My New Little Cousin--Thanks for your prayers!
	Posted By: kreynolds Yesterday I posted a prayer request in regards to my cousin Tara who was being airlifted in order to undergo an emergency c-section. She and her husband had been on their way back home after spending time with her family in Arizona when she suddenly became critically ill. I posted a prayer request here at CB and then also quickly sent messages to a couple of people on my friends list before racing off to the Saturday night service at my church to have prayer for her. Christians began to pray. People we had alerted began to call us or send us messages via the internet. My aunt, who has not been following Jesus for many years, broke down and cried when she learned about all the prayer that was going up on behalf of her daughter and precious little granddaughter. They did not expect the baby to make it. A deadly infection was racing through my cousin and they thought it was too late. The only thing they could do was try to take the baby and hope for the best. The prognosis for my cousin to survive wasn't much better. Later last night, we received word that the baby had arrived safely. They were surprised at her size. She's 13 1/2 inches and 2 pounds, 9 oz. Here's a picture of her with her daddy. She's going to remain in Las Vegas for three weeks before being airlifted to the hospital in Iowa City where her parents live. She is doing well and her prognosis at this time is good. My cousin is still not out of danger but is making progress and they are now hopeful that she too will recover. I'd like to thank everyone for their prayers and support and praise God for keeping his hand on my cousin and her daughter! K permalink   Posted: 01/04/2009 08:42pm - Total Views: 299 - Category: Personal   View: Backlinks Similar Blog Entries:   Prayers work over long distance!,  Christmas Prayers And Poems,  Advice and Prayers Please,  Prayers to help my sister..,  Prayers for Protection and Wisdom,

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	kiwibird
	Posted by:  kiwibird  (Posted: 01/04/2009 10:48pm) permalink It is truly a blessing to see this picture of Tara's baby. I want a name!!!! For now I am going to call her Hope. God knows who I am praying about. Bless you K. kbird

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/04/2009 11:16pm) permalink She doesn't have a name yet, but they contacted my son about a website he was talking about once. My son really loves names. I'll post the name as soon as I find out what they have decided to name her. I think I'll have to make a trip to Iowa sometime within the next few months! K

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	doulos
	Posted by:  doulos  (Posted: 01/04/2009 11:53pm) permalink Amen! Our God is Good!!!

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	savedbyegrace
	Posted by:  savedbyegrace  (Posted: 01/05/2009 5:13am) permalink With man, it is impossible. With God, all things are possible. What marvelous news, thanks, K.

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	blessings2you
	Posted by:  blessings2you  (Posted: 01/05/2009 6:54am) permalink If only we would remember situations such as this and the unbelievable power of community prayer, we would be able to see so many more miracles! Thank you God for stepping in and covering, providing for and blessing your people--all to YOUR GLORY and HONOR. Amen. B2Y

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	poodlelady
	Posted by:  poodlelady  (Posted: 01/05/2009 7:15am) permalink Praise God for he is worthy to be praised! Prayer is a powerful tool we have been given by the Lord. I am praying God will use this to return your Aunt to him as well as for Tara and (for now) baby Hope. Love in Christ pooh

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	everfaithful
	Posted by:  everfaithful  (Posted: 01/05/2009 8:21am) permalink Praise God! I will continue to pray for all of them!

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	kraftykatz
	Posted by:  kraftykatz  (Posted: 01/05/2009 10:25am) permalink Prayer works wonders. What a wonderful illustration you have shared. I love babies, any picture is adorable. My great nephew Zachary was about the same weight at his birth. He is now graduated from high school and attending community college. He is a healthy 6 foot tall very handsome young man. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. KraftyKatz

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/05/2009 8:21pm) permalink My mom called me yesterday afternoon as her sister had called her. They were so worried about Tara (the mom) as this afternoon visitors were no longer allowed. Her condition was deteriorating. Later last night, my mom called me again, Her sister just called and she was so excited. Her condition has suddenly improved dramatically and at that moment they were getting her ready to see her baby for the first time! The baby is doing great. They're having trouble keeping her from wiggling off down in NICU but she's entertaining and charming them nonetheless. I know all of you moms out there remember what great "medicine" that was for you once you saw your baby. I know I was pretty sick but once I saw that baby, Whoo! Hooo! K

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/06/2009 5:20am) permalink My mom called me yesterday afternoon as her sister had called her. They were so worried about Tara (the mom) as this afternoon visitors were no longer allowed. Her condition was deteriorating. Later last night, my mom called me again, Her sister just called and she was so excited. Her condition has suddenly improved dramatically and at that moment they were getting her ready to see her baby for the first time! The baby is doing great. They're having trouble keeping her from wiggling off down in NICU but she's entertaining and charming them nonetheless. I know all of you moms out there remember what great "medicine" that was for you once you saw your baby. I know I was pretty sick but once I saw that baby, Whoo! Hooo! K

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/06/2009 5:26am) permalink My mom called me yesterday afternoon as her sister had called her. They were so worried about Tara (the mom) as this afternoon visitors were no longer allowed. Her condition was deteriorating. Later last night, my mom called me again, Her sister just called and she was so excited. Her condition has suddenly improved dramatically and at that moment they were getting her ready to see her baby for the first time! The baby is doing great. They're having trouble keeping her from wiggling off down in NICU but she's entertaining and charming them nonetheless. I know all of you moms out there remember what great "medicine" that was for you once you saw your baby. I know I was pretty sick but once I saw that baby, Whoo! Hooo! K

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	blessings2you
	Posted by:  blessings2you  (Posted: 01/06/2009 5:39am) permalink Such excellent news and Praise be to God for His abounding mercy and grace. Let's keep praying that the new "medicine" will do its job and mother and daughter both totally recover and all ends well to the glory of God. B2Y

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/12/2009 5:05pm) permalink They finally named the baby. Her name is Bella Jean. Bella means beautiful. The Jean is for her maternal grandmother (my aunt). I looked up the name Jean and found that it means "God is gracious" and he certainly has been. My cousin had been through so much and was in such fear and shock that she had difficulty bonding with the baby at first. That's not unusual. She was like a hollow shell of herself my aunt said. However, she's now bonding with little Bella and was just released from the hospital. Although she has a brother in the area, she's staying at a Ronald McDonald House so she can be close by. They've been having my cousin put her thumb in a pacifier which the baby sucks on when they give her feed her via IV. That has helped. My aunt is going home tomorrow as mother and baby are now stable. I want to thank everyone once again for their prayers and messages of support. My family really has been touched by your love and support and they thank all of you as well. K

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	blessings2you
	Posted by:  blessings2you  (Posted: 01/12/2009 7:37pm) permalink Give Tara and Bella Jean a big hug from all of us who have been praying diligently for them. Praise God things are working out as they did. What a great testimony to God's power, love and the fervent prayer of His people. B2Y

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	allforhim
	Posted by:  allforhim  (Posted: 01/13/2009 4:03am) permalink I just praise God for this incredible miracle and display of His awesome power! How beautiful and I will continue to pray for Tara and Bella to continue to improve and to bond. God is so gracious. Blessings! Andrea

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/20/2009 7:16pm) permalink Bella weighed three pounds the other day. I called her grandma today and learned that Bella and her mom may be flying home to Iowa City as early as Saturday! Her oxygen levels are going down slightly when she eats and does other um...bodily functions but other than that she seems to be thriving. Mom is doing well now also. Their insurance company did not want to cover the cost of flying Bella back to Iowa. I guess the price tag is $30,000.00. However, when her husband's employer, the University of Iowa heard that, they took action and agreed to pay the cost so she can come home quickly and safely. This is another thing we are praising God for. My church makes "blankets of love" for our local Ronald McDonald House. I just made my first one on Saturday so of course, I had to make a tiny blanket for Bella. I live about 300 miles or so away from Iowa City so I probably won't get a chance to see her until this summer. K

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	savedbyegrace
	Posted by:  savedbyegrace  (Posted: 01/20/2009 7:18pm) permalink God's protective hands are on this wee one in a mighty way!

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 01/30/2009 10:46pm) permalink Okay, I've been asked about this so I will add this bit of news and a few pictures. Bella did fly home to Iowa City last Saturday. While she is still in the hospital, her home is nearby so the family is altogether again once more. While she is still so very tiny: Her mom says Bella has gained nearly a pound since she was born on 1/3/09. Mom and baby are both doing very well now! When I think back to that frightening night nearly a month ago when these two lives were in such danger and the prognosis was so grim, I can't help but praise God for His healing power and protection as well as for all the wonderful brothers and sisters here at CB who stood beside them in with their prayers. K (I've been doing a lot of that lately! Kiwibird told me she thinks I may be responsible for the big hole in her yard down there in New Zealand. She's probably right!

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	kreynolds
	Posted by:  kreynolds  (Posted: 02/26/2009 7:43pm) permalink Just a quick final update. I got an email from my cousin tonight. Bella is being released from the hospital to go home on Saturday. They had originally said she wouldn't be released until March 14 which was her "due date". However, she has been doing so well that they are releasing her two weeks early. Thanks again for your amazing outpouring of love and prayers! K

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