One week & A request
One week ago I heard the most beautiful sound of my life.
Just as I dreamed and prayed and hoped, my daughter came into this world at 12:32 with a loud scream. And about ten minutes later, after scoring 9’s on her apgar and convincing the NICU docs they were unnecessary, she was placed into my arms.
I thought the only way I’d be holding my daughter ten minutes after birth was if I was preparing to say goodbye to her. This outcome was nowhere on our radar of possibilities. Nowhere.
Our most optimistic, best scenario, things are going amazing vision for that day was a baby in the NICU with just a little bit of oxygen assistance and a good dose of hope for the future.
Needless to say, we’re still recovering, still shaking our heads, at the shock of it all.
Right now I’m listening to my two best friends from college and husband munch on chips and salsa, sipping margaritas, with a milk drunk week old nestled in her daddy’s lap. Two friends who scheduled their trips in order to stand beside me as I lowered into the ground one I had just barely begun to know. Friends who were willing to brave the darkest day with me.
Instead we’ve carted a dozing baby around (in her car bed) to numerous stores, accomplishing months’ worth of nesting in a few days. They’ve sorted and organized and put away the overwhelming generosity and celebratory outpouring of friends and strangers. We’ve laughed and cried at the goodness of it all.
As if the outcome itself wasn’t enough to freeze me in a state of shock, there has been the love, support, tears and gifts of so many. The reach of Bella’s story simply boggles my mind. And it’s left me wondering – why? Why has this story struck such a chord? Why are there so many who delight and weep over my little girl? This small little girl has a story that is rippling far and wide.
My best answer to those questions is that her story is a small reflection of a much greater story buried deep into each of our hearts. The story of a hopeless situation, a terminal situation – one where death is proclaimed as the only outcome. A situation where there is truly nothing to be done, no action that can be taken to change the course of events. There are glimpses here and there in the story of the hope of healing, the hope of a turn in the tides, but darkness appears to prevail. There is waiting and longing and aching. And then, out of the blue, in an immediate turn of events the terminal diagnosis is removed. Life and life to the full is proclaimed. Darkness is wiped away. And it all seems too good to be true.
I believe that story, the longing for the truth of that story – the triumph of life when death and decay appears so much of the time to rule the day – is planted within each of us. And when we see glimpses of its reality, glimpses of it tangibly working itself out in this physical world, we can’t help but be astounded and amazed. We can’t help but rejoice.
I’m one week out and I’m still struggling to find the words to describe and to communicate what we experienced on the sixth floor of the University of Washington Medical Center.
And I’m still struggling to find the words of gratitude for the role each of you has played in Arabella’s life. Every prayer offered, every knee bowed, every tear shed pleading for this tiny little girl. Knowing the fragrance of those prayers that swirled before the Lord a week ago…how does a mother ever thank you for that?
One thing I do know is that I want to be sure my daughter knows about you. You who prayed and fought for her. She has her fair share of challenges ahead of her, and I want her to know how saturated her little life has been in prayer. I want her to know those who have striven in prayer for her.
So, in her nursery, above her bed there will hang a tree. A tree of fingerprints, the fingerprints of prayer that have forever marked her life. I wish I could have each of you physically come and mark this picture. I wish I could hug you and sit across the table from you with a steaming cup of coffee to marvel at the goodness of the Lord. But since that is not feasible, we will place a fingerprint for you.
What I ask from you, is that if you have prayed for our Arabella Grace, please leave a comment here with your first name and last initial. We will mark your name on a fingerprint leaf, and we will regale our daughter with stories of the beauty of the Church united in prayer. You have left a mark on our daughter’s life, and for that we will be forever grateful.
And I promise. Soon. Once a few more twigs are arranged in the nest (and I rack up a few more hours of sleep), I will attempt to sit down and tell you all about that day Bella made her entrance.
I am Lisa Avila’s mom. Have been praying for you and youe sweet family. So full of praise and thanks to the Lord for His miracle!
I began reading about you and your family through Kristen Wall. Bella has such an amazing story and you share it with such grace and faith. Bella’s story is a miracle and I feel very thankful that I could have been a part of this little miracle of God. (We, too have a miracle child and your blog brought back that peace that surpasses all understanding that only God can give us.). You are an amazing woman and mom and an example to many. You have such a ministry ahead of you that I can’t wait to see where all of this takes your family as God is already using you to reach so many people through Bella’s story, and your faithfulness. My hope would be to meet you some day.
Holly S
Bridget M
Devin M
A beautiful testimony- with more to come!
Shannon L. Thank you so much for sharing your story! God is amazing!
Elizabeth R. Although hoping to be there sometime soon to put my actual fingerprint up there ?
An acquaintance share your story on Facebook.
Continued prayers for your family.
Katy L
Brandy D.
Will continue praying for baby A and your family! <3
Audrey B.
Oh how I prayed for you and your sweet family, I heard about yall through Kristen Wall. Tears were shed as I prayed long and hard for yall, when I saw she was born I cried tears of joy and love. I don’t know yall but your story has changed my life!!!
Alyssa J.
Rejoicing in the life God has given your precious girl??
I met Kristin at a Pursuit 31 Conference and I followed sweet Bella’s story through her post and her sharing your posts. What a mighty God we serve. Praise Jesus for this sweet miracle!!
Both my husband and I have held your story so close to our hearts. Kristin has poured out to us every moment(as she is our momma!). As you know, we are currently pregnant with our first little one and were due at the same time. I am so thankful that our boy has waited to arrive so that Kristin and Grandma Deb could witness and photograph such a beautiful miracle! Your story has helped me to remember that God has absolutely EVERYTHING under control! Bella is such a beautiful baby, and it gave us goosebumps when we heard that she cried so loudly when she was born! It has all brought so much joy to our hearts! Someday, we would love to meet you all! We will continue praying for your sweet girl and family! Thank you for all the strength you have shown and for willing to be vulnerable so the world could witness such a beautiful miracle!
Births are special to me in a new way since having my daughter, but this one rakes the cake. It is such a taste of heaven on earth. I’ve been praying for you guys ever since I saw a post by my friend Kristin Wall.
Much love to all of you!
Hannah N.
We are praising God for all that He has done for Bella. I know your mom has been a big help. I’d love to see the cute photo of Barbara and Bella on your blog. Sending love and a hug!
I’ve been so humbled to watch this story unfold and God’s name be proclaimed and glorified in such beautiful ways. Thank you for sharing and involving the Body of Christ!
Andrea M.
Hi Kat! I know we’ve never met, but I feel like we are a part of the Siping family 🙂 I’ve been so encouraged by what God has done through your family and sweet little girl!
Sydney B
I heard about your story from a mutual friend.
Thank you so much for sharing it!
May God continue to bless you and your family!
-Michael W
Allison D
PJ D
With much love, gratitude, and awe!
ive followed your journey through Kristin wall who is a good friend of mine. Will continue to pray for you all! Best wishes to you and your family!
I served alongside of Kat in China and have been praying for Arabella and your whole family. Kat you have a way with words… What joy to celebrate this miracle with you all!
Sarah D
Kate S. and Marc A.S. continue to pray for y’all. You’ve been on our church’s prayer list for weeks as well. We raise your names up each Sunday.
Heather H
An amazing story about the God we serve! Bella has already ministered to so many!
Love you all, Katherine! Prayed, cried tears of sadness and tears of joy along with you, and have been so blessed by your openness throughout this journey. Thanks for your willingness to live life out loud and invite others in.
love,
Carrie D.
I have prayed, cried and will continue to pray!
I has been my joy and blessing to pray for your family. I am overwhelmingly in love with God’s answer to prayer. All glory be to Him.
ELIC Global Support Services
Unceasing prayers, love, support, caring, and hugs sent to you all…now and always….
Love, Jan
Jim B
Jan B.
Kim G
Doug G
Continued prayers – overjoyed with you all.
There are no words….but simply GOD IS SO GOOD AND SO REAL! We love you “Bella”, momma and family. ??
Jodi F.
Thank you for sharing your story! Praising God for your little miracle baby and feeling blessed to be able to read about it.
Natalie B.
Praising God for a miracle.
Andrea C.
Colleen K
Still praying and in awe of baby Bella’s journey!
Your story was forwarded to me, we have never met. Maybe in part my own history of hope in the face of darkness working in an NICU, maybe being a mom, but I think you so eloquently caught a bit of that desire to see, here and now, God’s miraculous intervention in the face of tragedy. Keep praying, keep loving, I am sure the journey will be filled with surprises. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’m a friend of Kasey Johnson. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have shed tears of sadness, hope, joy, and amazed gratitude over the words on your blog. I often prayed for you and your family during the wee hours of the night and early morning when I was massively pregnant with my third baby (and not sleeping well) and then while nursing him after he was born in June. I am so grateful for God’s mercies in your life and it has been such a wonderful experience to rejoice with you. I will continue to pray for you all!
Katie K:
Thanks for the honor of standing in prayer for Arabella!
Linda J.
Thank you for your vulnerability in some of the hardest and darkest moments and always pointing everyone’s eyes to Jesus in the difficult and in the miraculous!
Alison C
Praise God for His beautiful gift! I am in awe of your story and once again am reminded of the amazing power of our great God!!! Thank you for your honesty and openness. The Spirit is working on my heart through your words in ways I cannot explain. Thank you for allowing your journey to be used by Him. Stephanie K.
Elizabeth is a good friend of mine and one of my prayer warriors for my little guy. I keeping thinking Bella’s story has brought someone to Christ…. The amazingness of it would change somebody who did not believe in our massive God.
Amazed at the mightly work of our GREAT Physician! Continued prayers for Bella and your family.
Tiffanie P.
Michelle C.
Your tenacity to hold onto to Jesus during the storm and the beauty of sharing your heart touched me deeply. Prayers for your fam.
Alyssa C
Thank you so much for sharing your story! It has blessed me and everyone I share it with!! Continuing to pray!
One day, hopefully soon, I will write down how a two total strangers – a momma and her soon-to-be-born baby – changed and grew my faith in a single night . Gabrielle H.
Tiffany H.
What a beautiful idea. I think it might end up being a very large and abundant tree : )
I started following along months ago, when Kasey Johnson first shared on Facebook (I go to church with her) and have been praying ever since. And I have wept with joy over the awesome outcome that the Lord has brought about!
I have been praying for your family. Our God is so Good!
Katy D.
What a blessed miracle!
Sara P.
I’ve prayed as Kasey has reposted your blog entries. Thank you for allowing us to journey with you in this very tender place where God has revealed his story to so many. Rejoicing with you!
Marla B
Starting praying for your family the Friday before your daughters arrival after reading your story on Jareds FB wall. God is awesome and I am so happy for you all?
Kimberly T.
So much Jesus here. I’m undone. Thank you for the invitation to see, and hear, and trust anew that resurrection IS.
Started praying for your family the Friday before your daughters arrival. God is awesome, soooo happy for you all!?