That beautiful moment when you step outside after your hubzbind just informed you with tears in his eyes that over 40 people have come to pray over us, over Nora. A prayer ambush. Wow.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
(Matthew 18:19-20 NIV)
Someone prayed that when we feel the cool breeze on us, let that be a reminder that God is right there with us. — There was not a cool breeze to be found on a stifling hot day like today, yet immediately after that was said I felt it. “Do you feel that?!” I whispered to William. “I do!!” he whispered back as a cool breeze ever so gently caressed the back of our necks and arms.
Thank you for that. That was incredible.
Thank you!
iwillcarryyou 
OH WHAT A BLESSING!!!! A PRAYER AMBUSH, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. THE PICTURE ITSELF SAYS SO MUCH. LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS OUR LORD. TALKING ABOUT EMOTIONS, I FELT SO MUCH LOVE MOVING AROUND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I LOVE THE CLOSE UP OF NORA. THOSE BIG BABY BLUES, AND HER BEAUTIFUL SWEET LITTLE LIPS. SHE IS SO SPECIAL. I AM GOING TO BED NOW, AND BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP I WILL SEND UP LOTS OF PRAY FOR NORA AND HER WONDERFUL FAMILY. AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO, LIKE MYSELF, ARE SENDING UP PRAYERS EVER DAY FOR ALL OF YOU GUYS. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
I haven’t been able to follow you for the past five or so days bc of some Of some of my own health issues but these pictures of the prayer ambush are breath taking and aw inspiring. It brought tears to my eyes to see everyone there, together praying for Nora. I pray for her daily and will continue to pray but tonight I said a special prayer for you, Alesha. That God will hold you in his hands, guide your thoughts and actions to not only provide the best care for Nora but for him to care for your health and well being as well. Too often we let ourselves go for the sake of our kids and william knew it was time for you to spend a few hours on YOU! Bless him! Prayers for all- megan
I felt that breeze too! Thank you God for the reassurance that you were with us!
Lots of tears reading your posts this morning. Joyous tears to see God’s love in so many people. God Bless sweet Nora. Continued prayers.
We wish we could have come! But know that we were thinking of you guys and praying right along last night. What a wonderful effort, the power of gathered prayer, so strong, so beautiful. We love little Nora so much!!!!
Absolutely beautiful!
Alesia,
I have had some time to look over your blog in the wee hours of the morning while up pumping for Lucy. How similar our stories are. Lucy was diagnosed prenatally with trisomy 18 at 16 weeks. My due date was April 15, 2012. She was born naturally on March 27th at our local hospital. We went home with oxygen and a feeding tube the following day. On Easter she started having significant “blue spells.” We called our priest for annointing of the sick and prayed. Lucy had already been baptized and confirmed at birth. The following day we took her to our regional children’s hospital to see what we could do for her. We knew we didn’t have much more time if we didn’t start addressing her heart issues. She has an ASD, VSD and a PDA. We stayed in the hospital for about a week and began medically managing her heart failure. We went home again. After another short time at home we knew this was not going to be enough. Lucy was again admitted to the hospital. On April 20th she had a PDA ligation and PA band. We decided against a primary intracardiac repaiatari at that time as it would have meant putting Lucy on the heart/lung bypass machine when she was still so small (under 5 lbs) and fragile.
Doing this surgery saved her life. We are now 2 months out from surgery and have been home since May 6th. We rented a camper and drove down the coast to visit my family in CA the last 2 weeks of June. Lucy is now over 8 lbs so still small but more than 75% bigger than she was! We still have a feeding tube (Lucy also has a small cleft lip) and she is on blow by oxygen and a monitor at night. Her oxygen saturations dip when she is in a deep sleep.
We are planning on having her VSD and ASD closed this summer or early Fall.
Summarizing our journey this way makes it sound like it has been a piece of cake. It has been far from this. The joy turned to heartache and grief. The triumph and tears. The wondering if you are doing the right thing. The terrible loneliness and feeling like you will never get back to feeling normal and put together again are all too familiar.
Faith, hope, love and prayer are carrying us through this journey as well. A lot of the time the only prayer I can muster is for the Lord to help me and stay with me. So I depend on the strength, support, prayer and love of others.
I would love to talk to you some time. The added perspective I have is that I am a pediatrician. I trained at the regional children’s hospital where my daughter is now receiving her care. I also had the privilege of being a part of another beautiful family’s journey with a daughter with trisomy 18 about a year before I found out about Lucy.
It may be too much to get in contact any time soon. But please know that I am thinking about and praying for all of you nonetheless.
May Nora Rose continue to inspire and bless the world!
Mildred
Thank you for sharing your story! Awesome!
Mildred, the sharing of your story is so inspirational. Please know that you and sweet little Lucy will be in my prayers along with Nora and the Yuskos. You have no idea how helpful your insight is, as a t18 parent and a pediatrician. I know that the medical lingo, etc. can be overwhelming for the Yuskos, so your help means more than you may ever know! Thank you and may God surround you and your family with His everlasting love.
*TEARS Wow! Jus wow!
I literally read your entire blog this morning. I am in awe of God’s grace. I cried, I cheered, I giggled and I prayed. Nora and your family will now be in my prayers. She is a truly inspiring little girl. I firmly believe God has great things in store for Nora. God bless you all.
It is a beautiful thing when God’s people are vessels of His amazing love! When God touches you with His supernatural God-love through a human that can hold your hand, hug your neck, speak soothing and encouraging words – and, you’re appreciative of the person, but you know that God has held you and spoken to you! Thankful for willing, obedient, available vessels!
I have been thinking about leaving a comment now for a long time but just haven’t gotten around to it. I’m glad I finally did! Your family and Nora especially have been in my prayers. My name is Kaitlyn and I go to school at Benedictine College. My friends introduced little Nora to me after she was born. Since then, all of us have been following your blog and sending prayers your way. I just wanted to let you know that you are so inspiring to all of us, but especially to me. Your motherhood is such an amazing witness to true motherhood. Your constant trust in the Lord is so beautiful. Someday when I am a mother I hope to strive to be as beautiful, selfless, and trusting as you are. You are such an inspiration. Thank you so much for your commitment to life. God IS using you, Nora, and your whole family as an instrument of PEACE, HOPE, and TRUST. It is families like your family that will change the world for Christ. Thank you for your brilliant witness for Christ, you are in my prayers daily.
I love the community strength and love of the prayer ambush. So many people are praying out here, too, for you and your family, especially for little Nora. I know I am, every day. I watch for three birds too. 🙂 Mildred was so kind to share her story with you and with all of us who read here! Nora is a darling baby, and I will keep praying for her, and for you, for Mildred’s family and wee Lucy, that God’s love will lift you up. He won’t let you fall, you know.
Wow! What a blessing to be loved so much.
I was not aware you lived in Cincinnati until the previous post! I am nearby as well and have been thinking of you since someone posted this on a group in Fb. *hugs*
How amazing that your friends and family did that for you. I can only speculate that you have felt alone, in that so few can understand what you are going through. God brings his people to your house to encircle your family in prayer. Blessings to your family, I continue to pray for you all.
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