For this child...

"For this child I prayed and the Lord answered my prayer." 1 Samuel 1:27

The week of July 4th we took a trip to northern Michigan. While browsing through a children's boutique I came across a wall plaque with this scripture. I stared at it and pictured it hanging in Elise's bedroom at home. A nursery we decorated in hopes that, despite what our doctors had said could happen, perhaps we may get to bring home our baby girl after all. I decided that was the scripture I wanted hanging over Elise's crib (just not that specific wall plaque- because clearly I would need one to appropriately match her bedroom!). I immediately found one on etsy and placed the order. 

Currently, this is sitting in Elise's hospital room. In a short while it will hang over her crib at home. Just typing that last sentence speaks to the truth of the verses meaning. He answered our prayer. 

There is a massive list of unknowns for Elise's future. They will remain unknown until she reaches the age of certain milestones when we will be able to see what she is truly capable of doing. When we first received her diagnosis that list of unknowns terrified me. With much research, it became clear that no one could specifically tell us if she would be okay. Would I spend the rest of my life in constant fear of what could be? Through this journey I have realized that the future is unknown for all of us. We hope and pray for the best of everything this life has to offer but it can change in an instant. What truly matters is how we handle that change; how we handle the challenges. Do we allow them to destroy us? Or do we confront them head on? It took a while for us to get to this place, but together and with the prayers and support of our family and closest friends, we put on our armor and prepared for battle. Today, He answered our prayer. I have no doubt that tomorrow the same will be true, and the next day, and the next day...