August 7, 2007 

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV:  “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God: He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”

Dear Faithful Prayer Warriors,

Our precious Alison Elizabeth turned one-year old today at

2:21 PM.  How wonderful and merciful our Heavenly Father has been to our family.  From not knowing if Alison would live in those early days, to not knowing what quality of life she would enjoy if she did live, to now be able to hold our miracle from the Lord on a daily basis—our family has been on an awe-inspiring journey with our Creator.  Our Lord remains both powerful and merciful to His beloved children.  Thank you, dear Lord, for your unending love, patience, and forgiveness.  And thank you, dear Lord, for the precious gift of our daughter.  How great Thou art!           

Alison’s pediatric neurologist recently served as a reminder of just how sick our Alison was when she was born, and how far she has come under the Lord’s loving and tender care.  She entered the exam room (during a routine follow-up visit) to witness Alison standing in my lap, smiling, clapping, and talking baby talk, and just mused that Alison should not even be alive.  She then went on to tell Stephanie and me, “You realize Alison is a miracle.”  Yes, we do.  To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Alison has had tremendous care from her team of healthcare professionals at Woman’s Hospital and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.  Stephanie and I continue to owe a deep debt of gratitude to Alison’s physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physical therapists.  We would like to share their names with you (there have been so many wonderful caregivers who have tended to Alison on both a professional and personal level), but we are not sure they would want their names posted.  These men and women are deeply dedicated to their chosen profession, but they have also willingly shared their love with Alison (and her grandparents and parents) throughout her storm.  To all who have cared for our daughter, thank you for your hard work and gentle and loving hands.

Alison was born with a hematocrit of only seven one year ago today (her little body contained less than 20 percent of its proper blood volume at birth).  Her organs started to automatically shut down in an attempt to protect her brain, heart and lungs (isn’t the Lord’s design of our bodies amazing).  She was given several large blood transfusions in the early days to help her body provide needed oxygen to its member organs and tissues.  Her body tried to revert to the womb in the early days. Her lungs underwent immense stress from the oscillating ventilator.  Every lymphatic duct, blood vessel, etc., in her body dilated in an attempt to move needed blood, and the nurishment it provided.  The internal pressures necessary for the lymphatic system to properly remove waste fluid from her body were turned upside down.  Large and powerful doses of medicine were given to her small body on a daily basis for months.

Yet, Alison’s brain never swelled or hemorrhaged.  Her heart remained healthy and normal.  Her lungs and various organs seemingly suffered no permanent trauma.  Her ducts, blood vessels, etc., returned to their normal size.  Each visible scar her body suffered during her four plus months in the hospital is slowly healing and disappearing.  Alison is ahead of every developmental milestone, except her weight (although she is quickly catching up).  She is even beginning to walk.  Our daughter is a vibrant, sweet, curious, stubborn, and intelligent one-year old.  Praise be to the

Great I Am!

If you were able to witness Alison in person today, you would not believe that she endured so many traumas early in her precious life.  But we know that she did.  How have her life and recovery been possible?   Each and every one of Alison’s physicians and nurses will testify that her life is a miracle from the throne of God.  Praise be to King of kings and Lord of lords!

Why did the Lord choose to rescue Alison’s physical life on this earth?  Because you, dear friends, prayed incessantly for our daughter.  You sought out and gave glory to the Giver of Life on her behalf.  You stood in the gap on a daily basis beseeching His healing favor for our daughter.  And the Lord mercifully heard and answered from His holy throne.  Thank you, dear friends. And thank you, mighty Lord.  How great is your faithfulness, O Lord!

Friends, we wish you could be at Alison’s birthday today with us.  Your sacrifice of prayer on our family’s behalf is something we will never be able to adequately repay.  Thank you for being willing to stand in the gap on behalf of our daughter.  The Lord mercifully heard your prayers and our Alison continues to testify to His everlasting goodness, mercy, faithfulness and power.

We believe the Lord gave us an early promise that our Alison would be made “whole” by His grace.  We are tremendously blessed to see His mighty promise become reality on a day-by-day basis.  What a tremendous gift we have been given.  The lessons we have learned through the Lord's grace is life-changing.  Thank you, Heavenly Father.

We would like to share some pictures with you of the Lord’s continuing mercy and goodness to Alison during these past few months.  Please enjoy.  Happy First Birthday, Princess.  We love you.

Blessings to you,

Langston, Stephanie and Alison