Jul 29, 2010

Mend where there is brokenness

L to R, Megan, me, Sissy (Erin). Silver Dollar City. Sister's Weekend 2007.

My eldest sister, Megan, is only 15 months older than I. People used to think we were twins. Mommy dressed us alike when we were little. I liked that. Until she had me get poodle perms. Then I looked like a kid who'd gotten too courageous with the electrical outlets. Ahem, Mommy.

Anyway, we played house outside in a structure of stacked cinder blocks. Mud pies adorned with leaves were our specialty. Never mind Meg used to have me drink muddy water ("chocolate milk") garnished with molded bread bits.

She was my idol for the longest time, and she still is. Though a slight woman, she packs more bravery, resilience, courage, humility, and joy than anyone I've ever met. Ever.


As we've aged, we've realized there's some sort of secret language between us...I've gone to go to dial her but she is right there, calling me...


When I got the call that she was pregnant with her second baby, I was happy. Grateful. Too, some sadness that I couldn't be there to take care of her during the pregnancy since we live so far away from each other. I'm very protective of both sisters (middle child syndrome?). Have had to pray through that because I know it's not my job to protect them...only the Lord's and their husband's.


She delivered the devastating news Monday. I fell down to my knees on the sticky kitchen floor. My heart hung suspended in my chest, eyes going left, right, left, right. Where do I look? How do I listen? What is she saying? Tears, you must leave so I can be strong.

Over halfway through her pregnancy, they learned that the baby has a rare congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries. You can read more about their situation
here. Bottom line? They need a miracle.
photo credit

I have personally met and only cyberly met some of you. I appreciate your journeying with me. I appreciate that you believe in my writing and like my pictures. So now it only makes sense to ask you, my friends, to pray for the baby, my sister, and her family.

Oh that everything we experience would make complete sense. But it doesn't. Psalm 139:13-14 reads: "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I've wondered if God was busy diverting a hurricane or distracted by some catastrophy when He was working on Baby Peter's heart. But that is thinking in human terms, and will only lead to more questions.

So I grasp this:

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1

This is a testing of our faith and I can already feel our family ties binding closer together.

So this is what it means to fight.

17 comments:

Sarah said...

I don't have any words.
But I will be praying!

Cynthia said...

I will be praying for your Sister, her family and her baby!

mommyjoymarie said...

Praying!

Jennifer said...

Pray. Believe. Do not stop. We had a devastating diagnosis at 22 weeks. Our baby was not to live. We learned at 31 weeks that we had received a misdiagnosis. We have always wondered, was it a misdiagnosis or the power of prayer? We will be praying. God Bless!

Julie said...

I think of you and your family all the time and my heart is broken. I am praying!

Bryan and Chelsey said...

Oh cousin ... I will be praying for Megan and her husband. Believe in prayer! BELIEVE GOD.

We are told that our husband's will die from cancer. We are told that our unborn children have, quite literally, broken hearts. But we are also told that God HEARS our cries and answers prayers!

I still believe in miracles.

Love you.

Estie said...

I will be praying for your sister, her precious "Itty Bitty," and your entire family. May you find peace in knowing that you can confidently take all of your requests to God because NOTHING is beyond his ability to do. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

Heather @ Life Made Lovely said...

i'll be praying for baby peter and your sister (and her hubby).

wishing you and your whole family comfort that only He can bring.

Tami said...

Our prayers are with you all.

Angela said...

I read about this on Megan's site a couple days ago and you all have been on my heart ever since. Defnitely praying.

Michelle said...

Mindy,

I know first hand how scary it is to hear your baby has a problem with his heart. My oldest, Ethan, was also born with a heart defect. His was called coarctation of the aorta. It wasn't discovered until we switched doctors and she heard a murmur at his 2 year check up. We were sent to Kansas City to Children's Mercy Hospital were it was corrected. Doctors can do amazing things! It was so terrifying and I felt so helpless as his mommy who was suppose to protect him. He is now a totally healthy happy 7 year old. I just read online about Transposition of the great arteries and it seems that this can be corrected with surgery after the baby is born. I also think it's great that the doctors are discovering it now and will have a plan already in place after he is born. Plans are good things! It's amazing the kind of strength and courage we can muster up when it comes to our children! I will keep you all in my prayers.

The Boccias said...

Praying!

Kyle said...

Our family is praying!

Suze said...

Oh Mindy! My thoughts and prayers are going to you and yours constantly!

kaylee@life chasers said...

I am so incredibly sorry. I will most definitely be praying.
I have that same bond with my younger sister and you have so much influence in this situation. Stay strong, you will be so much more of a support than you can even know

Kayla Cure said...

I have a cousin and a friend that this happened to. Both children are doing well. Let me know if I can hook your sister up with some support :) Praying for sister, Mindy!!!

Weza said...

I have been praying for your sister and family. So glad they found the condition and can do something about it. I had a friend who lost one of her twins to this condition because they didnt pick it up before she was born. It was super sad. Praying for a safe rest of pregnancy and a successful operation. xxx