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.
What an amazing story. Your family’s strength in our Lord is uplifting and encouraging. Amy E.
God bless your little one. May she be led by God and continue to be a light to this world. Her story is beautiful and it touches my heart so much. God is SO GOOD!
Bella, I have lifted you and your sweet family up in prayer day after day. I don’t know you but I have felt you, breathed in your story, tears have streamed down my face looking at the photo of your welcome to this world You are known, loved and held You are hope, you are faith you are God in motion
Hi,
I’ve never had a story touch my soul quite like Arabella’s. I heard of your family’s plight from a friend on Facebook just a few days before her arrival. I went back and read her story from the very first post…and I cried.
I cried for your family’s pain, I cried for your unwavering faith wondering if I could EVER be half that strong, and I cried for Arabella – because deep down I had a feeling she wanted live! To meet her mommy, daddy, and big sister…and to breath!
I left off on Facebook that you were in labor. The next day I just knew that she was alive and well. I could just feel it. And when I saw those words in print, I cried. With tears of happiness and joy.
There have been times in my life where I have had unwavering faith in God, and other times where we have lost touch….somewhat like a cross country friend. There was no falling out, just a little distance in your way. I want to thank Arabella for bringing that friend back into my life. Because without one iota of a doubt, I know a little miracle poppy was born.
I have now told her story countless times to family and friends, and each time we get goosebumps, and a fresh tear of joy forms at the thought of this little miracle.
Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you for helping us to believe. And thank you for having faith in Him to know what was meant to be, in yourself to be strong enough to endure, and in Arabella because she just wanted to breath.
With Love,
Whitney M.
I’m a local Wenatchee-ite, but didn’t know you until all my friends started sharing your story and I have been praying for you the last few weeks too!
Krista H.
Rejoicing with your family!! This brought me to tears. Will continue praying for your family, especially precious Arabella.
Stephanie W
So incredibly happy for Bella and your family.
Tiffany S.
Celia D.
Arabella,
I read about you on Facebook and I prayed for you. I immediately felt the Spirit of God and felt your would be alright. Then I praised God, because I knew He was working for your good.
What an honor is has been and still is to pray for Arabella and all of you. My daughter, Ruth, who teaches in China shared your situation with me and I’ve been following your blog and facebook posts. I cried when Arabella was born — tears of great joy! Thank you for allowing us to stand with you.
Sweet girl, we are friends of your Auntie Elizabeth. we prayed for your little life to be spared and we are praising God for the miracle that He has done! And you should know your story has been shared wth a dear friend of ours who is facing a terminal situation with her baby. Your story of hope and healing is nothing but a miracle and such an encouragement to so many!
My daughter, A.J. shared your story with me. I just read this blog and want to weep with the joy of the miracle God has given you. My prayer for you is that you continue to receive His blessings and your sweet girl continues to thrive and grow. She has already impacted the lives of many. God has wonderful plans for her.
Donna B
So thrilled for you!
Rejoicing in this miracle with you! Squeeze that sweet girl for me.
Be blessed!
Mackenzie M.
I am so happy for you all! I hope you received the gift from me and that it helped out a little! Still praying for you all!!
Melissa G.
Jonathan Wu is our team leader and we have been praying like crazy for your sweet baby! Rejoicing with you! Team QHD China
God is good all the time and his love endures forever. ?
Your story brings me to tears every time I think about it or tell someone else about it. What a miracle!
Overjoyed to be a part of her story, and she a part of mine.
Tanya E
Jared E
Jovy E
I have a feeling you’d better make a big tree. 🙂
God is good all of the time, and all of the time God is good!!!!
I have been praying for your daughter for about two weeks now, and I am so blessed to now have the opportunity to continue to pray for this living, breathing miracle!!
Xoxo
J.D.
I moved away from Wenatchee a year ago, and didn’t know you then, but your story popped up on Facebook through some mutual friends, and I have grieved, laughed, and fervently prayed for you and yours. God is good, indeed!
God is Awesome! So thankful we now get to pray for Arabella’s future.
The Lehman’s
So overwhelmed with joy for you and your sweet family.
Beth R
Continued prayers for your little miracle!!
Maggie M
I only learned of your precious girl on August 13th but went back and read all of your blogs. I am moved to tears at the merciful rich grace given to you! I have prayed and rejoiced and marveled! May Arabella’s story become famous- as the light piercing today’s darkness ! Keep blogging- this story is God’s loud and clear message of Love to our very sad culture!
Praying for you, the second Bella blessing in my life, and your family. Hugs and prayers sent halfway across the country.
Praying for sweet Bella before her birth and now. What an amazing blessing she is, and Testament to God’s healing power! 🙂
Casey M.
Jenny E., a friend of Kasey’s. Rejoicing with you,praying as you sort through the shock and joy and grief at once.
I watched this miracle unfold through Kristin’s posts, shared by mutual friends, just prior to Arabella’s birth. I prayed for all involved. After she was born full of life, I shared her story with my husband, who praised Jesus for her life during prayer time with our 2 sons. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Katie B.
Grant B.
Will B.
Felicity B.
We can’t wait to meet you, Arabella!!
17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.
The hour has come. Heavenly Father, I thank you for glorifying baby Arabella Grace so that her testimony also may glorify You.
LeVoid P.
I prayed for your little girl. And I don’t even know you. But I know our God. And all the Glory goes to Him.
Sending prayers from rural Southeast Georgia. Bella, God has an amazing life planned for you. Looking forward to watching it unfold…
Annie S
some of my friends gave me their names to add 🙂
Jill F
Barbara B
Kara W
Cara R
Pat J
John P
Nancy P
Nancy P (yes, two Nancy Ps :-))
Linda B
Nancy F
Nancy D
I came to your website and your story from Stefanie’s blog. It was an honor to pray for you and your family. May God continue to bless you.
Mary S
Yay, yay, yay!! Such an amazing story and such a witness of His grace and power. Hope to meet both of your girls and husband in person some day! Miss you and love you!
Christina Jennings Lo 🙂
Prayed for you, beautiful one. You help remind me that impossible things should still be hoped for and that prayer is not in vain. That even death sentences are not the end. Thank you.
Anna B
I prayed for you sweet Arabella…I’m all the way up in British Columbia, Canada. The God we serve is everywhere. I don’t know your family but your story was shared on Facebook and God prompted me to pray for you and your family. I will continue to follow your story and pray a blessing of God’s goodness on your life.
We were so filled with joy when we learned of Arabella’s birth. Logan loves having Eliana in Grace Kids and looks forward to having Arabella soon too?
Saw your story through friends. What a beautiful miracle and example of God’s abundant grace and mercy unfolding in answered prayers.
I have been following your story from Kristin Wall and it has been such an inspiration of God’s testimony of healing and miracles. It really made me really look at how much I believe God can perform miracles… do I truly believe He can do it or do I just pray and say I do?? He CAN and He DOES. I am continuing to pray for y’all and your adjustment to having her home and the hurdles she will face. God bless you all!!!
What a privilege to pray for Baby Arabella! Watching Facebook and expecting the worst was horrifying, but watching you and your family’s faith through this dark tunnel of life was impressive. Praise God!
I’m so happy for you. My siblings have lost several babies and then have had some miracle babies. Your story reminded me so much of those times of prayer. I prayed for you and your little one and have been blessed by your insight along this journey.
With continued blessings and prayers,
Elizabeth W
Precious little miracle baby,
We pleaded with Jesus to heal your little body and allow your mommy and daddy to watch you grow. Always remember your faithful Father.
You are sooooooooo loved.
So thankful for this sweet gift God has given you, and so encouraged by God’s story of faithfulness in the life of your family!
Heather S
Jeff S
Emily K and baby Graycie
A mighty fortress is our God! You are loved and prayed for, sweet baby.