Close To My Heart...

I apologize for the long post, but please bear with me and take time to read.

In this world there are many organizations and causes that help people and touch peoples lives. Lately, everywhere we look we see ads and campaigns for donations. And that is good, that is what we are supposed to do.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” II Corinthians 9:6, 7

But there is one cause, one organization that is dear to my heart. It is March of Dimes. If you go to their page you can see their mission is:

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

Every spring they hold an event, March for Babies. On their page it states:

Family teams are the heart of our event. Made up of friends and family members, they walk to celebrate, honor or remember the babies and children who have touched their lives. Everyone has his or her own story, but we all share the same hope. The hope that one day all babies will be born healthy.
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. The March of Dimes spends 76¢ of every dollar we raise in March for Babies to support research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives.

This will be my 3rd year to be involved in this wonderful event. Let me tell you our story…
See 3 ½ years ago my daughter delivered Eden Jade 6 weeks early. She weighed 5 lbs 4 oz and was 17 ½ inches long. A good size baby but something was wrong. Mommy and Daddy got to see her for a few seconds in passing as she was whisked into the nursery where they started working on her. It was a scary time, tears were flowing and prayers were already going up. Decisions were made quickly that she would be transferred by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, two hours away.

When the Angel One Team arrived and assessed the situation and prepared Eden for travel, they brought her in the room for us to see her. Her mom and dad were able to reach their hands in and touch her for the first time. A bittersweet moment.

Upon arriving at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Eden was immediately hooked to a ventilator, so she could breathe easier, along with various monitors. Exploratory surgery was done at 3 days old, where they found a blockage. They did a small bowel resection where they removed about 10 inches of bowel that had not developed properly. At this time she also had a blood transfusion.

A Nissen procedure had to be performed. This is where the stomach is brought up over the end of the esophagus and is stitched to prevent reflux. She had a very bad case where everything in her tummy would come up in her mouth if she were placed on her back. They also inserted a button in her stomach for G tube feedings because she aspirated.


Finally at 3 weeks old mommy could hold her for the first time. Praise the Lord! Then 3 weeks later she was able to come home. Granted we did not hold her for 3 weeks, but I know in my heart she was right in the palm of Jesus’ hand and close to his heart.

Eden will be four this July, and you would never think there had been anything wrong with her, except two small scars: one from the surgery and then the place where her button was removed at 2 ½ years old.

When you are confronted with this type of situation, first of all you learn to lean on your faith, and pray like you have never prayed before. But you realize how important March of Dimes is. Without their research and the hand of God, my grandbaby would not be here.We are walking again this year in Little Rock for March of Dimes. If you are interested, please click on the banner on the side and join us in saving another baby! Any amount is not too little! We appreciate all donations! If you can’t sponsor us for whatever reason, please remember us in your prayers.


Until next time... nel

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35