Meet the Sims!

Clare and I had the great pleasure of meeting Geoff and Valerie Sims yesterday. Val has been in regular email contact with us since before Theo was born and has a particular interest in us as both her and her two boys have Achondroplasia. She has been very supportive and encouraging from the start and it was fantastic to finally meet her and Geoff in person!



They both came to our church service and then back to Clare's mum's house afterwards. We all talked for ages, each sharing different experiences both serious and amusing. By the end, it certainly seemed to me and Clare like we were all old friends. We both left feeling full of joy and I'm sure it won't be the last time we meet up.

God brings good things out of bad situations. Although losing Theo is still hard for us, we have met so many wonderful people who have enriched our lives more than we could imagine possible. For that, we feel greatly blessed!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3 20-21

One step closer

Finally, I have some more news for you!

I had a phone call from our geneticist yesterday who told me that he had got the results of my x-rays back from Great Ormond Street. The good news is that they have said that they can't find any link between me and Theo! You may remember that when we first went to see the geneticist, he was concerned that I exhibited some of the same issues as Theo (shortness, wonky legs, arthritis, cloth ear, etc). He had thought there might be the possibility that I had mosaicism. If I did, it could potentially increase the risk that we could have another child with the same condition.

It seems that this is not the case and so hopefully the chances of recurrence are greatly reduced. We have yet to see him officially to get the full details and we still have to wait for the results of Theo's genetic tests to come back. Nevertheless, this is a very positive sign and gives us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The geneticist is still chasing Theo's genetic results to see if they're finished so as soon as we know anything, I'll let you all know.

Thanks to you all for your continued prayer and support!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3 22-26

When one door closes...

Well, I'm finally back online after quite a few weeks off! Sorry to all those who faithfully check the site and have been disappointed to find nothing new on it. This is partially because Clare and I have just spent 10 days in lovely Cornwall (I'll post some pictures soon!) but mostly because I'm a bit lazy!

Anyway, whilst we were away, Clare got some rather surprising news (I'll preface this by saying it is not baby-related before everyone gets too excited!). The head mistress of her school has left. This means that the current head of the junior school has to take overall headship of the whole school...which means that....

Clare Dungey is now acting head teacher of her Junior School!

... at least for the next term anyway.

This came as quite a shock to pretty much everyone! Although this is a massive leap up for Clare, the new head mistress is sure she up to the challenge. It is quite daunting for Clare because there are so many new things to learn so please remember her in your prayers. It is an amazing opportunity though so we are both very pleased. She led part of her first staff training day today (with very little notice) and seems to have been very successful.

So as we reach the 6-month anniversary of meeting Theo tomorrow, another door of opportunity has opened. Although, it is not in the same league as having a baby, it shows that God has a plan for us and that life does go on.

We'd just like to thank everyone who has supported us, raised money for Theo, prayed for us, written us emails, cooked for us and generally loved us! We couldn't have coped without you!