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.
