garage sale update

We held the garage sale on Saturday morning from 8 - 12 and it was a great success. We had a steady flow of traffic and sold about 75% of our inventory. The total amount of money raised for the Tuninks was $350. Thanks to those of you who donated and helped out!!

from brooke

Some people may wonder why we decided to go “viral” with Lucy’s story, let me tell you it wasn't an easy decision.  Nothing about this has been easy. Our hearts are breaking as we prepare to meet and then, most likely, say good bye to our little girl.  Part of us wants to keep this secret because it’s hard and intimate and people don’t know what to say anyways.  I get that, I do. 

It starts in a way with Lucy’s name.  Lucy means light.  We liked the name Lucy but even more, we liked what it meant and that became very important to us once we learned Lucy’s diagnosis.  We wanted Lucy to be a light to us and others.  A bright spot when we look back over our lives.  I was not looking for this bible verse.  I was listening to Pandora.  It’s Matthew 5:17, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”   Lucy is our light.  That’s when I realized it was okay with me if this blog was started and shared.  People should know her story.  Do we want to shout it out to strangers we see on the street?  No.  Talking about it is hard but we hope by sharing her story and honoring her life, however short it may be, we may glorify our Father.  And maybe others will too. 

We are humbled by those that have reached out to us.  If you have thought of us, prayed for us, sent an email or a card, given us a gift card, donated money and/or made a meal for us we can’t tell you how much we appreciate it.  It’s hard to ask for help.  I think it goes against human nature but we have realized that we cannot do this alone.  From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for your love and support.  It means more to us than you may ever know.

God bless you,

Brooke and Lucy  

garage sale

On Saturday, September 27, I will be having a garage sale to benefit Brooke and John. This will be a free-will donation sale (nothing marked, people just pay what they think items are worth) and all proceeds will go to them. If you have something you'd like to donate, I'd be glad to sell it for you! If you're in the Des Moines area, you can drop items off at Mike and Jessie Bergman's. Their address is 4130 Ashby Ave. Des Moines, IA 50310. 
If you're in the Boone area, you can drop off at Chris and Paulette Myers' house. Their address is 560 Linden Lane. Please have all items dropped off by Thursday, September 25. Feel free to email me lindsaykplace@gmail.com with any questions.
with love, 
Lindsay

fundraiser

Hi friends,
I'm having difficulty posting the link to the Give Forward fundraiser that's been started for the Tuninks. I'll try to get some help with this, but in the meantime, you can find the link on my facebook page (feel free to add me). Brooke and John have each been tagged as well, so you should be able to find it from their facebook pages. Thank you for all your support! 
With love,
Lindsay

specialist

Brooke and John met with the specialist on Tuesday. They didn't leave with a lot of new information but they were put in contact with the perinatal hospice program, which they will be meeting with in the next couple weeks. They are also asking for prayer for decisions they need to make in regards to Lucy's delivery. (How and when she will be delivered.) When I asked Brooke for prayer requests, she also shared that days seem really long right now and even basic tasks seem challenging. If you would like to send them an email, I know they would appreciate it so much. You can write to lovinglucyblog@gmail.com. Thanks, friends! Keep praying!!

update and prayer requests

The boys and I were able to spend several hours with Brooke and Johnny today. We missed John as he is back at work now. I am so thankful for the time we had and I can't tell you how amazed and encouraged I am by Brooke's strength. I know that comes from her unwavering faith. She shared with me several prayer requests that I want to pass on.

• John has started another semester of graduate school. Please pray for his stress load.
• All 3 of them have struggled to get good sleep this past week. Please pray for peace and rest.
• Medically speaking, it is unlikely that Lucy will develop the ability to hear. Typically at this point in gestation, a baby would be able to hear and recognize familiar voices. Brooke and John long to be able to speak to Lucy and have her hear them. Please pray that she is able.

They went back for another appointment with their OB this afternoon. They were able to listen to Lucy's heart rate (148) and also get answers to some of the questions they have been trying to process. The doctor told them that it is unlikely Brooke will go into preterm labor. Often times babies with Lucy's diagnosis go well past their due date. He said she will be born alive and could live for several hours or several days. During this time, John and Brooke will have many difficult decisions to make in terms of what measures to take for Lucy. They would like prayer for wisdom in making these decisions, as their goal is to give her the most comfortable life they can. 

They are scheduled to meet with a specialist on Tuesday at 8:45 where they will have another ultrasound.

Many of you have reached out to offer your prayers and also ask how you can help the family. Several have asked about sending meals. In talking with Brooke and John, they are so overwhelmingly appreciative of your generosity. Because of Johnny's food allergies, sending meals can be a tricky process, so I asked her about sending restaurant gift cards instead. I also asked her to give me a list of some places that are easy options for Johnny. She came up with Subway, Tasty Tacos, Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, and Panera. Pizza is an also an option, but a little harder since Johnny can't have the cheese. If you feel like sending a gift card is something you'd like to do, please address to: 

The Tunink Family

3110 40th Street

Des Moines, IA 50310

And, again, many thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and help!

With love,

Lindsay

sharing the story

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page and share in this story that is just beginning to unfold.
If you have found your way here, you likely know the Tunink family. What you may or may not know is that several months ago, Brooke and John learned they were expecting a baby. The pregnancy was progressing normally and they were waiting with much anticipation for the day of their 20-week ultrasound to arrive. On August 28, they went to their scheduled appointment and were given the most heart-shattering news. Their baby girl has a serious condition that will not allow her to live very long after she is born. (At this time, Brooke and John do not wish to share the details of the diagnosis.) So much is uncertain right now. So much is unknown. But what we do know is that our Jesus is unchanging. We know that He is powerful. We know that He is near.
The day after the ultrasound, they gave her a name: Lucy Nicole. The purpose behind this blog is to tell Lucy's story. To share prayer requests, to rally support for the family, and to keep all those who love and care for the Tuninks informed.
If you would like to reach out by sending a message to John and Brooke, you can send an email to lovinglucyblog@gmail.com. If you would like more information or are wondering about ways you can help, please email lindsaykplace@gmail.com.

With love,
Lindsay