Praise Report for Emily Grace

This was shared by Brent and Loree last night. Praise God for this encouragement!! Continue to pray for this miracle, that we are beginning to see unfold!!!!

Psalm 146:1 "Praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD, O my soul."

 

 

Thank you, prayer warriors, for lifting our Emily Grace up to the LORD.  Here is an update from today's 28 week sonogram.

 

Praise the LORD slight movement was seen in her arms and fingers (not seen previously).

Praise the LORD she was in a new position today indicating body movement.  Previous sonograms all showed the exact same position.

Praise the LORD the doctor was able to identify fingers and toes (she has club hands & feet) and could even count her ten fingers.

Praise the LORD fluid level in the womb is well within normal limits.  The doctor no longer expects a premature delivery.

Praise the LORD her lungs appear to be developing normally suggesting increased likelihood of survival at birth.

 

Please continue to pray for Emily's joints to function and for her muscles to develop.  We will continue to keep you posted.

 

Love,

Brent and Loree

Prayers for Emily Grace

    Dear Friends, Some of you already know and having been praying with us for Andy's sister, Loree. Several weeks ago, Loree's unborn baby was diagnosed at 18 weeks with a severe birth defect. Loree is an amazing and strong woman of God and she and her husband Brent, are an extraordinary testimony to God's provision and mercy through this most difficult time. Here is the email they shared, asking for continued prayer in these specific areas. Please continue to lift Loree, Brent, their children Christopher, Matthew, Rachel and soon to be Emily Grace up in prayer. 

Dear Friends and Family:

 

We want all of you to know that we are expecting a new baby girl this summer!  She is 25 weeks along now.

 

 

Her name is Emily Grace.

 

2 Corinthians 2:9 says:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

We have been clinging to this verse since our 18 week sonogram showed our baby girl has a severe birth defect.  She has a condition called arthrogryposis.  It is a rare problem with joint and muscle development that limits function of arms, legs, hands, feet, and possibly spine and jaw.  It is sometimes fatal in infancy but therapy starting immediately after birth will improve her ability to function.  Severity and success of treatment varies greatly in those with this condition.  Three sonogram reports show that Emily's case may be severe.  Brain function is usually normal.

Here is how you can pray:

• Praise God the Creator of heaven and earth (Psalm 148); all good and perfect gifts are from the Father (James 1:17)
• Praise God for His amazing love, mercy and grace that allowed His Son to die so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16)
• Praise God for His Word that lights our dark path (Psalm 119:105)
• Praise God for so many of you who have already wrapped your loving arms and prayers around us
• Praise God that Emily's spine appears normal, she is currently on track for gestational growth, the fluid level in the womb is measuring normal suggesting a possibility of appropriate swallowing, all organs appear to be normal, she is showing some movement at the shoulders and hips (Psalm 139)
• Praise God that there is a highly respected orthopedic pediatrician within minutes of our home
• Please pray for the Lord to completely heal Emily's joints and muscles
• Please pray that Emily would feel loved and that the Lord would use her life for His glory (Romans 8:28-30)
• Please pray that our family would continue to know the Joy of the Lord
• Please pray for the Holy Spirit to cause us to move beyond our grief and put our complete hope and trust in Him (Psalm 30)
• Please pray for the return of our Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20) when there will be no more mourning (Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 65:20-24)

Thank you so much for your prayers.  Prayer is the best thing you can do for us (Philippians 4:4-7).  We will keep you posted (expecting delivery around late July/early August).  We know that all good things are from the Lord so as the blessings flow we will give all praise to Him.  Please feel free to pass this e-mail along to anyone you know who is willing to pray for our family.  We love you all.

In Christ,

Brent and Loree

(with Christopher, Rachel, Matthew, and Emily)

Todays Quiet Time II

    Teaching on Judas Sunday, made me realize two things really clearly. One, Judas' sin cost Christ His life. So did mine. Judas is the most hated man in Christianity because he succumbed to the sins that we are all capable of. He may have had a direct hand in shedding Christ blood, but even if he hadn't, it still would have been required just to cover my sin. I know, right? It's a little early to choke that down. Second, Christ loved Judas no more or less than He loves me or you. Christ extends the same gentle mercy to me, as He extended to the man who betrayed Him for a fistful of coins.
    Embarrassingly, this week has required no where near the self-control and obedience Christ showed. And yet, I struggled with it as though it did. I was just dealing with the normal "Should I? Shouldn't I's?" There's no Judas in my story, I have been wrestling myself for three days. Weird mental image, I know. This week, I have really been  struggling to rest in the promises of God. I have been faithfully praying over a few areas and each time He faithfully answers. I get so excited that I've heard from the Lord and it lifts my spirits and gives me such rest......for 15 minutes. And then, I find myself wringing my hands all over again, all worked up over what I should or shouldn't do. When I know good and well, I SHOULDN'T BE DOING ANYTHING. I should be waiting and watching for Him to do the doing. Make sense?
   Ever been in situation where doing the "right" thing is directly disobedient to what God has called you to do? Even though it makes sense and it oozes character, it's not what the Lord wants from me right now. Man, I have tossed and turned over this one. I knew at 10 PM I was never going to sleep. I tried to just lay there still, hoping the Holy Spirit would just save me the time and speak audibly. But, alas nay. I got up about 4 AM, as lunatics often do, and crept into the kitchen to dig it out for myself. 
    And, big reveal.........here was one of my quiet times.
 "Come to me with your plans held in abeyance. Worship me in spirit and in truth, allowing My Glory to permeate your entire being. Trust me enough to let me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing. Subordinate your myriad plans to My Master Plan. I AM sovereign over every aspect of your life!
   The challenge continually before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day. Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts your thoughts."


Isaiah 55:8-9   For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways. And my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 


Yes, Lord. Even I understand that. 


Another, favorite devotional led me to this passage today. 
Deuteronomy 4:2-4 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God, that I give you. You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal of Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed Baal of Peor, but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.


   Before I explain the text,  I read this immediately after Isaiah. It's sub heading is "Obedience Commanded." Thank You Lord, for not giving me a single minute to question Your ways, before commanding my obedience. He is making it as remedial as possible for me, friends.
   Just prior to this God has told Moses that he will be forbidden to cross the Jordan into the promised land. Moses' offense was disobedience. During the wandering in the desert, the Israelites daily struggled with adhering to God's law and not being influenced by the pagan religions surrounding them. Baal Peor is a reference to Numbers where the Israelites have disobeyed Moses and God's law and began worshipping an idol. 24,000 were killed because of it and only those who remained faithfully to the law were spared. 


  To wrap this up neatly....You have Judas, whose idolatry was his own selfish ambition and desire. It kept him from Christ and heaven. Christ models immeasurable obedience and self-control by continuing to love Judas through even betrayal. As I battled my inability to trust God's leading, my inability to obey and use self-control; what I was battling was my own selfish desires. Even though, the actions I would prefer may be "right" they would have disobeyed what I knew God was calling me to do. Wait, trust, obey. His ways are higher than my ways, I don't understand what He is working out our how He is doing it. But, He reminds me again to obey. Not just reminds but commands my obedience as He did from the Israelites. His reward for those who did, they were spared and able to grow deeper in God. "All of you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today."
So here is your verse for today:
Deuteronomy 12:32
See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.


Done.