A bittersweet Christmas...

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

    We have enjoyed sharing our thoughts and emotions with you this year! There have been some up's and down's and we have been able to count on you for your thoughts, prayer, love and support through all of it! As we look back at the year, we have been faced with challenges and have overcome some of our greatest fears. Good and bad, we trust in the Lord and know His unconditional love and promises. As we look ahead to 2011, we have great expectations and are so excited to see where the Lord would take us next. We look forward to sharing with you over the next year and can't wait to see you face to face! 

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year!

With Love,

DJ & Nicole

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

A Trying Time

  Just recently DJ and I have gone through one of the hardest times in our lives...at my routine 16 week doctor appointment, our doctor realized that I had dilated 2-3 cm and that a bulging membrane had formed on the outside of the cervix. Just after hearing the baby's heartbeat at 154 beats per minute, it was really hard to hear this news. The doctor immediately admitted us into the hospital for further tests. After an ultrasound, it revealed that the cervix had closed some, but it also showed that the membrane was bulging outside of the cervix, which needed to be remedied as soon as possible in order to save the pregnancy. We also learned that we'd be having a little girl and that I was actually 17 weeks 2 days! At that we were elated! My orders were to be in the Trindelenberg position, which meant my pelvis needed to be above my head- a very uncomfortable place to be for 20 weeks. I realized very quickly that I was willing to do anything for this little baby!
  We had prenatal specialists and doctors and nurses come in one after the other telling us pretty much the same thing over and over again that the prognosis was grim. There was the occasional compassionate, Christian nurse that would give us a little light at the end of the tunnel that would help me get through the day, but even that was few and far between. The only thing that sustained us was our faith in God that His will would be done and to know that God does everything with purpose! Everyday we were able to spend time together reading the Bible, praying, and having a little worship in our hospital room. Our hearts were really encouraged by God in this time, He spoke through guests, family, and friends so strongly! Right before my 2 week stay mark, a prenatal specialist came to get an update on how I was doing. She did an ultrasound only to find that the membrane had gotten a little bigger and that the amniotic sac around the baby had shrunk a little. Apparently the Trindelenberg position hadn't helped all that much and so she gave us the option at that point to either stay in the hospital or go home and stay on bed rest. That placed us in desperation to hear the Lord's voice. I didn't know how I felt and didn't seem to have peace one way or another. DJ went home later that day and before doing anything else, he sat in a chair in the living room and asked God what to do. Just as he asked, he heard, "Bring her home!" Very clearly he knew that the Holy Spirit was leading him and that this was our answer we were seeking. After relaying this to me, we decided it was what we were to do and that following Friday we were discharged to go home. I stayed on strict bed rest with DJ helping me do everything the nurses had helped me with in the hospital such as using the bed pan and having bed baths. It wasn't easy but were both in agreement that we'd do anything to prolong the pregnancy!
  I started to have contractions on Saturday that seemed stronger than Braxton Hicks, so I decided to keep track of them. By the end of the day they were starting to get closer together. In the 7 o'clock hour I had several and they were anywhere from 5-15 minutes apart. Earlier in the day I had started to not feel good and by the time I wanted to go to sleep, I felt a little better. I felt a good night's rest might help some, so I fell asleep about 11 PM. At around 12:30 AM I woke up feeling sick to my stomach so I switched positions and went back to sleep. At 2 AM I woke up having really strong contractions. After waiting a half hour I woke DJ up and explained how I was feeling. He began to pray and in that time I could hear the desperation in his voice not knowing what to do. After deciding to go to the hospital, we got dressed and made it to the front door, almost leaving when my hearing and vision started to fade and I felt nauseous. We went back to the bedroom. I sat down on the bed and I felt like a water balloon popped inside of me, inevitably knowing that it was my water breaking. At that point we knew we needed to call an ambulance to take me to the hospital instead of us driving ourselves. They arrived and while asking us all the important questions, they got me on oxygen to help my blood pressure rise back up. I was loaded into the ambulance and soon we were in the Pomona Valley Hospital ER taking appropriate measures to take away the pain of the contractions! The baby had dropped and my doctor wanted me admitted into Labor and Delivery to take further action, which ultimately would end in labor. We were saddened by this news, but I knew that God had us in the palm of His  hands and I felt peace.
  My doctor came in after about 13 hours of me not having contractions (because of the IV they had me on), and said she'd like to have me start pushing. My Mom had just arrived by plane from Iowa, making me feel a little better having  her there with us. We had discussed with the doctor previously that we wouldn't be terminating the pregnancy and that it would be happening naturally. She agreed and at 5 PM we started pushing. After what seemed like hours, we gave birth to a still born baby at 6:14 PM, naming her Miracle Lynn Steen. She was 8.6 ounces and 9 1/2 inches long. We were able to spend time with her, touching her little fingers and toes and admiring her features that were very much starting to look just like her Mommy and Daddy's. She was beautiful!
  Even 3 days later, our hearts are still broken, but we've begun to see how the Lord would use this tragedy as a ministry in our lives and lives around us. We are thankful for how our friends and family have surrounded us with love and support, thoughts and prayers and have really reached out in our time of great need! We have great expectation for what God will do in the coming days and even though it is very bittersweet, DJ and I put our trust in His will to be done in our time of great loss.

48 Ceiling Tiles

That seems to be the view these days....up!
As of Friday, November 19th, DJ and I have been sleeping in the hospital. I went in for a routine 16 week check-up, only to find that my cervix had dilated 2-3 cm and there were bulging membranes just outside the cervix. My doctor was able to find the baby's heartbeat just before, it was about 154 beats a minute. She said that it was a great heartbeat and that it sounded perfect. I was on cloud 9! Just after, she decided to do a more detailed exam to make sure everything was on track, that's when she saw the status of the cervix.
Quickly thereafter we were admitted into the hospital next door, which just so happens to be the best possible hospital for our situation, the best in area for all maternity purposes! We got into our room, not knowing what to expect, got changed and waited for the ultrasound technician. After the ultrasound, the nurse talked with the doctor about the results and what they found was that the cervix had closed, but that I was still dilated and the membrane was really thin. My immediate orders were to be on strict bed rest on my back with my legs elevated, basically with my pelvis above my head. Uncomfortable, but the best position for my situation. The doctor wants to keep all the pressure off the cervix so as not to irritate or further along any contractions that would cause more dilation. As of today, we've had mostly the same news as every other day, but it seems to be more positive than past days. Our short term goal is to be here in the hospital for another 7 weeks, so I'm at least 24 weeks where the baby is more viable. They will then be able to watch the baby's development more closely through fetal monitors. Once we've reached 24 weeks, we can then decide how to proceed as far as bed rest goes. The doctors and prenatal specialist would like me to carry to at least 32 weeks, after that the baby could be delivered at any point. Our due date has been moved up to April 27,2011. We were going to keep the gender a secret, but haven't succeeded! According to the 2 ultrasounds, it appears as though we may be having a little baby girl! We will possibly be having another ultrasound come 20-22 weeks and will have a better idea then, but that's what they think it is!
Please be praying for continued health for the baby and myself, that my cervix remanins closed and that the bulging membranes go back to their original place! We are in agreement with Jesus and His will for us in this siutation and are believing in this little miracle inside me to continue to grow and develop to full term! Please be in agreement with us!

In other news, we are making strides in coming into contact with others in the same movement of rescuing victims of human trafficking. After a couple trips to downtown L.A. for events and meetings, we've met some amazing people who are coming along side us! There are several organizations in the area that we have been able to meet with and have found we are not alone in this. God has been working relationships together and we are amazed every day at how things have come together thus far. In January we plan to start an intensive task force that will continue for 3 months, after which we will implement all that we put together and come up with during our task force meetings. Be praying that specific participants of this task force would be brought to us by divine appointment, we are trusting God to lead us in this time of building and planning our next steps!

Because of my current situation of strict bed rest, I won't be working. DJ is still trying to find something to supplement our support of friends and family. It's been interesting learning how to depend on the Lord to meet our every need, as opposed to receiving weekly paychecks from employers. Every penny has been much appreciated and we are believing every day in God's provision.

Please keep praying that God continues to open doors of oppurtunity for us in this season of our lives! Thank you for your continued support prayerfully and financially! Feel free to contact us for more details of our journey!

Blessings-
DJ and Nicole

85 degrees and sunny!

Hello All!

Since our last blog entry we've moved out of our 4 bedroom house into DJ's parent's home for 6 weeks, then packed a 26 ft. truck with our belongings and memorabilia and started our long, 3 day journey to California. Our first day traveling was about 16 hours, the second was 13 hours, and the last day of traveling was about 8 hours. There were many bathroom breaks (for the pregnant lady!) and stops to stretch our legs, and every once in awhile, we'd trade from bouncy truck to calm, smooth riding car. We saw a lot of beautiful sights and at one point in the second day we were in 4 states (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). We very much appreciated DJ's parent's, Dennis and Sheryl, help with the move! It could've been a difficult move on our own. We arrived safe and sound and had help moving into the apartment, which made a big difference. After a good night's rest we started unpacking and even ventured out to find a grocery store! We are close to everything we need, but are looking forward to finding our way around (thanks to our GPS!).

DJ and I had our first California OB appointment soon after arriving. Everything is on schedule and moving along nicely. My doctor also happens to be pregnant and will be due the same day as me, so I will have another doctor delivering our baby. Our next appointment is November 19, which is our 18 week marker. Either this appointment or the next we'll find out the sex of the baby- and we can't wait for that!

Before DJ's parents left to fly back to Iowa, we were able to meet up with some Steen relatives and see the sights of downtown L.A., Hollywood, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, and Venice Beach. We had a really nice time and got some great pictures!

Our adventure has begun here with meetings and getting to know everyone who we'll be working side by side with. Soon we'll be beginning the process of assembling a task force which will put together a plan for a Child Restoration Center in the San Gabriel Valley. This will not only be a learning process for DJ and I, but also for the group we are working with. We are looking forward to seeing what it's like to pioneer something this important and crucial, especially in the L.A. area.

Many of you reading this have supported us financially and/or have committed to supporting us financially on a monthly basis and for that, we are so thankful. We depend on you more than you realize. And we are always looking for more partners to help us accomplish the goal of opening a Child Restoration Center in the LA area in 2011. If you would like to support us, you can mail your donation to CRTEC PO Box 296 Hiawatha, IA 52233 and put DJ and Nicole Steen on the memo line. We also covet your prayer support during this time. Here are three things you can be agreeing in prayer with us about: 1. That Nicole and the baby would be healthy and there would be no complications with the pregnancy 2. That all of our financial needs would be met 3. That the process of building a Child Restoration Center would go forward despite any unexpected surprises or obstacles.

Thanks again for everyone's support! We love all of you! Feel free to contact us at steen3@live.com for any reason.

DJ & Nicole

New chapter

In April, DJ and 2 others went to L.A. for a meeting with some people who had contacted us about CRTEC and the trainings we do. Just before leaving I had a dream that we were packing up our things in the attic and that we were moving. Nothing too impressionable, so I set it aside. I mentioned it to DJ, but he was busy getting ready, so we just chalked up as a "good one" and left it at that. He returned a couple days later. I was excited to hear all about it and of course to receive my usual L.A. Airport gift shop trinket! I let him settle in and he started to tell me about all his conversations, more specifically one. He told me that the people he met were really interested in starting a CRC, a facility to house rescued victims of human trafficking. My mouth hit the floor. This is an amazing step for CRTEC.

He told me that Ric asked him if he thought we'd be interested in moving out to L.A. to staff and facilitate the CRC. He also said he told Ric about my dream and that Ric was serious...so there we were...and our lives were about to change!

We've accepted the positions and are praying about it. We've had peace about moving and look forward to seeing what's next. The group in L.A. are in the process of a task force and will be until the middle of September. We've told our employers and look to move around the end of Sept/beginning of Oct.

Winds of change might be a little scary, but I have breezes that come and go that fill my heart with excitement and great expectation! Thank you Lord!

Matriarchs and Patriarchs

We have received bad news about DJ's grandma, Peggy. About two weeks ago, she went into the hospital feeling sick and after doing some tests, they told her she had a form of aggressive leukemia and would only have 4-6 weeks to live (best case scenario). She's been at home, not receiving treatment for the leukemia, by choice, for a week now. After hearing from a couple family members that she's being moved to hospice so that she can receive 24 hour care, it's starting to become more real....

I can't believe that DJ and I are losing our 3rd grandparent in a year, 2 of which were caused from cancer. I'm struggling to believe and keep hope. The world would tell me my fate, but I know Jesus and His ultimate plan is what I'm strongly urged to keep after. My Nana and Grandpa French knew Jesus and are walking with Him today, completely healed. Grandma Steen knows Jesus and is peaceful about what comes next. Knowing that we'll see them someday helps ease the pain, but it's the memories that haven't been created yet and stories we won't hear for the 30th time and just being able to call them up for advice that I'll miss most.

Like DJ said at Nana's funeral, "[She] was a true matriarch of the family and of her faith and it was a priveledge to have known her." They have gone before us, but we will reunite one day...

And I asked the Lord...

This morning on my way out to meet Dani to pray, I asked the Lord,"Why have you called us to pray in the morning?" Partly out of frustration having to get up so early and partly because every time he's called me to pray, it's in the morning (early morning!). I finish my drive and settle in to pray (still waking up), and a song starts...my attitude fades away when the musician sings, " his mercy is new every day, his mercy is new every day, every morning, every morning..." Feeling a little ashamed that I even had to ask the Lord "why" to begin with, I repeat that over and over..."His mercy is new every day, His mercy is new every day, every morning, every morning" Today is a new day and I WILL start it off with prayer...Thank you Lord for reminding me :)

2010 Begins...

I can't believe 2010 has already come...I remember when 2000 was around the corner and the world was in a state of fear, not knowing what to expect and stocking up on everything they could...ya know, just in case. I remember wondering what my future would hold, being 16, my immediate needs had to be fulfilled...a driver's license, boyfriend, and plenty of time with my friends. Typical I suppose, but not necessarily anything that would keep me alive if the world were to end when the ball dropped! I looked forward to knowing how all would pan out...

So here I am, in 2010. As the profile says, DJ and I have been married for a little over 2 years now. We were married October 6, 2007 at the Midwest Prayer Center in Marion, IA. Long story made short, it was a bumpy ride, but it was all worth it! We love being married and have really enjoyed getting to know eachother. Just to bring you up to speed and a little recap of our beginning:

A month before we got married, we became homeowners. It was a divine appointment in finding it, so we felt very blessed to be in the position to purchase it! It worked out with our living arrangements for DJ to live there up until the wedding. We had some time to get all moved in before the wedding, so that afterwards it wouldn't be so crazy. It's a cute house and I've loved decorating- it's been a lot of fun finding my own style!

We've had some unexpected visitors---bats! Yeeuuck! I got adventuresome one day while up in the attic and figured out where they were living, so we've kept that portion of the attic closed off. We haven't seen much of them since, but still hear them from time to time. For as much as I love this house, some days I can't wait to live somewhere I know they WILL NOT be.

My sister, Jenny, moved in with us in August. A page had turned in her book and she felt like a new chapter was starting. It has been a priviledge to be her "roomie" and a lot of fun having her around!

DJ is employed by his father's painting company. Also on the side he's been working part time for Target. Mainly it's helping out when the budget stretches thin, but we've chosen to look at it as an oppurtunity to become debt free a little quicker. I (Nicole) am nannying for a great family with 2 children. There was a small break in between April and November that I shifted my profession to Office Manager, realizing it wasn't something I wanted to do, perfect timing and what I believe to be God's plan, pulled me back into child care. It was a great switch and I love them!

It's almost been a year since Nana (Nicole's grandma) went to be with the Lord. Some family members took it pretty hard and we're all coping in our own ways! We've all come together for Popsie (Nicole's grandpa) and still hang out as much as possible! I miss Nana mostly every day and still dream about her quite often! Can't wait to see her again!

Looking forward to all 2010 holds and am challenged to write about all of it!