(Originally published to Sam’s Caring Bridge site on 7.25.18. To read all previous entries from Sam’s NICU journey, visit his Caring Bridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samueldwenger)

79 days ago we were on our way to Southview Hospital where we would meet our son, Samuel James, 11 weeks before he was due to be born. The days and weeks that followed were filled with tears, heartache, joy, laughter, anxiety, worry, peace and gratitude – every emotion packed into one 11-week roller coaster ride. Though the memories of those early days are now foggy, I remember standing over Sam’s isolette, looking at his fragile body, unable to care for him the way I instinctively wanted to, and wondering if the day would ever come that we could take home a healthy baby boy. In time I learned to trust his NICU care team and lean on God’s perfect timing and plan for Sam’s life. It was exhausting, but as Sam got stronger and friends and family came to our aid, we were able to experience God’s faithfulness again and again. And today, just two days after his original due date, we are overjoyed to be taking him HOME and begin settling into our life as a family!

We are so fortunate to have had such an incredible NICU care team at Kettering – what you do is nothing short of amazing. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

To our friends and family who have done so much to support us these last 11 weeks: we cannot say thank you enough. The NICU ‘grind’ was so draining at times, and all of your prayers, encouragement and acts of kindness were such a blessing to us.

Now we begin a new leg of our journey as parents, caring for Sam on our own… and we are scared out of our minds!! But we serve a good and loving God who has provided for our every need and who has blessed us with one very strong little guy. Samuel James, it’s time to make your world debut!

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”