The site has two purposes: to tell the story of a little baby and her journey through the last 20 weeks of her gestation and to serve as a request for prayers. We know this may seem like a private matter made very public, but we would rather sacrifice a little privacy for the sake of asking your prayers for “grace. . . in time of need”–whether you know us or not.
We are so thankful for your prayers. . .
- That she'd be weaned from the ventilator soon, and fatten up for the surgery on her VSD
- For Bella's mommy and daddy and all their anxieties arising from all the unknowns related to her condition and long-term prognosis
- for wisdom for the doctors and us about when to schedule the c-section; her gestational age being in question makes it tricky since she needs to be in Mommy as long as possible... but leaving her in too long can be risky with all the amniotic fluid ANSWERED.
- that the mass would STOP growing ANSWERED.
-that the mass would shrink ANSWERED.
- that the pockets of fluid (hydrops) that put strain on the heart would not form ANSWERED.
- that a spot would open up for us and the kids at Ronald McDonald house (we are on the waiting list) or lodging of another sort would be found in Houston ANSWERED.
-that she would continue to grow physically, and outgrow the mass ANSWERED
- that surgery in-utero would not be called for to save Bella's life ANSWERED.
-that the hole in her heart would close while still in the womb
-that her stomach would grow adequately to accommodate the flow of fluid through her system so as to not cause a backup of amniotic fluid ANSWERED.
-that our hearts would be resolved with whatever God chooses for Bella
-that she would remain safely inside of Mommy until full term so her lungs and heart can develop ANSWERED.
-that the amniotic fluid would not get too high (this could trigger pre-term labor) ANSWERED.
-please go this link to meet our doctors and see a video of this surgery click here
-we plead with you as you pray for our little girl, that you would send this website to all you know who pray... we are asking because we need people praying her safely in from all over the country and even the world. (see under prayers and postcards)
keep in touch
email us if you'd like to receive updates and prayer requests for Bella
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- homage
- Grateful for her beauty
- a hopelessly inadequate thank you
- words to take with you
- she’s gone on ahead
- miracle and mystery
- through a glass darkly, now (at last) face-to-face
- Grand Opening Announced
- art imitating life
- She’s ready for her close-up, Mr. DeMille
- fat and happy
- fluid, fluid everywhere. . .
- West or East? North or South?
- long day of tests
- encouraged holding-pattern
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August 25, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Gail Keene
I’m a member of PCPC and you don’t know me but my thoughts and prayers are with your family and baby Bella at this time. I of course pray that God will stop the mass from growing and save your precious baby from surgery and that He will give you strength and wisdom to deal with the days to come.
God bless you and your family,
the Keenes
August 27, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Kimberly (Bartlett) McLaughlin
We’re praying with you and for your family. Our 4 are praying too – Aaron,Mark ,Hannah, & Caleb (only 5 mo) are on this journey too. They understand the power of being a sibling and waiting for God to reveal His purposes. (ok, maybe not all in THOSE words)
May God have His Glory Today and Forever. Blessings, Kimberly & Craig
August 30, 2007 at 10:18 am
Richard Goodrich
Patrick, we have only met a few times and yet I can pray for you as if you were my own son. Perhaps it is because my own son is training at WTS to be a pastor/missionary that I seem to have this “fatherly” bond with young pastors, interns and students. Theologically you have been taught all the right thinks to think, but sometimes our hearts betray us. I know for those who are called to be holy, scripture has promised some suffering. It is never easy and I want to along with many others carry some of that burder in prayer to Our totally Sovereign, Wise, and Loving God for your Good and His Glory! Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.