Every step says, "please, please, please, please..."
It's time to step in, Lord. Don't ask me to say goodbye. There's so much I want to share with her throughout life. She belongs in our family.
I'm almost to the point of praying only in groans. We're desperate for Your touch, God. It's time for some good news.
My body aches, my stomach is constantly twisted.
There's so much going on in Anna's little body. Too much. Show us Your hand, Father. Gather us close to Your heart somehow. This hurts too much.
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING. Time seems short for a miracle now... it's extremely difficult to find hope as a mama who feels more deeply than I can express.
Here is my angel last night, and me anointing her with my tears. I can't believe how beautiful she is...
My heart is aching for you and your family. Prayers are coming your way by the minute. Karisa- Spokane
ReplyDeleteMy soul aches for you as a mother and my friend! I love you. All I can say is every thought, every moment I pray. I plead with you. I cry with you. Love you friend!
ReplyDeleteWE ARE PRAYING LIS! HOW COULD WE STOP? Jesus loves you and loves your little girl, and we are crying with you...
ReplyDeletepleading with you. crying with you. praying for your miracle.
ReplyDeleteI love you Alissa...so much.
ReplyDeleteYour Anna Joy is beautiful. I'm praying...
Jesus loves His precious Anna!
ReplyDeletePraying for peace and still full of hope for y'all!
Jesus, You are the Word, You are life, You are healing, You are love, You are Lord, You are all we need, You are all Anna needs. Jesus, say the word, heal her, right now, please. Please, Lord. Please. I have no authority, You are sovereign over all Your creation, I trust Your love, Your mercy, Your grace. Cover this little family as a hen covers her chicks. We give You glory for we know You do all things well. You do everything perfectly, according to Your sovereign will. You know our anguish. You know we humbly beg. You know. Say the word. Please. Lord, say the word.
ReplyDeletepraying to god, pleading to god, & crying with you.....
ReplyDeletePraying in Idaho....
ReplyDeletePleading for her, for you.
ReplyDeleteLearned your story from a friend, my prayers are with you and your precious little girl. God Bless you all
ReplyDeletePraying for your Christmas miracle, for total and complete healing. A miracle that nobody can explain away, one that only God can get all the glory. There are three little voices talking behind me, my children and I feel so blessed to have them. I know the heartache of a parent who has a sick child. It is beyond helpless knowing you can't do anything physically other than praying and waiting on God to move. I implore God to move on behalf of your family, of this precious little girl. There's nothing God can't do. Please keep the faith and know there are people who care about you, who don't even know you that are standing in the gap for you. God bless.
ReplyDelete~April
Oklahoma
if i could go to heaven and fall at Jesus's feet, I would do that for you. I am re-submitting my life to HIM so that my prayer would not go unheard. Abram and Sara laughed when God promised them a son. They couldnt believe. Lord, we are on the same boat. We can't quite believe, yet with this so imperfect lives, we are trying to tell us that "yes, the Lord is going to do a miracle". Help us Lord, for we have no other help!
ReplyDeleteKaren Crow was my best friend in high school, and I also sang in a group with your Mom in high school, so I feel kind of close to your family and baby Anna. She is beautiful, and truly a gift from God, and was destined before birth to be more than "just somebody's baby". I believe God is sharing his creation with the world to bring his sheep, especially the lost sheep, back to heartfelt prayer together as we all pray for your courageous little Anna. I know "I" needed a bit of a catalyst to bring back the strong, bonding kind of prayer that I am praying to Jesus for my Dad and your daughter. I shall keep praying that God holds her in his saving arms, and heals her soon, for she is about to blossom into a beautiful soldier for God, as everyone from the Gooderl clan is. Anna is in the safest hands she can possibly be in. Be strong. I shall be praying.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ,
Karen H.
Your is my prayers.
ReplyDeleteShe is so completely precious. Praying my heart out tonight.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is aching! Praying hard and mightily for little Anna!
ReplyDeletehey, cousin kayleigh here. as everyone around here asks me about what is going on, i direct them to this blog page. you have all of pomeroy (not that it is that much seeing we are very small over on this side of washington ha) praying for this miracle and you are constantly in our thoughts. i love you both so much and i know there is nothing i can say that probably hasn't already been said, but i just...love you all oodles and lots. also, uncle jim greene (since he doesn't use facebook or could figure this out) wanted to say "Anna is in God's hands, as is your family. Believe in his will. Love you and joining all others on my knees in prayer." From our side of washington to yours, we love you and pray pray pray for you la la and weed peppy!
ReplyDeleteAND also, she is so precious and beautiful...just a gorgeous little babe.
ReplyDelete<3 lots of love, Carlos & Kayleigh and Hannah Banana & Lexi Lou Hoo
she is beautiful, and it's beautiful that you annointed her with your tears. The Lord, He bottles those up you know, sees every tear we fall. I am praying with tears too!
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of a new daughter, my heart aches for you. I am keeping you and your beautiful daughter in my prayers. God is faithful to bring all good things to completion.
ReplyDelete"O God, You Are My Father," a song I learned to sing in college, has brought me comfort through many dark valleys. Here's a link to a scratchy old recording we made in 1975. If you can't click on the link then copy/paste it in a browser to hear it.
ReplyDeleteOh God, You Are My Father http://www.archive.org/download/Northwesterners_1975_76/O_God_You_Are_My_Father.mp3
O God, You are my Father;
Each morning I seek Your face.
My soul cries out for your mercy;
I long for a touch of your grace.
Though it seems I'm often surrounded
By a dry and desolate land,
I behold Your power and glory
And I know that I'm safe in Your hand.
Your love is better than life,
And my heart longs to offer You praise,
So I'll lift up my hands and I'll worship You,
And be satisfied all of my days.
When I make my bed in the darkness
I will sing with joy a new song,
And recall all the times that You've rescued me,
And I'll worship You all my life long.
"O God, You Are My Father," a song I learned to sing in college, has brought me comfort through many dark valleys.
ReplyDeleteO God, You are my Father;
Each morning I seek Your face.
My soul cries out for your mercy;
I long for a touch of your grace.
Though it seems I'm often surrounded
By a dry and desolate land,
I behold Your power and glory
And I know that I'm safe in Your hand.
Your love is better than life,
And my heart longs to offer You praise,
So I'll lift up my hands and I'll worship You,
And be satisfied all of my days.
When I make my bed in the darkness
I will sing with joy a new song,
And recall all the times that You've rescued me,
And I'll worship You all my life long.
(This link, if it works, is to a scratchy old recording we made in 1975. Use your browser Back button to come back after listening.)
Oh God, You Are My Father
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 1:9
I have been praying for you the last few days. I have never met you but feel called to pray for your sweet baby girl and for you.
I don't know what God has planned, but I believe he wants us to keep asking and hoping like children do. They are persistent and unaware of all the "logical" reasoning. This verse reminded me that God can raise the dead. So if it seems to the doctors that things don't appear good, don't give up hope. Perhaps the Lord will still say the word. Remember he is near the brokenhearted. Jesus please let this family and baby Anna see your goodness in the land of the living. Amen
Psalm 27:13-14
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
I came to your blog via Katie Allred. I have been praying for you all last night and today. It was four years ago next week that I was in your shoes standing in the NICU at Seattle Childrens with my daughter (HLHS). I am also a sister in the Lord. (I hope that what I have to say will come across right.) You have been chosen to walk such an amazing journey and God is already using you and Anna Joy to speak of His grace and mercy. As a parent, our hearts groan under the pain of our circumstances as we sit by the bedside of our sick child. But as I think back on my journey, it was in those darkest hours that God showed the greatest miracle in my life-He gave me HOPE, hope that even in death there can be peace. I can't explain the underlying peace that I had through the tears that I shed. Hope of Heaven and ultimate healing doesn't take away the immediate physical pain, but turns our eyes to our Saviour. In that is our blessing. This journey will teach you things that you would not have been able to comprehend had you not entered these waters. Maybe, just maybe, someday in your life you will look back and say that you would not trade this experience for anything.
ReplyDeleteIn reading your blog, it appears that you are a lover of music. If you haven't heard the song "Blessings" by Laura Story, I will leave you with the words. Please know that I am interceding for you in the love of Christ and look forward to seeing what God has to show us.
Blessing
By Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace,
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, for proserity.
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.
All the while You hear each spoken need, yet love us way to much to give us lesser things.
Cause what if your blessing comes through raindrops,
What if your blessings come through tears,
What if a thousand sleepless night are what it takes to know your near.
What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise.
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.
We doubt Your goodness. We doubt your love
as if every promise from your word is not enough.
But all the while you hear each desparate plea and long that we have faith to believe.
Chorus
Cause what if your blessing comes through raindrops?
What if your blessings come through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless night are what it takes to know your near?
What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us,
When darkness seems to win we know
the pain reminds this heart that this is not,
this is not our home. It’s not our home.
Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops ,
what if your healing come through tears,
what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?
What if trials of this life-the rain, the storms, the hardest nights
are your mercies in disguise?
I keep hearing Jesus Take the Wheel in my head. It is all out of our hands. My heart breaks for you and your family. You have so many people praying for a miracle. I hope that he provides you some peace and blesses Anna with a miracle.
ReplyDeleteOur family is pleading and weeping with you in California. Hold them dear Jesus and heal Anna Joy with your touch.
ReplyDeleteFather I just pray for this family and this beautiful baby. Father I believe but help me in my unbelief... it is by the stripes of Jesus Christ we are healed. You are the healer of our souls, our spirits and our bodies and I pray you touch Anna's body and heal it according to your will. I pray you touch her parents and heal their hearts and give them strength. Just as Mary replied let it be unto me according to your will let it be for this family, for Anna. Thank you for giving them strength, courage and faith. Bless their extended family and friends who stand by them in faith during this time. Father there is so much we don't understand and we must trust your will... I just pray your presence surrounds this family and baby Anna. I pray you give the doctors and nurses new strategies and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteWe cry abba Father!
In Jesus Name
Dian
Continuing to pray and continuing to share this with my Facebook friends. God is a God of love and comfort. Nothing is too big for Him!
ReplyDelete"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy
ReplyDelete"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver..."Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe. But he's good..."-chpt 8, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
In my darkness moments and worst fears, I cling to those words. He's good. And I can trust the man who died for me. I am praying for Anna. I am praying for you. And I am praying for a miracle.
*hug*
kirsten
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:26 NIV
Praying and pleading with you and asking for God's prescence for you all.
Carrie Hays
I do not know your family personally, but I am so blessed to pray with you and for you and Matt and Anna Joy. I am so blessed by the honesty and vulnerability and faith with which you share your story on this blog. My heart is broken open to a place where God can enter anew. I am praying for your peace, your hope, and comfort, in God's name, and praying every day for healing and strength for your beautiful baby girl, that she may thrive and grow. I am praying for the future Christmas when she will hear her family tell her this story, her story, of faith and miracles. And so it is. Amen.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all and for baby Anna! Everytime I hear the song, "Emmanuel" from Selah, I think of your family. There is so much love for you and Anna, I am simply amazed. As a mother, I'm drawn to tears everytime I read a post or see a picture of Anna. Come on God, give them their miracle!-Lisa Boschma, Idaho
ReplyDeleteHoping and praying for some Christmas miracles for your little Anna Joy! May she thrive and grow to bring you many years of happines and the normal angst that will one day come in her teen years.
ReplyDeleteI haven't prayed in a long time, but I am praying for you and your family tonight
ReplyDeleteI am falling in love with your family and your faith through my good friend, Krista Bender. Anna Joy is just as beautiful as her name! I will continue to pray for all of you. Thank you for showing that faith and love for God is not circumstantial. Your Anna Joy is inspiring faith through her life. I pray that it will be a long one.
ReplyDeletePraying for you! My prayer is: Father, please bring full healing to this beautiful little girl. Thank you for the ways you are already using her young life; now please restore her health and let her live a long, healthy life with her family. Please give her parents peace to know that there is no situation too big, and no person too small, for your capable hands.
ReplyDeleteLove to you all from Kamiah, ID!
-Hunter and Chrissy
Praying all the time for a miracle for your beautiful baby girl.
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus we praise you for what You are doing here. We lift you up through our tears and groanings and begging. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are almighty, all powerful God. You are merciful Saviour. We worship You for You are holy, holy, holy. We love you and our need of You is beyond earthly words to express. Bless your holy Name!
ReplyDeleteCrying with you, praying with you, standing with you... believing with you that the Lord can bring a miracle.
ReplyDeleteI waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry - Psalm 40:1
We are waiting, Lord... please hear our cry.
I am coming by from where one of my bloggy friends, Nichole, posted asking us to pray for your precious little girl. I may not know you, but as a mommy, I KNOW how much you love your little girl!!! Praying, praying, praying!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
K
Praying for that miracle and for the grace and strength for your entire family.
ReplyDeleteI was sent to your blog by a friend of mine, Clare. She knew me from Vegas and witnessed some of my journey with my children. I have 3 little boys, and 2 of them were born with unrelated, non-genetic, Congenital Heart Defects. It's not an easy road, but we have been 2 years without surgeries. My 9 year old had open heart surgery at 8 months old and today, plays baseball and basketball. My 4 year old is healthy. My 3 year old has had 2 heart cathes, 2 open heart surgeries, esophagus surgery, all before age 1, and today he is 3 years old and runs circles around his brothers at times.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, look at that as hope. I send my prayers to your little girl, to your family and to those doctor's and nurses delicate hands and Godsent minds to keep your girl safe, protect her, and give her her chance.
Hugs and Prayers. God Bless!
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteWords don't seem sufficient to express the depths of my heartache for you and sweet little Anna. I do want to thank you for allowing me to read about your hearts' cries through this blog. It makes me feel like I'm close to you and that I'm among the many on your team. I'm sure the folks on the train think I'm losing my mind as I read your posts!
My prayers are without end for your beautiful baby.
Joe Cilley
I came across this on a friends Facebook page. You have one more person praying for you and your family. I pray for peace and comfort for all of you! God is good!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou all are covered in prayer every single second of each day with all of us praying. If you need to pray in groans, do that. We will stand in the gap for you. I weep every time I pray and see pictures of sweet Anna Joy. I keep praying expectantly because God is so much bigger than all of the problems going on in her tiny, precious body.
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for a few days now and have spread the word to my family to also pray. God heals and is with you in this hard time. I am so sorry your family is going through this. Please know you, your family, and little Anna our in our thoughts and prayers constantly!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful. I continue to pray for her everyday. Praying for hand of God to heal her. Everytime I get a moment, im praying for you.
ReplyDeleteI heard about your story on the news several weeks ago, and have been following your blog off and on since. I am not normally one to pray, but I am wishing for a miracle for Anna with every fiber of my being! So I am praying for her, and for the both of you and I hope that it is added to the other prayers and helps to sway the balance.
ReplyDeleteI do not know you or how I even came to hear of your story. I have been following your story since before Anna was born. I find myself checking numerous times throughout the day for any kind of update. I pray constantly and think of your family often. I am passing on prayer requests to family and friends. Hoping for more miracles for this little fighter and for your family.
ReplyDeleteSo often I've wanted to write something profound finding myself relating in a different way to the hurt of a parent. So proud of the display of faith you both share. So proud to share the Kingdom of God with you. So proud to pray and enter into your story in a small way here in SoCal. You've kept me in perspective. Fight on Anna!
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray/beg God for his healing touch on your baby girl. As a mother myself i cannot even imagine how your heart is handling all this, as a Christian i have been so blessed by your faith. I am praying God answers our prayers to heal baby Anna. Peace for your mother heart. And the same for your husband and son.
ReplyDeletePraying every time i think of it, which is SO often, down here in Puyallup.
She is stunning. She looks just like you.
ReplyDeleteYou are not forgotten in my prayers. We're pleading, too.
From Psalm 86 "Hear me, LORD, and answer me... I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me...For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever... For great is your love toward me... Lord, you are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant... Give me a sign of your goodness... for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me."
ReplyDeleteContinuing to believe for a miracle! My mother's heart aches for you and your baby girl.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for a miracle for Anna, I reiterate everything that is being said in all the posts.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say...is we lift you and Anna up...we will pray mightily.
Cherie, Hope, Jesse and Hope
Continuing to spreading prayers for Anna and your family. May God's hands be with every doctor, nurse, and caretaker. Make their hands His hands. The song 'Blessings', posted by The Hands earlier today, has been one that we have found to tells all too well our feelings through this difficult time. By the way, it was a pleasure to meet you this morning. We will continue to pray for all of you!
ReplyDeleteOur family has been praying for Anna and your family all week. May God continue to bless your family.
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa & Matt. We were on our way home from Boise last Night and there is a Bible billboard that changes almost daily. I only drive past it maybe once a month and as we were driving by it read "with God all things are possible" Matt. 19:26. And it blew me away. You guys are ALWAYS on my prayer radar and this hit very close to me. I like it when Jesus gives us "signs" and for me this was one of them. First of all it said "Matt." which automatically made me think of you guys. But then it said, 19:26, and Baby Anna Joy was born at 9:26, right?!? And yhen it said, "with God all things are possible", which was a reminder to me that he really is in control. I pray for you all, literally, all day! May God lead, show, control, and relieve in this difficult time. Love from a fellow NNU-er.
ReplyDeleteMy tears are falling with yours followed with my prayers for Jesus to heal your precious baby girls heart!
ReplyDeleteI love this verse in the Psalms. Jesus let Anna live and tell the works of the Lord. In Jesus name we ask for a complete healing for every part of Anna JOY's body.
ReplyDeletePsalm 118:16-17
The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD.
I'm still praying for your little Anna and sending positive vibes your way...XOX
ReplyDeletePraying for your family! I know what it's like to have a sick baby and all you can do is pray! Not being able to hold your baby is the worst. I am praying so hard for a miracle for your family!She is a beautiful little girl!
ReplyDeleteI was born December 7 and my blood wasnt getting oxygen. The doctors at childrens had little hope for me and told my parents i would not make it. They took pictures of me in the incubator as if that was all my parents would leave the hospital with. 22 days after being born i came home in time for christmas. 20 years later here i am healthy and with an amazing babygirl of my own. Even in the darkest of dark, the shortest of time, it is NEVER too late for a miracle. Your family is in my constant prayers. Anna is BEAUTIFUL. God bless.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, your sweet angel, the medical team and your whole family.
ReplyDeleteContinuing in prayer for your sweet Anna....
ReplyDeleteShe is incredibly beautiful. I continue to pray for you all, for your miracle, and that God's hand be felt by all. May all this love and prayer continue to envelope sweet baby Anna as she rests, gains strength and fights her battle. Without even knowing you, we all love you Anna and are rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray in Spokane, WA
ReplyDeleteYour Anna Joy is beautiful. I have an Anna Joy as well. God "birthed" her name in my mind before she was a part of our lives. When I hold my Anna I will be praying for yours.
ReplyDeleteWe have been following your blog since just a few days before your beautiful Anna Joy was born, and although we only knew you by name while we were at NNC, my heart has been so heavy with sorrow for your family. Along with thousands of others, we are lifting up countless prayers to Father God, that He would miraculously heal your precious daughter, RIGHT NOW! And in the midst of all of this, that He would draw near to you and Matt, and fill you with His peace. Keep on fighting, beautiful Anna Joy!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless each of you,
The Quissell Family in Boise, Idaho
Oh sweet beautiful baby girl!! Continuing my prayers for you, your strong and faithful parents, and those wise and caring doctors and nurses! You will teach us all how awesome our God is!! Be strong in His word!
ReplyDeleteI'm at a loss for words, Liss. A rare occurrence, I know. God understands your groans. Those tears...
ReplyDeleteI just love you so much. Still praying for another miracle! And that you would find your hope in full again.
P.S. You're right- she is SO beautiful!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your little ones. For Isaac, that he will know supernatural peace and trust, for Anna Joy, that she will be safe in the arms of Jesus, that He will "say the word" and little Anna will be healed. For you and Matt, that you will know true peace and joy. Peace that passes all understanding and that you will be able to trust. I went to high school with Catherine Gray Slocum, she really loves you! We live in Niger, West Africa, but we are praying for you. Father knows what you need and we trust him with you all.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here in tears, as a fellow mom I cannot begin to fathom what you are going through. Your strength inspires me. I have prayed more this past week than I have in quite a while. I pray that God's plan for Anna involves all of the wonderful things you want to teach her. My family and friends are on their knees pleading along side you. Fight the fight little Anna...you have touched so many lives already. Come on God...give them this miracle!!
ReplyDeleteSleep eludes me, so I lift you in prayer in this midnight hour. Has it really only been nine hours since we saw you weeping over your precious one. Jesus weeps over you, too. He knows your pain, your agony.
ReplyDeleteHold on, my child, JOY comes in the morning.
Weeping only last for the night.
Hold on, my child, JOY comes in the morning.
The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.
Sleep Anna Joy, Alissa, Matt, Isaac. Be comforted, faith strengthened, hope renewed.
Jesus loves you, this I know, for His Spirit tells me so.
My heart hurts for you. I can understand the devastating pain and heartache you are going through. It hurts so bad you hardly feel like you are in your body anymore, but at the same time, you are so weighted down with grief that it is hard to move and breathe. Something that kept me going was believing that Jesus was with my baby. I begged him to hold Jacob in his arms as his little body worked so hard to heal. And I was comforted by a story a friend told me about her NICU preemie who is now five. She and her five year old were talking about when she was born and about her stay in the NICU and her daughter said, "And Jesus was there." My friend was surprised and said, "What?" Her daughter answered very matter-of-factly, "Jesus was in my bed with me." It was nothing they had ever talked about before. I held on to that story to carry me through begging Jesus to be with Jacob, praying for Mary to hold my baby when I could not and let him feel the love of a mother. I pray the the same for your precious daughter. May God heal her and hold up the two of you, as you begin to feel you have nothing left to give.
ReplyDeleteKaty Rondeau
(Jacob's Mommy)
Praying and praying and praying for a miracle
ReplyDeleteYour sweet angel, Anna Joy is beautiful indeed. Prayers continue all through the day and night!!
ReplyDeleteOur hearts ache for you!
Our prayers continue...
ReplyDeleteAlmighty God, kindle, we beseech thee, in every heart that cares and prays for Anna, complete and total peace, and guide with thy wisdom those who take counsel and care for Anna, that in this tranquility thy dominion may increase till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
-Adapted from the Collect for Peace from the BCP
I have been following your blog faithfully for some time now, after I saw you on the news. My heart aches for you, Anna, and her brother. I pray for all of you, and have shared your story with my two little ones, who also join me in prayer. My four year old son wakes up every morning, and asks if the doctors and Jesus have healed baby Anna yet. I long for the day that I can tell him "yes". I just recently left the Army to stay at home with my children while my husband continues to serve. Just remember, as soldiers protect our country, God's soldiers (angels) continue to protect her. Keeping you in our prayers always.
ReplyDeletePrayers throughout the day and night ... I kept waking....heavy heart. Love you...
ReplyDeletePraying for you, and sweet beautiful Anna. Blessings from Post Falls, Id.
ReplyDeletewoke up this morning thinking of your baby.
ReplyDeletehow is she?
God is our strength and refuge, a VERY PRESENT HELP in time of trouble/need - Ps 46.1
An indian friend
It's always darkest before dawn....praying for the Lord to do his work in your precious baby girl.
ReplyDeleteThe courage your family has shown over months is truly amazing and inspiring! The strength, love, and hope that you continue to believe in is a miracle in itself. May you continue to find the strength to get through another second, minute, hour, and day. May you love one another, find strength in one another, cry with each other, believe together, hold each other up.
May God protect baby Anna Joy. May He do his work through her. May He ease her pain and heal her heart.
Please Lord, watch over this family. May they feel your love, grace, and mercy.
Praying for a Christmas miracle for your baby girl!
I am a friend of Wendy's, and I want you to know that my prayers are lifted to join a host of others. I know that God has you (and especially Anna) in the palm of his hand and that he will wipe away every tear. But for now, I am begging him for a miracle for Anna, and trusting him no matter what. Thank you for sharing your journey, and most of all thank you for sharing your beautiful little girl with us all. ~Jenny Gregg
ReplyDeletePraying God's grace and peace over your family. Speaking life.....life....life...over Anna. I have a Hannah Joy born @ 30 weeks who turned 24 on Dec 14th. We declare a new healthy heart for little Anna, God's love envelopes you all......
ReplyDeleteAnna is in the palm of Your hand, Lord God, and we plead for a miracle that You would continue to give her life by healing her body completely. Only You can. I have seen Your hand work miracles and plead with You for one for Anna Joy. Great comforter, may Anna rest in your peaceful arms...comfort her little mind. Comfort Matt, Alissa, and Isaac and their families with Your peaceful and strong presence. In Jesus name. Amen.
ReplyDeleteFather God - You've known Anna Joy before she was even knit in her mama's womb. You've graciously placed her in this family and in this world for Your purpose and glory and Your and glory purpose alone. You are keeping her close to your heart. Your mighty, soft, comforting hands are stroking away her pain and healing her. As the many members of these families go through this with little Anna Joy, we pray for peace that only you are able to bring. We know that our thoughts and ways are not Your thoughts and ways. We pray that as you are performing the miracles that need to take place in Anna Joy's little body, that you give her mama and papa, her grandparents and all of her aunts, uncles and cousins strength in your promises. Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
ReplyDeleteAlissa, my heart is so heavy this morning thinking about you and your sweet Anna. It is never too late to experience the mighty and miraculous hand of God! He loves to ride in on His white horse and be our hero. Trust Him he has Anna in his hands and he won't let go! I have been and will continue to lift you all in prayer. May the Lord give you strength today that will carry you through each step, decision, breath, and prayer for your family!
ReplyDeleteIn love,
Emily (Jones) Carlson
"We speak restoration to damaged brain cells and activation of dormant brain cells. We speak normal intellect for one's age. We speak creative miracles to parts of the body and healing to all wounds. We speak words of life and say that they shall live in victory in this life and not die. We speak perfect soundness of mind and wholeness in body and spirit. We say tongues are loosed and speech is distinct. We say ears, heart and eyes see in the name of Jesus. We say demons are cast out, bowing to the name of Jesus. We speak deliverance to bodies and minds, for You, Lord God, are the Help of their countenance and the Lifter of those bowed down- the joy of the Lord is their strength and stronghold!"
ReplyDeleteFull prayer: http://www.prayers.org/viewprayer.asp?id=67
"Father, You will perfect that which concerns me. I commit and cast the care of my children once and for all over on You, Father. They are in Your hands, and I am positively persuaded that You are able to guard and keep that which I have committed to You. You are more than enough!"
Full prayer: http://www.prayers.org/viewprayer.asp?id=25
I stand in prayer with you as a parent who has walked a similar path.
Thank you for your vulnerability and your honesty as you share with us. You are honoring your Lord through this all and proclaiming truth and faith. What a blessing to us all. My heart is heavy for you and I am pleading with you. Praying that God chooses to answer our prayers for health and life for sweet baby Anna.
ReplyDeleteI pray for Anna Joy every night. I pray for Jesus to touch her with his healing hands. I've walked in your shoes. I know how hard it is to see your baby so sick and not knowing what it going to happen. Through my journey I've seen many miracles. So I know that they do happen. Praying for one of those miracles for Anna Joy.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you and your beautiful baby here in Minnesota. She is so precious, and I check your blog numerous times throughout the day hoping for a positive update. We will continue to pray and plead for a miracle.
ReplyDeleteOn my knees praying in TN. I've never met you but your sweet baby girl is on my heart constantly. I check your blog several times a day for updates. I'm begging God on your behalf for His healing!
ReplyDeletePrayers are coming to you from South Florida.
ReplyDeleteDear Lord,
ReplyDeleteMay your Will be done in Anna Joy's life! Please bring peace to her parents.
Amen
I just read your story for the first from a post on Facebook. I am so sorry y'all are going through this. It makes my heart ache for you. I pray that god say the word and heal your beautiful baby girl.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Jessica
Tampa FL
The strength your family has right now is truly amazing! My heart aches for everything you are going through. God has Anna and your family in his arms! And you have the thoughts and prayers of so many around the world.. Prayers for your beautiful baby girl Anna and your family.
ReplyDeleteNicole and Justin
Denver,Colorado
Oh, that sounded like a Psalm. I can't imagine your desperation and grief, but I am praying constantly for Anna and for you. I'm begging God for healing for your baby girl and your heart.
ReplyDeleteI pray that God will give me some of your burden if it can make your heart lighter. I am a mama of 2 and I can't begin to express my sympathy and tears that are being shed in our house for you. We are praying for Anna all the way from Dallas, Oregon.
ReplyDeleteI cry with you today although I don't even know you, or your sweet baby. But I know a mother's love and our Father's love, and therefor, in a strange way, I do know you. :) I thought you should know that our church body, of about 2000, lifted you, and sweet Anna, up in our prayers this morning. (Nampa First Church of the Nazarene) I don't know how your story will end, but know that our God IS love, our God IS good, and he loves you so very, very, much. Praying for complete healing. Miracles happen! Love sent to you from Nampa, Idaho!
ReplyDelete"O God, to whom all things grow, and by whom they are strengthened when grown, stretch forth Thy hand upon Thy servant who is sick at a tender age: that recovering the vigor of health, he may arrive at the fullness of years, and always give unto Thee a faithful and grateful service all the days of his life. Through our Lord. . ."
ReplyDeleteJesus I lift up Anna Joy to You. Heavenly Father you brought this precious child into this world and allowed her to take a breath of life, I pray now that you heal her body. You are a doctor above all doctors. Work a marvelous wonder upon Anna and provide a miracle in this family's life, so that they may be a testimony of your love and mercy. Give Alissa and Matt the strength and comfort they need during this time. Fill their heart with your touch Lord so that they may place all their trust in you. In Jesus Name, Amen
Thoughts and prayers (and tears) were with you this morning in church and continue to be. Anna Joy and your family are on everyone's hearts. Wish I could hug you real tight right now. Wish I could take your pain away. Praying for the Comfortor to come to you in a strong way. Love, love, love.
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a prayer and tried to post it but it didn't work. So, know that one more person is praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI wanted also to post a song for you that I hope will minister to your heart as it has mine. "Blessings" by Laura Story. May the Lord bless you through your tears, pain and heartache and I pray through Anna's healing.
Shortly after reading this last night this verse was in our Advent reading for Saturday:
ReplyDeleteWhere can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10
We, too, are desperate for a miracle on your behalf. We're still praying.
I just got home from church and a teenage gal pal was telling me how much following your blog has meant to her. Your walk is a testament to her of faith! She is enamored with baby Anna and is holding you up in her prayers. Thank you for being so willing to be public with your struggle to witness to others. Praying...
ReplyDeletePraying for your family.
ReplyDeleteLord, we know you are in control in this situation. We do not know what the final outcome will be. I pray now for peace for Matt, Alissa, Isaac, and the extended family. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray for rest, for health, for stength. I pray that You guide the rest of us to help give them financial, physical, emotional support that they need. But above all PEACE!!!! Whether You decide to heal Anna Joy, or to take her home....give them Your PEACE. We love you God and thank You for Your work in this situation.
ReplyDeleteI first heard of your family's story on Tuesday from my sister. I was happily sharing the news of my friends tear of her placenta healing through prayer. The next words she said to me were "Would you like to prayer for another baby?"...she gave me the overview of Anna Joy's situation and I have prayed for you daily. Yesterday I came to this blog and read your words...wow...how powerful...what raw emotion you share. I haven't wept like that in a long time. To think I don't know you, yet I don't need to. I am a Christian and a mother, what else do we need in common? My 3 year old daughter saw me sobbing and asked why I was sad...I showed her the picture of you leaning over Anna and reading scripture with all those tubes every which way. I told her I was sad for this baby's mommy and that this baby was sick. Together we prayed for God's healing hands over Anna and peace for your family. Later that day when she threw a tantrum I was humbled and thankful for having a healthy child. My mother's heart aches for you and I will continue to pray for a miracle for that sweet, beautiful baby girl of yours. Keep these posts coming, I keep checking the blog for an update. Your unwavering faith is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Crystal
Dear Lord,
ReplyDeletePlease help Anna Joy heal and be healthy. You Father God knows the pain of losing a child. Your gracious son is at your side, please heal little Anna so she can stay at her parents side. Lord, I know what they are feeling and I know the pain of losing a child, I wish that they will not feel this pain. If you need to call Anna Joy home, please be with her family and embrace them in your love and grace. I know you are a loving God.
I pray this in your almighty name,
Amen
Praying Jesus will comfort y'all and will heal your precious, precious baby girl!
ReplyDeleteKimberly in Henderson, NV
I just had a very long talk with my four year old daughter and six year old son. They saw me looking at The above picture of Anna and it led into me explaining her story the best I could so they could understand. We talked about Gods love and his ability to heal and his perfect timing. We prayed for his peace on you and his healing on baby Anna. My daughters name is Hannah and when she asked what Annas name was she said hey anna is like hannah! She fawned over the picture and asked Jesus to make annas heart not sick anymore so did my son. Our thohghts and prayers are with you. I post your posts to my facebook to spread the word so others can pray too. May Gods abounding peace be on you right this moment.
ReplyDeleteWe have been praying here in the desert (Phoenix), too. Enoch's prayers are sweet and to the point "Jesus! heal baby Anna's heart!" and Shiloh's are full of compassion and a little more understanding "God, take away the pain. Make the blood go where it's supposed to go. Heal her whole body, in the name of Jesus." In addition to praying for restoration, and for an extra measure of rest & peace for Anna (& you!), I have been praying for a faith as strong & simple as my kids'... They teach me quite a lot these days, and your little AnnaJoy spurs me on daily, too.
ReplyDeleteBelieving WITH you that our Healer still heals. Can't get Hillsong's 'Healer' song outta my head. We love you guys...
Mindy
Praying for God's peace that passes understanding to be on you and your family as you walk through this time. I know God has a plan for your family & your baby girl. Only He knows what that plan is. Stay close to Him as you "walk" through this fire. Groan if you have to...He knows...He will sustain you through each step of this journey. Believing in agreement with all of those praying for the complete healing of Anna. Blessings, strength & peace to you.
ReplyDeleteMoved and Touched by this once again, but most important PRAYING & Believing with you guys, all the way form Honduras!!!
ReplyDeletemy best friends went through the same thing. she was only 26 weeks when my godson was born, he is 2 and a half now, I'm proud to say. She got through this and so will you, keep faith in our Heavenly Father. He is always with us.
ReplyDeleteI can see the love and the longing in your face here. She IS SO beautiful. Praying for you and Matt as you rally your energy and your hope. And praying for Anna Joy, this little angel, this beautiful creation. Lord be with the doctors as they work with Anna. Give them guidance and a clear mind. Lord, let your tender mercy wash over all who are hurting and pleading with you now.
ReplyDeleteLove,
another mama you've never met
Praying and hurting with you..
ReplyDeletewww.caringbridge.org/tx/camryn
My prayers are with u and ur baby girl and ur family. I was there once our 16 month old went to heaven and left this very earth there in seattle too. I believe our lil angel gabryel is watching over every child there in seattle, u are in the best care there. Prayers and love to you family.
ReplyDeletePraying and longing and crying along with you.
ReplyDeleteI found the link to your blog from a friend's FB post. I don't know you, but having walked this road with dear friends 2 years ago, I can feel your anguish over these difficult days.
I went to sleep last night praying for you and woke up this morning doing the same. May the peace that passes all understanding be yours in abundance.
My name is Rob Richards, I'm Wendi (McKay)'s husband. We've been praying for you all like crazy. Today, our little church prayed for you.
ReplyDeleteLast night, as I was praying, I said to God, "Lord, what can I give to Matt". Since I don't personally know you like Wendi does, I thought that was a pretty reasonable question.
Immediately I heard Psalm 147:2-3. I don't have this Scripture memorized and was blown away by verse 3. Powerful stuff.
Be encouarged. The Lord hears our cries.
It's Sunday morning and I am getting ready to go to church and worship our Lord. I am praying without ceasing and give my love to you, Matt and Anna. Lord, hold them close, please give us a miracle; Your will be done. Amen! I love you and know that God is with you all and I am with you in spirit. Hugs all around.
ReplyDeleteok so I don't know how to do this so my name shows up :( this is Nancy Clifton. I am the one who posted above. Now it is evening and I just wanted to tell you that as I sang "Away in a Manger" today in service, I thought of Anna when I sang "Bless all the dear children in my tender care" and you know what He said that He is blessing Anna. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteLord Perkūnas, God of thunder; Seimos Dievas, God of family; Saule, Goddess of the sun; Laima, Goddess of destiny and beloved Divine Mother who protects and guides human life, I commend to your care this fragile child. Relieve her of her pain, guard her from danger, restore to her your gifts of strength and gladness and raise her to a life of thankfulness in gratitude for your precious gifts.
ReplyDeleteHello Peepley Family,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rayna and I'm a friend of Krista Benders. Your family has been on my heart a long time as Krista has shared your story with me. When I read this post this morning I was moved to tears, as Anna's picture reminds me so much of my daughter Abby. She was born a premie without lungs and we had to hang on a few days until we knew she had turned a corner. Looking at her now, you would never know the harrowing journey she took when she came into this world. I can understand the wearyness, where life just stops and nothing means anything except the numbers on the monitor. You want to hold her but you can disturb all the tubes. You have to hold her life with open hands and it's so hard to risk; your heart is wrapped up in waiting until there is no words. You hold hope only in God alone. You know He can heal her, but nothing is certain and He may have reasons we can't understand. I am so sorry for this trial you are going through. From someone who doesn't know you I hope that Anna grows to bless others. No matter what, her story has glorified God in your life and will continue to. For this you can be sure. I pray for your strength and peace to keep trusting, hoping, and waiting. You are much loved by this commnity of faith and our Father.
I don't know you but we must have mutual friends on facebook. I am praying for your baby. I pray you will have hope and trust in our Lord who knows all.
ReplyDelete