Day 1 — Miracle Baby

Bonnie and Mahesh, It was about 9 months ago, (at The Family in Roseville) when Mahesh spoke out a word to a women in the audience. He said there was a woman here that has been trying to have a baby for over 6 years, she already has a son, but would like another child. He continued on with a word that spoke directly to my daughter Tara's heart, and ended with a word of grace over that situation. We both knew this was a word for her, with all implication that she would soon conceive. And she did! Now filled with hope and lots of excitement she went in for an ultrasound and for some routine blood work. We watch as they proceeded with the ultrasound. They pointed out severe swelling behind the neck, clear around to her forehead. It looked like she was wearing a football helmet. Then “It’s a girl'’, just what they wanted. With intense bittersweet emotions we were escorted to a sobering genetic counselor. They informed us that the blood work showed very low protein levels and that these levels are not life sustaining. Also with the swelling, they said, “She was not going to make it”. Tests revealed almost certain to have Trisomy 18, which most babies do not make it to term, if they do, may only live a day or so. The counselor encouraged us to consider other options. WOW! Really God? Leaving a bit confused, I knew there must be still hope. Hanging on to the Word that was given, I called everyone I knew to pray. Several months went by. Drs. were surprised Tara, was still carrying the baby. In light of that, they did a detailed ultrasound to look for any other anomalies. As we watched intently the doctor showed us that we could clearly see that baby M___ had two big toes on each foot, one with a bone, which would involve more intense future surgeries. Drs. were still convinced M___ would not live. I continued to send news updates to our pray chain, and they continued to pray intently. I believed if M___ could just live and have a health brain, surgery on her feet would be nothing. Doctors continued to do ultrasound after ultrasound confirming the extra toes; through the last few months they continued ultrasounds twice a week to monitor the baby’s heart. As time went on, they were expecting to find heart or other issues. Good news they did not! I began to reconsider my hope in what God was going to do. I thought; if I could believe in a healthy M___, why not believe for the right amount of toes. Why take six toes for granted? I began to believe for better. Because of initial findings, the Doctor's still were not expecting a good outcome. Amazed that Tara had made it to almost full term, they decided to do a C- section and take M___ before something bad happened on its own. Expecting the worsted the doctors opened Tara up and found a healthy beautiful 6lb. 2oz. baby girl, breathing on her own, with 5 toes on each foot. Amazed and confused, Dr. after Dr. poured into M___'s room for days. They said that “everything they had previously said about the baby, none of it is true now”. Wow! They were all forced to acknowledge she was a Miracle!

F., CA

F., CA, 12/1/2012