(this is Tom) A couple nights ago I was reading a book given to me from Landon Jones (one of my “Boys”), a recent Deacon graduate who had been my senior patrol leader for over a year & one of the most remarkable young men you’ll ever meet. He gave me a book of inspiring experiences from the life and ministry of President Thomas S. Monson. I read his account of when President Monson’s young son-at the time-knelt down and said a prayer for a Margaret Lister who was ill. He said “Heavenly Father, please bless Sister Lister, Henny Penny, chicken Licken, turkey lurky, and all the little folks”. Both precious and funny, President Monson goes on the say “We do not demean the prayer of a child, After all, our children have more recently been with our Heavenly Father than we have”.
I’ve thought a lot about how grateful I am for the prayers of my children. Their pure love and innocence are a little piece of heaven every time they pray. They have strong faith, and know Heavenly Father hears them. Max said the most inspiring prayer last night with just the two of us in his room, and for breakfast this morning. I learn from his faith, and Taylor and Callie’s faith everyday!
We’ve been so touched at the comments and emails we’ve received of the stories of the many children praying for our sweet baby Gracie and our family! How wonderful to know the prayers of these beautiful children are going to heaven on our behalf! Is there anything more awe inspiring than this? My witness is that they have been heard and answered! Gracie still being alive is a medical miracle!
My Dad said to us, those Doctors and nurses are telling you their expectations based on years of treating these babies, but they don’t know God’s will for Gracie, and may not understand the power of faith and prayers on her behalf, and that miracles occur!
Yes, Gracie is our miracle! My heart was broken thinking of letting her go Friday. As they took her off life support (ECMO), I started to go numb, and had my emotions running high, yet I felt the love and peace only the Savior can offer, and we had the comforter with us in those dreaded minutes and hours. Yet, to almost everyone’s surprise, the prayers of the children were being answered! Thank you Children (& everyone) for your prayers! Please keep praying for Gracie and my family!
We love you!
12 comments:
Awesome post Tom! So often we try too hard to prepare our children for a hurried and often chaotic life. This has shown me to slow down and let the children be themselves and have fun.
We always have Gracie and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Thank You for being an inspiration to us! God truly works miracles as seen through Gracie!
With much love,
The Apkings
Tom:
Your words are just beautiful. The amazing thing I have witnessed these past 17 days is you and Michele standing together in anguish over Gracie and accepting whatever the Lord has in store for her. Your testimony and faith have never faltered, and you have been an amazing example of a honorable Priesthood holder, father, and husband. We love and admire you so very much.
Gary and Connie
Thank you for this post, Tom. What a wonderful lesson to all of us grown-ups. It is so good to hear the positive feedback from the nurses and doctors. We will continue to pray for her and hope her oxygen keeps improving and they can start weaning her off of as many machines as possible. Thank you for allowing us into your life during these incredible moments to see miracles still happen today as well as in times of old. I hope you guys get to catch up on some much needed rest and spend time with ALL your kids!
We are so grateful to see Gracie improving more everyday. Our children are part of those who are praying for Gracie and thrilled to be witnessing this miracle. Thank you for sharing her progress - she is always on our mind and in our thoughts. I loved the conference talk from the outgoing YW president (I'm having a brain cramp, can't remember her name). Anyway, she talked about sometimes the answers to prayer and the miracles come in the "fourth watch." It reminded me of what's happening with Gracie and the miracle that she is after many weeks of prayer and suffering. We hope Gracie keeps proving everyone wrong and keeps up with her unprecedented recovery. We'll keep hoping for "boring" days.
Love, Natalie, Alan and kids
That was beautiful, you guys are amazing and are wonderful examples of doing what is right and accepting the Lords will.
Though you may not know us in person, my family and I have had your family and Gracie constantly in our thoughts and prayers since we heard about your journey. We too are a "heart farmily" and have made many "heart friends" along the road of our own journey. However, I have to tell you that although all of these sweet babies are special, there is something about Gracie and your family that has simply captured our hearts. There have only been a few babies that my husband has followed closely and that he has felt personally touched by. He will routinely check your blog and even called to update me at work the day she'd been taken off the ECMO. Both Gracie and your family have exuded such faith and strength during these unimaginable trials.
Our son Ethan also has HLHS (who is our 4th child as well). We were not diagnosed in utero and the devastation and fear was unimaginealbe and completely overwhelming when he was born. However, we were equally overwhelmed and touched by the immense support and generousity of those around us. I can honestly say that I have never felt so loved and comforted by my Heavenly Father than during those first weeks and months.
I in no way want to compare our situation with yours. We have never been in the shoes you've worn and have not had to make the heartwrenching decisions you have had to make. I think this is why I have such respect and admiration for sweet Gracie and your family. I don't think that I could have handled this trial with such grace, dignity, and faith.
We too believe in the power of prayer and we will continue to have Gracie and your family in ours. We will pray for comfort, strength, and miracles. Let Gracie know that she has touched may lives and has countless people cheering her on.
Allison Curtis
We don't know you, but are uplifted by your words and experiences. What a miracle little Gracie is! I am so reminded of the Lord's goodness and mercy reading of your experiences. Thank you.
Wonderful, wonderful news. Our hearts continue to be drawn out in your behalf and that of little Gracie. Thank you for allowing so many to share in watching the hand of the Lord.
Saralyn
We are grateful for the wonderful news about Gracie today. What a great example Gracie is for us. Miracles help us know that our Heavenly Father loves us.
The faith of your family is a great reminder to us as you have ridden the rollercoaster of emotions that is inherent in difficult experiences. Our hearts have been softened as we have relived some of the emotions you are experiencing and are grateful that you have allowed us to share with you our love, thoughts and prayers.
We continue to pray that each of you will receive the blessings that you need through this experience. Sharing this experience with you has affirmed our testimony and blessed our lives. We hope there are many more good days to come.
Rob, Melissa, Kelsie, Taylor, and Hannah Smith
Such a sweet post!
& we are grateful for the chance to pray together for Baby Gracie! She truly is such a gift & is teaching our kids of faith! Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us!
Tom,
I have to say, it's hard not to smile at all the prayers my kids say for Gracie. Ally always says, "and bless Gracie that she can have a good surgery" Jaxon says,"Bless Gracie that she can stay here on earth to be Max and Taylor and Callies little sister, and help her surgery to be good." Sometimes I think of correcting them (that her surgery was over a week ago) and then I figure their faith is strong and Heavenly Father knows what they are asking for and that's what matters. Thanks for your testimony it has been an inspiration to all of us.
Tom,
Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. We have a love for little children too, and learn so much from them through their prayers. We appreciate you so much for sharing your experiences of little Gracie with us.
Thank you for letting us be a part of this experience with you. Your children are beautiful! We are truely blessed to have you and Michele as our friends.
Love, The Bunker's
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