Prayers and Praises

It's Friday! That is good news since it's been such a long 2 weeks. First bit of great news...we went yesterday for our 3rd ultrasound to see if baby was going to make it. And as the dr. finds the baby I see something familiar and something I know. It was a sign. A sign of life, and prayers answered. Ultrasounds are so confusing to me, half the time I have no clue what I am looking at. But yesterday, I knew as soon as I saw it that all was well. God is good and prayers for my tiny unborn child were answered. There in the screen of the ultrasound machine was a very stong, and very visible HEARTBEAT. I couldn't have asked for a better sign or better way of knowing my "dot" was ok. It was relief. And immediately a smile was on every face in that room. My dr. said to me your baby is doing wonderful, I could tell he too was relieved. As we were leaving he told me that I was ironically one of three women who had pregnancies that they were unsure of. He said he didn't know if those three babies would make it to the next visit. Want more great news? I was the last of the three to get the wonderful outcome that our unborn babies are well! Perhaps this was nothing more than just the way my body always works but we have just never seen it, but for us it was God's work. It was a little miracle. I am again SO thankful for all of you who have emailed, called, and followed my blog. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people pulled together for us. From amazing emails, calls, hugs, even meals offered. I am blessed. And forever thankful. And RSVPing for those meals when the baby arrives. lol, ok only kidding. :)

I had the wonderful priviledge of going to one of my friends/client's house last weekend to photograph her family in their environment. She has brought her 2 girls to my studio for pics before but for family I went to them. Young children just like their own environment. But this family is special to me. Their oldest child, Chase has autism. So, going to his environment was the best option for their family. We had SOOOO much fun. It was pretty hilarious watching a family giggle and laugh and fall all over the place. And lucky me to be on the other side of it with a camera. We got some great and fun pictures, and best of all her kids didn't even realize we were actually having a session. But yesterday I got an email with a request for some prayers for her dear friend. Here is the email:

I don't know if you have a prayer chain or can put in for prayer request with someone, but a friend of mine in CA just had her littlest guy diagnosed with autism. "N" is 19 months old. She has 3 boys. Her oldest "A" was diagnosed with autism 5 years ago. He is 7 now. This has been a huge blow for her and her family. Every prayer helps. I'm sure that about now she is really questioning everything. She is extremely upset because they thought they did everything right with a completely organic diet and lifestyle and N was not immunized at all! Anyway, they are getting ready to face some huge issues and will also have to face fighting the california school districts for services. Not a fun thing to do.
Anyway, any prayers offered up will be a huge help and a comfort for their family.

To learn more about autism, please visit http://www.autism-society.org/ . Please keep this family in your prayers. I cannot begin to imagine what they feel, but know we have a God that can get us through anything. If the family reads this, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your angels. It reminds me of a post on Eliot's blog. Many have heard the story but it talks about how you are going on vacation to Italy and you end up in Holland. How you were so set on Italy and the food and culture, everything. You get to Holland mad, sad, and disappointed. But you step out of the plane and realize how beautiful Holland is. You realize you love Holland. And are thankful for it. I have faith that Holland is not where you intended to go, life takes us to many places like Holland. But once we get there we see God's beauty in it. I hope you find your Holland to be amazing. To read Eliot's Holland story, go to http://mattandginny.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_mattandginny_archive.html and scroll down to the post titled Holland.

And Holland has done well for the Hoyt's. I cry everytime I watch this video. I know that while this dad carries his son over finish lines, so does our Father carry us over ours. For anyone who did not see the post on the Hoyt's, another inspiration in my life, here is their video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

If you've read this far THANK YOU for listening to me ramble!