Prayers for Ava
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes, our little girl’s name is Ava. We wanted to wait till she was born to announce it, but as we are writing to ask you all for prayer for our baby girl, we want her name to be lifted up to heaven as much as possible.
On Wednesday evening, our doctor called with some concerns over Ava’s ultrasound pictures that had been taken the previous day. He had sent them to Duluth, and the specialist there wanted to see us right away. So yesterday morning we headed to the Duluth Clinic to have another ultrasound done and to meet with Dr. O’Day. Our “Ava Baby” has what is called Duodenal Atresia which is a blockage in her small intestine. This means that she will have to undergo surgery as soon as she is born to remove the blockage and reattach the intestine. We are told that the incision in her abdomen is fairly small and this procedure, in most cases, should not have any sort of complications arising from it. Our hearts are grieved, though, for our precious little one having to go through surgery the day she is born. She will not be able to breastfeed right away, which of course was our hope… we wanted to begin that bonding process right away, and to keep her safe in our arms~ just loving on her and adoring her. But she will need to be fed through tubes for the first few days, and then with a bottle, then she will be able to slowly begin to breastfeed. The overall recovery time is two weeks, and of course we will stay with her in the hospital until we can safely bring her home.
At the moment, we are working on getting her in to Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. There is a Christian Surgeon there who comes highly recommended through friends of ours who’s daughter also had intestinal complications. We have such a peace about this hospital and staff, and it will also be so good to be near Jamie and Angela during this time. My family will be there as much as they can, and it will be such a blessing that they will have a place to stay that is close by. There is so much changing to do now, though. Please pray for us as we meet with the Surgeon, Doctors and staff, and begin the process of working through all the changes that need to happen in the next few days or weeks: transferring, consulting with physicians, insurance logistics, changes in birth plan, lots of questions, packing for two weeks or more, traveling to The Cities, etc. She is due soon, so time is very much a factor for us. We are told that a vaginal birth is still possible, unless other complications arise… so we are praying and believing for a natural and blessed delivery.
There is still so much that we don’t know yet until we meet with the Surgeon and Doctors, but we will give updates here on the blog when we find out more. Please pray with us for Ava’s quick and thorough healing in the hands of those caring for her. We also know that we serve a God who can heal her in the blink of an eye! Our faith muscles have been exercised a lot in the last few days, and Mark and I desire that we would not doubt, but trust in our God who loves us and our “Ava Baby” even more than we could imagine! My Dad reminded me the other day that it is so important to praise the Lord on this side of the Red Sea, and not just when we get to the other side. Too often we wait until we have proof of God’s goodness before we praise Him rather than putting our trust in Him when we cannot see the outcome. The bottom line is: God is good ~ all the time. He deserves our praise no matter what, and we will praise Him in this Storm. Jamie reminded me today that there isn’t one aspect of Ava’s life that is outside of the Lord’s influence and authority! The Lord is intimately involved in all things concerning our precious daughter. And “by His stripes we are healed.”
If you have prayers, scriptures or wishes for Ava, please write them in the comment section… We believe that the Lord will be glorified through this, and we want to show Ava how good her God is! Thank you for all your prayers for our “little bird”… she is so loved! We know she has so many friends waiting for her to come home!
We love you all!
With so much gratitude,
Mark and Melissa
My precious Missy,
My heart aches for you at this time and yet I know…our God is in total control of baby Ava’s specific situation. Praise God! And in knowing that, we can surely rest in that. I pray that you, your husband, family and friends will feel His perfect peace. He loves you all and He loves Ava. I will continue to pray and lift her up to our great God. You are in my prayers and heart,
Love,
Sandra Copson (formerly Miss Reyes)
Oh sweet Ava,
You are in my thoughts and prayers today and the days to come. God is good. What a blessing you are to Him, your parents, and aunts and uncles waiting to me you. What a wonderful story you have of God’s goodness, faithfulness and healing hand already in the womb. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may HIS face shine upon you, and give you peace ALWAYS.
Love and blessings,
Krista
Dear Mark, Missy & Ava,
Our daughter called to tell me to check my email and go on your web site… We had just returned from being out of town… You are in our prayers and hearts. Ava is such a precious baby with a beautiful name and so loved by the Lord, by you as parents, by your family and by everyone who knows about her… Our church will be praying too for Ava and you as her wonderful Daddy & Mommy. Love, Mary
Ava,
For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God
My sweet little niece-
from the moment i learned that I would be an uncle, I have prayed for you and anxiously awaited your arrival. Now, holding you in my arms is only days away and yet the time can’t go fast enough. I know that your Heavenly Father is already ministering to you in the womb and healing your tiny body so that one day you will sing of His goodness like a bird “filled with praise!” Sweet dreams, Ava…Uncle Kog can’t wait to meet you.
Hi Melissa and Mark,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and especially little Ava. what a beautiful name. I know this must be a test of faith and a challenge to you, but I also know that your trust is in the Lord and He is so faithful. We pray for God’s healing touch on little Ava, and that all works out perfectly for where you will deliver her and for the delivery as well and for all medical details. I know God’s Hand is mighty and strong and she is in the palm of His Hand! We will continue to pray as well! God bless you, much love, char and mike
Mark and Melissa, My heart goes out to you, we have been praying for you and will continue to as you work through everything. God promises to carry us through anything, Trust in Him, He is so faithful. I can’t wait to meet baby Ava! In His Hands, Becky
Isaiah 43:1-2 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”
God knows your name. He knew Ava’s name before you shared it with us! Even though we sometimes think the waters are too high and we will not survive the calamity that is sent our way God promises to be with us in the midst of it.
I pray these verses will resonate with you and remind you what you obviously already know. I am praying for all the details to be worked out and am believing God that they will be!
Missy, I am so sorry. How blessed I feel to be asked to join you and others in prayer for Ava. Having been in your place with Charlie’s birth, I know it doesn’t matter how many doctors, nurses, people say “it’ll be okay” and “it’s not THAT serious,” to a mama’s heart everything is serious when it comes to our baby birds. We know we have a great big God who is able to do great big hairy audacious miracles and that’s what I am asking of Him for Baby Ava (love the name!!) From lifes first breath, Ava will know God and what her Heavenly Daddy has done in her little life and for the rest of her life, He will be Praised!
I love you cousin and I will be lifing you up, continually, in prayer.
DeDee
sweet baby…my tears flow freely today as i read mommy’s post and all the wonderful encouragement given by those who love you already and will be praying for you through your tough days ahead. our heavenly Father is soooo good and so near. i can’t wait to sing “birdies in the treetop” to you as i rock you in my arms. you’re already marmie’s little girl.
Missy,
“Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Missy, you, Mark and sweet Ava are in my prayers. I ask God’s blessing and healing on Ava, and pray for you have God’s peace and to trust in Him with all your heart. I am available to help in any way you need. I’m not far from Minneapolis, of course. If anyone needs a place to stay, our home is open.
Love and hugs,
Alison
Hugs
Mark and Missy…I just wanted to tell you that I have been, and will continue to bring the two of you and Ava in prayer to our amazing and loving Father. He loves the three of you so much and has incredible plans for your family. He has you in the best of care at Fairview…and I know that He is also holding Ava in His powerful and healing hands.
Much love,
Steph