A word from a new friend

This happened about a week ago, but it's definitely been something I've wanted to share.

A new friend of my family's called me last weekend while I was in the hospital.  I could tell that she was very eager to share something with me.  Apparently, she had been on a walk when the Lord laid something very heavily on her heart.  After receiving this word from the Lord she couldn't get home fast enough to call me.  I'm grateful for this friend.  Let me preface this by telling you a little about this friend...

She has never actually met Charli.  In fact, she's never met any of our kids.  Kelly met her when she went with me for our interview in Ohio.  However, she excitedly entered into the spiritual warfare with us on her own initiative.  She's actually my new boss at the Vineyard in Ohio.

The Lord laid on her heart that the enemy's really had his grip on Charli.  Since the loss of Charli's twin brothers, Charli has carried around much death in her heart.  Even clinical studies prove a very special link between multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) and the pain they can carry with them associated to the loss of a sibling.  The enemy's grip seems to be weakening... it's as if wherever we've longed for life, the enemy has wanted to put death and grief in her heart.  Our hospital visit pertaining to her oral aversion and nutritional deficiencies were the enemy's last attempts of stealing life and joy.  Our new friend in Ohio has enlisted other warriors to join us in this battle.  In fact, a young pastor at the church woke up in the middle of the night last week.  He had received a dream about Charli.  He woke up immediately after the dream.  The Spirit laid on his heart this overpowering urgency... telling him that he must pray for our Charli.  The enemy is battling her.  He woke his wife as soon as he woke up, and the two of them joined us in this battle.

So grateful for all the old and new friends joining us in this battle.  Our friends (and family) have prayed for life... prayed for joy...  praying for freedom...

Celebrating that she has not struggled with throwing up one time since we've been home from the hospital!  That in itself is a miracle.

Little Charli's joy has returned... in fact, "returned," might not be the right word because she has more joy than she's ever had.  Still praying for her to take more of her special formula.  She'll go back for blood work in a little over a week.