On July 19, we were dealt some devastating news: our unborn son was diagnosed with the same disease that had claimed our daughter's life several years ago. We felt helpless at first, but we have been growing stronger in faith every day. Our past experience and the track record of this disease would tell us that there is not much reason to have hope for Will. However, God is in charge here, and we are believing in a complete healing of the baby. We are so thankful to have family and friends who are believing along with us. Please continue to pray for Will.
Our next appointment is in St. Louis on August 6. Here is the schedule for that day:
8 a.m. - Ultrasound
10 a.m. - Maternal Fetal Medicine
11 a.m.- Neonatology
Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
Faith is not just believing God CAN do it, it's believing He WILL do it.
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We are using this blog to keep our friends, family, and church body up to date on the progress of Baby Will. Visit this site often for updates and to find specific ways to pray and support Matt, Kari, and Jeff. Create your own username and password (free) and use the comments (at the end of each post) to write your prayers and words of encouragement.
Matt, Kari, and Jeff
About Our Situation
Matt and Kari are due to have a baby boy in October. They have a son in high school named Jeff and lots of family who are all very excited to welcome this little blessing into this world. Matt and Kari received a report from their physician that the baby has been diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease or ARPKD. This is the same disease that took the life of their five-month-old daughter Natalie almost nine years ago. With the disease, the baby's kidneys are forming fluid filled cysts that are taking up room in the kidneys and damaging the tissue in the kidneys, causing them not to function properly. Additionally, when the kidneys do not function properly, it causes a loss in amniotic fluid, which isn't good for the baby and causes Kari discomfort as well. The diagnosis is serious and needless to say, we are very concerned. Kari and Matt have been going to St. Louis for care to take place throughout the remainder of Kari's pregnancy.
Ok, on to bigger and better. A diagnosis is just that....a diagnosis. We know that God is bigger and that He can do all things....things that defy everything we know to be medically true.....even a diagnosis like this. This said, we are praying and BELIEVING in a miracle. We know in our hearts that the Lord seeks to draw us closer to Him and that His plans for our lives are to prosper us, so we know we can trust in His will for our lives. Please join us in praying and believing in the miracle we know we will see. We are committing ourselves to prayer and fasting for this cause and invite you to do the same. We know your prayers will be heard along with ours and that we can expect to see great things happen. We are praying life to the kidneys and death to the disease, and for peace for Matt, Kari, and Jeff. Matt and Kari and the family will update this site often with news on the baby's progress, updates on their progress as they deal in the situation, and specific ways that we can pray and support this family.
Ok, on to bigger and better. A diagnosis is just that....a diagnosis. We know that God is bigger and that He can do all things....things that defy everything we know to be medically true.....even a diagnosis like this. This said, we are praying and BELIEVING in a miracle. We know in our hearts that the Lord seeks to draw us closer to Him and that His plans for our lives are to prosper us, so we know we can trust in His will for our lives. Please join us in praying and believing in the miracle we know we will see. We are committing ourselves to prayer and fasting for this cause and invite you to do the same. We know your prayers will be heard along with ours and that we can expect to see great things happen. We are praying life to the kidneys and death to the disease, and for peace for Matt, Kari, and Jeff. Matt and Kari and the family will update this site often with news on the baby's progress, updates on their progress as they deal in the situation, and specific ways that we can pray and support this family.
Specific Ways to Pray...
- For a miracle!
- For the kidneys to be healed, to stop forming cysts and for the existing cysts to disappear
- For Will's kidneys to function
- For Will's lungs to develop and for his body to grow
- For more amniotic fluid to surround Will
- For peace and support for Matt, Kari, and Jeff
Blog Archive
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2007
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July
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- Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anythi...
- We found out today that the amount of amniotic flu...
- Today was such an encouraging one at church. It i...
- Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he took up our infirmities ...
- It has been one week since we first received the d...
- Because we have had experience with this disease b...
- On July 19, we were dealt some devastating news: o...
- Ok, first, a little background: Matt and Kari are ...
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July
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4 comments:
I am a friend of Julie Catron's and I got an email asking to pray for your family and your baby. I have been doing so and will continue to do so!
I'm a friend of the Bishop family and have been praying for your family since hearing your news this week.
I'm passing this request along to more prayer warriors too.
Maureen
Matt,Kari and Jeff
Your family is in our prayers. Our Sunday School class prayed for your family and baby Will on Sunday and we have placed you on the prayer list at church.We believe that God will provide a miracle with Will.
You are in our prayers and continue to believe.
Love, Darryl & Amy Mansfield
You will be in our constant prayers and thoughts all day on the 6th and all other upcoming appointments. We will rejoice in the awe of the doctors as they look at a healthy baby boy they once thought was very sick.
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