News from the Middle East!

Our future family portrait

Here's the NEWS from across the SEA.
Instead of TWO there will now be THREE!
(author: Honey)

We are excited to announce Baby Junod #3 is on the way expected in April.

Q&A
Where will you have the baby?
Doha!

Have you been to the doctor yet?
Actually I've already been to the doctor in Dallas and will get the opportunity to do that a couple more times when in town over the next few months. And I have also already been to the doctor in Doha. I just had my 12 week appointment where we met the doc and heart a great heartbeat! I will have a standard 12 week thorough ultrasound next week.

Who is your doctor in Doha?
Dr. Deniz (her first name). Dr. D is a very high qualified female, Iraqi, Muslim doctor. We really liked her and felt she covered every detail that an American doctor would be concerned about.

Will you find out what you're having? When?
We WILL and it should be in early December before we head back to Texas for Christmas.

Where will you deliver?
Ah Ahli Hospital (private hospital in Doha) Very similar to a Western hospital. Looks and feels the same.

Is it safe and do they know what they are doing?
So far everything we've heard and experienced has exceeded our expectations and been completely up to American standards. They follow a normal schedule of routine doctor visits, ultrasounds and tests. For L&D things appear to be very similar as well. Epidurals, Inductions, C-Sections, etc...all very common.

Do you know anyone who has had a baby there?
YES! One of my very best friends here, Jackie had a baby last November. She has been literally a gift from God for many reasons. She loved her experience here and actually enjoyed it more than her first, where she delivered in Houston.

Why wouldn't you just come home to have the baby?
My doctor in Dallas would insist that I fly back to Texas for the entire last trimester if I wanted to deliver in the US. Therefore I would be leaving Nick and pulling the boys out of our normal Doha life in mid-January. I honestly can't imagine the separation and disruption of routine without Nick and away from our home. Ultimately it's not how our family should function if we don't have to.
One year ago we trusted God to follow Him to Doha and today we're convicted to continue and trust Him with our baby as well. There is no perfect hospital or doctor. We know and believe God is All-knowing and He will ultimately take care of every detail that's involved. I continually have to remind myself of God's goodness and blessings since we've been here. He's been so faithful to provide more than we've ever prayed for or imagined. I know He will do this same for this pregnancy and delivery. I have found that when I'm disciplined and intimate with God, then I find a great amount of comfort. It is completely by His grace that I can have peace in this circumstance. Being away from family and the comfort zone of sweet T.E.X.A.S, plus in the middle of the desert, across the world might be my last choice for having a baby. But the Truth is that God is good all the time. He will take great care of us and we will rely on Him completely...No doctor, test, hospital, etc.
A few verses I find myself reading often...
Jos 24:17 He protected us on our entire journey.
2 Sam 22:2 He is my Rock, my Fortress and Deliverer.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with all of you!
Isa 12:2 I will trust and not be afraid.

When will you come home to Texas to introduce the new baby?
We have plans to come home 4-6 weeks after the baby arrives (mid to the end May). My cousin, Louisa is getting married and we wouldn't miss it. Plus Brooks has been honored to walk the isle in her wedding. Not sure what our summer plans will be exactly, but we'll definitely have an extended stay like last summer.

What do the boys think of having a new baby?
They are excited. We just told them last night. We made Brooks guess the surprise by giving him hints. A couple of his guesses "ball, basket, robot, dog, chair, table" Once he figured it out he looked back and forth from Nick to me, just looking at my tummy very confused. Then he finally said "B...Baby?" Brooks, and Barrett too have been talking about the baby quite a bit today but as expected it hasn't changed much of their wild world quite yet :)

I'm sorry for the lack of personal touch by announcing this on our blog rather than a phone call or at least a personal email. The time change and our 2 crazy little camels keep me from being on the phone at convenient US times.

We (and our families) covet your prayers as we prep for baby #3!