Pray for my friend

My friend, Meisha, has asked for prayer this week. Their delightful son Alex is undergoing a major surgery at Children's Hospital in Little Rock. She describes the situation best, so I'll leave the rest to her ....

For those of you who don't know Alex's story, let me share the brief version with you......

Alex was born at 24 weeks gestation. He weighed 1lb 8 oz.Every physician we encountered before, during and after his birth all said he would not make it and if he did he would be a vegetable all of his life.You all know Alex and know that not to be the case.

For 6 long months I sat on a stool at his bedside with a myriad of emotions (pain, anger, hurt,despair,....and many more) but the one thing that I was sure of was that God had a purpose for his life and he would keep him alive to fulfill that purpose. Alex's birth was a turning point in my life, I was a "Christian"before he was born, but after the entire ordeal I became a true believer in the power or prayer.

My mother still encounters people 15 years later who prayed for Alex and want to know how he is doing. Many, many surgeries,seizures, therapies and IEP's later Alex is .......well he is just Alex (and we love him for that).

Anyone who does not believe in the power of prayer can just look at Alex. He is a walking testimony. I can also attest to the power of prayer (I pray daily for sanity and patience and so far all three children are alive and well and I am not committed to Laureate-so he really does answer prayer).

Well thank you for reading thus far, but now to the point of this email.....Alex is having a spinal fusion on July 11, 2008 at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Cardell and I have prayed for wisdom and guidance in making the right decision to have the surgery. The curvature of the spine is so severe that it is beginning to effect his internal organs and his mobility. The extent of repair they will have to do is pretty extensive and recovery would be difficult for a typical child, but imagine recovery for an autistic child.

Please pray for Alex. He has very little understanding of what is to happen to him. Pray for his healing, comfort and peace. Please pray for Cardell and I as we sit for 6-8 hrs waiting for our first born to come out of surgery. Pray for our extended family who will be helping with the other two children.

Lest we forget, please pray for the surgeons. Pray for their clear minded wisdom and steady hand. While I know that the "Master Surgeon" is in control in that OR, please pray mightily for Alex and for our family.

Thank You Meisha

Please acknowledge this mother's plea for prayer. I'll keep you updated on his progress!