He set up a very in-depth ultra sound with the hospital for more information. The long wait began! He also let it slip that the baby was a boy. For me that was good news on a bad news day. We could look forward to a boy!

Eric

Two grueling weeks later at the detailed ultrasound we did find our baby had a stomach blockage. He would be fine until birth and then need an operation to correct it.

Our dream was crashing quickly and still, no confirmation of Down Syndrome. Next the doctor scheduled an amino centesis, that¹s where they take amniotic fluid from the womb, and have it tested for any abnormalities. We felt the more we knew about our baby, the better we could help him when he was born. Still more waiting - approximately 10 days for the results.

Mary Beth

I was so upset during this time. I remember praying, "Please God, give me a message that all will be okay. Comfort me!" I decided to go get the mail - maybe there would be something in there that would help. That's when I found the Billy Graham "Decision" magazine that I had not ordered but a friend had ordered for me.

I opened it up and could not believe what I was looking at! A child with Down Syndrome! Along with the photo was an article titled, "A treasure named Ben." I knew, at that moment my baby had Down Syndrome - I began to cry. This was not the baby I'd wanted. This was all wrong! This was not what I wanted to hear from God, but somehow I knew his hand was in it. What happened to this woman in the article, happened to me. It was not coincidence.

Eric

During these weeks, Mary was in and out of the hospital with preterm contractions, then on Nov. 2, 1992, finally put on bed rest. She went home and settled in for what could be a long two more months.

That day she set up connections with the doctor that would be doing the baby's surgery once he was born. Then she called the doctor to say she had noticed some spotting. But he said it was probably from the examine earlier that day and "by the way the baby does have Down Syndrome." She was alone and called me saying: "I don¹t want to do this to you because the doctor just did it to me, but come home, the baby has Down Syndrome!"

I'll never forget that drive home! I can't really describe all the emotions running through me but I remember praying to God, turning the whole situation over to him. There was nothing I could do! At home we cried and talked. Our worst fear confirmed, we were in disbelief. Why us? But before grief could set in, Mary¹s water broke!

I called 911 immediately because the contractions were 3 minutes apart and we were at high risk. I'd like to say at this point that I took charge and handled things with calm and confidence. Kind of like the knight in shinning armor coming to the rescue. "911 Operator, What's the emergency?" I replied, "HELP! FIRE! POLICE!" I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth! Then Mary said, "Eric, ambulance!"

One ladder truck, a small fire vehicle, two emergency vehicles, umpteen volunteer firefighters and one apartment manager later, we were on our way to the hospital. It was a whirl wind!

Jansen was born approximately eight hours later on November 3, 1992 - almost two months premature, weighing 3 lbs. 10 oz.! He had an abdominal operation at just ten hours old. The doctors had been ready. He stayed in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Mary Bridge Children¹s Hospital for 45 days.

Mary Beth

We came home without a baby! The following 45 days were the most difficult of our lives! The baby we'd hoped for was gone. The baby we had was fighting for his life! How would I love this baby? Would this baby ever be able to tell me he loved me?

"Give thanks to the Lord, For He is good. His love endures forever."

How could I give thanks? I'd rather a truck run over me. Tears were constant. I couldn't eat If I could have vomited my stomach up through my mouth, I would've! I was living this nightmare I couldn't wake up from. There was absolutely nothing I could do. But, God could.

At my weakest, God was strongest! He carried us through. His hand was in it all!

• People from Chapel Hill Church brought us food.

    He fed us.

• Pastor Gren read scripture.

    He strengthened us.

• Friends and family cried with us.

    He had compassion for us.

• The choir gave us a baby shower.

    He cheered us.

• A stranger my mom met wrote us an uplifting note.

    He encouraged us.

• The boy driving the car behind me had Down Syndrome.

    He comforted us.

• Glenn Jordan was one of the doctors in NICU.

    He tended us.

• Mary Withrow, a friend from Chapel Hill, was one of Jansen¹s nurses.
  She knew we would love the hand-made baptismal gown someone
  donated!

     He personally cared for us.

I came to understand that I must thank God for our situation. He had so surrounded us. "Dear God, Thank you that Jansen has Down Syndrome. I don't want to thank you, but I will be obedient to your word. Let my heart grow a deep love for my child!"

Eric

You know it's said, be careful what you wish for!

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:37

In all things we are more than conquerors.

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.

Wow! When God is good He is very good, and He is always good! Jansen's baptism day was one of the most joyful days of our lives! It was spoken over him that he would touch many for God. Our hearts now ache with overflowing love for Jansen.

"Jansen, you are our beloved son in whom we are well pleased!"

Mary Beth

Our story doesn't end there. We see God¹s hand continuing to be quite apparent in our lives.

About a year after Jansen's birth, I went through major clinical depression. In the throws of it, I remembered to give thanks to the Lord, and turn it over to Him. "God, if this is where you want me I will be content."

But obviously, He didn't want me to remain there. I had work to do!

I¹m doing well now. I continue to need medication, and I'm thankful He has given us a treatment to help us. Not many years ago this wouldn't have been available to me.

Eric

Our lives have truly been blessed! Jansen has thrived since his birth and life has gone on. But it has not been easy!

On October 8, 1997, my brother David and his wife Tracy had their first child, Davis Eric Haugen. About an hour after his birth they learned he had a condition called hypo plastic left heart syndrome. It was the worst of the two most probable diagnoses that they had been prepared for. Surgery was an option, but the chances for his long-term survival were very guarded and there was a question as to the quality of life he might have even if he survived the operation. Without the surgery he would surely die within a few days to a few weeks.

On October 13, Davis entered surgery. He survived long enough for his parents to hold him and say goodbye. I can¹t tell you how difficult that time was. It was a very, very sad time. But God in his infinite wisdom brought Davis into this world to touch many people for Him. And we have been blessed to know and love Davis!

About two weeks after Davis' passing, I was working late one night at my office. When I got up from my desk to leave, I noticed things weren't quite right. I felt off balance! It was my left eye that was effecting me. The next day I called the eye doctor and explained the situation. They realized something was very wrong and made an appointment with a Retinal specialist.

Approximately three months later I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. It¹s the middle portion of your retina that's effected which is how you read, recognize features, etc.. The only treatment is laser surgery. It stops the disease for an undefined period but it also leaves you with scar tissue which blocks any reflecting images. Basically your blind except for your peripheral vision. Sometimes maybe that's not all bad! (smile)

"Why me?" I ask the Lord sometimes. I don't have the answer. And I have highs and lows with my faith. But I know the Lord has a plan for my life and I'm going to trust Him!

James 5:11

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Mary Beth

One Sunday a couple of years ago, I was worrying about Jansen, troubled I couldn¹t be with him 24/7 to watch over him. "Lord, look after Jansen. Keep him safe; mind, body and spirit. He is yours!"

The next day I got a call from school saying he had choked on a hot dog. Shelly Smith, who attends Harbor Covenant, and was his school aide, happened to walk in the cafeteria and noticed Jansen silently choking. She gave him the Heimlich at least six times before that hot dog came out.

James 5:13, 16

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Eric

And now we feel we are being led to pray for the healing of Jansen¹s Down Syndrome. We want you to know this is not our idea!

Acts 2:17

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.>/i>

Mary shared here, a few weeks back, that from three separate sources we have received; 1) a prophesy of Jansen¹s healing, 2) word of a vision of Jansen¹s healing, and 3) prayer from strangers led to pray for his healing.

Coincidence? Not with our track record! God doesn¹t need to heal him for us because we are overjoyed with Jansen! But when God chooses to heal him, it will be for his glory!

Whom might this touch?

Mary Beth

It came to me just a couple of months ago, God didn't give me the verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances..." which might have seemed more appropriate.

I realized it was because He wasn't going to leave me in my circumstances!

"For He is good. His love endures forever."

There is our "promise" for our present and our future! Praise God!

Eric

Thank you for letting us share our story.