Just A Miracle

I don't like that when I experience a miracle or see a miracle in someone else's life I typically think of it as a "modern day" miracle instead of just a MIRACLE! God is at work right now. He hears. He loves. He answers. Today. I LOVE hearing about miracles, and I love being able to share this special story today.

My precious niece was born just a mere six weeks after Basye. Her name is Laela and she is beautiful! We haven't met her yet, but we are so excited to next month! Before even leaving the hospital after Laela was born, Chuck's sister and brother-in-law (Becky and Dave) were told to keep an eye on Laela's hip as her leg was popping in and out of the socket. (OK, I definitely won't get every medical detail and term correct, but you get the gist.) Anyone can hear this and know that would be concerning. Sweet little Laela's hip continued to show signs of issues so she had to be seen by a specialist. Ultrasounds were done, and she was assigned a harness. A harness that had to be strictly worn at ALL times. Dave and Becky were told that if Laela came back to the office in a clean harness then it would be known they were doing something wrong. The dirtier the harness, the better.

This was an extremely difficult load to bare. On top of taking care of a newborn, and two other children, now they had to be extra cautious with Laela's hips as well as keep their baby confined in a harness. Imagine how difficult- diaper changes, changing clothes, baths, the baby being stuck in one position, and no wiggle room for sleeping. Then there were the mental worries- would Laela have to have surgery? Would she be able to crawl one day? Would she be able to walk, and if so, would it be with a limp?

Two weeks ago, after about two months in the harness, Laela had another ultrasound done. This one confirmed one of her ligaments was blocking the hip socket. Dave and Becky were told there was pretty much no chance Laela would get better without surgery. They were sent home after hearing discouraging details about Laela's possible surgery. For instance, both legs would be in a cast, and she would only be able to go to the bathroom out of a hole in the bottom of the cast. They left in tears, of course. They were to return to the surgeon's office two weeks later to discuss further surgery details.

We, as a family, continued to pray! None of us wanted to see Laela suffer through a surgery, most of all her parents. Sometime during the two weeks, Becky attended a women's conference through her church. She brought Laela along, and the women laid hands on Laela while asking God to heal her hips. Then last night Dave, Becky, and their two boys laid hands on Laela together as a family, and prayed over her again for God to heal her hips.

Today was the big appointment. The day that has been looming over Dave and Becky for the last two weeks. When the doctor entered their exam room, he looked at Laela's ultrasound first. Without explaining it at all, he said he wanted to physically examine her before sharing any information. After the exam he looked back at the ultrasound. He questioned Dave and Becky about if they had any other ultrasounds, and if this was the most recent one. He checked the ultrasound dates again and again.

The doctor then held up Laela's two ultrasounds. One from two weeks ago, and one from today. The ultrasound from two weeks ago clearly showed the ligament blocking Laela's hip socket. The ultrasound from today showed NO BLOCKAGE at all!!! It showed a perfect hip!!! And to top it off, their doctor said there was no way he could pull her leg out of the socket. It was tight- for the first time in her little life! He was baffled by this, and had no human explanation for the change.

Left: Image from today = Perfect
Right: Image from two weeks ago = The femur bone was not in the hip, and there was blockage.

When Becky called this afternoon to share their news, I was immediately covered in chills and tears. We both were! Tears of joy! Tears of thankfulness to God! Tears of awe! Tears of wonder that God had healed her! Tears of hope because my faith was strengthened in a way I did not expect. Tears of praise to the One True God! "Our God is Healer! Awesome in power!"

Keep praying, friends. Keep asking. Keep believing. HE IS GOOD. If you don't know this Jesus personally, He is waiting for you. He loves you. I am always excited to share more or answer any questions about this great God.

Look at this sweetness! Isn't she beautiful?! I just can't wait to kiss that precious face and squeeeeeeze her!