Chosen One

Sammie's Mom posted this on her Caring Bridge today.

Chosen One
If before you were born, I could have gone to Heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you...
If God had told me "this soul will one day need extra care", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me "that one day this soul may make my heart bleed", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me "this soul would make me question the depth of my faith", I still would have  chosen you...
If God had told me "this soul would make tears flow from my eyes that would overflow a river", I still would have chosen you..
If He had told me "our time spent together here on Earth could be short", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me 'all that you know to be normal would drastically change", I still would have chosen you...
Of course, even though I would have chosen you, I know it was God who chose me for you...
Thank you God for allowing me to be your mommy!

My desire is that we will continue to remember this sweet family in prayer and continue to encourage them with our love. Please visit their site today and let them know you are still praying for them. This is not an easy time of year for illness or grief.

Hope

Kate McRae on Dr. Phil

This sweet little girl we have been praying for is on Dr. Phil today. Tune in to get to know who you have been praying for!

From Kate's website: I am going to again leave some specific prayer requests... as we have seen some specifics answered this past week. Please continue to pray as always that the tumor will be completely destroyed and never return. Pray for a clean MRI in December. Pray for wisdom for Kate's Dr's and nurses as they make critical decisions and care for her during these treatments. Pray that her hearing and kidney function will continue to hold up during this next round of chemo (as this round will be rough on both). Pray for continued improvement in her neuropathy in the left hand (it is much improved already). Pray for continued strength to be regained in her right side (we had some wrist movement for the first time last week!). Pray for her protection from the various illnesses during flu season and while she is immune compromised. Pray for continued healing in her brain from the surgery and where the tumor was. Pray she will be able to continue to relearn those things lost from the tumor. Pray that her spirits will remain high despite her circumstanc

es and that she will continue to dance through the pain. That we could laugh through the heartache. And that ultimately Jesus would be glorified through a family having to live what they hoped they would never ever encounter.

Asking for Strength to Be Thankful

All of my friends here in the States know that tomorrow is our national day of Thanksgiving. Many even take the time to stop acknowledge what they are thankful for amidst the frantic preparations for the holiday. There are meals to plan or partake in, football games to watch on TV and some are even plotting their shopping routes for the morning after.
The ones on my my mind are the ones who will not spend Thanksgiving at home. They are in a hospital or rehab center, doing their best to be grateful. Don't get me wrong, I know that many children's hospitals do their best to make things festive, have special guests and even serve a turkey dinner. Their thoughtfulness is truly touching but Dorothy said it best "There's no place like home".
Please pray for those families who will spend this weekend praying for their sick children and longing for something that resembles normal. Click on either pic to read their story.

Kate McRae

My hope for you is that you will have a blessed day and a heart full of gratitude.

Hope

Praying for Owen's Heart

Another beautiful family with a story and need for prayer!

 

Praises and Prayers for Moriah

I am pleased to resume my prayer blog. I will begin with reminding my readers to check in with Moriah.

Unintended Hiatus

What started off as your usual mommy blog has grown into a pouring out of my heart. It became important to me to pass on the needs of other parents whose children are chronically ill, have had a terminal diagnosis or have finished their heroic fight for life here on earth. As expected, the topic is often sad. With that, if I am not careful, my heart can get very heavy. I think that's what happened. I had to take a break, regain some strength and get ready to come back. I am hoping that at some point, I will be able to share this ministry with someone else. As you pray, pray for God to send someone to help carry these stories to those of you who are so willing to pray. Keep praying, i will be back soon.

Prayer Focus Sunday-Sammie's Family

Here is the update from Sammie's family on plans for her services. Please continue to pray for comfort for her family. Also, visit the family's website to offer support and just tell them that you are praying for them.

Sammie Passed On Early This Morning

Please keep her family in your prayers. They need you now more than ever. As always, you can visit her CaringBridge site.

Sammie's Family Needs our Prayers

According to her CaringBridge page, Sammie has begun her journey to Heaven. Please pray for the family and offer support when you can. I know it is appreciated.

Moriah is settling in

Go see what she is up to! Click on her photo.

Praying for an Inspirational Family

My dear friend Summer and her husband Zane are stationed in Uganda. They live a true love story. Two of their latest additions are afflicted with Sickle Cell disease. They are truely saving lives and in the process being blessed as the parents of 8 children. Please take a minute to meet them and pray for them. You will be blessed too! You can click here or on their photo.

Praying for Ezekiel

Ezekiel has been in the hospital for this past week with seizures. Please be sure to pray for Ezekiel and his mother Chelsea. You may visit his Caring Bridge site for more dtails and to leave encouragement.

Prayer Focus Sunday-The Nelson Family

As I keep in contact with the Nelson family I am acutely aware that life continues to go on outside of the hospital world. Those of you who have been there know exactly what I mean. Justin's "Papa" passed away this week. In the midst of having to make enormous medical decisions, provide for his family and carry concern for his daughter, his family is grieving the loss of a loved one. Please pray for Justin and Victoria today.

The Cry Of a Mother's Heart

Moriah's mommy Victoria poured out her heart on her blog this week. It was heart wrenching to read yet so important to know what a parent goes through with a medically fragile child. Please visit her post and encourage her and Justin when you can.

What Do You Do When...

Blue Ribbon Show of Support for Moriah

A friend of Moriah's family started wearing a blue ribbon months ago committing to cut it off when Moriah finally gets to go home. Now folks all over the world are wearing ribbons as a reminder to pray for Moriah. They are taking photos and sending them to the family as a comfort and encouragement to a weary Mommy and Daddy who are ready for their topsy turvy life to settle down. If you decide to join in, it would really encourage these sweet folks to know that others are praying for them! Please email your photos to:

nelsonvs5@hotmail.com

A Blue Ribbon Family ;)

Two Families That Are Heavy On My Heart

The purpose of this blog is to pass on the need for prayer needs of families with critically ill children. I am also thrilled to pass on praises when I get that news as well. There are two children we have been following in particular that have for the past couple of days had traumatic news or events with their children. I would ask that you would visit their pages and encourage them by simply letting them know you are praying. You can follow their stories by clicking on their photo.

Moriah Nelson

Kate McRae

Praise Day for Hezekiah!

From Mama: "Kiah is home sweet home... It has been wonderful having him here. He already went pee pee on mommy. It was hilarous! Thank you for all your prayers and support."

I will post new photos when Mama posts them!

URGENT Prayer for Moriah

I got this late and although it was posted a few hours ago, this little girl is in serious need of prayer. Here is the first update:
"This is Kuma Amy and I have just received news that Moriah's condition is very serious. She is bleeding profusly out of her trach, mouth, and nose. A quarter sized piece of tissue came out of the trach. So far she has lost 200 ml of blood. After the bedside scope, they can see that her left lung has blood in it. Right now Vic and Justin are taking her to the OR to do emergency bronchoscope. Please be praying the this situation can get under control fast and that God would guide the doctors' minds and hands... "

Please read the update from Justin and Victoria and pray pray pray for their little girl!

Plea for Prayer and Fasting on behalf of Kate McRae

From Kate's Dad: "In light of Kate's MRI on Wednesday we are asking family, friends and followers of Christ across the world to join with us at some point in the next few days in a fast. There are details on my website and I will post more details over the next few days. Would you read this post and consider joining us in this? Thanks, Aaron"
Click on the photo to go to Aaron's website

Prayer Focus Sunday-September 11 Reflections

This week many of us stood still for a few moments or perhaps the entire day to remember what happen to our country on September 11th eight years ago. The day that life as we knew it would change in so many ways. The majority of us returned to something very close to the normal that we knew just days before that. Those who lived near the devastation or had family members on one of those flights or in any of those buildings never returned to any semblance of normal.

Many of the families I have asked you to pray for have what I think of as their own personal 9/11. The day that their child is diagnosed or the moment the prognosis is given becomes a surreal nightmarish kind of experience with ashes and the crumbling dreams that fall around their feet. So much that they had hoped for their family is forever changed. The hopes they had for their child look nothing like they did before yet like our Nation, they have to move on. They have to get up and fight against disease. Sometimes they are surrounded and supported. Other times, in the middle of the night in a cold hospital room, they can feel so very lonely.

Today's prayer request is for the parents of the sweet children that this blog has been introducing you to each week. Scan the list of links and catch up on their stories. If you know of a family that isn't listed here, please email me their link so I can follow them too. Prayer is a powerful tool. I can't overstate the importance for our own hearts to pray for these families. To be aware of their needs and to present them to our Creator for strength and encouragement as well as healing.