Prayer Requests

I'd like to ask you to pray for two families that we came to "know" through the hardest tragedy in our lives.

One is the family of Matthew Litchfield (www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewlitchfield). Matthew passed away earlier this evening. We were staying at the Ronald McDonald House the same time as them last fall/winter when he was much better than he recently was. His dad says tonight on his caringbridge the same thing that happened with Tori. He said that as they were saying their "goodbyes," Matthew opened his eyes and looked at him as if to acknowledge what he was saying and kept them open for a minute and then closed them as he took his last breath. This, too, was similar to Tori's last moments with us. She opened her eyes while I was laying in bed with with her as if to tell me she knew I was there and layed with them open for a minute, and as heart begin to slow and she closed them again, it was then that I took her out of the bed and held her in my arms when she took her last breath. Reading their blog tonight brought back so many vivid memories. My heart breaks for them because I know the feelings they will be experiencing on this new journey after fighting for and with him for so long. PLEASE keep this family in your prayers.

Another family is the Gill family (www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebgill). His mother was one of Tori's many nurses while we were still here at HH NICU, and they found out a couple of months ago that he had a brain tumor. Some of you may remember that we had special prayer for him at Tori's celebration of Life. I am proud to say that he is well enough to go home for the weekend, until he has to return to Vandy for more treatments next week, and they have been staying at the RMcD House, too, as he has been in and out of the hospital. What I am asking prayer for is that his body will be healed, yes, but also for sweet little Caleb not to be discouraged or down, but that the Lord will encourage his heart and mind and mold him back into the joyous, vibrant 6 year old he was before all this. Debbie's post today gave GREAT news, but it also said that he had not smiled or laughed these past few months. That breaks my heart. No 6 year old should have to feel what he does right now, so please pray that the Lord will restore his joy and allow him to enjoy life as children should be able to. Please continue to pray for his full healing, too.

Thank you all, faithful prayer warriors.