Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Expectant

Wanted to ask all of you to join us in expectant prayer.

The Lord has moved us to make an appointment with a geneticist for Libi. Tomorrow at 4:00 we will have our first appointment.

I want to share with you a little about why we made this appointment. Ever since we brought Libi home I have felt "unsettled" about where her diagnosis stands. When she first came home it was thought that she had Cerebral Palsy. That was ruled out early on and they diagnosed her as globally delayed with hypotonia. The doctor who provided this diagnosis was not too hopeful for Libi to continue to make progress. Well, here we are almost 2 years later and she has yet to hit a plateau.

I know because we lack so much vital history with Libi it leaves a lot of questions. There has always been this nagging feeling inside me that we are still missing something with her. I have wondered about genetic testing for a while, but never knew what direction to go.

Recently we took Haddie to a team of doctors. One of the doctors was a geneticist. After we settled that Haddie was not in need of the services of a geneticist, she then turned to Libi and asked some questions. After we explained to her that we had not yet pursued genetic testing for her she encouraged us to do so. She wasn't "general" about it either. She gave me the name and phone number of a specific group that was covered by our insurance. I called and set up and appointment right away.

With the appointment set it seemed that God began to move my heart more deeply about Libi's healing. There was a message at church about a man with leprosy that Jesus healed. John 5:

12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[c] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

At the end of the message the elders were available to pray over and anoint people with oil who were in need of healing. In obedience to James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

We took Libi up to have her prayed over and anointed. Of course it was emotional, but at the same time I felt more than hopeful. That message moved me deeply.

The following Saturday we went to see the amazing movie "Extraordinary Miracles". I cannot tell you how much I loved this movie. If you have not seen it you need to. It is a true story about a family where 2 of their 3 children suffer from a genetic syndrome that is extremely debilitating and confine the children affected by it to a wheelchair. It will eventually attack the muscles to such great intensity it will result in their death around age 9. It is a story that truly captures a parents passion and heart for their disabled child. This movie was such a huge confirmation to me. At the end of the movie was a clip of child (not an actor) affected by this syndrome having the ability to take her first steps...she was the same age as Libi...Brad and I were literally sobbing! All we could think of was our little Libi Love!!

The very next morning at church was the message about the friends who took their friend, who could not walk, to Jesus and lowered him through the roof for Jesus to heal. They set him right there in front of the Great Physician and believed that He would heal him. Jesus did heal and what did the friend who was healed do? WALK! He walked!

John 5:

17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

So here we are, feeling that this is the next step. That the Revealer of all mysteries is about to lift the curtain on a big one. Will you join us in expectant prayer? Will you help us carry our girl on her mat and lay her at the feet of Jesus?

Thank you, friends...you bless us!

4 comments:

  1. Oh Praise the Lord! YOU BET we will stand in EXPECTANT prayer with you! By Jesus' stripes Libi WAS HEALED...and we are PRAISE'in Him with you for this gift of healing to pour over your sweet Libi Love! Oh what a testimony she will have!

    Indeed, speak FAITH and remember that God desires that we call those things that be not, as though they WERE! (Romans 4:17) I found this website that I think you will find encouraging as you approach the tests to come: http://www.speakfaith.com/

    Be Blessed! <><
    ~ Tanya

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  2. Amy,

    I can't even begin to tell you how my heart and spirit soared with faith and expectancy as I read your post. He is THE HEALER, INDEED!!!! I have already lifted little Libi up to our Father and will continue to do so! I prayed for both of your sweet girls. My heart aches for the connection you are waiting on with Haddie. IT WILL COME IN JESUS NAME. There is no doubt. I feel like there are some big miracles coming your way and HE WILL BE GLORIFIED. There is a sweet plan and beautiful purpose in all of these things. Hugs and Much Love from across the miles!
    Sheri Jones

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  3. My sweet friend, We are in prayer.... expectant prayer. Believing that He will reveal. That He will heal. Libi has amazed us all. She is AMAZING. I know there is so much more of that to come. He will do remarkable things through your little one. Much love to all of you. Praying for you and Haddie as well. Know that IT is coming for you. His time is perfect. And WOW when you guys click it's going to be awesome. I can't wait to see it. Hugs from the Braniffs. We miss you bunches.

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  4. yes, i will join the crusade!!!!! (did anyone ever tell you you should be in sales?)please post updates!
    love you-
    lynne

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