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Reconnecting with the Perez family

Earlier this year, we introduced you to the Perez family. Jennifer and Mace shared their experiences adopting energetic 3-year-old Bernard through Buckner Foster Care.

At the same time of experiencing the joy of adopting Bernard, the Perez family also experienced tragedy. After more than four years of infertility, Jennifer discovered she was pregnant. At their 11-week ultrasound, however, they learned their baby girl's skull had not developed correctly and there was no chance she would survive. At 39 weeks, Jennifer gave birth to Hannah, who lived for 31 hours and 22 minutes. It was heartbreaking for them and Bernard to lose Hannah, but through the tragedy, they clung even closer to the Lord, recognizing that he was always with them. You can read their full story here. 

How are the Perezes doing today?

After Hannah's passing, the Perezes continued to foster – a ministry now 5-year-old Bernard also embraces. Earlier this year, Jennifer discovered she was pregnant with another little girl and in September, she gave birth to Haven Elizabeth. 

"We named her Haven because we knew that life in this broken and fallen world is a mixture of joy and pain," Mace said. "But with God as her refuge, she can be more than a conqueror over any pain and hardship that may come her way. She can walk through life knowing that her life is in the hands of her good, good father." 

The Perezes had no idea how soon they would need to rely on God to protect their daughter. Just one week after birth Haven was admitted to the hospital with bacterial meningitis. For weeks, Haven fought for her life while family and friends covered her in prayer.

It was a long road, but after 18 days in the hospital, Haven was released to go home and continues to improve more and more every day. Today, she's happy, healthy and growing, showing no signs of developmental delay from the meningitis. 

"Everyone who has come alongside us in prayer has witnessed God doing what he does – heal," Jennifer said. "This experience has only strengthened my faith as I watched him work and move to restore Haven's health. God's grace. His faithfulness. His love. His power. His healing. I can't explain it all, but I've seen it all in action. And I praise and thank him again and again."

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