Summer's End

This has been a summer of both joy and sorrow. Since last I wrote, a number of things have transpired in the Onken clan. First, at the beginning of August, our dear little Sadie was blessed. Both the Onkens and the Doolans were fortunate enough to have their entire family gather for this event (as well as Lindsey's baby Jonah's blessing). Skyler and Sarah flew in for the event and we had a lovely gathering at the Doolan's after the blessings. It also gave us an opportunity to have our Chelsea take some family photos.






The following week I left for a trip to Washington, DC for a reunion with some of my Rhein Main friends and also for an opportunity to meet with my professors at my university (George Washington University.) The good news there is that I really am in the last year of my program and am in the process of getting the necessary institutional permissions to conduct my research project. I'm hoping it is all pretty much "downhill" from here with graduation next May. I also spent some time in the museums while I was in DC - most notably the Holocaust Museum which is beautifully done but also very depressing/sobering. It is frightening to think how quickly totalitarianism and oppression of thought can occur in the wrong hands in a democratic and free society.

Then, all too quickly, Nick, Jamie and the babies left our home on August 16th to return to Boston for Nick's second year of optometry school It was really such a lovely few months having them here - not just the babies which were of course such a joy to have, but we so enjoyed Nick and Jamie's company and the opportunity to spend more time with them. I know they are happy to be back in their own place, but it sure seems lonely here without them.

The sad news is really about Chelsea and Trenton and the sorrow they are undergoing. As I hinted in my previous post, they found themselves expecting a baby, due January 24th (which happens to be my father's birthday.) Almost immediately, however, there were problems. The baby was diagnosed with a cystic hygroma which in turn led to further testing and a diagnosis of Turner's Syndrome. The odds were stacked against carrying the baby to term and yet we all remained hopeful and prayerful that we would be blessed with this tiny baby girl into our family. Unfortunately Heavenly Father had other plans. This past Thursday, after feeling no movement for two days, Chelsea went in and received the sad news that the baby's heart had stopped. Since she has not gone into spontaneous labor, she will go into the hospital this coming Wednesday (the 25th, the day before her 26th birthday) for a procedure to take the baby. If you are reading this, please take a moment to say a special prayer for her and for Trenton. In many ways we all see the hand of the Lord in what is happening, and know that he is aware of our needs. For that, we are all very grateful.