May 14th

Ryan and I went to the doctor today for an ultrasound to check Anberlin's growth and she is still measuring small, about 2 weeks. My placenta is doing an ok job for now, but they are still going to see me twice a week to following the blood flow and growth closely and if the environment for Anberlin gets worse then she will have to come out early and this is why I am being closely monitored. They are wanting to find markers that tell them to deliver her early and markers that it is ok to keep her in. Also, being on bed rest is no fun and I have other stress going on at the same time. Not being able to go to things that I really never wanted to miss, really stinks. Anyways, I would appreciate any prayer for Anberlin and I.

Update : Just a scare

So yesterday I went in for routine testing that I will have every Tuesday and Friday for Anberlin. I had a ultrasound just for blood flow and fluid check. Everything looked good there and the doctor sent me to the second part of the appointment, which is the non stress test and check my heartbeat, the baby's heartbeat, and stress on my uterus.  Well, during this second appointment the nurse was explaining why the test was being done and what it was checking,  during this time I was laying on my back too long. This caused me to block blood flow to me and the baby, which then made the baby's heartbeat dangerously low for about 7 minutes and they whisked me to the OR just in case they need to take Anberlin out and revive her. Very scary I have to say, but we made it there quick and I knew Anberlin was God's hands, so I wasn't too freaked out, I actually felt taken care of at that time, which was probably good for Anberlin's condition at the time. I was kept overnight at the hospital to make sure that laying on my back or Anberlin rolling on to the cord was the problem and not something more serious, we were able to go home at 4:00 the next day. Anyways, keep Anberlin and I in your prayers and pray that she stays in for at least 10 more weeks!

Baby Girl Fillinger

Hello everyone!

Thanks for reading my blog and getting an update on the baby. Ryan and I went to a specialist on Thursday, April 22nd and after meeting with a specialist I was put on bed rest. I was put on bed rest because from what we got on Thursday  is that my placenta is not allowing enough nutrients, blood, oxygen to the baby and it has affected her growth, making her measure about 3 weeks smaller than she should be. We are going to see a specialist every week and have an ultrasound every week also to watch her growth, fluids, and blood flow from the placenta to baby. Your prayers for her health and growth is appreciated at this time and that I won't go crazy on bed rest. There will  probably be weekly updates on the baby and myself, since I am out of school and on bed rest.  In addition, I believe Ryan and I have decided to name our baby girl Anberlin, but it could change when I meet her, but more than likely she will be Anberlin. God bless.

2010

The last two months have been a little challenging around our house, but not too bad. I had to get used to my routine of school, now I only have ten weeks left! Also, this month someone stole my wallet which was no fun, just a inconvenience.  First, I am excited that my cousin Amanda had her baby boy Caleb! My birthday was pretty good thanks to all my friends and family, until I got an allergic reaction on Ryan's birthday. That was no fun at all.Hopefully it doesn't happen again.
     Ryan and I heard the baby's heart beat at our last visit and I am starting to feel the baby move, which is weird and exciting at the same time. Our next appointment will be March 9th and we will be able to find out with we are having a boy or a girl if the baby corporates.  Now Ryan and I are discussing names, but it will be much easier once I know to focus my attention on either boy names or girl names.
   Church has been going... I can't wait for it to be spring, I feel like there will much more going on and more opportunities.  I know I definitely need prayers in this area, especially since most of my teachers will be having babies this summer or moving. Thank you for praying for me and thinking of me. Keep praying school will go well these last 10 weeks. Also, pray for Ryan's and my health, it seems one of us is sick every other week.
I will update this probably on March 9th after the appointment.

God bless.

Baby Fillinger

 Well, God has pretty much told us to wait to adopt, because Ryan and I are expecting a bundle of joy in early August. I have been feeling fine and I am very thankful that I have not yet experienced morning sickness. I am very tired, but that pretty much comes with the territory. I will keep you updated with Baby Fillinger in this coming year.
        School went well this semester. The last two weeks were really tough, especially because I was really tired and it was hard to focus. I ended up with really good grades, better than I expected. Thank you for praying for me and please continue to pray that school goes well next semester. I will have my own case load or foster family next semester, so I will definitely need pray next semester.

      Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog and praying for me. Ryan and I will be in Arkansas for Christmas. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Also, another update is available at Show Hope. http://blog.showhope.org/

Nashville/Orphan Sunday

Hello everyone! Ryan and I had a great time in Nashville! After our weekend in Nashville, I felt after all the information and prayer that my life would not be the same and that change is definitely coming soon. Also, as I write this I know of some other couples in my family that their lives will also change. I want to say congratulations to Adam and Hayden Norwood on their new baby, who will be born later today. In addition, I also want to congratulate Amanda and Brandon Hunt who will soon have their baby boy at the beginning of next year.

      In Nashville, Ryan and I attended a seminar on adoption and learned a lot. The most inspiring thing was meeting other families who have already adopted. The entire weekend I had to make sure I packed my waterproof mascara because at any given moment God would speak to me either through someone's presentation or through the eyes of a child. Nevertheless, after this weekend, I wanted to adopt a child even more, I just want to know when Ryan and I should adopt. This is going to be Ryan's and my prayer for the next several months. Please pray that God will give us wisdom in this area. Also, if we do decide to adopt soon, we need to chose country's program, we will also need prayer in this area. Some programs we are not eligible for because of our age and or amount of time we have been married. So, don't be surprised when Ryan and I adopt from China when we are thirty.

      As for the church, we are reframing how we reach our community in how we use small groups. Please pray that God will bless our church and that this new structure to groups will bring new believers to Christ through relationships. Please keep me in your prayers with the children's ministry, it is hard being a full time student with an internship and running a children's ministry. In addition, school has been going really well. I have received very good grades this semester and I feel even closer in working in the adoption/foster care field with having almost half of the year over with. Pray that school keeps going well and that I keep my sanity.
This Thanksgiving break could not have come at a better time.

Thank you for taking your time to read this and pray for me.

God bless,
Whitney

Motivation

This is Kevin, who is living at Maria's Big House of Hope. I love seeing these updates on children at MBHOH. It's amazing what a difference a month in a caring environment can make. I am so happy to be a part of this and would love to one day work for this organization. Seeing Kevin's progress gives me more incentive and motivation to finish my degree. School has been really challenging lately and I have 8 papers due in 6 weeks. Please pray that I can finish all my work and still be sane. I am excited about Nashville, because Ryan and I will visit Show Hope's office and get more information about adoption and how we can involve our church in caring for orphans. Also, coming up soon is a fall festival our church is having. Please pray that everything will come together and that people will come. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and prays for me. If you want to read about other residents of MBHOH, go to http://blog.showhope.org/