Jeremiah 29:11

Clara Elyse Murphy

Day of Life 18

Clara trying to suck her thumb!

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

 I pretty much memorized this scripture 6+ ago when we were going through infertility and then again 3 years later when I was having difficulties with my health. I clung to it. It gave me hope and a promise that God would not leave my side and that he had a plan for me. He was faithful because despite how hard those times were, we became pregnant with Madeline and my arthritis got better (well eventually it did)

My friend Marcy gave this scripture in a card this past week, and instead of thinking of me, I thought this should be Clara's scripture this time. 

Clara is a miracle. We had given up hope of ever having another child and moved on waiting for God's plan B for our lives. And then we found out we were pregnant in April. I knew then God had a special plan for her, and that we had been blessed.Once again God was faithful.  I remember telling Jason last spring "God would take care of us, because against all odds he gave her to us. 

With everything that has happened to me and to her, and as tough as it has been (toughest thing I have been through), I still feel that God has plans for Clara, plans to take care of her not to harm her and to give her hope and a future. I know she will have a special story. 

This past week has been incredibly hard. Clara has hit several bumps and Jason and I have had to hear some tough stuff. Things that I would have never thought we would have to hear about. I am not going to lie, I have fallen apart several times at home in the car and yes in front of doctors and nurses. And there has been times my faith feels rocked. The NICU is a roller coaster. They keep reminding us that. 

However.... when Clara hits a bump, she usually fights and the next day we are on our way up again. In fact today, that was that case. Her nurse practitioners actually call her feisty and a little fighter. I love that about her. Despite the bump, she comes out doing remarkably well, comes out swinging. It already sounds like a great story. We left today feeling better, and again filled with hope. 

They will try again this weekend or next week to take her off vent. This is very important. BIG prayer request. The longer she is on it, the more risk it causes her lungs.  

I haven't held her in a couple of days. Please pray they let me tomorrow. 

Thanks again friends and family with all the support this past week with calls, texts, and cards.