I usually don’t post on Sundays, but some things can’t wait for the weekdays. About a month ago, two of our friends in their mid 20s had twins named Warren and John. Within a few hours after the birth both babies began experiencing seizures. The couple, Mary Elizabeth and Meade, started a Caring Bridge blog to share the journey. From posting photos of Meade holding the two boys against his bare chest because they needed human contact for healing to chronicling the feedback from an army of doctors, they shared what was going on. Two weeks ago, Warren, one of the boys, passed away.
John is still in the hospital and the diagnosis is still not great. Despite what feels like insurmountable odds, despite the death of a baby boy, Mary Elizabeth and Meade are holding on to a faith I cannot fathom. I asked Mary Elizabeth if I could share with you something she recently wrote because John needs prayers.
Here is what she wrote on Friday, February 27th:
It has been almost a week since the last update. There is really nothing new to report in the earthly sense. However, God is doing mighty things in the spiritual realm. We know you continue to pray as we continue to seek the Lord and simply BELIEVE. This is the work He has called us to: to believe (John 6). And it is hard work! Therefore, we ask for your prayers for strength as we believe and wait upon the Lord. So many scriptures in the Bible speak of waiting and now we see why. So much of our lives are filled with waiting. But the good news of the Gospel is that our waiting is and will be worthwhile. God promises good things for His people. He promises restoration. As I read my Bible daily to John (not because I am extremely spiritual or anything, but because I am at the end of myself and the Word of God MUST be our hope), I have been incredibly struck and challenged by Jesus’ boldness, the miracles that fill each chapter, and His commands. Throughout the Gospel of John alone, we are COMMANDED to believe, not doubt, and ask for anything in His name (a parallel passage that has been particularly encouraging and challenging is Mark 11:22-25). This all stands in stark contrast to my comfortable Christianity that wants to play it safe and not fully ask God to be the big God He is in fear He will not prove to be all that I claim to believe He is. This week, Meade and I have been challenged to actually believe and have faith, to take that leap off the cliff. It is ‘foolish’ in the earthly paradigm to say this and to give an electronic record of it, but we are taking Jesus up on His challenge in Mark 11 and have prayed for John’s healing and are believing we have received it. Let’s be in agreement together! The roller coaster is frightening, enraging, and continues until God’s perfect timing. Therefore, we are human and still experience pain. On days like today, when the seizures continue to come, the medications are making John so very sleepy, and I feel so incredibly broken and ‘slain’ as Job did (Job 13:15), our only choice is to fix our eyes on Jesus and KNOW our hope is in God and the stage is set for His work. We thank Him for what He has done in our lives, for our two beautiful sons, and for what He is currently doing.
In conclusion, please join us in believing. Thank you for praying for strength for us while we wait. Pray the seizures stop and the abnormal brain activity completely normalizes. And as you all successfully prayed against the terrible non-ketotic hyperglicenemia in the beginning of this journey, I ask you will pray for (although it sounds strange) the mutation of the KCNQ2 gene if God chooses to reveal a cause for this current disorder to us. We are told this is unlikely, but the mutation of this gene is linked to benign infant seizures that self-resolve around 4 months of life with no serious permanent damage. Lastly, something sweet which I always like to share is John’s weight: now 7 pounds 5 ounces!
‘Now faith is being SURE of what we hope for, and CERTAIN of what we do not see.’ Hebrews 11:1
With our love and gratitude,
Mary Elizabeth and Meade
Here is the link to her blog:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stonetwins
