Giving Thanks Challenge ~ {Days #16 & 17}

Thanksgiving Challenge ~ Day #16 & 17

Topic: Noelle
Title: The Birthday Book & Precious Relationships

{If you are new to this challenge, you can catch up on the details here, and please feel free to join along at any time...}

~Developing the Book Cover~

Day #16: The Birthday Book

We want to say a special thank you to each of those who took the time and love to write a note or letter for Noelle's birthday book.  We are in the process of answering each one of you; but in the meantime, we wanted to attempt an expression of just how much this means to us.  Our desire is for Noelle to one day understand how God's grace has been absolutely lavished on her little life, since the moment of conception.  We know that He has a plan and purpose for her, and this book is yet another snapshot of just that.  Since she will have no memories of all that has taken place through the past year, this book will serve as a piece of tangible evidence to her of God's grace and the love and prayers of so many people.  We are beyond blessed to have had your faithful prayers through these many months, and the submissions for this book are simply an extension of all the thoughts and prayers through this past year.  "Thank you" is hardly enough, but it seems that it is the most we can say at times.  Whether or not you had the time to be a part of this project, if you have spent any time praying or doing an act of kindness for us, we truly appreciate your impact on the life of our family.  Thank you.

~The Book In Progress~

Day #17: Precious Relationships
I could spend days listing individuals whom we have met along this journey and tell stories of all they have done for us, and someday I do hope to be able to individually thank them.  But as I scroll through the memories of person after person who touched our lives, the list seems to grow longer and longer, overwhelming me with God's goodness and the efforts of so many to aid the life of one so very small.  I can truly say that I would not trade this past year if it meant that I would never know these individuals.  Some are doctors and nurses; others belong to the news crew.  Some cleaned the floors and emptied the trash in Noelle's space each day, while yet others wrote us notes and prayed from around the world.  Many we have met face to face, and others we have not.  But all of them have become friends, some even very close.  They have walked with us, cried with us, laughed and shared joy with us, and supported us; and when coupled with the relationships we have already treasured for years ~now grown closer through this trial~ I find that our lives have been abundantly blessed.  God was so gracious to give us not only our sweet baby but also the new friendships and deepening of old friendships which we have received through this experience.

***Bob Buckley with our local FOX 8 news station will be doing another update, airing on Tuesday, November 20th during the 10:00 evening news hour (previous reports may be see here).  If you would like to watch it live and are not local, you may watch the livestream here.  A special report on the FMC NICU will be aired tomorrow night during the 10:00 evening news hour to show some of the results of the fabulous work these people do each day.  Links will be provided after the stories air if you are unable to watch them live.***