April 6, 2011

Prayer and Preparation

I am typing this on my phone, so this update will be brief and most likely fraught with typos. 

Today has been hard.  Since Sunday, the updates we've gotten have been a mixture of positive and negative, but have been heavier on the negative side. Yesterday, the doctors gave us the first hint of an implication that our medical options were dwindling.

This morning, we met again with the pediatric surgeons. While they do not feel like we are just postponing the inevitable, the treatments that we are trying are becoming increasingly reactive to Clara's complications, and we are getting further and further back from square one. They did not say it out loud, but their subtext and eyes said enough: Clara's chances of overcoming all of the obstacles between where she is and where she needs to be to survive long-term are slim.

So. Here we are. Walking the razor's edge between preparing our hearts and minds for the worst, while still holding on to the hope that some of these Hail-Mary treatments will work, and that God will intervene and work a miracle.

But that's uncertain. We believe in our hearts that God CAN heal Clara, but we don't know if he WILL. We know how many prayers have been said on our behalf, but we also know that God does not answer every prayer with "yes." Our faith is not that we will get everything that we want if we want it hard enough, but that he will never leave us. And we feel His presence with us today.

And our faith doesn't change the fact that we want Clara to come home to us. We want that more than anything we have ever wanted in our lives. And we hope and we pray that she will. And we will not give up on that hope, and we will not stop uttering that prayer until she is at home, either with us, or with her heavenly Father.

Please keep that hope and prayer alive for Clara. Because even though her future is very uncertain right now, she has not been counted out, and we have not given up on her.

Thank you all for your love. We will continue to need it.

-robert

75 comments:

  1. GOD's will WILL be done in His own time ... but until then, we will pray so hard for sweet Clara to be at peace. None of us are giving up. God is with you and will show you the way. Lean on Him, reach out and hold on tight. Prayers are all around you and her. The Hardys are very, very loved.

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  2. I echo the above sentiments. The Hardys are indeed very, very loved. You, Chrissy, Clara, and the entire family remain in my thoughts and prayers.

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  3. We cry and pray with you. Never give up on God or Clara. You must have faith that her life will continue. GOD WILL keep her alive and he DOES answer prayers.
    I once heard in a movie that their were 2 farmers who both desperatly needed rain. The both prayed for it but only one went out and prepared his fields for it. The one who prepared his fields for it recived the rain. Clara is rain and she desperatly needs life so go and pray and let the doctors prepare their fields for Clara's rain. Remember to prepare for rain.

    Love and Blessings, The Welsh family

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  4. To Chrissy and Robert,

    We love you and Clara so much. We are continuing to pray for Clara and will not stop. "For with God all things are possible."

    Lots of Love,
    Pam and Marvin

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  5. We just sang this a moment ago here at church: "We cannot measure how You heal or answer every sufferers prayer, yet we believe your grace responds where faith and doubt unite to care. Your hands, though bloodied on the cross, survive to hold and heal and warn, to carry all through death to life and cradle children yet unborn."

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  6. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I was exactly where you are last year at this time. Don't give up, keep praying and enjoy every minute with her. God makes no mistakes and he has a plan for her life and yours.

    Love and Prayers
    Kristy Cheek

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  7. Praying that Clara starts responding to the treatments. Miracles do happen and so many of us are praying so hard for your sweet girl.
    Joanne (CDH mom)

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  8. My heart is so sad for sweet Clara and her struggle for life. I will continue to pray for her and all of you. God will care for her as he knows best. Your faith is a symbol of strength for all of us.

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  9. My heart is so sad for sweet Clara and her struggle for life. I will continue to pray for her and all of you. God will care for her as he know best. Your faith is a symbol of strength for you and for all of us.
    Mary Nell

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  10. Pam and Larry SmithApril 6, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Continuing to pray for baby Clara and the family. A child is God's gift to the earthly parents for as long as He plans. We know that first hand. We are praying for the struggle she and yall are going through and for the strength you all need at this time.
    Our love, Pam and Larry Smith

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  11. Jensie, Dale, Jake and Nate are all praying for that miracle for cousin Clara. We love you.

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  12. As I think about Clara and these challenges a John Lennon quote comes to mind "there's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be". You are exactly where you need to be and will receive exactly what you need to get through this. Peace to you and your family. Clara and you will stay in my thoughts and in my heart.

    Cathy L.

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  13. God be with all of you. Prayers from Pa.

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  14. Praying with you! Thank you for this real, honest and hard post. Our God is bigger than all of us and He knows best. Only He can see the master plan. We are also praying with you that God will heal Clara and you will get to bring her home.

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  15. Praying praying praying.

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  16. Praying for Clara, you and Chrissy, and her grandparents....she is a precious child of God...I will be praying for an intervention...we hope you all and Clara can feel our prayers and love...

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  17. Sending many prayers for you all!

    Michele
    CDH Mom

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  18. We will be praying for Clara! Your faith and strength is so inspirational and I know it's gonna pull her through! God Bless you all!

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  19. My heart breaks for you all that you're having to go through this, Robert. I pray for Clara many times each day and want you to know how much your faith is an inspiration to me.

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  20. Your KBC family prayed for all of you tonight. Thank you for sharing your honest struggle so articulately and movingly. We love you and Clara and are privileged to be part of a great tide of prayers.

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  21. I pray that God will work HIS miracles with Clara. I pray that you find His Love Comforting to you all. God Bless All of YOU!!!

    Connie Dixon

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  22. Our prayer before our family dinner tonight was for the doctors to be guided by God's hands and that peace be brought to you. In my own mind I prayed an image of you holding your baby girl. I don't know what God's plan is. I do know that you are loved, Clara is loved. We continue to pray and think of you. Be strong in your faith, lean on each other and the thoughts and prayers of people you know and don't (like me) through these tough times.
    You are being held in God's hands. I do know that.

    Keep the faith,

    Tammy Van Duyn

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  23. Prayers with y'all tonight. And tears for you and the tough journey.

    ~Ryan
    CDH Dad

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  24. praying along side you right this very moment.
    peace.be.still.
    kelly
    mom to hollis, cdh warrior (still in battle)

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  25. Prayers for you and precious Clara.

    Follower of Rooting for Ramsey

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  26. His name is Immanuel and He is with you and your precious daughter right this breath and every breath! He has numbered her days before there was yet one of them on earth. He miraculously brought her life and her life will accomplish His purpose. His love is perfect. May you find peace knowing that God is with you and undertaking on your behalf according to His perfect will and unsearchable wisdom. His grace and mercy will not fail you! Blessings and prayers for you all!

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  27. Praying and begging God for a miracle for precious Clara, but accepting of whatever His plan may be. Knowing that your inspiring faith will sustain you not matter what the outcome. God can heal anything. Karla

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  28. Continuing to pray.
    Love,
    The Cains

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  29. We're standing with you right now and will be thinking about you & praying for you tonight. Love to your family.

    Brooke, Derek, Riley & Dory

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  30. Sending up prayers for all of you!

    What a beautiful girl in her ladybug bow!

    Emily Beaver

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  31. Your post is so painful, yet so encouraging to read. Your faith is inspirational and you remind me of what it is all about...knowing God is with us no matter what. He is with you and He is most certainly with Clara. Praying and hoping along with you.

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  32. We love you all. Never will prayers end. We continue to pray just as we always have. Prayer for your peace and understanding are at the forefront. It is, as I have watched first hand, difficult to experience these things with your baby girl. Clara is a gift from God and He does love you. Remember to lean on one another and nurture your love for your family. May God comfort you and guide you through all that is to come. Our prayers and love will continue.

    Nicole G. Jones

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  33. God so loves each of you and will hold you, love you, and support you in the coming days, weeks, months, years, a lifetime. May His abundant love rain down on you! Clara is a blessing to so many, even to those of us whom do not even know you.
    Praying.....

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  34. May God give you his peace that passeth all understanding and may you feel His love wrap itself around you like a cloak. I hope that you can also feel the love that is coming from so many, we have journeyed with you these last two weeks and will faithly continue to pray for God's healing miracle in Clara Mae's life. We stand beside you with prayers of hope.

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  35. Praying for your family...

    Becky and Mitch Smith

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  36. Hold on to hope - you have thousands praying and keeping your family and Clara in our hearts. I hate this edge you are on - but have seen some pull through. Hold on to that hope!
    Elizabeth

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  37. Praying for Clara, you, and your family. Praying for God to intervene. God is certainly glorified through you. Praying that He would be glorified through Clara.
    -Keith Dowden

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  38. I shared Clara's story at my church circle meeting tonight. Several of the ladies already knew your story, but one woman did not. As I was telling your story, she said " I come against this. This is a God thing!" I couldn't have said it any better. Her prayer is my prayer!

    Stay strong! You are so loved!

    In His Love, Lindsay Heitman

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  39. Your faith amidst these hard times will serve as an inspiration to others. I'm praying for sweet Clara and your whole family.

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  40. Praying for a miracle!

    Michelle, Jake, and Caiden.

    CDH family

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  41. Praying, and hoping with you for a miracle!
    Love, Landon and Laura Jones

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  42. I pray for our God above to lay his healing hands on Sweet Baby Clara Mae tonight. May God be with all of her family through this trying time. We here on earth feel so helpless and we know that God is the only miracle healer and he can perform the ultimate if it is his will. Baby Clara you have been in so many hearts since the day you were concieved and touched all of us so deeply since the day your were born. I look at your pictures and you are absolutely the most beautiful little Angel I have ever seen!!! My love to you and your family, you are all very special to me!

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  43. God of Peace and Love,
    I pray this moment for Clara, Chrissy, and Robert. Breath of God please bring healing to Clara and sustaining strength and comfort to Chrissy and Robert. May your wisdom and guidance be with the Doctors and Nurses. I ask that Clara's journey continue to be filled with love and light. Amen

    Melissa Willis
    Friend of Hollis Yaun CDH warrior still fighting
    Minister to Children Ardmore Baptist Church

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  44. Still praying for that beautiful baby girl.

    Janna Caravia
    Expectant CDH Mom

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  45. I've been where you are, and I know exactly how you are feeling. It's terrible. These babies can overcome astounding obstacles, and they do, all the time. Hold on to that. Know that miracles happen. Most of all, just love her. She knows your voice, and is comforted by your sound. I'm hoping and praying a miracle happens for your family soon.

    Mama to RCDH survivor Quinn

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  46. I saw your blog and have been praying for baby Clara often. Your family has been in my prayers and I am so encouraged by you and your husbands faith and love for your baby girl. I believe that we serve a big and miraculous God and will not stop praying for Clara. You are such an inspiration and may the Lord give you peace in these times. You have a beautiful daughter.
    Mary Catharine

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  47. Clara is beautiful! I have been following your blog and praying for you all along the way! You are in my thoughts, heart and prayers.

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  48. Your little Clara is so beautiful and I can't imagine how proud you guys are of her. It's amazing how a child that just came into this world can impact lives all around her in such an amazing way. I pray that Jesus not only touches little Clara's body and mind, but I declare that she lives and declares the works of the Lord! I pray that God builds a hedge of protection around that child that no enemy can penetrate and no sickness can manifest itself in. I pray that Jesus gives you, your husband, and your family the strength and wisdom to continue through this season of your lives. God gave little Clara to parents like you for a reason, because He loves you, and he knew how much you love little Clara.

    Although I don't know you personally, my wife and I will be praying for you guys. I don't know where you guys are, but if your in Dallas somewhere and there is anything we can do to help you, please don't hesitate to call us. We would love to just come pray with you guys or what ever else we might be able to do for you. My cell is 972-670-8211 and my email is Brendan.Bailey@ymail.com. Call anytime. May God bless you and your family. He's an awesome God!

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  49. We're sending all of our prayers and love to your precious Clara and your family. God bless you and your sweet Clara. Lots of love and hugs

    The Fitzgerald family

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  50. Dear Robert and Chrissy,
    My heart is so heavy for you and your whole family. We pray too that God in his mercy will give Clara her health and let her shine a light to HIM as she grows up. You and Chrissy as such an example to Christian Faith. We continue to pray for you.
    Love,
    Annette and Randy

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  51. My prayers are with you both and for Clara. My heart goes out to all of you. Always remember, If God Brings You To It, God Will See You Through It. God is always by your side, lean on him and he will give you all the strength you need.

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  52. I did some thinking on our walk with the dogs last night. God does not give any of us any more than we can bear. He has chosen you and your family for this most difficult journey to which only He knows the outcome. Your journey is more painful than any of us can imagine, but you are not alone in it. You have wonderful support on earth and above. Your story is testament to your faith and proof to all of us that we can be strong and do what God needs for us to do. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey.

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  53. Sending prayers and love your way. I pray for your courage, patience, love, strength and HOPE.

    Eil na rafa na la.
    Please God, please heal Clara.

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  54. Praying for precious Clara and your entire family.

    Micha Jeffries

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  55. Praying for Clara, my thoughts are with you both at this time.

    Melissa Manos

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  56. God WILL heal your baby, its not a matter of if. You have to hold firm in your faith and not waiver. It's not His will for her to be sick, so don't accept & prepare for the worst, fight & take your God given authority over the devil. -megan

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  57. Frank and Laura McNairApril 7, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Dear Robert and Chrissy --

    Laura and I continue to pray (and weep) with you for precious little Clara Mae.

    I don't know what God is up to here -- and I must admit that I rage at God about this whole thing sometimes -- but, even in this, I know beyond all knowing that "He's God the whole world in His hands."

    We love you and will walk with you in whatever direction this takes you and us.

    The deep shalom of God enfold you and all those for whom you pray,

    Frank and Laura

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  58. DOnt get mad at God, get mad at the devil and rejoice in God knowing he will heal your baby

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  59. Your entire family has been in my heart and prayers constantly. Keep your strength and faith. You have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl who will and already has enriched your life in countless ways. You are both an inspiration to me and I admire you in so many ways. Your beautiful Clara is truly blessed to have parents like you. All my love.

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  60. You must know that a part of God's plan has been in process since the first day you shared Clara's condition with us. You both and your family have been witnesses of God's grace, comfort, and love every single day. You will never know what effect that witness has had in this world. God will bless your faith.

    I will not cease praying that God in His great mercy will work a miracle in Clara's life. He has brought us to the point where no one could question that it is by His healing hand that she lives. Jesus while here on earth was touched by the pain, sickness and death to tears. He is with you now.
    Love and hugs,
    Phyllis

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  61. A friend posted your blog on her Facebook, and I've been reading every day since. I'm sending tons of energy for Clara's health, and your comfort and peace and stamina. Just know that there are tons of total strangers out here spending time each day with you and wrapping you in virtual love!

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  62. Praying continually...

    Heather Morgan

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  63. Inspired by your faith, moved by the amazing words in your blog and continuing to pray for your sweet baby girl.

    Jodi Moore

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  64. I have a heavy heart but high hopes for little Clara. God is the untimate comforter. Have faith that he will soooth, heal, and bless Clara. He definately has a plan for her life! Look at all the good she has already accomplished, how much love she has generated,how many lives she has touched, and how many people she has brought together. She is one incredible girl! Don't ever forget that there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still! -Jason Banks

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  65. We continue to pray for healing, for God's peace, and for perseverance. We love you!

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  66. Chrissy and Robert,
    We're praying for all of y'all many times a day, even during our nightly feedings around 2:30 and 5:30am! We are expecting God to work a miracle in little Clara! My heart weeps for little Clara(and for her parents)! The Lord brought two specific verses to mind last night while I was praying. 1 Peter 5:6-11 "...Cast all of your cares upon Him, for he cares for you..." and Philippians 4:4-9 "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice!..."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus..." Keep the faith! The Lord is strengthening you and your walk with Him through this valley in your lives. Jeremy and I are praying that the Lord heals Clara completely and that she is able to proclaim Him for the rest of her days! Y'all are great! Thanks for sharing your hearts with us day after day. We're so grateful to be able to join with you in prayer!
    In His Love,
    Karen(Lesser)Ponds

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  67. Thanks for writing and letting everyone see into your thoughts, faith, joys and pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we hope you continue to feel God's presence in this time. Sending our love - Kevin and Brittany

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  68. We are praying for a miracle. Abel is proof that miracles do happen, even from the worst diagnosis can come a miracle. May you find peace and comfort in the Lord as you walk this journey we call CDH.

    The Burton Family
    Parents to Abel Kane
    CDH Surivor Born 10/22/10
    http://abelkaneburton.shutterfly.com/

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  69. Hang on to God no matter what and know that all things happen to bring GLORY TO HIM. I dont even know you, but your message came to me through my Sunday School. You sure do have many people praying for you. As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 6, I can not imagine what you two are going through with your little child. God be with you!!! Susan B sebauburn@hotmail.com

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  70. A day with no Clara updates. I know we are all holding our breath as we continue in faithful prayer. Our hearts go out to you ... we all wish we could wrap you up in love and peace. So many care .... hold on to each other and we will pray you through.

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  71. Praying with you. Sandie Greene

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  72. This article explains the concept of prayer from a higher spiritual perspective. It clarifies how we are either praying positively or negatively: praying for our grater good or against it, particularly regards coronavirus. It sets out how specific prayer works and how results are achieved effortlessly. Muslim prayer time

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