What's In a Name?

Lisa knew that Rob really wanted to find out if the baby was a boy or a girl and it did not matter to Lisa, so as soon as we could find out, we did - and as we have already told you, it's a boy!

We also felt, more so than ever, that it was important to give our baby boy a name as early as possible. We wanted to bestow upon this baby boy a name that would both remind us of something very joyful, and also remind us that God has amazing plans for this boy, and we should remain hopeful and focused on the great things this boy will achieve.

You probably know that we LOVE the Red Sox. Our eight years (1999-2007) in Boston were amazing and we came to love the Sox and believe it or not, Lisa is as rabid a fan as Rob! Last year, the Sox started a rookie 2nd baseman - Dustin Pedroia. "Pedie" as he is lovingly referred to within the clubhouse, is 5'9''. As baseball players go, this guy does not stack up well size-wise and of course being a rookie, there was some trepidation within Red Sox Nation that he could fill the shoes of Mark Loretta. These fears were fed when Pedie started the 2007 season VERY slowly. Of course, we all know how the story ended with Dustin Pedroia becoming AL Rookie of the Year (and also playing a key role in the Sox winning it all).

So, our baby boy's first name is Dustin - reminding us of our joy watching the Red Sox and also reminding us how great the little guys can become, even when the odds are long.

We also wanted to name our baby after a great biblical figure, so we chose Joshua as his middle name. Joshua, according to some scholars, "..was [not only] a superb military man, he was also a great soldier of Almighty God. He led Israel with excellence in both their wars and their worship, something even the greatest of generals of history could never do." For us, Joshua was a man of great faith, having led the Jews to the promised land. In Numbers 14:6-8, it says Joshua said to the Israelites,

"[T]he land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.

If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us."

Despite the great trials and the lack of faith by so many who accompanied him during the Exodus out of Egypt, Joshua represents to us someone who holds true to his faith that God will provide, despite the challenges we may face.

It is with great excitement that we enter the final 8-10 weeks of Lisa's pregnancy.

Hence the name of this blog, "Dustin Joshua (DJ) Is On The Way".

DJ Is On The Way - Inaugural Post

Recently, we were told that the baby boy we are expecting in August is expected to have Down Syndrome (DS). Of course, this was a lot for us as parents to process, as we have experienced a range of emotions from sadness, to anxiety and fear.

However, having had time to let this "set in", we are as joyful as any expectant parents would be. The fear and anxiety are still lurking in the background, but we remain focused on the big day when our new little baby boy will join the world.

Our primary source of joy is our God, who has made us, and who has plans for each of us, including people with DS and parents of kids with DS.

As David has written in Psalm 139:13

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb."

And again, in Psalm 139:16

"All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."

We have been blessed as well with brothers and sisters in Christ who have been praying for us - constantly. People have asked us, "how can we help and how can we pray for you?"

This question is the reason for this blog. Undoubtedly, our situation is and will remain very fluid and our prayer needs/requests will of course reflect this. With so much family and friends praying for us, we thought this blog would be the best way for people to stay connected with our situation and our prayer needs.

Right now, we ask for prayers for
- a miracle of healing that God will bring us a healthy baby boy free of any issues; of course, if this is His will.
- peace
- strength
- that God prepare us; if it is God's will that our baby boy be born with DS we just ask for prayer that He prepare us to be who this boy needs us to be

We do of course thank you for your prayers and we praise Him because we do feel your prayers and we praise him for the peace and strength your prayers have brought us.

We love all of you and thank you for your willingness to walk alongside us with this journey.

Rob and Lisa