Jace McBride Gonzalez

Our son, Jace McBride Gonzalez, was born at 11:42 a.m. on November 10, 2015 and peacefully passed away approximately one hour later. Baby Jace is survived by his dad, Jarod Spencer Gonzalez, his mom, Leisha Dawn Gonzalez, his two older brothers, Jackson Spencer Gonzalez, 8 years old, Jamison Samuel Gonzalez, 6 years old, and grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. During his hour, his mom, dad, brothers, family members, and friends were able to hold him and take pictures with him to celebrate his life. We are thankful that God provided us with this short time of joy in the midst of our grief.

We found out that Leisha was pregnant with baby Jace around Easter 2015. We were both surprised and excited at this news! After a fun end-of-school year trip to Disney World, Leisha underwent some routine testing of baby Jace, which revealed concerns for the baby. After a variety of testing, the doctors told us in clear terms that baby Jace had a fatal condition. Even if he survived to a full-term delivery, he would pass away within a few hours, days, or weeks. Through our heartbreak and sorrow, we chose life for baby Jace on whatever terms God would provide. The remaining six months of Leisha’s pregnancy and Jace’s birth and death were the most difficult days we have experienced on this earth. How does a mom carry a child in her womb knowing that in almost all likelihood unless God performs a miracle that the baby will pass away shortly after delivery? The only answer we had is faith and trust in Jesus Christ, our Lord, to give us the strength and courage to be obedient to God and try as best we could to live out our values. Phillipians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

There can be no doubt that Leisha’s pregnancy, the diagnosis for baby Jace, and Jace’s life have not been easy on the Gonzalez family. But through the pregnancy and Jace’s brief life, we have experienced amazing support and love from our family, friends, Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, Trinity Christian Schools, and Texas Tech University Law School that we would not otherwise have known and we thank all of them for what they have done for us. Moreover, we sense that Jace has impacted our friends and family in a meaningful spiritual way with their own faith.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, faith produces blessings both seen and unseen. The Bible says that God makes all things for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, those who are the called according to His purpose. We thank the Lord for the gift of an ever so brief life in baby Jace and the good it has brought us. Through Christ, there is victory for Jace and victory for the Gonzalez family.

Jace, we will see you in heaven someday and there will be no sorrow—only joy. Revelations 21:4: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Love,

Mom and Dad