It’s been a whirlwind of a week, my sweet friends!
Let me tell you, though – our God is faithful.
Even when our circumstances are not what we would want or expect, He is still moving and working and proving Himself to be oh-so-good.
One way the Lord showed me His goodness these last several days has been through your COMMENTS!
From the stories of your own personal NICU experiences, to simply a word that you are praying, God has used your encouragement to deeply settle my heart and help me to trust Him more with this difficult thing.
I wish that I could respond to each and every one of you, but with all the trips to the NICU (and they are slow trips since I am kind of walking like a Granny with this incision) – time is of the essence! 🙂
I got to hold him the other day.
That was excellent therapy.
And one of my favorite moments was when the Happy Hubby and I had a time of worship with the little guy.
He is still not ready to begin nursing yet, but I have been pumping like a mad woman!
We are still waiting on the Lord to heal his breathing issues, but from what the doctors say, it should just be a matter of time.
One of you gave me this verse to cling to this week –
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20
Thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts and comments – I would not have been so strengthened had you not taken the time to be obedient to write them!
With MUCH Love and Gratitude,
Julie 🙂
My little girl spent 28 days in the NICU. She is now 2 and I am still greatful for our NICU help. We are still praying for you!
Julie & family,
You have been an inspiration to me & for my family. My sister met you in FL & bought some of your books for me. I live in Payson, IL. I have two little girls 8 months & 2 yrs old. I am an RN. Used to be a labor & delivery nurse. I am a Christ follower. I don’t think you have any idea how many lives you touch. Your blogging & ideas you share have indefinitely made me a better wife & mother. Thank you for always taking the time to do what you do. You are really something special. I have teary eyes right now thinking about that beautiful smile you have in EVERY picture no matter what. You are suffering beautifully with your baby right now & I am lifting you all up in prayer. I have memeorized this scripture recently to give me peace: ‘then he told them I will give you peace. The world will give you tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.’ John 33:16
Your baby is so blessed with parents like you & I am positive that when you sang & your hubby played music your baby was strengthened in so many ways. Neurologically, spiritually, emotionally. I pray for a fast recovery for the happy baby. Does he have a sweet name for that precious face yet? ;). He looks like older brother I think ;). So funny I feel like I know you but you dont know me- someday I hope ;). Gods blessings! Amber Sill
Julie & family,
I don’t remember if I mentioned just how beautiful your family is and what a gorgeous mommy you are, especially after just having a baby!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Amber Sill 😉
Praying for your sweet family. I will be making your sunshine cake recipe with my girls today. Praying that God shines His love on your sweet little baby.
My prayers continue for your Happy Baby and that the Happy Family can go home to enjoy each other very soon! I know Happy Baby can feel the love from his Happy Mommy & Daddy. Praying for you all. It is amazing how you show God’s love through all you do – you shine!
Thanks for the photos, Julie. Jethro will be just fine, especially since he’s lucky enough to have you & Ryan as parents. And, most importantly, God watching over him. 😉
That picture of you worshipping with your baby is so sweet…brought tears to my eyes. I am currently pregnant with my 3rd and it’s such a blessing and inspiration to see how much you love your family and how much you inspire others to love and cherish their families. You and your baby will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings.
Just hit me I wrote the verse I share with you backwards John 16:33, ha! I think I may have written John 33:16. Also wanted to add how my heart aches for you as you anxiously wait to nurse your new, sweet baby. You go girl with that pumping you should be so proud of yourself. I nursed my babies & know how enjoyable but extra work it is to pump. Great work Mommy!
What a wonderful testimony to His power & greatness as the 2 of you praised HIm together in the NICU. Still praying! Thank you for sharing your heart & being an encouragement to the rest of us.
Dearest Julie,
I’ve been praying for you, your family, and your precious bundle of joy since the night before you went into the hospital. I’m trusting God to totally heal your baby’s breathing problems swiftly, and fully.
May God hold you and your family in His loving arms as you wait upon Him, and may you feel His peace that passes all understanding.
Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
With love and prayers,
Jill 🙂
You are such a darling family and I don’t even know you. Please know people in California are praying for you!!!
From the Happy Cow People
What beautiful pictures! Praising God for His faithfulness!!!
May the God of peace himself make you entirely pure and devoted to God; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong…God, who called you to become his child, will do all this for you, just as he promised. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 TLB
Blessings to you and your family. I pray healing for your sweet baby and strength to you and your husband.
Your words of faith are just as beautiful as that sweet little boy there Mama. You are so blessed and such a blessing to so many! Like the others are saying, stay strong in that faith. The trying days may feel like they drag on forever, but so soon will all this be a distant memory for you when you are busy chasing TWO very active little buddies around! God is forever faithful and He is with your little man at all times. You do look lovely as ever, but I can see the worry and tiredness in those pretty eyes. You are an awesome Mommy and I’m praying God provides you with the most peaceful and renewing rest for the very short time I’m sure you are sleeping these days. Whenever the worry seems overwhelming, just be still and let God whisper soothing words to your soul.
Julie please know my heart, love and prayers continue to be with Happy Baby, you, your husband, Happy Buddy the grandparents and all the rest of your family too. This is a journey together, but one with Our Heavenly Father, you will be an even stronger family as you walk through this time. As I write this a song keeps coming to my heart for you all, it’s been around for a long time … His Eye Is On The Sparrow, we know His eye is also on Happy Baby too! These scriptures might also encourage you … Luke 12:6-7; Matthew 10-29-31
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
And …
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let me end by sharing I have 2 cousins who have worked in NICU for years, your Happy Baby is being so cared for by God Our Father and those special angel nurses God has sent to Happy Baby too.
I so love you Julie and the heart of a mother you have shared with us each time I hear you speak too, I also met your Mom at Embrace one time and I know her heart as a Grandmother too, I share that awesome honor with her as I pray for you all.
May God wrap His arms around you and put that twinkle in your eye, as you feel “His Glorious Glitter and Faithful Fairy Dust” sprinkled on you all through the love and prayers of many.
You have sown many seeds in the lives of others, the Lord is returning a portion of them back too you, hold your hands up and receive them all!
We all love you and HE loves you even more and your family too!
Bless you!
Anita
Praying for your beautiful little guy!!
Sat here in Raleigh at Bethany’s house crying over the picture of you and Ryan singing to little Jethro. I can only imagine how that touched the other folks there. I know this is so hard right now, Julie and Ryan, even though at some point it will seems like just a blip of time compared to the years you’ll have with your new little guy. Also know God will use this experience to better equip you for compassionate ministry to others. Praying for God by His Spirit to breathe His great strength and comfort into Jethro and all of this family. How we love you all!!!!! Dave and I know from recent experience the incredible gift of knowing the family of believers is praying for you.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a precious picture as the one of you and your hubby worshiping together with your sweet baby in the NICU. Even though it’s hard right now, you’ll be able to keep those memories and ponder them in your heart, like Mary did.
Thank you for your blog and the way you inspire all of us!
We are praying for you and your beautiful family. Thanks for sharing with each of us, and for the updates. We have been thinking of you lots! You are such a sweetheart with such a huge heart. You definately have touched so many lives. Thank you! XOXO 🙂
Continuing to pray for you– he’s a beautiful baby! When I had my twins, I went into heart failure. They couldn’t nurse for three weeks, but because of the wonderful support I had at the hospital I was able to pump and am nursing them still. You can do it!
God is faithful and is able to do more than our minds can ever imagine.Twenty six years ago, my daughter which was a year old at the time ended up in intensive care from Menigitis and suffered stroke and had lots of issues for 3 weeks. the outcome was bleak from the Doctors thinking. Was told our baby girl would most likely die and if she survived she would have to be institutionized.We never gave up hope. Today, Lourie is 27 years old and graduated High School and is such a blessing. She is an inspiration to all who know her. She walks, talks, knows everyone, these are a few of the things they said she would never do again. She has some paralysis on the left side which throws off her balance and she does not have use of her left hand, but, to look at her or talk to her, you would never have known the life crisis she faced at age one. GOD raised her up and is using her greatly to witness to others . Never give up. Just look up and put your precious baby in JESUS loving arms to speed his recovery. Much love, prayers and blessings for you and your family. Vickie in North Caroliina
You are an amazing woman surrounded by prayer. Prov. 3:5&6 gets me through a lot of tough situations b/c I don’t understand a LOT of things : ) Hang in, Love to all!
I ditto the comments above, you truly are a beautiful family! Thank you for the updates, we are still praying and trusting God for complete healing!
What a sweet, sweet baby…and what a sweet, sweet mom and dad!!! Praying for your family and hoping you have a very blessed Easter!
Oh sweet girl. I just wanted to share that our NICU baby (4 wks premature, emergency c-section, hole in his lung) healed beautifully and is now seven years old. Scary time for sure, but lean on Him. He will not fail.
Thinking of your sweet family and praying your Easter is blessed. He is walking with you. He has gone before you in all things.
While I should be uplifting you in prayer, it was I who was touched, uplifted and led to HIS word this morning through your post. Thank you for shining your light on us.
Blessings to you and yours!
Praying for your precious baby and you! What a special family you are.You have touched my life so much .
I LOVE that you guys worshiped with him! Precious! And sooo glad you got to hold him. What a swete little miracle he is 🙂
In definitely praying for u and ur precious beautiful little boy!!!! We know those isolets all too well:-( our first born was born with a heart condition, unknown til the pediatrician checked him in the hospital, and we were transferred and waiting, and talking to everyone, I was pumping like a mad woman as well, he had a procedure, etc… But what could we do but leave it in Gods hands??!!! He’s a better physician than our earthly ones could ever dream of being, but He also gives us His best earthly drs to help our most valuable treasures!!! Thank u for the updates and can’t wait to see pictures from home!!:-) in case you’re interested in figuring out where I know you from, you spoke at our mops group at Grace Baptist Church in Pompano Beach and I was the outings Cordinator who also sews baby/child items. If u don’t mind I would love to know your happy buddy’s and happy baby’s names and send u a little something…:-) [email protected]. Love, jamee good
Things will work out in God’s great plan. We spent 104 days in our NICU. We have been blessed with a very positive outcome. Please ask about Kangaroo care and skin to skin. It really helped out little one with breathing and heart beat maintenance.
Julie,
I haven’t talked with you in so long, but you are so dear to my heart. I have only read a little bit of what is going on with your new little man…and by the way CONGRATULATIONS!…from the little I have read so far it sounds like Jethro is having some breathing problems. I immediately started praying for him. Being a new mom myself my heart goes out to you dear friend. When I saw the picture of you and Ryan worshipping with Jethro I cried from my soul for several reasons 1) that is sooooo beautiful to see you worship as a family amidst trial 2) it shows your steadfast faith and honor to our Lord 3) I can still hear your AMAZING voice in my mind and know that Jesus and Jethro will thoroughly enjoy hearing it on a daily basis. You are an incredible woman, Julie. God created you so wondrously and beautifully. I feel so blessed to know you and wish that I had kept in touch with you better. Please take comfort in knowing you and your family are being lifted up in prayer. Grace and peace to you, my friend. Love, Adriana