Our Miracle...baby Ansley

NOTE:  This is a post I wrote on Ansley's third birthday in 2014.  Ansley is now 8 years old and in Bible Quizzing.  We are so proud of her for all the work she puts into memorizing her scriptures.  She is a JOY and we are blessed that God to call her GRANDdaughter!  Love you little sweetheart!  

I'll never forget the sound of our sons voice..."Mom, Mandy and I are at the hospital with Ansley.  She quit breathing on us, so we're here at the emergency room.  She's breathing now, and the doctor is here."  My heart stopped for a second, but then my husband and I went into full steam ahead.  Questions forming in our minds.  What happened?  Is she okay?  What made her quit breathing?  The fear of the unknown grabbed at our hearts. 

Our sweet baby, Ansley was a couple months old and we were all enjoying her little life.  Now, we waited in the ER with her trying to find some answers.  "God, what is wrong with our baby Ansley?  Why did she quit breathing when her mother laid her down to change her into her pajamas?  What is going to happen?  God, please hear our prayers!  We need YOU to intervene.  The doctors can't figure it out."

As we were thinking she was going to be okay, she once again started fighting for air.  Her little body arched and her eyes got huge!  None of us will ever forget it!  Andrew and Mandy, and the grandparents (both sets) were thrown into the "fear of the unknown," yet we all knew we had a God that could hear our prayers.

(ring-ring)  Hello Bro. Huntley, this is Darrell Orange.  I need you to pray for our granddaughter, Ansley.  He told the story of what was happening and then listened as Bro. Huntley said, "I'm on my way to the church right now to pray.  I will definitely be in prayer for God to heal Ansley."

More phone calls were made.  People of God started praying and we were cocooned in the arms of God as intercessory prayer was made.

The decision was made that Ansley would be transported by plane to the Children's Hospital in Dallas, TX.  We waited.  I walked the halls when I needed a to be with my Lord.  We all hated to see our children going through such trauma, but watched as our children handled the situation with wisdom and grace.

The paramedics and doctor arrived from Children's Hospital and our tiny baby was strapped to the gurney to be take by ambulance to the airport where the plane awaited.  I thought our hearts would break as they wheeled her away.  Mandy was allowed to go with her on the plane, and Andrew and Jeanetta, Mandy's mother would drive.  Texas District Camp Meeting had just started, and Andrew told us to stay here, and take care of what needed to be done, and if he needed us to come he would call.  I guess that's one of the hardest things I've ever done.  I've at times wondered why I didn't get in the car and go with them.  We went to Camp Meeting and once again, intercessory prayer was made!  The prayers of God's people are powerful!

The plane arrived with our precious granddaughter, and they went through their procedures.  Ansley was on machines checking vital signs at all times.  Nothing was wrong with her!  NOTHING!  They couldn't find anything that would have caused her breathing to stop.  PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!
When they said they couldn't find anything, we remembered what the doctor had said in ER..."I don't know what's wrong.  All I can say is, some parent's come in with a dead baby in arms, and some come in with one that's still living.  You happen to be some that walk in with a baby that's still alive."  From what he said we knew he thought Ansley was a case of "infant death syndrome".

(ring-ring)  "Hello, Bro. Orange, this is Bro. Huntley.  I just called to tell you that Ansley is okay, but she will not be completely healed until the adults...parents and grandparents believe she is okay.  You must accept her healing, and not fear for God has healed her."

Andrew and Mandy left the hospital with Ansley in arms, and a very thankful heart.  They and Jeanetta headed back to Camp Meeting.  The first night family members offered to stay awake and watch over the baby and make sure she was okay.  I'll never forget the words of my sweet daughter in love..."Mom, it's okay.  Bro. Huntley said, she's okay and we have to accept that and not fear.  I am fine.  Andrew is fine, and Ansley is fine!  Don't worry!"

I went to bed that night.  As I laid down, weary in body from all that had happened and activities of the week, FEAR gripped my mind.  "What if Andrew and Mandy are asleep and Ansley quits breathing?  Oh God, please take care of Ansley!"  Then I heard her words... "Mom, it's okay.  Bro. Huntley said, she's okay and we have to accept that and not fear.  I am fine.  Andrew is fine, and Ansley is fine!  Don't worry!"  My heart cried...."If the mother and father can lay down and go to sleep without worry...I can lay down and sleep and not worry!  Thank you Lord for your word of hope from the man of God."

We now celebrate the life God gave us in a little 3 year old.  Ansley brings so much joy to our lives!  God is GOOD and His Word is powerful!  Never doubt what God can do...for He does all things well, and will take care of you and your family.     

Pray for Protection Over Your Children

While looking through pictures the other day I ran across some that brought a great big THANK YOU to God for always watching over our children. Before Andrew and Mandy got married, we received a call from Mandy telling us that Andrew had been in an accident. He was attending Texas Bible College at the time, and was on his way to see Mandy when this happened.  We knew from the sound of Mandy's voice that it was bad, but she assured us he was okay.  We didn't really know how bad the accident had been until we saw the car.  Then, it really hit home! An 18-wheeler had rear-ended Andrew's little Honda, and it was a miracle it stopped before running over him completely. When the 18-wheeler hit the car, Andrew's drivers seat broke, causing him to fall back and being as tall as he is, the truck stopped just short of crushing his head. I look back and see once again the "mercies of God" on Andrew's life. We are so thankful! Here are the pictures from the accident. This happened about thirteen years ago.

To God be the glory! 

A Whole Lot of "Little Things"

The last two nights Wendell and I have gone to Sectional Conferences. We have enjoyed both of them. We've enjoyed the fellowship and hearing Bro. Russo preach. There's been a "good feeling" in the air!

Last night while traveling home, the Lord spared our lives from having a fatal accident. The truck that ran a stop sign going at a fast rate of speed came within a half a second of hitting us broad side. He never stopped! We kept traveling, but after driving a few minutes I turned to Wendell and said, "We could be dead right now." I felt a little sick to my stomach just thinking about what "could have" happened. I'm so thankful God keeps His hand on us as we travel. It seems the fact that "life is so fragile" has hit home way to much lately, so to be able to write on my blog tonight makes me really happy!

Years ago I sang a song that said..."It's a whole lot of little things that makes me love Him so." I wonder what all we could write down over a period of a few days that God has done for us? The "little things" that we take for granted everyday that God does would probably surprise us.

Tonight, at Section 3 Conference, Sis. Beasley, a retired missionaries wife, and my husband's Sunday School teacher when he was a little boy spoke for a few minutes in our ladies meeting. She told how at the beginning of one year she had challenged the ladies of her church to "keep a journal" of all the things God did for them. After about six months one of the ladies started having many problems, and was feeling frustrated and wondering if God was ever going to do anything for her. She picked up her journal and started reading what she had written. She was amazed at the prayers God had answered, and things He had done for her. She said after she read her OWN JOURNAL of the greatness of God, that she was encouraged and knew He would come through again. I'm sure it would do us all good to write down at least one thing God does for us everyday of this year. It would help us to understand how much He loves us, and cares about all the "little things" in our lives.

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT)

As usual, I started out to write just a few lines tonight, but have ended up writing a lot more. :) I guess when I start typing my fingers signal my brain and says it's time to "think". I don't know if there is an explanation for how that works, but if there is I'll let someone else figure it out. I'm going to sleep!

Goodnight! Sweet Dreams!

God Loves Us S-O-O-O-O Much

God has shown us how much He loves our family, once again.

Last night while visiting with Andrew and Mandy they told us the story of our little Ashlyn almost being run over by a car this past week. I will not go into the story, but it was such a close call that Mandy KNEW Ashlyn had been hit. Then, she saw her come around the car, crying, and holding her hands out. Mandy said they were dirty, and all they can figure out is that she actually reached out and touched the car as it came to a stop! Andrew told us that he ran out of the house and heard Mandy screaming J-E-S-U-S!!!!!!!! In her fear of seeing her baby "hit" Mandy did not know she was screaming that precious name! In her desperation, and a helpless situation Mandy knew the Name that would save her child!

There is PROTECTION in the Name of JESUS!

As Mandy was telling us this story, my mind raced back to last week when I felt impressed to pray for the "kids". I was in bed, about to go to sleep when I had this impression to pray. I didn't get up and go into travailing prayer, but simply prayed. "Jesus, please keep your hand on Jonathan and Brenda. Be with Andrew and Mandy. Lord, protect Savanna and Alayna as they go to school. Keep them from harm and danger. And Lord, take care of Scarlet and Ashlyn. I plead Your blood over them...in Jesus Name!" As I finished praying a thought crossed my mind..."What would we do with Mandy if something happened to one of the girls?" Then I said, "God, that just can't happen!!!!" After praying, I turned over and went to sleep as I placed my trust in Jesus, our Protector.

"Thank you, Lord, for covering my family with Your precious blood!!! THANK YOU for protecting our little Ashlyn Kate!"

IMPORTANT note: The lady that almost hit Ashlyn was talking on her cell phone!!!! Let me just say.....HANG UP AND DRIVE!!!!!!!

Thankful All Is Well

This morning while getting dressed to leave for the day I was startled when I heard a man's voice I did not recognize in our "apartment". I stayed quiet, and once again I heard him say "hello" with a question in his voice. I quickly stepped into the bedroom area and he was standing at the door!!! He was startled to see ME and said, "Uhhhh....is this a HOUSE?" I was in such shock that I hardly could answer, so when I found my voice I said, "uhhhh....yes....". He continued, "I'm looking for (a certain address) and my GPS directed me here. Is this Walden St.?" I again, answered, "uhhhh....no....". He STOOD THERE and looked at me, and I STOOD THERE and stared at him! I still don't know what I would have done if he would have come at me, but I guarantee you one thing...he would have had a terrible time if he had!

When I saw my husband a little later I told him what had happened, and I can say that I definitely had his FULL attention. :) He told me what to do if that ever happened again, and also said he would make sure he LOCKED the door the next time he left the house. I really do appreciate that! :)

I'm really thankful all is well! It could have been so much worse. I know God has His hand on our lives! I do have to chuckle a little when I think about the shocked look on that man's face! I don't know what he saw in my eyes, but I think he knew I wasn't r-e-a-l happy about him "invading my space"!