Early in her pregnancy, Shelley...
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Early in her pregnancy, Shelley and Mark learned that their baby would have serious life-
threatening birth defects. There were told that the baby would not live for more than a
few minutes after birth. As you would expect, the news that their unborn child would not
live was devastating for the entire family. On Sunday during the sharing of concerns and
prayer requests Mark shared with the congregation about what the doctors told them.
Mark barely made it through without breaking down. Others in the church were visibly
shaken. The church began praying for this young couple and their baby. People from
other churches in the community also remembered them in their prayers.
The advice of the medical team was to terminate the pregnancy. Mark and Shelley began praying, seeking God's will for their lives and the life of their unborn child. After much prayer they informed the doctors and their family that Shelley would carry the baby to term.
When Kristen Grace was born, the severity of her condition matched the doctor's original diagnosis. Her family expected that she would only live a few minutes but she surprised everyone. Twelve hours later, Kristen Grace was still alive when Mark sent out email telling of the birth and thanking everyone for their prayers. "Doctors and nurses are praying for us and with us," he wrote. Kristen's miraculous life touched everyone.
Several days later Mark again wrote, "We are blessed beyond description." Their daughter was alive on her third day. While she was showing signs of weakening, she is also strong. "We are trusting God to receive her in his time," Mark wrote, then added, "The peacefulness and purpose of her life are gifts to all of us. God is moving in significant ways." Once again he thanked everyone for their continued prayers.
Five days after her birth, Kristen Grace went home, something no one ever thought she would. "You cannot imagine the joy that filled our hearts as we saw her leave the hospital," Mark said that evening. Kristen Grace died the next morning in her parents' arms, having lived six days.
God continues to be at work in our lives. The ancient Israelites were experiencing a difficult time when it appeared that all hope had vanished. But God had a plan. God would raise up a leader -- Moses.
The advice of the medical team was to terminate the pregnancy. Mark and Shelley began praying, seeking God's will for their lives and the life of their unborn child. After much prayer they informed the doctors and their family that Shelley would carry the baby to term.
When Kristen Grace was born, the severity of her condition matched the doctor's original diagnosis. Her family expected that she would only live a few minutes but she surprised everyone. Twelve hours later, Kristen Grace was still alive when Mark sent out email telling of the birth and thanking everyone for their prayers. "Doctors and nurses are praying for us and with us," he wrote. Kristen's miraculous life touched everyone.
Several days later Mark again wrote, "We are blessed beyond description." Their daughter was alive on her third day. While she was showing signs of weakening, she is also strong. "We are trusting God to receive her in his time," Mark wrote, then added, "The peacefulness and purpose of her life are gifts to all of us. God is moving in significant ways." Once again he thanked everyone for their continued prayers.
Five days after her birth, Kristen Grace went home, something no one ever thought she would. "You cannot imagine the joy that filled our hearts as we saw her leave the hospital," Mark said that evening. Kristen Grace died the next morning in her parents' arms, having lived six days.
God continues to be at work in our lives. The ancient Israelites were experiencing a difficult time when it appeared that all hope had vanished. But God had a plan. God would raise up a leader -- Moses.
