Sunday, December 18, 2011

update...and other things

Got here to the hospital and found out that we won't be doing the trial off ECMO tomorrow. Appears we still have some work to do getting some fluid from off and around the lungs. So it might be easier for me (or us) to get an update in tomorrow since it sounds like its gonna be more of a resting day again.

Also, I must flog myself for being bad about telling you all about at the other amazing stories we've come in touch with. Yes, Jana, the young man you know was referring to us. I met him, his dad, and his dad's girlfriend, and it turns out we are next door neighbors at Ronald McDonald House. He is indeed a good, strong, believer. He wasn't shy at all about proclaiming that Jesus was the reason he has gotten to the point he is at. If you missed Jana's comment, the young man's name is John Petroff, and he just finished his last round of Chemo this week.

We also met a couple from Alaska, who are here because their nine month old adopted son was born with crack, meth, and probably some other drugs in his bloodstream. He has LOTS of issues, but they are trying to fix them all. His dad is a pastor in Anchorage, and they are true believers as well. In the midst of thier time of trial, they stopped to pray for us. AAANND, bad man that I am, I don't remember their names. If I see them again, I will get it for you, so you can add them to your prayers.

Anna had a roommate that her parents were from Alaska as well, and turns out they know one of my college buddies. Their baby also had an open heart surgery, and they were quick to state that God was in their story as well. Again, names have been forgotten by yours truly...

Even with all of my limitaions, God is surrounding us, and providing us with ample signs of His presence. God is good, all the time.

See you tomorrow.
Matt

46 comments:

  1. Matt thank you for this update. God is surrounding you and displaying His presence, praise His name. Prayers are headed your way.

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  2. You guys are wonderful. Thank you for the updates, and for the laughs. Hey, thought I'd share with you what our pastor talked about today:

    For the LORD your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
    He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)

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  3. Rest baby Anna. Your heart is being molded and redesigned well by the Creator - He is weaving His signiture, His autograph all over you. I believe He is your Healer, and choose to trust He will heal you on this earth. In fact, I am asking Him with your mom and dad and thousands of others to miraculously touch you. Sweet baby Anna, you are cherished. May you rest tonight and tomorrow so that when the doctors decide to take you off the ECMO, that you will indeed swell with God-breath and God-life and thrive. Baby Anna, thrive in Jesus' Name. We are interceding for you - say hello to Yahweh for us - and all the beautiful angels that surround you tonight. You have the best seat in the house little girl! We love you - heal - and we'll wait for news of great JOY!

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  4. After your last post I was praying that God would orchestrate the timing of the next trial - I'm thankful that Anna Joy can rest another day.

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  5. Keepin' up with the posts, and praying an awful lot. God knows the desire of my heart, I won't shut up about it! =) Rest well, all of you. We missed you at the youth leader Christmas party tonight, you were missed, and we prayed for you guys, of course. (Kent won the prize for "Most Awesome Really Bad Christmas Sweater", ha!)

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  6. I've been following Anna's story since seeing you on the news. We've been praying for strength you and Alissa, a miracle for your sweet little girl, and comfort for Isaac. You are an incredible family!

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  7. I am continuing to pray for a miracle healing for precious Anna Joy.

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  8. Praying for you Anna JOY and family. Jesus I ask that You would open the door of healing to every part of her body. I ask that you would give her every nutrient she needs, and that the blood in her body would flow to every area it needs to in Jesus name. Give her supernatural rest and strength in her precious body. We ask for no more shut doors and we plead the blood of Jesus over every part of her body in Jesus name. Thank you for the testimonies that are already coming Lord and we ask you for more. Jesus show Yourself Beautiful and Powerful! Amen.

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  9. Praying for a quick healing for you as well Matt.

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  10. When praying for Anna this song came to my mind today. "He is like" Rain down on Anna JOY.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3VH_bS42o&feature=related

    Bless you all!

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  11. Matt,

    That is so amazing and just like God to surround HIS family with fellow believers. Praise the Lord for those little glimpses of Him! Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Jana

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  12. I am praying for you all and your precious daughter. I have added her to my prayer group for children on facebook as well. May God comfort, hold and care for you all in these struggles. God bless and huggles.

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  13. Dear Matt & Alissa Peppley,
    A good friend of ours told us about your blog. It has been encouraging our hearts to hear you trust in the Lord through such a difficult time. Our daughter, Anna Joy Timmons was born at 26 weeks and was in the NICU for 83 days. She was born Sept. 26th 2009 at 1 pound 12 ounces. She had a very difficult course, but God miraculously allowed us to bring her home.
    We are praying for strength for you and your family as we know each day/hour can be really hard. May God give you peace, rest, and comfort daily as you seek Him.

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  14. We continue to pray for you. Cade, our six-year-old, checks the blog regularly for updates and never forgets baby Anna in his prayers at meals, in the car, at bedtime, throughout the day. We all continue to pray for you throughout the day and night. You are constantly on our hearts and minds. We are still believing God for a miracle of healing.

    "For nothing is impossible with God" Luke 1:37

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  15. my husband and i have been following your story, ( we share a mutual friend, Christina and Ryan Pfaff) and i just wanted to let you know your precious family is in our prayers. I find you to be inspirational in your strength and faith....How our God must be smiling and holding you all so close. I will continue to pray for your preciuos family. Jesus i pray that you would overwhelm this family with your love/comfort and peace as your are right there with them in the journey. Please continue to hold and heal baby Anna Joy, a precious gift from you indeed. Hold them all so close to you and keep them. Thank you in advance lord for your faithfullness, unconditional love, and your healing touch, in your precious name, Amen.
    Love to your family,
    The Hoover family

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  16. one more thing... "Our God is able" by Hillsong

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vkW-hCabk&feature=relmfu

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  17. Hello, I'm just new to reading up on your precious Anna Joy. I can't count the number of times I've had to stop reading to either wipe my soaked face and eyes due to tears of joy, sadness, awe, and pretty much all the other emotions...

    I am committing to praying with you and your family and will believe for God's healing and divine plan!!!

    Tonight and in this next week may HE grant you the peace that surpasses all understanding that guards your hearts and minds. May you feel, know, and see His providing and loving hand. Anna Joy is His princess and I believe that even now in this time he is using your family and her to challenge others to step up in faith!

    Blessings to you! Praying for the joy of the Lord, that it may be your strength.

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  18. Hey Matt,

    continuing to pray for your precious little girl.

    God, your will be done in little Anna's life. Heal her heart or take her home. Surround Matt and Alissa with comfort and peace in this time. give them joy in knowing that you have everything figured out. Anna's life has touched me and I don't even know this family personally. Thank you for allowing me to find this blog and for being one of the thousands of people that is praying for this precious girl. Thank you for the gift of life.

    Give Anna a restful night.
    Amen

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  19. We're praying for you up in our little corner of the world (Marble, WA). I read some of your story this morning and our whole church body worshiped the King on your behalf, interceding for the life of your precious baby girl. None of us know you directly, but my parents go to your church in Tumwater. We spent this morning pleading with God on your behalf, weeping, and on our knees asking for healing. We are here waiting to both rejoice or grieve with you and your beautiful family. Thankyou for the conviction you bring... As Christians, it's so easy to believe but not profess. You profess your faith so beautifully. I have a feeling God is well pleased with your open, fragile hearts.

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  20. I am praying for you constantly. I've posted on fb for more prayers for your family and anna. My friend lyndsay said her husband is good friends with you guys. Ben Bockel or however the last name is spelt (it really is a small world). You guys are amazing and I hope all our prayers are being felt. What ever God decides for your little family I hope you'll find strength and peace.

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  21. Thank you again for the updates. It's OK if you don't remember the names of these folks you mentioned in your post. Our Heavenly Farher knows them all by name. We will add them to our prayer list- God will know who we are praying for. God Bless.

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  22. My wife just asked me what I want for Christmas. I told her I want to go to Anna Joy Peppley's baby dedication.

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  23. I'm glad you are all getting some rest. Kitty

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  24. These are the trying times. When the devil is testing your faith. When you get your hopes and hearts set on a change in the ebb and flow of the days in the NICU. We know how hard it is to share the good news, then find out it isn't quite what you expected, whether it be a procedure or a turn in health. Then you start to realize it's easier to tell about the downs, because you're afraid to celebrate the ups. The roller coaster goes round and round, up and down, over and over. It takes its toll on your body, mind, and spirit. You begin to feel there is no end in sight.
    It is now that you turn your whole self to God. Don't give up on Our Lord and Savior. Believe in the power of prayer. We continue to pray for your Anna Joy and so do many others. Thanks be to God for Anna!

    Andy & Katy Rondeau
    http://babyjacobrondeau.blogspot.com

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  25. Praying, trusting, believing God for a Christmas miracle.

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  26. We keep praying for you all--for Anna to grow up to be a very special, very strong (stubborn) girl who has had the most loving experience with Jesus right from the beginning! It sounds like you have met some wonderful Christian fellow-travelers up there--with God there are NO coincidences! Angels walk among us! May God bless you as you walk through this.

    Cheryl McDougall

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  27. Still praying for Anna and your family. Hope the trial off ECMO today goes well. Lots of prayers for baby Anna!

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  28. Praying!!! I'm glad they are listening to their instincts and holding off until she's good and ready!

    Praying that she has a fabulous, restful, vein growing day today!!!

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  29. I am still praying for your family and beautiful little Anna!!! She has been on my mind constantly and everytime I think of her, I say a prayer for you all!! God is amazing and does miraculous things, and I believe that He will heal her!! I hope she has a wonderful, resting day, and shines like a star tomorrow and amazes everyone at her trial off. Your wife and you are truly amazing parents and so inspiring to me with your strong Faith and strength throughout this whole journey. Thank you for your updates! I will keep the prayers coming and wont stop!!

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  30. He can. He does. He shall. Hope for it. Pray for it. Believe it. {...the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain, and the glory of the LORD will be revealed… ~Isaiah 40:4-5} May God grow Anna's veins today!!

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  31. Still following, praying, and hoping.
    D. Bell

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  32. Just reminding you ~ you're all still in my heart and every breath of my prayers. Stay strong.

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  33. Your blog is my go-to site every morning, as I yearn to read new posts from the two of you. Still praying and pleading on Anna Joy and her family's behalf.

    Sure do miss you guys, your house is an aching reminder to me every time I pass by it. I pray for a happy family to occupy it again soon. I've been stopping by to say hello and relieve it. It misses you!

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  34. I have a friend at RMH in Seattle right now. Her daughter is being treated for bone cancer. She just lost her hair, and it is becoming a little more real right now because of that. They are doing really well, though, all things considered. I will be praying for you guys on this day of rest!

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  35. Matt and Allissa,
    We have never met but I heard about you through the prayer request from a friend. Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I can relate ...somewhat...to what y. ou are going through. My 11 month old son was born with a rare syndrome and went into respiratory failure in his first week of life. He was on ECMO for a little less than a week and by the grace of God he pulled through. I am praying for the same outcome for precious Anna. You two inspire me with your faith and devotion and strength. I know all too well the scary roller coaster you are on right now and I wish and pray for Gods healing hands on Anna , and peace for your family. Blessings from CA! -Jennifer

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  36. You don't know me but I've been following your blog and praying for your family for several months here in California. Very thankful Anna Joy get another day to rest. Your faith is so inspiring! I know you all are music fans, and I have been playing "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller over and over the last couple of weeks. If I didn't know better, I'd think you guys were the inspiration behind writing it! I can not even imagine how difficult it has been for you, but I know you've touched so many through sharing your story and faith...thank you! Will be continuing to pray for you all.

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  37. I am thankful that we all get another day worth of being on our knees for Anna Joy! My prayer for her today is that she will get the rest she needs for her big day tomorrow. I pray that God will be glorified for the healing in Anna's precious body as well as your family as a whole. Praying for rest for everyone. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

    ** BTW... my sister, Breanna Whitford, is the one who told me of your precious Anna. Ever since then, she has been a daily prayer and a post on FB. Many of my friends are praying for you all!

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  38. Matt and Alissa,
    I just wanted to let you know that our family is praying for you and for healing for your beautiful daughter Anna Joy. Praying specifically that the Lord would open up those little veins in a miraculous way! Praying that the Lord would give you wisdom, strength, comfort and peace. Thank you for sharing your journey and being so specific in ways we can be praying for your family. You are loved and being lifted up in prayer.

    Love, Shauna and Duane Ditchen

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  39. Father of Glory, come and glorify Your Son Jesus and heal Anna JOY.

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  40. Your blog and Anna are dear to my heart right now. My own baby was born with heart defects this time last year and I feel like I know so much of what you are experiencing (I even wonder if Anna's doctors are the same that treated my little girl!). I am praying for Anna's health and that God continues to give you the grace, strength, and wisdom you need to get through this.

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  41. Still praying for Anna and checking back several times a day. I so want to hear happy news from you.. I can not even comprehend your heartache, And I am praying for a recovery for your sweet baby.

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  43. Still praying for you all today.
    Sivje

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  44. Prayers for peace, hope, love and comfort during this most difficult journey you are taking.

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  45. Your whole family is in my constant prayers. I pray for strength for all of you, and I know God is watching over all of you. Anna Joy, you will continue to be an angel and an unforgettable presence to all of us who have "met" you and held you in our hearts in prayer.

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