God is always speaking to us with a still small voice. Sometimes when you need it the most and you are begging for His infinite wisdom its louder and more audible. If we will just sit still and listen we will hear it. The world labels it a "conscience" but really it's the Holy Spirit.
God reminded me this morning, that I am hearing Him even though Satan has placed many doubts in my head that I am not. When I had some moments of doubt, He made me recall the voice that told me not to Stint or Shunt Elijah. Dr. G wanted to stint at first but then decided he wanted us to wait until we got to Cincy. I was so worried about Elijah's bladder. I just thought it might be best to go ahead and let him do it. Dr.G said that he understood my concern and agreed that something could happen to Elijah between the time and said he would Shunt if I wanted him to.
I can't help but think of what would have happened if I had not obeyed and let him go ahead and shunt. Dr. G had no idea that the uterine wall was separated and it could have been deadly for both of us. This only showed up on the MRI in Ohio. God's hand of protection has always been on us and will continue to be for the rest of our lives as long as we abide in Him and make Him our refuge. Oh, how HE loves us! Just thought someone may need to hear that. I also wanted to leave you with this great song and video that is an awesome picture of just how much God really does love us. I hope you will watch it. Much Love-Kelli
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Praying for our Ram
I guess today, I feel so much like Abraham did so long ago. How heart wrenching it had to have been to load up his fire wood and flint and walk 50-60 miles to Mount Moriah with such a heavy heart knowing what he was going to have to do. God had told him to sacrifice his own son Issac. Abraham proved that his love for God was even greater than the enormous love that he had for his only son whom he had prayed for for so long.
We arrived home late last night with Elijah in God's hands, right where he has always been. The doctors can do nothing for him. The separation in the lining of my uterus and the placenta previa has eliminated all options for them. The previa prevented them from doing the surgeries and the separation in the lining prevented them from shunting because of such a high risk of a pulmonary embolism for me. So they sent us home and told us to try and have as much of a normal pregnancy as possible until the time came for Elijah to be here. Any sign of bleeding or contractions would cause them to have to take the baby and do a complete hysterectomy. The doctors have given Elijah minutes to an hour to live after birth depending on when he is born. With nothing being able to be done they say he will have no lungs because there is no amniotic fluid from the blockage. They say he already has fatal kidney damage and his bladder is permanently nonfunctional.
I am reminded daily that we walk by faith and not by sight. I know that God loves me and is crying tears with me because this is not what he intended our lives to be like. I know this grieves His heart as much as it does mine. I will continue to focus my eyes on Jesus and not the circumstances. I know that this did not come from heaven because there is no sickness in heaven and God is a perfect God. I know this comes from a real enemy who is out to kill, steal and destroy my family and all those around us who love us. I refuse to let doubt, bitterness and anger enter my heart because I know that no matter what, Elijah will forever be my son.
I would like to have the attitude of Paul. He suffered so much for the cause of Christ. God never promised that this life would be perfect or easy. Paul said,
" To live is Christ and to die is gain." He didn't care if someone was about to cut off his head! He had the attitude of "Go ahead! I don't know which to choose!! Because if I live, I get to tell people about the love and saving grace of Jesus but if I die, I get to go where I want to be anyway!" Wow. My two friends Paula and Brooke reminded me yesterday that this is really Elijah's starting point. If he lives and God chooses to provide us with our "Ram"- a supernatural miracle, then what an incredible ministry he will have, already declaring the works of the Lord. But if he dies, he still LIVES! Because he will never have to live on an earth full of sickness, disease and all kinds of evil but will be able to live with his creator for eternity. And because my family has a personal friendship with Jesus, and accepted what Christ did for us on the cross, we will all be able to give Elijah a huge hug when we get there and hang with him on earth for 1000 years! What hope we have in Jesus.
I want you all to know that I am not giving up on this baby! Just as Abraham had the faith that God would provide a Ram and spare his son, I also have faith that God can provide a miracle for Elijah. He is still in the miracle business! I have seen them first hand all around me. And I will continue to pray that by the beatings Jesus took for us on His back, Elijah is healed in Jesus name. I would like to ask all of you to pray Psalm 91 for Elijah. Thank you all for your prayers and support and I thank God for all of you.
We arrived home late last night with Elijah in God's hands, right where he has always been. The doctors can do nothing for him. The separation in the lining of my uterus and the placenta previa has eliminated all options for them. The previa prevented them from doing the surgeries and the separation in the lining prevented them from shunting because of such a high risk of a pulmonary embolism for me. So they sent us home and told us to try and have as much of a normal pregnancy as possible until the time came for Elijah to be here. Any sign of bleeding or contractions would cause them to have to take the baby and do a complete hysterectomy. The doctors have given Elijah minutes to an hour to live after birth depending on when he is born. With nothing being able to be done they say he will have no lungs because there is no amniotic fluid from the blockage. They say he already has fatal kidney damage and his bladder is permanently nonfunctional.
I am reminded daily that we walk by faith and not by sight. I know that God loves me and is crying tears with me because this is not what he intended our lives to be like. I know this grieves His heart as much as it does mine. I will continue to focus my eyes on Jesus and not the circumstances. I know that this did not come from heaven because there is no sickness in heaven and God is a perfect God. I know this comes from a real enemy who is out to kill, steal and destroy my family and all those around us who love us. I refuse to let doubt, bitterness and anger enter my heart because I know that no matter what, Elijah will forever be my son.
I would like to have the attitude of Paul. He suffered so much for the cause of Christ. God never promised that this life would be perfect or easy. Paul said,
" To live is Christ and to die is gain." He didn't care if someone was about to cut off his head! He had the attitude of "Go ahead! I don't know which to choose!! Because if I live, I get to tell people about the love and saving grace of Jesus but if I die, I get to go where I want to be anyway!" Wow. My two friends Paula and Brooke reminded me yesterday that this is really Elijah's starting point. If he lives and God chooses to provide us with our "Ram"- a supernatural miracle, then what an incredible ministry he will have, already declaring the works of the Lord. But if he dies, he still LIVES! Because he will never have to live on an earth full of sickness, disease and all kinds of evil but will be able to live with his creator for eternity. And because my family has a personal friendship with Jesus, and accepted what Christ did for us on the cross, we will all be able to give Elijah a huge hug when we get there and hang with him on earth for 1000 years! What hope we have in Jesus.
I want you all to know that I am not giving up on this baby! Just as Abraham had the faith that God would provide a Ram and spare his son, I also have faith that God can provide a miracle for Elijah. He is still in the miracle business! I have seen them first hand all around me. And I will continue to pray that by the beatings Jesus took for us on His back, Elijah is healed in Jesus name. I would like to ask all of you to pray Psalm 91 for Elijah. Thank you all for your prayers and support and I thank God for all of you.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Update from Ohio
This is Kristi, Kelli's sister. I wanted to give everyone an update about what went on today!
Kelli and Les are now out of their meeting with the doctors.
They found out that baby Elijah now has a separated uterine wall, which was most likely due to the bladder tap done here. This will make it difficult for them to insert a shunt into his bladder if it does not heal quickly.
They have also found that Kelli now has what is called Complete Placenta Previa:If you have placenta previa, it means that your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix.
Because of this, the option for surgery is off the table, because it would be too dangerous for Kelli.
They have also found an extra fissure on baby Elijah's heart, but it doesn't seem to be an immediate concern for the doctors.
They could not locate Elijah's colon today either because of his enlarged bladder.
Kelli, Les and Baby Elijah have to stay in Cincinnati for another day of testing. She has to go through another MRI (which was the hardest test on Kelli), and perform another bladder tap and ultrasound. After that, they will have another meeting with the doctors to discuss their options.
Kelli asks that we continue to pray for complete healing for baby Elijah! We know that God was not surprised by the news that they received today, and that he is in full control! We wish that we could see the future, but we must trust that the Lord has a plan for this baby!!
Kelli also asks that we pray that her Placenta Previa is healed and that Elijah's separated unterine wall is healed so that he can receive these shunts!
Thank you so much for your prayers! I know that Kelli, Les, and Elijah can feel the Love of God on them at all times!
I will continue to keep you updated as I hear more.
Kelli and Les are now out of their meeting with the doctors.
They found out that baby Elijah now has a separated uterine wall, which was most likely due to the bladder tap done here. This will make it difficult for them to insert a shunt into his bladder if it does not heal quickly.
They have also found that Kelli now has what is called Complete Placenta Previa:If you have placenta previa, it means that your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix.
Because of this, the option for surgery is off the table, because it would be too dangerous for Kelli.
They have also found an extra fissure on baby Elijah's heart, but it doesn't seem to be an immediate concern for the doctors.
They could not locate Elijah's colon today either because of his enlarged bladder.
Kelli, Les and Baby Elijah have to stay in Cincinnati for another day of testing. She has to go through another MRI (which was the hardest test on Kelli), and perform another bladder tap and ultrasound. After that, they will have another meeting with the doctors to discuss their options.
Kelli asks that we continue to pray for complete healing for baby Elijah! We know that God was not surprised by the news that they received today, and that he is in full control! We wish that we could see the future, but we must trust that the Lord has a plan for this baby!!
Kelli also asks that we pray that her Placenta Previa is healed and that Elijah's separated unterine wall is healed so that he can receive these shunts!
Thank you so much for your prayers! I know that Kelli, Les, and Elijah can feel the Love of God on them at all times!
I will continue to keep you updated as I hear more.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
We are going to make it
Two of my sweet friends sent this to me at the same time this morning. Thought I would share it with you. It blessed me and reminded me that we are going to make it! I would love for you to watch it!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Stage is Set
Isaiah 43:1-3
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name and you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
when you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel.
Well, God has definitely set the stage for something supernatural. We just got our kidney results back and they were not good at all. The test conclude that Elijah has significant kidney damage and the odds are extremely high for him to go into renal failure in utero or at birth. However, after consultation between our high risk doctor and the doctors in Cincinnati they called us this afternoon and still want to see us up there for more tests. We will be having an MRI, another bladder tap and ultrasound and they will come to their own conclusions,give us options and their opinion on what we should do next.
Please continue to believe with us for God to heal Elijah and make him Whole in Jesus' name. We believe that Christ paid for his sickness and disease by the stripes he bore on His back and that we do not have to receive it. Until God shows us otherwise, we are still believing and still seeking and still asking. Please pray that the Doctors have wisdom and discernment as to how to handle our case. Please pray for my children that will be here, at our house, with family, that they will be comforted and protected during this trial. And Lastly please pray that ultimately, above all else God will be glorified.
We will let you know what news we receive there as soon as it is available to us.
Love to you all.
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name and you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
when you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel.
Well, God has definitely set the stage for something supernatural. We just got our kidney results back and they were not good at all. The test conclude that Elijah has significant kidney damage and the odds are extremely high for him to go into renal failure in utero or at birth. However, after consultation between our high risk doctor and the doctors in Cincinnati they called us this afternoon and still want to see us up there for more tests. We will be having an MRI, another bladder tap and ultrasound and they will come to their own conclusions,give us options and their opinion on what we should do next.
Please continue to believe with us for God to heal Elijah and make him Whole in Jesus' name. We believe that Christ paid for his sickness and disease by the stripes he bore on His back and that we do not have to receive it. Until God shows us otherwise, we are still believing and still seeking and still asking. Please pray that the Doctors have wisdom and discernment as to how to handle our case. Please pray for my children that will be here, at our house, with family, that they will be comforted and protected during this trial. And Lastly please pray that ultimately, above all else God will be glorified.
We will let you know what news we receive there as soon as it is available to us.
Love to you all.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Still no news!
We are waiting patiently with expectation! My Doctor cannot seem to get the doctors in Cincinnati to call him back to schedule an appointment with them. They seem to be waiting on the results from the Kidney test to even talk to us. I will admit, in the natural, and in my flesh, I am very frustrated knowing that every minute with no bladder relief cannot be good for Elijah, but still I know that faith is believing the things that are unseen rather than the things that are seen. God is working out His perfect will for this precious little boy! Please thank God and praise Him in advance for a speedy and perfect test result to come back!
I have been reminded all day of Jeremiah 29:11 from many people and from the Lord himself that " He has a plan and a purpose for Elijah, Plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him a hope and a future."
Will let you know as soon as we hear something!
I have been reminded all day of Jeremiah 29:11 from many people and from the Lord himself that " He has a plan and a purpose for Elijah, Plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him a hope and a future."
Will let you know as soon as we hear something!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
A New Week
I went to the Riverchase Campus at Church of the Highlands this morning and Pastor Blake's worship set put me right where I needed to be with the Spirit of God. God will be glorified in all of this and I choose to praise Him no matter what. I was reminded again, that Elijah belongs to Him and that He has chosen us to be Elijah's parents for a very special reason. To God alone be the Glory.
I will let you all know as soon as we hear something else from the Doctors! Thank you all for your prayers. Here is another song that has blessed me this weekend! It's great. Love you all.
I will let you all know as soon as we hear something else from the Doctors! Thank you all for your prayers. Here is another song that has blessed me this weekend! It's great. Love you all.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Update from our appointment today
I am so thankful that God's mercies are new every morning. Our friend Heather posted this verse on my wall this morning
Because of the LORD's great love you are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
and then our sweet friends Jennifer and Chad brought us a super yummy goodie basket for our trip to Ohio and it it was a mug that said, Morning, By Morning New Mercies I see!!"
I honestly don't know where I would be right now if he didn't renew my strength everyday. Thank you to all of you have been praying and supporting us through this great test and trial. I am only excited to see what God has in store for us and sweet Elijah!
Isaiah 30:20-21
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him right behind you saying, "this is the way you should go", whether to the right or to the left.
It's so amazing how when God is really trying to tell you something you see the same scripture over and over again. Several Wednesday Nights ago, Pastor Chris was teaching on trials and tests. He gave us wisdom and advise on how to pass them and come out victoriously on the other side. Who would have known that only weeks later we would be walking through the hardest one we have ever had to face.
Today we went in for another bladder tap. According to the ultrasound, everything looks the same. They could see markers of downs and his bladder was still full of urine and kidney's still enlarged. This time he was further down in the uterus and the doctor had to go through scar tissue to get to him. I am a whole lot sorer today than from the previous ones. The whole time I laid there I just kept begging God to give me supernatural strength to bare the pain and did he ever come through! We are still believing and praying for a FULL miracle. We are standing on Isaiah53:5 that says." But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole and was whipped so we could be healed." Elijah is healed in his body by the beating that Jesus took so that we could have life and have it abundantly.
We are at a major crossroads right now. The urine taps that they have been extracting are being sent to a lab to determine if there is Kidney damage or not. The bad thing is it takes 10-14 days to get the results and no one will operate on us until they see them!! In the mean time his bladder keeps getting fuller, his lungs keep struggling, his kidneys incur more stress. And we have NO IDEA what to do! There are pros and cons to everything. The doctors in Ohio say there is less risk to go ahead and do the surgery and hold off on the stint, BUT waiting 10-14 days for the kidney results could cause permanent damage and even death. Dr. G said that he would do the stint if we wanted him too. So here is what we are praying and I am asking you to pray with us.
James 1:5-8 says this. "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking . But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in GOD alone. Do not waver. For a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
I am asking for you to believe God. That He is fully capable of Healing Elijah's whole body. I am asking you to beg God for a miracle and help us storm the throne for a miracle. I am also asking that you pray that God will give us Supernatural discernment and wisdom as to what door to walk through because right now there are too many options and we don't know which path to take. I want to hear God's voice behind me saying, "This is the way you should go, Now walk in it."
Adversity and Affliction is valuable. We know that God is not interested in just simply rescuing us. He wants to walk through it with us. Just like Shadrack, Meeshack and Abednigo...There was a fourth person in that fire with them, and it was the LORD.
Oh God, Help us to be joyful in hope and patient in affliction.-Amen
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Kerri Jobe led worship tonight for us at Highlands. Oh my, did I ever need that tonight. I was reminded over and over again of the healing power of Jesus. He was beaten for healing in our physical bodies as well as our spiritual bodies and by His stripes I am claiming Elijah's healing in Jesus' name. She showed a video of a couple who's little girl was diagnosed with a fatal form of Leukemia. Her mom immediately began claiming healing for her child and pleading with God for her life. She did not allow any negativity to be spoken and she continually spoke healing scriptures over her. And God showed up on her behalf and healed her little girl. God is no respector of persons. What He does for others is just as available to us. Until God shows me differenly, I will be pleading for healing by the blood of the lamb for my Elijah. My Aunt brought me flowers yesterday and told me something that is so true. Satan can do nothing more than set the stage for God to show up and display His power and grace and His love. Here is a video of Kerri singing Healer.
Monday, October 5th, we went into our Dr's office for a routine ultrasound and found out that our baby had some medical issues. They immediately sent us to a specialist for more detail. We found out that our baby boy had an enlarged bladder and enlarged set of Kidneys. The cause of this was a blockage due to an abnormality in the urethra. His bladder is unable to release urine and form amniotic fluid. This situation has to be corrected or it causes kidney failure, the bladder to explode and also the lungs to not develop. An amnio was done where they drew fluid from the amniotic sac to do a genetic screening to see if there was any other problems we needed to be worried about. They sent us home and had us come back today for the results and to tap his bladder to relieve pressure and to test for Kidney function.
So, Today, Wednesday, October 7th, we went in at 10:30 and got results from the test that we did not want to hear. The TEST showed that Elijah has downs syndrome. They were also going to preform a procedure to put in a stint but they decided against that for now following advice from a specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio. They will take one or two more urine samples and send them to a lab in California to determine damage to the Kidneys, and next week we will travel to Cincinnati to talk to the Doctors there about what our next step should be.
What we want you all to know is that we are fully trusting in the God who created us and who created Elijah. This did not take God by surprise! We believe that God has the ability to heal Elijah from any disease and can restore him to complete health if He chooses to do so. We are praying that the tests were wrong and that this problem can be corrected. HOWEVER, there are 3 very real possible scenarios and we are fully trusting in Gods Big Picture and His plans for any of the three that He chooses to do. He can heal Elijah and preform and incredible miracle, He can choose to take Elijah home, or we will love a child with special needs.
Elijah's name was spoken to me on Monday through the Holy Spirit. I know He has chosen that name for him for a reason. It means "God is the Lord." No matter what happens He is God and Elijah belongs to Him.
A sweet friend of mine emailed me this devotion and it was a direct confirmation of what I have felt God has told me from the very beginning and I would love to share it with you.
Years ago there was a show on television called TO TELL THE TRUTH. It was a game show where three people would answers questions from the celebrity panel of judges. One of the three had done something noteworthy. The other two tried to deceive the panel into thinking they were "the one." At the close of the program, the host would say, "Would the real __________ please stand up?" Often the judges were shocked at who the real "one" was.
ON MOUNT CARMEL
This same situation occurred on Mount Carmel thousands of years ago. The prophet Elijah squared off with the 450 prophets of Baal. They had a contest to show the people who the real God was and is. The prophets of Baal, the imposter god, went first. They called on their god for hours, but to no avail. He did not answer by fire as the contest required. Elijah began to mock them saying, "Perhaps your god is in the bathroom relieving himself!" (I am not making that up. Read it for yourself in 1 Kings 18.)
When it was Elijah's turn, God had him pour water all over the altar he had constructed. The altar, the wood, the stones and the sacrifice were all drenched with water to the point that water was pooled all around the altar. When Elijah called on the true God, the fire fell from heaven and licked up the water, the wood, the stones, the sacrifice and even the dust! It was an incredible display of who the real God was and is. The people replied in amazement, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God" (1 Kings 18:39).
Just like Elijah from thousands of years ago, I believe our God is going to use our baby Elijah through his tough journey as an incredible display of who the REAL GOD is and that everyone will say, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord He is God."
We would love for your to pray with us and for us as we walk through this with our precious Jesus and we will keep you posted here with any new information.
So, Today, Wednesday, October 7th, we went in at 10:30 and got results from the test that we did not want to hear. The TEST showed that Elijah has downs syndrome. They were also going to preform a procedure to put in a stint but they decided against that for now following advice from a specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio. They will take one or two more urine samples and send them to a lab in California to determine damage to the Kidneys, and next week we will travel to Cincinnati to talk to the Doctors there about what our next step should be.
What we want you all to know is that we are fully trusting in the God who created us and who created Elijah. This did not take God by surprise! We believe that God has the ability to heal Elijah from any disease and can restore him to complete health if He chooses to do so. We are praying that the tests were wrong and that this problem can be corrected. HOWEVER, there are 3 very real possible scenarios and we are fully trusting in Gods Big Picture and His plans for any of the three that He chooses to do. He can heal Elijah and preform and incredible miracle, He can choose to take Elijah home, or we will love a child with special needs.
Elijah's name was spoken to me on Monday through the Holy Spirit. I know He has chosen that name for him for a reason. It means "God is the Lord." No matter what happens He is God and Elijah belongs to Him.
A sweet friend of mine emailed me this devotion and it was a direct confirmation of what I have felt God has told me from the very beginning and I would love to share it with you.
Years ago there was a show on television called TO TELL THE TRUTH. It was a game show where three people would answers questions from the celebrity panel of judges. One of the three had done something noteworthy. The other two tried to deceive the panel into thinking they were "the one." At the close of the program, the host would say, "Would the real __________ please stand up?" Often the judges were shocked at who the real "one" was.
ON MOUNT CARMEL
This same situation occurred on Mount Carmel thousands of years ago. The prophet Elijah squared off with the 450 prophets of Baal. They had a contest to show the people who the real God was and is. The prophets of Baal, the imposter god, went first. They called on their god for hours, but to no avail. He did not answer by fire as the contest required. Elijah began to mock them saying, "Perhaps your god is in the bathroom relieving himself!" (I am not making that up. Read it for yourself in 1 Kings 18.)
When it was Elijah's turn, God had him pour water all over the altar he had constructed. The altar, the wood, the stones and the sacrifice were all drenched with water to the point that water was pooled all around the altar. When Elijah called on the true God, the fire fell from heaven and licked up the water, the wood, the stones, the sacrifice and even the dust! It was an incredible display of who the real God was and is. The people replied in amazement, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God" (1 Kings 18:39).
Just like Elijah from thousands of years ago, I believe our God is going to use our baby Elijah through his tough journey as an incredible display of who the REAL GOD is and that everyone will say, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord He is God."
We would love for your to pray with us and for us as we walk through this with our precious Jesus and we will keep you posted here with any new information.
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