Maddie

One of my friend's from Washington called me awhile back and told me about her friend's daughter, Maddie. Maddie is 9 months old and has cancer. She's been fighting it for 7 months and the treatment they had been doing is no longer fighting the disease. She is having a bone marrow test done today and the results will tell the liklihood of if Maddie can continue fighting this. The next option would be a bone marrow transplant, but again...this test will determine if that will be a possibility.

I'm asking everyone who reads this post to pray for Maddie right this minute...and every time you think of her and her family. Tell your friends and family to pray as well--when I say beat down the doors of heaven, I'm speaking literally...they won't have the results until Tuesday...so also pray for peace in the meantime.

I'm not a patient person...I can't even imagine what they are feeling...I know I say that with every posts...but it's true. Pray pray pray...

Isaac

I read a blog called 'He Will Carry Me'...Stacy and Spencer-- are pregnant with their son who has been diagnosed with some serious medical conditions--the doctors have advised that more than likely Isaac will not live outside the womb, and if he does his time will be limited.

I had initially been drawn to their story because Isaac had been diagnosed with a cystic hygroma which is what Hayden had been diagnosed with when we were pregnant with him. Isaac has other conditions too...but that does not change the fact that God is bigger than all of this. I'm just asking for everyone to pray for Isaac, for a miracle. There is one doctor Stacy has seen who has out right questioned there reasoning for continuing the pregnancy instead of choosing termination. He said that out of all the high risk pregnancies with prognosis similar to hers, only 3 people have chosen not to terminate--now 4 with her and Spencer. 4 people...so I'm also asking for everyone who's reading this to beat down the doors of heaven regarding these doctors that doubt...help them to have compassion and to remind them that they are talking about parent's children...not a fetus or a medical statistic...but a baby. I can understand their doubt, they are doctors that go by facts and science...but our God does not work on either of those terms...I cannot understand the lack of decency to show respect and compassion on their part.

James and I had also been advised to terminate. The day we found out about everything with Hayden, our neonatalist said these words..."Nothing good would come of this pregnancy"...nothing good. To this day, when I think about this...I cry. So much good has come from that pregnancy...not only that we were given our son, but by strengthening our faith as well...and now this foundation, God is still making good come from our experience that happened while I was pregnant with our son more than 7 years ago...it's never ending...and I think as long as we are here on earth He will continue to do good thru what we have been given.

Please pray...

Molly Update...

***This is an email I had received from Briana (Molly's Mom)....it looks like she's improving, but it doesn't appear if the doctor's prognosis has changed...again, we know our God is so much bigger than anything a doctor can say...so I'm praying this is His sign he's preparing a miracle for Molly...please keep praying for this precious family****

Molly Kathryn Mueller is still holding her own, and fairly well, I might add. She is now 3 weeks old (yesterday). She's up to 2 lbs., 10.4 oz., and we are thrilled with her weight gain. We plan on throwing a party when she gets to 3 lbs.! She is eating 22 ml of milk every three hours now. Because of how fast she was able to increase her feedings, she has been weaned off of her IV fluids. We were thrilled to see her left hand and forearm without an IV...so cute!! And we're thankful that she is tolerating her feedings well enough to get rid of the extra fluids.
Molly loves her pacifier, so they've started dipping it in her milk while she is getting her feeding (through her feeding tube). It's so cute--she totally loves that milk directly in her mouth!! She goes to town on her paci--fast enough that it squeaks. They gave her 3 ml from a bottle the other night, and she did well. Food is not an issue for her, which means she fits right into this family. :-)
Two days ago, we met with an occupational therapist and learned how to do preemie infant massage, and Molly seemed to enjoy it. She was calm while I worked on her head, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. The OT did a great job of encouraging and teaching. It was a neat experience. The point of this is to teach preemies positive touch. A lot of times, the touches that preemies feel are when the nurses are sticking them for blood, putting in IV lines, etc., so touch isn't always a good thing in their experience. Besides being held, infant massage is a good way to introduce positive touch. I'm pretty sure she loved it because she was relaxed and sleepy all afternoon.
We helped give Molly a head-to-toe bath the other night, including washing her wild, dark hair. She did great, didn't cry or anything. They bring a scale in and cover it with a blanket. They put little Molly on there--she looks super-teeny with nothing on--and weigh her. Then, we get a tub of warm water and washcloths and slowly and gently get her clean. She was wide awake, just looking up at us with her big dark-blue eyes.
Molly's oxygen saturation level has been pretty good...there have been some "episodes" where she gets down too low and the nurses have to turn up her oxygen intake. These are so scary...of course, the monitor goes off and makes a horrible beep, and you can tell that she has to work harder to breathe. She usually recovers quickly, and sometimes even before the nurse can come in to turn up her air...then we sigh in relief and get our own breathing back to normal.
They are still trying to get Molly used to keeping herself warm enough for an open crib. Right now, her Isolette/incubator is set on 28.5 degrees C...to put it in perspective, an open crib would usually be 26 to 27 degrees C, so she's not requiring much help at all. They are hopeful that she will get a crib soon. That would be so nice, but I know it's important to keep her warm, so we'll see how she does.
We are still spending most of the day with her. I'm usually there around 9 in the morning and stay for the "work day" until 5:30 or 6 or so. Garrick is back to work, though they are trying hard to be flexible. He is able to break away for longer lunch hours and/or sometimes leaves a bit early in the afternoons to be with Molly. Grandparents are helping us "babysit" some mornings and also in the evenings, which has been such a huge help. We get to hold her just about all we want now since her body temp. is better...we just have to keep her swaddled in blankets.
I know all of this sounds so good, and it is. We are so proud of our little fighter--she is a joy!! The hard part still remains that there is no way to know how long Molly will be with us. Each day we come away feeling so positive--that's just what Molly does to you--she is a little bundle of hope wrapped up in a less than 3-lb. package. Every day is a gift, just like she is, and we enjoy it to the fullest.
Continue to pray for our strength--we are both admittedly exhausted in about every way possible (but Molly is worth it!). And, of course, continue to pray for Molly and her health. We can't thank you all enough for your support.
Again, give me a few days to get the blog updated, then feel free to check it any time.
We love you all,
Briana, Garrick, and Molly

Little Molly

I had posted regarding Molly Mueller earlier this month...here is a picture her mom sent this weekend.

The prognosis from the doctors has not changed, they are saying time is limited...I just ask for ya'll to continue to pray for Brianna, Garrick and of course sweet little Molly.

Lillian Craig

My sister-in-law, Kristin, called me today and told me that their previous neighbors had a little girl. Lillian, who passed away on August 12th from leaukemia. Lillian was 2 1/2 years old and had battled the disease for 4 months. Although, we as christians know she is no longer in pain, right now her parents are going thru the unimaginable.

I'm asking that you will all pray along with us for this family...pray for peace and comfort. Her parents names are James and Autumn Craig...they also have a son James, Jr.

What about this mission statement?

Okay, what do you think of this one instead of the previous one for a mission statement. (By the way, these are not rhetorical questions...I value feedback!!) :)

To show the love of Christ thru a common bond shared between mothers …committed to offering friendship, encouragement and assistance as we walk with them through the valleys of fear and uncertainty.

God does not call us to do anything unless it's just beyond our own ability...

I'm starting to think this project is not just beyond my own ability, but way out of my league! :) But that's okay, because I'm not the pilot...

A couple of things I found out...

It will probably be next year before we get statused as a 501(c)3 non profit organization. I don't really view this as a set back because that had been my timeline from the beginning. Once I found that site for Center For Nonprofits I was thinking that we might get it done in a more timely fashion. There is also a grant program each year at LifeWay that I was hoping to apply for, but you are required to have the 501(c)3. So, next year I will also be going after funding. (Actually, my post title came from the person heading up the grant at LifeWay...and just a note this grant is funded from employees that contribute to it...not from the company itself. I don't want anyone to get any ideas of improper use of funds since LifeWay had a large number of layoffs recently).

I'm a goal maker...so this is what I've set my next goal at...

I need to sell 50 Faith, Hope and Love bracelets in order to cover the cost for the fees associated with gaining a non-profit status. 50 Bracelets...check out the iMage Jewelry link on the right hand side for a picture of the bracelet as well as other jewelry that I create.

Here's another step I've taken to subsidize the foundation...50% of all of iMage Jewelry sales profit will go to fund TCB. Please pray about this as well...there are some steps that need to be taken, like launching an actual website (not just a blog site) for my business, creating a catalog, hosting home parties. (If you live in the Nashville area and want to sign up to host a home show email me at imagejewelry@hotmail.com). All of this takes money as well...it's true when they say you have to spend money to make money...and in order to give money you have to make money! It's the endless cycle. :)

Thanks again for your support, I can't tell you how much you all mean to me!

Breakthroughs...

I feel like I made a breakthrough yesterday...a breakthrough of myself. I love the book, "Cure for the Common Life" by Max Lucado. God has used this book to change my life and how I go about "doing" life. I've read it several times, but last night I picked it up and thumbed thru it...I landed at Chapter 6...Take Big Risks for God...

It's amazing how God uses things to hit me square between the eyes. This chapter was talking about the parable of the master giving the talents to the servants...and how two of the three servants was a good steward of those talents...but the last servant did nothing. Well, I've heard this story for years--back when I was a child--but the light went on last night while reading this chapter. The sin of the servant was that He DID NOTHING...nothing with what the master had given him. NOT ONE THING. I hate to admit it but I've been that servant...for years that's been me. I'VE DONE NOTHING. But in the last few months, I've been convicted of this...I've felt a burden that we are all given gifts (I know I've talked about it a lot) and we are to use those not just for ourselves...but for God's glory. With this project I'll admit I feel so overwhelmed and not prepared for what I feel like God is leading me to do...I've been scared to death...I've been scared because I want so much for this to reach people and touch their lives...but do you see the problem here? Even though what I want is good, it's about me and what I WANT...MY EXPECTATIONS...when the master praised the servants, he said "Well done my good and faithful servant" I'm taking this from Max's words (yes, I'm on a first name basis :0) joking)...he didn't say, "Well done my good and flashy servant"...he didn't say "Well done my good and famous servant"...he didn't even say "Well done my good and FRUITFUL servant"...just good and FAITHFUL servant. Right now I'm doing pretty good with being faithful in this...but I can guarantee you that in 30 minutes I'll be on my knees praying for faith. These waves are big, but God is bigger...and I just want to be able to stand before Him and here Him say that I was faithful in the talents He gave. I just want to be available in whatever way He has planned...I guess bottom line for that is that I need to get out of the way of myself.

I know I just preached a sermon...I apologize, but I feel so convicted of this and I hope it has, if anything, stirred up in your own hearts what talents you've been given and how are you using those? I highly recommend the book "Cure for the Common Life"...it's an excellent resource if you're trying to figure out what God wants to do with you!

By the way, I've found a company here in Nashville that assists non-profits with start ups. I have my list and step by step things are getting checked off. Let me just say there are lots of paperwork involved! But I feel good that we're heading in the right direction. Please keep praying and if you want to be involved jet me an email!

Talk to ya'll later.

Molly

I want to ask for everyone to pray for this family--Briana and Garrick Mueller. On July 30th, their daughter Molly was born prematurely. The doctors diagnosed her yesterday with Trisomy 18 and they are saying she is "incompatible with life". They have told Briana and Garrick to enjoy the next couple of days with their daughter because that is probably all of the time they will have with her here. First and foremost, we know that God is bigger than this diaganosis...but we also know at times it is His will not to intervene in the way that we would choose. So, while we pray for a miracle...please also pray for peace and comfort for this family. At what should be one of your most joyous occasions, is now one of the most painful.
I will keep you posted on any news I receive.