As Magdalena's father, I first want to say that I am so proud of her and so thankful to God for taking care of her thus far. She has been the most amazing blessing in our lives and every day with her is precious. She is so beautiful and sweet.
Today was a very good day. Julie visited Magdalena for several hours this afternoon and the nurses told her that because Magdalena had eaten and digested so well, they removed the IV that had been giving her nutrients and keeping her hydrated. This is wonderful news! I had the chance to spend a few minutes with her and she is more and more beautiful every day.
After visiting with Magdalena, Julie and her mother took a trip over to our special store to do a little shopping to expand Magdalena's wardrobe. They found the cutest little hat and booties and some tiny thermal underwear to keep her warm when she needs to be.
After some shopping, they went back to the hospital where Gigi (Jennifer), Laura and Landon met them to visit with Magdalena. Magdalena kept her eyes open for a long time and seemed to visually engage people and respond a good bit to Julie. This is so encouraging! Also, she ate more than she ever has before (about 28 cc's) and is digesting so well.
We are so thankful for all of the people that have done so much to help us in this time. Today, Mrs. P drove Julie to the hospital from home and has offered to do this on a regular basis when needed. Several other people have offered similar help and it is wonderfully overwhelming to have such great support from friends and family. Also, many of you have offered to provide meals for us which will certainly be eaten and fully appreciated by us. Thank you so much, Mrs. D, for the lasagna, green beans, salad and cake tonight. It was all delicious!
We are so thankful for another very good day with Magdalena. God is certainly answering prayers. Thank you for so faithfully praying for Madgalena and for us. God has met our needs every step of the way and has shown us over and over that His mercies are new every morning and that He is our true strength and source of joy, even in hard times. We also want to thank all of you for reading the blog and leaving so many wonderful comments. I have teared up several times reading through the comments when seeing how encouraging and thoughtful so many of you are. You are more of a blessing than you will probably ever know.
We know that every second of Magdalena's life with us is simply to glorify God. Our prayer is that we will know Him better and love Him more because of her, and that you will do the same. Magdalena's life is a great reminder that all of us are fragile and none of us has been promised tomorrow. May we glorify and enjoy Him today as we savor every precious moment with Magdalena.
~Noah
Today was a very good day. Julie visited Magdalena for several hours this afternoon and the nurses told her that because Magdalena had eaten and digested so well, they removed the IV that had been giving her nutrients and keeping her hydrated. This is wonderful news! I had the chance to spend a few minutes with her and she is more and more beautiful every day.
After visiting with Magdalena, Julie and her mother took a trip over to our special store to do a little shopping to expand Magdalena's wardrobe. They found the cutest little hat and booties and some tiny thermal underwear to keep her warm when she needs to be.
After some shopping, they went back to the hospital where Gigi (Jennifer), Laura and Landon met them to visit with Magdalena. Magdalena kept her eyes open for a long time and seemed to visually engage people and respond a good bit to Julie. This is so encouraging! Also, she ate more than she ever has before (about 28 cc's) and is digesting so well.
We are so thankful for all of the people that have done so much to help us in this time. Today, Mrs. P drove Julie to the hospital from home and has offered to do this on a regular basis when needed. Several other people have offered similar help and it is wonderfully overwhelming to have such great support from friends and family. Also, many of you have offered to provide meals for us which will certainly be eaten and fully appreciated by us. Thank you so much, Mrs. D, for the lasagna, green beans, salad and cake tonight. It was all delicious!
We are so thankful for another very good day with Magdalena. God is certainly answering prayers. Thank you for so faithfully praying for Madgalena and for us. God has met our needs every step of the way and has shown us over and over that His mercies are new every morning and that He is our true strength and source of joy, even in hard times. We also want to thank all of you for reading the blog and leaving so many wonderful comments. I have teared up several times reading through the comments when seeing how encouraging and thoughtful so many of you are. You are more of a blessing than you will probably ever know.
We know that every second of Magdalena's life with us is simply to glorify God. Our prayer is that we will know Him better and love Him more because of her, and that you will do the same. Magdalena's life is a great reminder that all of us are fragile and none of us has been promised tomorrow. May we glorify and enjoy Him today as we savor every precious moment with Magdalena.
~Noah
Carter was asking about Magdalena the other day, asking if she was sick, and I told him that she was born with a sickness. Then, I paused and told him that we are all born with a sickness and that really, Magdalena is not different from the rest of us. It hit me so hard -- that she IS such a glory to God. I already knew it, but it was just confirmed in that discussion with my son, and in the way he seemed to grasp how we are all touched by the effects of a fallen world because if a little baby can be born with such a diagnosis, then where are the rest of us? Noah and Julie, y'all are such a testimony to God's goodness and grace, and little Magdalena, I can barely form the words to thank God for her life. What a blessing! I am so thankful for the great day y'all had.
ReplyDeleteWe should be thanking you, Noah and Julie, for opening your journey through this time in your life. It constantly reminds us how great God is when the darkest of darkness knocks at our very own door. We also encouraged by reading each miracle one by one each day. It brings all of us such hope when reflecting on God's greatness, goodness, and faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you all.
Sam and Shirley Higginbotham
Echoing the comments made from those above...I am so humbled when I consider how transparent y'all have been. Thank you for allowing us to be 'partakers'with you and your family reflecting the Body of Christ at work. Your journey has brought to light the profound reality in which in the midst of all our personal stories unfolding, as we experience the trials, sorrows, confusion, joy, elation, anger, suffering and even the full weight of loss in this life, there is another story that omniously transcends beyond our experience. That story is the one being whispered throughout all the ages connecting God's great sovereign plan of Love starting from the moment nakedness was discovered until the day the final trumpet shall sound and "Faithful and True" thunders down from the Heavens. This Story is the one that I pray you find unexplainable hope and peace in. Certainly, all of us that have been walking alongside of you have been exposed to this Story through your transparency. I know I have. I am still overwhelmed that God would choose to use you and your tiny, sweet Magdalena to reveal the realities of our Almighty, All Powerful, Uncontainable God. We are all blessed by your little blessing. Praise be to God!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are enjoying her....I will be checking in on you guys as so many did with us and Jacob. On Jaocb's Day 50 (fahmer.blogspot.com) one thing we enjoyed is getting Crayola Model Magic and doing his footprints and hand prints....it is easy to do and not messy at all....just an idea. Loving you all from Buffalo, NY. Karen Fahmer
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o mi gosh she is so beutiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletecongragulations magdalena for making it this far. she looks like she is getting much healthier, and I don't care what the doctors say I think she will be living for a very long time.
praying for you freqently,
-Corinne
Just checking in today to see how you are all doing. I had babies in the nicu and reading of your journey reminds me of the time we spent there. I was hoping that since the IV came out she might be getting closer to going home with you. I think if I remember it correctly the next step is to maintain body temp and tolerate all her feeds. Praying for both of those things to happen so you can be at home as a family.
ReplyDeletekaren in NY
Wonderful post, Noah, and I especially love what you say about Madgalena and her situation helping us to know the Lord more.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie and Noah-I saw the prayer request for your family on Karen's blog and just spent some time reading your story.
ReplyDeleteI am praising God that He is blessing you with such precious time with Magdalena and for the strength that He has given her and your whole family. Your testimony to Jesus Christ is amazing and the eyes that God has given you to see the details through HIM.
Six years ago, we were blessed with Joshua Isaac, our 4th son. He was born with T18 and lived with us for 119 beautiful days.
It was the most difficult road we have ever had to travel,but also the most rewarding and life changing. My walk with God has never been more intimate than during that time...and now...I can say I know HIM more fully because of Joshua. He was a gift to us in so many ways. It is quite amazing how God teaches us, comforts us, transforms us more and more through our weakness and HIS strength.
I will be praying for you all and for your beautiful little girl, Magdalena each day.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8
What a blessing her life is to so many.
In Christ's love and grace-Stacy
Noah, Eric and I are praying for your family every night. I have the whole DFA family praying for you too at school. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Eventhough you are far away your parents are close and if we can be of any assisstance let us know
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