11 November 2012 - Birth Announcement

Excerpt from my journal from 10 November 2012:

"It's almost the end. My contractions are intense and together, and he will be here soon. I don't know what to expect when he's born, but I'm looking forward to holding him in my arms..."


It is with great joy and sadness that I announce the birth of our son, Judah Avishai Christofi at 10:29pm, 10 November 2012 (10.11.12). He weighed 1 lb and was 11 inches long. Beautiful and perfect in each tiny detail. So intricately designed by God. He passed away most likely on Wednesday, at almost 23 weeks/ 6 months. We had several of our closest friends with us through the whole process, and God was so evident to both Joel Christofi and myself through so many ways - too numerous to name on here. God gave us 4 hours and 45 minutes with our precious son before we had to give him up. It was the most painful thing I have ever done, to watch someone else tenderly carry my baby away from me, FOREVER. By God's grace I was able to go completely naturally throughout the entire induction process, thus able to experience each contraction, each pain, each push in all its agony. By His grace and in His love I was able to give my baby the dignity of a natural birth, and hold him, snuggle him, love on him, and give him back to my Jesus. His name means, "One who praises God," "The gift of my Father," and "One who has Christ inside." We could not think of a more appropriate name to give our son who is a gift from our Heavenly Father, and who is now in Heaven forever praising Him. We love you, Judah Avishai, we treasure each and every second that God gave us with you, both in my womb and out. We miss you more than words can say and can't wait to see you and hold you in Heaven. And more than anything we pray that God will use your little life for purposes beyond what our feeble minds can comprehend, to point many to Himself.


We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11


In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9