Less than 24 hours. Wow. I’m spending this day getting some last minute things together and basking in the warm Spring air and bird songs that are blowing in through the windows. Would you believe I am not the basket case that I imagined myself to be?! Those treacherous waves are an arm’s length away, but they haven’t discouraged me or engulfed me. I am safe and I will survive them, all thanks and praise be to God!
This is my theme song for the day:
“I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
William and I will keep everyone updated tomorrow with the news of Nora’s arrival through this blog, and possibly Facebook. I have a neat little WordPress app on my phone that allows me to take pictures and post them up on the blog instantaneously! If I had to guess, I would estimate Nora to be here sometime early or mid afternoon. I can’t wait to meet that little girl and to share her with all of you who have been praying so fervently for her!!! God bless each and every one of you and thank you from the very bottom of my heart! Your prayers and encouraging notes, comments, messages, texts, e-mails, etc. are such a comfort to me. Please know that (even if I’m not able to directly respond right away)!
Love,
Aleisa
iwillcarryyou 
Aleisa, I didn’t know about your pregnancy until Cheri’s post yesterday. You are inspirational. I got sucked into every word of your blog because of your Christ like reflection of things. Your story is going to change people hearts and help many people I know. Jim and I spent some time praying together last night for your family and for a miracle. We will continue to.
~Kristin Wooten
Thinking of you and your family. May God’s grace be clear and comforting.
You make me smile! Or is it Nora makes me smile? I think its a wonderful combination of the two of you. Although I don’t know you, my heart is leaping with joy that you will finally be able to hold that precious little one in your arms tomorrow! I hope and pray that it will be the absolute most delightful moment of your life! Sometimes I feel this phrase is over used, so I don’t use it too often, but I sincerely say it from the bottom of my heart as a tear just ran down my face…God bless you all, sweet sister!
Hugs from a sister in Christ.
Jennifer Miller
I’m glad you posted this because I was curious as to how you were feeling but didn’t want to bother you. I’ll be in prayer as promised! God bless you and baby Nora 🙂 As always stay encouraged!
-Dana
I’m a friend of a friend and I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been praying for your sweet baby girl. Last year at this time I gave birth to our 4th baby via planned c-section because of a placenta issue and I lost my uterus to save my life. There were some very hectic moments in the O.R. but I have to say I was so focused on hearing God’s voice only during the delivery that I was completely at peace even though I knew what was happening and knew that my life was on the line. My prayer for you is that today and the days to come is that you will tune out the voice of the one who comes to destroy and focus on our Heavenly Father that loves you the most. It’s hard sometimes when we’re suffering to keep in mind that God is in charge of our suffering also and that through our suffering we can share in Jesus’ passion and therefore redemption. The peace of the Lord be with you and your family. Can’t wait to see precious baby Nora!
Another sister in Christ,
Katie Glaser
Praying for you all, God bless.
Haven’t been able to get you out of my mind today…love, hugs, and prayers!!! I know the moment she takes her first breath in this world be the best moment of this all!!!
Much love and prayers to you and your family. God will continue to hold you close. Tomorrow will be a beautiful day for you guys; I feel it in my heart. I can’t wait to see pictures of beautiful Nora.
I’ve been praying for you and your family and just wanted to let you know, although I know you already know, that God is in control and miracles do happen. My cousin’s wife had an amnio test done. It came back saying the baby had down syndrome and other things wrong and suggested she abort. My aunt stepped in and said she would raise the baby no matter what. That baby is a beautiful, healthy 21 year old girl who has a beautiful voice. She didn’t have any abnomalities at birth.
I, myself, had a blue baby, which had to have open heart surgery when she was 2 days old. Many of the doctors, nurses and others gave up hope, but my husband, myself and many other believers continued to believe. There is power in prayer. Our darling daughter is a walking, talking testimony. God has blessed me and my family.
We don’t know God’s plan for our lives but we can be assured that even though there will be struggles and hardships, God is with us during the bad times as well as the good times. I know it is much easier said when you aren’t in the middle of a particular situation but having been in a few I would like to offer you my prayer for you, your husband, your baby and your family. May God bless you all and comfort you. May He bring forth a miracle in your baby’s birth and if things don’t work out the way you hope, may He give you comfort and peace that passes understanding.
In Christ,
Cindy K.
Praying for you, Nora and your whole family.
Aleisa, I am a friend of Maggies and have been following your blog for several months. Your baby girl is so loved and the powerful story that you have written about that love through your faith on Our God is truely incredible. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Nancy
We will continue our prayers for all of you, and especially for Nora. She is SO blessed to be a part of such an awesome family.
We will be with you every step of the way!! I love you!!
Heard your testimony on Thursday at FCC and have gone back to read your blog entries… thank you for sharing your family story and your faith so openly! Will be devoting myself to prayer for you and the baby… May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Prayers for you, Nora and your entire family. More people than you know or will ever realize are following and praying with you and for you.
Praying, praying, and praying for you all. Almost every post brings me to tears for so many reasons. I love that peace that truly passes all understanding. It has been so clear that He has been with you and Nora every step of the way. I have been through a lot of trials this past year and a half and my 10 yr old son Chase said one day in the car, “I think this song is for you Mom”…and it was Strong Enough 🙂 I will say it again, I draw such strength, faith, and hope from every one of your posts. My heart literally cries out at times for you and sweet Nora. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us and letting all of us be a part of praying for your family and this precious little one. I know tomorrow will be one of the most amazing days of your life and I know that God has His miraculous hands all over all of this and will give you grace like you’ve never known before. Cannot wait to see her sweet face. Much love and many prayers.
Much love strength and grace to you dear Aleisa…and I’m sure you won’t forget humor too if it’s available to your benefit…my hands are there with everyone else lifting you up…Sara
You are more than strong enough! God chose you as the perfect person for this journey. You are an amazing woman, giving everything to God, following his path for you and Nora. You are so incredible and I feel privileged to know you and to have heard only the beginning of your story/journey. I can’t not wait to see Nora being cuddled so preciously in your and the rest of her family’s arms. God Bless you ALL….
God bless you and your family. You are in my prayers 🙂
We love you guys! Prayers and thoughts are with you cousin~
Aleisa…I do not know you, but feel like I do through your wonderful messages. I have been a friend of Paula Miller’s for 30+ years–we were college roomies many, many years ago and still manage to keep in touch. I wish you and your beautiful family peace and my best wishes as you finally get to meet your wonderful baby girl Nora. Don’t waste any time thinking of what might be, keep your eye on what’s now and what God is blessing you with.
Miracles do happen–saw two with my 30 year old son Ryan. He was born at 26 weeks weighing just over 2 lbs. He was a twin, and his twin brother Adam is in Heaven–but Ryan still tells us that he has a “connection” he can’t explain with Adam. In November of 1981 they told us that Ryan would never walk and talk after the brain surgery he had to place a shunt in his brain. I’m here to tell you 30 years later he hasn’t sat still and been quiet EVER! Three years ago he got suddenly very, very sick and ended up in a coma. We are from Michigan and when all possibilities were exhausted here, they air flighted him to the University of Chicago. I know it was the power of prayer and my Mom in Heaven that pulled him thru the worst 3 weeks of my life–watching him just wilt away. I am really not proud to say that I was really upset with God for putting me thru this horror again; but with much prayer and support found my way back to letting Ryan be in God’s hands. Ryan is back better than ever and told us that Grandma had come to him in his coma and told him it wasn’t his time yet and to be strong. He was his Grandma’s favorite and I know she was with him from Heaven! He spent the first 3 months of his life in the hospital and another 8 weeks in the hospital with the last ordeal. Our friends, family and our faith got us thru the hard times and the happy times!
Take care…know that you are inspiring so many people with your blogs.
Mary Parmley–Dowagiac, Michigan
I have a cousin who is the founder of a group for moms and families affected by the birth or loss of babies with Trisomy 18 called A Butterfly’s Touch. You can check out their website at http://www.abutterflystouch.org for support, details and more information. My prayers are with you and baby Nora
Aleisa,
You, William and Nora will be in my prayers and constant thoughts tonight and tomorrow. If there is anything you need, please let me know. We love you guys so very much!!
Soon, little Nora will open her eyes and bask in the love that you and William have had for her from the moment she was conceived. Evan “if” the quantity of time isn’t there with her, she already knows how limitless your love for her is …….now and forever! I know God will hold all of you in the palm of his hands tomorrow and all future tomorrow’s.
Love & Hugs,
The McLaughlin Family
Aleisa,
Thank you for sharing so much of your journey. Prayers for a safe delivery tomorrow and a day filled with peace and grace. May God’s hand hold you and William as your rest tonight preparing for little Nora’s arrival.
Amanda Callahan (from Crossroads 🙂
Aleisa and Billy- Praying for your family! Thinking of you guys. Mindy Hodge
Aleisa and William
Aleisa–your blogs documenting this journey that your family has been on have captivated and inspired more people than you could imagine. Your story reached me down here in florida via a friend that I grew up with when I lived in the NKY area and attended FCC. Since I saw your blog on her facebook page, I have not been able to stop reading. Even though we do not know each other personally I feel that we are connected~~as any pair of mothers can connect and understand. Your faith is inspiring and I hope and pray that you continue to feel the grace of god as you enter these most unsteady waters. Your entire family is in my prayers and I do hope that Nora enters your lives and feels the joy and love that surrounds her. Much love to you!
In my prayers
Faith K
I am praying for you and William and precious Nora. I praise God for your beautiful faith and the peace that is so evident that He has given you. You are an inspiration. With Love and Prayers, Joan
Wow, Aleisa – you have touched so many people, all over the country, by your story! I too will be praying tomorrow and looking for updates. I can’t wait to see pictures of sweet baby girl Nora!! Much love to you, William and all of your children – I just know you’ll be fine, no matter what happens. You have inspired me so much with your words over the past few months – SO glad we got the chance to reconnect!!
Love,
Heather
Dear Aleisa,
I first heard your story at our FCC bible study last Thursday. I was so thankful that you have taken the time to put together this blog. You have opened a window into a very personal experience. An experience that not only paints a picture of your faith, but also how God has provide all you have needed and more!!!! All that are following your journey are able to experience first hand, how God is working in your life. God works in amazing ways,and through situations we would not expect. Like the verse in a wonderful hyme
“turn you eyes upon Jesus and the things on earth will grow strangely dim in his glory and grace”
It is my prayer for you and your family that as your eyes are focused on Jesus tomorrow you will be filled with His wonder and grace as you hold your precious Nora!!!!! God has picked you out special to care & provide all the earthly needs for Nora. I will pray for all those that will be caring for you while you are in the Hospital.
In Jesus name
Kathy O’Brien
As a parent of a “special needs” child, I was once told that God gives special children to special people. God is definitely blessing you through Nora. Prayers are with you all.
I heard your story through a friend. You, baby Nora and your family are in my prayers! What truly special people all of you are!