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.
Praise our Lord for holding you all so close during this time and continuing to strengthen and guide. You are an amazing blessing to us all.
What a true show of faith and desire to trust in God all the way, all the time. God is good.
Lindsey M. from Amory, Mississippi
Dearest Bella!
What a beautiful gift straight from God’s hands that you are! Your glorious picture after first being born with your arms outstretched is saved on my phone as a reminder that God does still perform miracles every day. Thank you for making me a better mom by holding by 2 boys a little tighter, having more patience and taking in their every smell, word, song and BREATH! You are a blessed little girl to have such amazing parents and big sis! Once things calm down, your Mommy really needs to put her story and yours into a book! She is so prolific in her writings! Prayers, love, joy and best wishes to you all!
Your friend Bethany Beams posted about you, and your family has been in my heart ever since. At first, I couldn’t even click through to read a whole post. I was so sad for you. But then I couldn’t stop thinking about you and Bella. I believe she is a miracle, and I can’t explain how happy I am for your family. I include you and Bella in my prayers.
Rebekah D.
Dear Kat and Jeff,
We are a Bible Study group that meets in Michigan. When Kasey J. shared your situation, we began praying specifically that God would grow a rib cage and lungs big enough to sustain life and we put your precious family on our weekly prayer email list. We watched from afar, then prayed and waited as induction began. The news of Bella was pure joy and amazement as we had “witnessed” a miracle! You thank people who prayed, but we thank you for reminding us of God’s sufficiency that we need to cling to as some of us carry very heavy, seemingly unending, burdens. It has been a privilege to be invited into your pain, valley, and triumph as your greatest desire is to honor the Lord. Give Bella a hug for us.
g.miner
Each time I woke at night to feed my own wee baby girl, I would rock her, shed tears as I thought of you (both), and pray for the same midnight communions to be a reality for the two of you.
Jeff H.
Susan H.
Emma H.
Elliott H.
Emma (4) and Elliott (3) have been praying for “Baby Arabella” for months. They have been rejoicing with us upon the arrival of your miracle! Love, The Hemingers
Your neighbors Brenda and Spencer T.
Lisa and Darin W.
I heard about little Bella through a former coworker, whose SIL is good friends with you a week before Bella was born. I couldn’t help but cry and ask God for his mercy for Bella as I held my two week old. I read through your past blogs to understand your situation more and to know how to pray. Through your blogs, I saw your faith, your hope, your trust in the Lord. As a sister in Christ, I was drawn in even more, but reminded that even in what seems like a hopeless situation, we need to trust that His provisions are exactly what we need. We celebrated with you in the birth of Bella with tears of joy and praise of our amazing God. Enjoy your beautiful family!
My Sunday School class and church choir in Weatherford, Texas prayed for your family. Also, at least one member of my class, Ronny M., took that prayer request to another prayer group of which he is a member.
They have all been told the news of Bella’s safe arrival and the grace of her great God.
–Kerry J.
Laura R
Isaiah R
Jeremy R
Elyana R
Claire P
Lisa H.
Every since I heard your story from a friend of mine, I have been prompted to pray for you and your precious little Aribella Grace. What a precious miracle she is. God has already used her in a mighty way to further His kingdom and will continue to use her to reach others for Christ… Wow!! We will continue to pray for you and your family?
I heard about your story from your former classmate Ben. Still praying for your family.
Des & Cheryl L.
So privileged to have prayed for Arabella and will continue to do so!!
I prayed for your sweet girl and the whole family. My daughter (also named Eliana) was diagnosed with a severe brain malformation at 17 weeks inutero. Thankfully our doctors told us “we don’t know” when many families with the same diagnosis were told it was lethal. When I read your story through a friend of a friend, etc. my heart went out to you as a mother. I couldn’t stop thinking of you and checking your blog. I was so happy to read that she was breathing. I can’t wait to hear the rest of her story.
Kelli H.
I’m so thrilled and grateful that your little one entered this world with a shout of triumph. I prayed on bended knee for her safety, for yours and for the strength to cope with whatever came that day. Having just had a baby myself 3 months ago my prayers were that much more fervent. My heart is full and my cup runneth over. God bless you little Arabella and your family who showed such faith in the face of devastating certainty. God is in control. He always has been. You are most fearfully and wonderfully made and I know that you will get through any challenges ahead. All my love and continued prayers–Kelli Hunter
Susan Z
Erik Z
Amy C
Cam C
Amy C. Love you guys and am so grateful for what God has done and is doing through your family.
Allie T.
I heard about Bella’s story from a friend on Facebook, I didn’t think it would affect me in the way it did, I hope to someday meet this little girl 🙂
Andrea E.
Our family has also been praying for your family and little Arabella. It is absolutely amazing what the power of prayer can do! It is also absolutely amazing how much our God cares for our needs even when we feel exhausted (Is. 40:28-29). Thank you for sharing your story and your faith! We have been touched and we will continue to pray and celebrate with you!
Heather R
I have been deeply moved with hope in seeing our great God’s power. Thank you!
I prayed! I’ve been following your journey since Bethany Beams posted. What ab amazing testimony and thank you for sharing. – Bethany Johnson (formerly Bethany Veerman – I think you were on my sister floor in Fisher?)
Cassi L.
Rebecca Y.
Brooke A.
Hi Katherine,
I knew you through ELIC trainings, back in the day, and learned of your story through Amy Young & Katie Spohr. I’m 21weeks pregnant with my first child, & have been praying for your Bella as I’m feeling my own son grow. I’m amazed at all God has done and am blessed by your testimony of His power. Love, Brooke Arkills (used to be Caldwell)
Been so blessed by you sharing your faith and this story!
You were prayed for each day as an ELIC alumna. What a joy to learn of how the Lord answered!
Kathryn S.
Donna C
I can’t say enough what a blessing your story has been to me. As I prayed for all of you and little Arabella you ministered back to me 100 fold. You kept me focused on our Jesus when it seemed like I couldn’t see any light at all. God’s richest blessing on you all and thanks for sharing your faith and your story. (Ontario, Canada)
I am so overwhelmed by God’s goodness! Your (Arabella’s) story proclaims HIS presence! I have goosebumps and a overflowing heart!
Ashley and Tim M. from Indiana.
Wande S.
I heard of your story through Stephanie at NiHao Y’all, your writing is inspired and as a mom your situation broke my heart- I have been praying (and weeping) for you and your daughter and family from Northern Alberta. I have rejoiced at the news of your beautiful miracle and am in awe of the way He uses the hardest parts of our lives to shine His glory for all to see, thank you for being so transparent and authentic.
Trina S
We have been praying!
Tom J.
Christine J.
Austin J.
Andrew J.
College Park Sunday School Class, Indianapolis, IN
Your faith and strength amaze me. I look forward to reading as your miraculous story continues! 🙂
We have been praying for you throughout this entire process, and we rejoice in God’s incredible answer to prayer by giving you the gift of Bella’s life!
I have the privilege of working with your mom as one of the counselors in the office. David is the Sunday school teacher for the ABF class your Mom attends. There are over 150 people on our class roster that have been regularly lifting you up in prayer! What a joy it has been to be a part of your prayer support team! May the Lord’s name continue to be made great through the testimony of your beautiful family!
In Him,
Lori, David, Jenna, and Josiah
Hoffeditz
For this child we prayed…
From Barbara Brandt’s Sunday school class
Cherie C.
Praising God for your miracle! I have worked with Katherine’s Mom for over 15 years. God’s answers to prayer have been truly amazing to see. God bless you all!
What a blessing from heaven! How blessed Arabella is to be born into a loving Christian home.
I am a Stephen Minister who served with Grandmother Barbara at Church at the Crossing… and who was thrilled to be able to help Barbara when she moved into her present house. Also, my wife Star and I, were present when you shared your testimony at a S.M. meeting in your home several years ago.
We will be anxious to read updates of your family and Arabella’s progress in the days ahead.
Thank you for sharing so beautifully of your experience so far.
Trevor E.
Karen E.
We are in Bella’s Grandmother’s small group. We are humbled by God’s goodness and grace in Bella’s story. We will continue to pray God uses her in mighty ways.
Psalms 139 verse 14 tells us that Bella is fearfully and wonderfully made. Our Lord’s works are wonderful and vese 16 tells us that all the days ordained for her were written in our Lord’s book before one of them came to be. How precious Bella is to our Lord.
Our love and prayers are with you all,
Tammy and Jon Lieberman
Brooke M (Hope it’s not too late!)
Sweet Baby Arabella and Dear Family,
May Christ’s peace be with you and glory be made through you, thank you for sharing this journey!
Thank you for sharing Arabella’s so beautifully and openly.
Erin W.
Stories of faith and God’s provision bless God’s people wherever they are and we who are distant and even unknown to you rejoice in your loving sharing of your incredible story. May He continue to do miracles in your little family’s life! Ellie T.
I love this little one that I’ve prayed for so earnestly and yet I’ve never met. I am a friend and neighbor Arabella’s grandma, Barbara. God bless you ALL as you continue to see God’s hand in Arabella’s life. By the way . . . I LOVE her name!
Praising the Lord for Arabella! Healthy baby! Morrie and Nancy Adams we know Barbara from our small group.
I have been praying for you guys, and I got a couple people from my church to pray for you guys too!
Madeline M.