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.
Arabella is a beautiful Gift. I prayed for her and all of you. I will continue in prayers . I have shared her life with many others. Giving them hope and the wonders of birth and Life. God bless you all.
It is such a privilege to be able to partner in prayer, witness your story and celebrate the absolute joy of your birth! Amazing, amazing grace.
Arabella, what a beautiful name! Lord, Jesus Christ, what an even sweeter name! Thank you Lord Jesus for giving us the beautiful story of Arabella and thank you for allowing me to learn of her just 10 days ago. Thank You for the miraculous work you are doing in her life already and the work You continue to do within her and her family. Continued prayers sweet Arabella! Continued praise Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Shelley K
I only came across your story days before you went into labor. A friend of mine had posted a link and that afternoon I found myself caught up in reading many of the words you had blogged in the last few months. My heart hurt at the heartache I knew you were feeling at the possible sad outcome the doctors had given for your sweet baby, but I loved loved how and your husband did not accept that as certain but knew that our God is One of the Impossible and asked people to intercede for your family. God has worked an impossible in our family as well when we had a doctor give me a death sentence and now 7 years later I am completely well and whole. There’s much more to that story, but I only mention it to say that when you said you two were still shaking your heads from the shcok of it I can definitely relate. I prayed for your sweet baby and celebrate with you and your family the miracle that God has given you. We serve such an amazing wonderful God…to God be the glory GREAT things He has done!!
Martha-Marie Smith
Kelly B.
I don’t know you but Tanya E. asked for prayer for you on Facebook and as a mother myself, it was the least I could do. So happy to be a very small part of this miracle and to witness God’s mercy especially to you, Arabella’s mother.
Carmen H.
Traudi H.
Walter H.
Thank you for sharing your story and allowing so many of us to watch this miracle unfold. Your blog came up on my Facebook feed because I’m friends with Kasey. It was an amazing experience to pray for you these past few months and see God work in such a mighty way. Our God is so good!
Jesus made your momma brave enough to open up her heart and put her thoughts down into words so that we could all rejoice at His beauty in you, little girl. God is so, so good. All the time. No matter what. We praise Him in the dark and we praise Him in the light and miracle of you! He is so tender – may you reflect that tenderness as you grow and fight and push through the soil of this world. May your weaknesses and your momma’s struggles shine His gentle, constant strength that the world may indeed say, “There is a Father who loves truest.”
Melynda D
Derek D
All of New Life Pentecostal Church in Tucson, AZ
A bunch of my fb friends and family
I’m so grateful a friend posted your story on FB. I loved the miracle throughout. The miracle as you prepared to surrender the thing you wanted most to a faithful and loving GOD. The earnestness and honesty yielding to the unknown. And then as ppl from all over were drawn to pray for your little one and your family, God revealed Himself in the miracle of Arabella and her healthy little life. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to be a small part. I for one, feel like this was water to the soul. We REJOICE with you! Peggy C
Sue S.
We are so thankful that God had different plans for you!!
What an amazing example of the power of faith and prayer. Thank you Terese for allowing me to share in this miracle and add my prayers for tiny Arabella and her family.
Sara B.
I prayed for weeks that you would bring joy to your parents, now I pray great thanks that you have brought such joy to me as well.
Have loved reading the journey and seeing the miraculous answers to prayer. Only God sees the end from the beginning — so thankful we get to see glimpses along the way!
Valerie B.
Kelli N.
Praise the lord!
Randall S.
Mindi S.
Aubrey S.
Lincoln S.
Sawyer S.
We are in Barbara’s Sunday School iclass in Indy and are so blessed to see this miraculous answer to our prayers and so many others! Thank you for sharing this journey with those of us that will likely never meet you here on earth but have been strengthened and encouraged by Christ’s power in the life of your little girl. To Him be all the glory!!
Glory to God!
Janeane B
Jessica C.
Our God is the one and only ALMIGHTY, and he is in the business of miracles! Praise him, praise him, praise him!!!
Rejoicing with you at God’s mercy and glory shining in your lives!! Bella is absolutely beautiful, and a living testimony to God’s goodness! Thank you for allowing us to pray with you and for you.
Rejoicing with you in the gift of your precious girl and every day of life God gives.
Mitch D
Sarah D
Taylor D
Morgan D
Luke D
God is so good – ALL the time!!! Why are we surprised when He answers our prayers above all we can ask or think? We are friends of your mom from College Park Church and we have been praying since the first diagnosis. We prayed for God to show His power and grace through a miracle. What amazing plans does God have for Bella’s life?
I learned about you and your daughter through kasey Johnson. She is in our grace group and she asked us to pray for you very early on in your pregnancy. I prayed for you and your daughter and family. It is absolutely an amazing story! Especially in this day in age where abortion is rampant. I love that you carried your daughter in obedience to our lord and savior. That you love your daughter so much that you were willing to go through the heartbreak of losing her. Thank you for being so open and sharing your story!
Anna H.
Euchatastrophe!!!
Andrew and Jill S.
We are part of your mom’s small group back in Indy!
I cry every time I read your story–when it was seemingly hopeless and not that it’s FULL OF HOPE! Praise Jesus!
So thankful for your bundle of joy!
Just welcomed my second daughter a few weeks before you. I cannot imagine the rollercoaster you have been on. Saw a post of yours on Facebook and have been praying. What a blessing. Shared your story with my husband last night. He shook his head and smiled.
Prayers for continued blessings.
Kathy J – I prayed the Prayer of Protection for you and your family every time I thought of you. And I do believe in miracles!
Emily A
I’m Barbara’s neighbor and I’ve been following your story since early on when She shared with our bible study group. I have frequently prayed for all of you and am amazed at Gods works and the journey he has created for you. God Bless!
What a miracle, what a blessing. Your story was shared by a friend just days prior to delivery. Praising our Jehovah the Great Physician.
SH
K. Spohr. We will continue to lift her up in the coming days, weeks, and months. We can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned for her life!
You were meant to be a part of this world, Arabella, with your Mom, Dad, Eliana and all of those who are with you in spirit. God bless you — you very special child of God.
Ramona and John A.
I never expected to experience a miracle so perfect and so grand. The Lord has blessed us all by allowing witness to His wisdom and love.
Tracey P.
Joan A, Richard A
Continued prayers coming your way. Reading your blog throughout this journey has been such a blessing in my life. I am so inspired by your faith and trust in the Lord’s plan.
I rejoice with you in your miracle!
Sarah R.
i found out about you via stefsnie @ Nihaoyall and been following, praying and clapping for you ever since.
Lisa E. Florida
This is going to be one BIG tree =)
Word can’t express how delighted we are for your family. We will continue to pray for you. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Father and for being a conduit of His miracle. May the Spirit use this story to encourage many to be stronger in their faith, and cause many others to come to know the Father’s love for the first time!
Leslie S.
What a privilege to have heard and joined the many voices lifting you up. Continued prayers for your sweet girl.
God is good. All the time. God is good. Continued prayers for the entire family.
It is an honor to have prayed and continue to pray for your little miracle.
Jlynn T
I cannot read your posts without shedding tears–tears of joy for your sweet daughter and family.
Shirley H
Kat, I followed a link up from Amy Young’s blog (although I don’t know her personally) and have been praying and following your story since. I also spent some time in East Asia.
Rejoicing with you at Father’s work in your lives – blessed to witness the One who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine in action.
Blessings abundant,
Sarah W
God is so good.
Your story has touched my heart and I am so glad to see God restore your baby girl. I will continue to pray for her and what all she has in her future! Thank you for being a light for Jesus in this dark world!
My daughters and I have been praying for you and Arabella since I saw your story shared by NiHaoYall. We are now rejoicing in this miracle!
All things are possible when you serve a mighty and willing God! May he continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing your intimate story.
Krystal T