I flew back out to Las Vegas on Wednesday, January 11th, to attend what I thought to be a panel discussion with Scientific American.  Instead, it was, what I believe they referred to, as a "sofa chat".  The venue was quite unique, held at the Venetian in the middle of upscale shopping, an area with a bar, no walls, roped off but open to all passerby's.  I entered the rope, uncertain of what to expect or whom to expect.  I was immediately introduced to some well respected people I've heard much about, saw quite a few people I already knew that I very much respect, and met others for the first time that I found quite interesting (in a good way).  We socialized for a bit and then were told that Scientific American was ready to begin the "sofa chat."  I would guess there were about 50 people inside the "roped off" area.  There were 2 sofas they were filming at with the other invited guests standing and sitting around the area, while the moderator, if you will, from Scientific American led the discussions.  I sat on one sofa next to Richard Rakowski, one of the principals of "Intersection",  and on the opposite sofa sat Greg Lucier, CEO of Life Tech, Jonathan Rothberg, inventor of the Ion Proton sequencer, and Jessie Dillon, film maker.  As the moderator began the discussion, he introduced the subject of genetic sequencing, the Ion Proton sequencer's debut at CES in Las Vegas, and some of the impact.  Greg, Jonathan and Jessie all contributed to the discussions.  After a few comments, I was asked to share our story with whole genome sequencing and Noah and Alexis's new, definitive diagnosis because of whole genome sequencing.  As I sat on the sofa, observing all the participants, I knew that God had brought us here for such a time as this.  Our family, our kids, myself.....it was not "by chance" or luck.  As the moderator went back over parts of our story and made comments like, "a lot of people would say you were lucky to find the article and you were lucky to have your husband work at Life Technologies...you were lucky to have your kids sequenced, etc."  I quietly thought about how God had led me, every step of the way, has continued to lead our family, step by step, down the path that He had already prepared for us. It wasn't by luck or chance, it was by His design that I was here for such a time as this.  He is using each one of us to be a voice for the voiceless, an instrument to help fight for those that can't fight for themselves.  He led me into research for over 4 years, and, in His perfect timing, led me to the article that would save our children's lives.  He led us to move to California, taking Joe from an airline to a Life Science company.  God led us, not chance.  We prayed, every step of the way, and waited at every turn for His direction. He led me to ask about sequencing for Alexis, then He opened the doors to have both Noah and Alexis sequenced.  He led us to answers, He gave us a voice, and He continues to lead us in ways that are absolutely beyond anything we could have ever dreamed possible.  Not by chance, not luck, but by the power of His Spirit.  Only God, only God!!