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.

Update on Hezekiah

Amanda, Kiah's Mommy said: "He is doing real well. He weighs 5lbs & 7.1oz now. He is feeding twice (back to back) nursing and then once with his tube then twice again with either a bottle or nursing. The next step is to go off the feeding tube altogether and just nurse a...nd bottle feed. He is doing super well. We are thinking any day now we will take him home. Another answered prayer is that we were approved for Medicaid. So everything is covered! THANK YOU JESUS! We were able to get half of our money back from the birth center as well. Thank you for all your prayers. We are seeing each prayer being answered. It's awesome! My faith has been increasing through all this."

Real time Request for Kate McRae

Kate's Dad Asked: "Please pray for Kate right now if you can! Holly has Kate (and Will, per Kate's insistence) at the outpatient clinic for her appointment. Kate's ANC is low, which was expected, but she will also need to get both a blood and platlet transfusion soon. This comes with a risk of fever and if that happens then Kate will have to be admitted back into the hospital. I think I got the details right, just please pray! I am going up there to help out now."

Click on the photo to follow Kate's story directly.

Praise Day for Hezekiah!

Posted by Kiah's Mama Yesterday:

Kiah weighs 5lbs & 5oz!!! As soon as he gets feeding down this big boy is coming home!!!!! Yeah! Luis and I gave him a sponge bath this morning it was awesome.... The little things that make us happy =)

Great news for Baby Hezekiah!

Mama reported Monday 9/7/09: "Hezekiah is doing great. He weighs 5lbs 1.7 ounces. They increased his feedings to 45cc. He is almost up to eating 2 ounces. He is filling out and popping a whole bunch. We are letting dad get the practice and changing those diapers =)! Abuela Lupita and Tia Regina are here with us now. So he is getting double the love. We are praying that he is able to go home this week!"

Sunday Prayer Focus: Cold Flu "Season"

Alli's First Day of School

Back to school brings its own risks to our families with special kiddos. Allison already has her first cold of the season. I know that to the majority of people a cold is a minor thing. For us, sometimes it is but so many times it isn't. Allison was born with a heart defect along with other medical issues that make her immune system that much more fragile. There is always that underlying concern that it could get worse. As of this morning, this is not the case for us. She is actually getting better and seems to be almost recovered.

My request this morning is for the kiddos that you have read about here or know personally. Please pray for a protection from illness. Also wisdom for parents like us who are still trying to decide what we need to do to protect our children from some of the new viral threats in the news.

Baby Hezekiah Update-Thursday 9-3-09

Update from Kiah's Mama: "Hezekiah weighs 5 pounds and 0.4 oz tonight. The nurse tonight told us that he needs to learn how to feed and then he can go home!!!!!!! So we are praying for Hezekiah to suck, suck, and suck! There is a lady who is working with him everyday using a bottle. So pray that he does well with that. He has come so far so we are believing for this last thing. We are very proud of our little Kiah!"

Kate McRae is going back to the hospital

Please pray for Kate and her parents this morning. They are headed back to the hospital after a bad night. You can click on her photo for the details.