Comments
I have no words. I have tears. But we do have our God who works all things for our good. Praying.
#1 Sher Sutherland on 2014-03-21 00:16
praying... praying for strength for today, tomorrow, and all the days, weeks, and years to come.
Praying cause that's all I can do (actually my entire family and church now too), but also praying cause I know that is the BEST thing to do.
Love you guys..
#2 Becca on 2014-03-21 00:21
praying for you & standing beside you. - a mother of two babies on earth and one in heaven
#3 mg on 2014-03-21 00:46
Amen Ali. Amen and amen. Hugs from a stranger in Oregon. I will pray for your strength also. And for Phil, and for Ethan.
#4 Jill on 2014-03-21 01:14
I read this, and immediately started praying for you. Strength for today, yes, and (as unbelievable as it may seem) hope for tomorrow. Or rather, Hope for tomorrow...because HE is our hope.

With you.
#5 Elisabeth on 2014-03-21 02:07
Praying . . . May God's love surround you!
#6 Vanessa on 2014-03-21 04:13
Ali, how incredibly hard this must be for you and your husband. I am so very sorry to hear you guys are going through this. Please know you have my prayers for strength, understanding, and peace with whatever God's plan may be. I'll be thinking of and praying for you. Hang in there. With love, Becky (Julie's sister)
#7 Becky Lazor on 2014-03-21 06:05
beautiful writing. I have no words. but my heart is heavy for your journey. praying.
#8 danielle on 2014-03-21 06:07
Prayers for Ethan and your family.
#9 Andrea on 2014-03-21 07:27
Ali, you and Ethan and Zoe and Phil are all in my prayers. I am a friend of Davi T. and read your blog through her links. Please know that many hold you and your family up to God in prayer.
Many Blessings. Anita in SC.
#10 Anita on 2014-03-21 08:17
Oh Ali, I will be praying for you and your entire family--from little Ethan to HoJ. May God's grace and love and mercy surround you even as He gives you strength for today.
#11 Rundy (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 08:36
Oh, Ali. I have no words except to saying I'll be praying, praying, praying...
#12 Bethany on 2014-03-21 08:50
Oh Ali, oh my dear. Oh i am so sorry. Oh my heart is breaking for you.

Breathe, breathe and breathe and know that we are with you, we who do not know you 'in person', we are with you, and praying for you all. God is with you, always, in every step and breath. God is here. For you, for Ethan, for Phil and Zoe.

I know the pain of losing babies, of having children with profound and scary illnesses and challenges. Sending you prayers and love.
#13 Ellie (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 09:12
I am so so sorry. There are no words. Prayers for you and your Ethan.
#14 Sarah Macon (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 09:20
Oh Ali. My heart is broken for you. I'm praying for a miracle for your precious Ethan. I'm marveling at your courage to share. You are not alone. You will never be alone. Nothing is impossible for God. Nothing. ❤️
#15 Michelle Anderson on 2014-03-21 09:30
Dear Ali and Phil,
I know we have never met, but after seeing Ali on 60 minutes, I knew you were amazing people. I am a Mercy Ships Alum, served at the IO and Anastasis.
My heart pours out in crys to our Heavenly Father for you. Please know that so many, even some you don't know, are fervently praying for you and Ethan, your precious son. May His tangible peace hold you close each and every day as you walk this journey. You are dearly loved.
#16 Mindy Moser on 2014-03-21 09:33
Tears for you Ali. And prayers. For Phil too, and your parents. With love. Thank you for writing.
#17 Scott Vander Wiel on 2014-03-21 10:19
There are no words that will be the right ones... Hold tight to your faith. It is in the darkest of times that The Lord is carrying you through to the other side. Prayers for your precious baby & your family.
#18 Carla on 2014-03-21 10:22
Praying for you and Phil and Zoe and your precious Ethan that you will have strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. With tears and love from one mama to another.
#19 Jenny on 2014-03-21 10:50
I am a friend of Nanita's and she shared this post on FB. I wanted to let you know that I am lifting you, Ethan, your family and the medical team in prayer.
#20 Heather on 2014-03-21 12:30
Ali,
You don't know me but I have been following your story since just before your sweet Zoe was born. Ali, my heart hurts for you right now. Please know that I am praying for all four of you. I'm praying that God covers you in peace, fills you with Hope and lifts you with His strength. Please know that there are people in Texas praying for your sweet family.
#21 Elizabeth on 2014-03-21 13:39
Oh Ali, So sorry to hear this news. Praying for a miracle for Ethan and that God will uphold you and Phil and Zoe as you deal with all this. You are such an inspiration.
#22 Sue & John Clynes on 2014-03-21 14:04
I am so, so sorry for your heartbreak. I am praying for you and little Ethan and your family as you face the future, whatever it holds.
#23 Nancy B. Kennedy (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 14:11
Praying for you today from North Carolina.I know the pain of infertility and miscarriage. I don't know what to say because there's nothing that anyone could say to me that helped, but I'm praying for you.
#24 Ellen (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 14:18
Ali, my heart is so sad but hopeful for you all.
HE will give you strength, Momma. You can do it.
Have a banana sliced into more than 20 and know that you, Phil, Zoe, and tiny Ethan are surrounded by prayers.
#25 Julia on 2014-03-21 14:18
I am also a friend of Nanita's. Thank you so much for sharing your heart at this terribly difficult time. You are so clearly in tune with God and His most perfect ways--He is so glorified in you! Tears and prayers for you and your family...praying that God will protect little Ethan and carry you all through this.
#26 rachelle on 2014-03-21 14:21
I am a friend of Nanita's but I have been following your blog since I have seen you on 60 Minutes. I am struggling to write the words to describe how I am feeling after reading your entry. I am a nurse myself and am so proud of all the work you do. I pray that God will give you and Ethan the strength to come through whatever his plan is. I pray strength for all your family and friends to support you at this difficult time. Sending much love and a bright hope for the future whatever it may bring.
#27 Maria on 2014-03-21 14:26
I am another stranger - you were off on maternity leave with Zoe when I was on the ship. I am praying that God will give you and Phil and Zoe and Ethan each daily outpourings of grace and comfort that you are each in His hands.
#28 Beth on 2014-03-21 14:46
Psalm 139, praying for you and your family! Your words give me strength for the day!
#29 Jamesina on 2014-03-21 14:51
My heart breaks. Tears. Praying. Loving you all.
#30 Michael G. Halpern on 2014-03-21 14:54
Ali, I keep you all in my prayers. If your path should bring you to RWJ, we are here for you. Even if it doesn't, you are surrounded in prayers.
#31 Susan (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 15:11
There are no words. I've lost a child and know of nothing, absolutely nothing, that I could say that would take the pain away. You and your family are in our prayers...especially little Ethan. (I'm a friend of Davi's.)
#32 Karen on 2014-03-21 15:25
Oh, Ali - we were supporters of Jean Campbell when she was with Mercy Ships. She shared your blog. There are people praying for you and Phil and Ethan and Zoe all over the world. We serve such an awesome God - who will hold you through this. He loves Ethan even more than you do. You will be in our prayers over the coming months.
-CS and Michael Seepe
#33 CS Seepe, MD on 2014-03-21 16:14
Lifting you and Ethan up in prayer.
#34 Valerie on 2014-03-21 16:20
Praying praying praying...may God continue to guide you and your family. Just a stranger from Los Angeles.
#35 Steph on 2014-03-21 17:32
With tons of love from Ontario Canada, I will keep wee Ethan, yourself and your entire family in daily prayer. With God's love, mercy and grace and the blood of Jesus, you will be covered night and day. Amazing things CAN happen and I'm going to pray hard that they WILL.
#36 S. L Schadler on 2014-03-21 18:13
My prayers are with you and your family. I am sending prayers hugs and hope. God bless
#37 patty rodrigue on 2014-03-21 18:30
Ali, your friends in Brazil are praying for you. Our church will be praying for you and the family.
We love you and Phil and we kneel before our God, asking Him to watch over you as He guides you through this difficult time.
#38 Rodrigo on 2014-03-21 20:12
Dear Ali and Phil ... May Jesus hold you tight in His arms. Praying for Ethan and you both. 'He works all things for good...' those words may seem hollow at times like this ... and yet we trust in His Word.
Praying hard on your behalf. Love and hugs!
#39 Audrey on 2014-03-21 21:09
No words... I just brought you Ali with Ethan and Phil and Zoe before God's throne and I asked Him to take care of you all.
#40 Melissa Lauf on 2014-03-21 21:21
I have been where you are and I'm so so sorry for the pain you are feeling
Just keep praying and hugging the little miracle inside you!
Prayers are with you all!
#41 Jill on 2014-03-21 23:02
Oh Ali, I am so, so sorry.

I've been following your blog for a long time and I have to tell you, your love and your work and your beautiful words were one of my great comforts while I was going through roughly what you're going through now.

There is nothing I can say except to send love to you all.
#42 Julie (Homepage) on 2014-03-21 23:02
Praying so much for you that God will strengthen you. As a mum of a multiply disabled 23 year old I have some appreciation of your pain. May you and your husband walk hand in hand with God through this tough time. Really there are no words!
#43 Christine McDonald on 2014-03-21 23:41
We are long time readers of your blog posts. We are praying for all of your family, for strength and for joy in this hard time.
#44 Kelli on 2014-03-22 00:03
My sister, these words have brought me great comfort from our God. "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Psalm 138:8 estamos contigo
#45 Rico on 2014-03-22 08:54
Praying for you, your family and all the doctors and nurses who will be with you in this. Prayers for peace and comfort as His will be done.
#46 Katherine on 2014-03-22 09:39
Ben de sizin için dua edeceğim.
#47 selma şahin (Homepage) on 2014-03-22 17:53
Praying for you and your family as you walk this journey. You might find some companionship in this story: http://findingjoyinthedesert.blogspot.ca/?m=1, a friend of mine who has been a great encouragement.
#48 Em on 2014-03-22 18:06
Ali,
our hearts break for you and Phil with the news concerning Ethan.We understand your pain and heartache, we walk down this road 25 years ago ourselves. Roger was serving in another country as well. Reading your post makes it feel like yesterday. We did not have the Lord during this time, I am so great full that you do. I know he , the Lord, will be beside you as you walk this road. Our God is a great God who understands hurting over a son. Know you are loved from far away and that we are holding you and your pervious Ethan up in prayer. Barbara Quesenberry
#49 Barbara Quesenberry on 2014-03-22 20:51
Dear Ali, I'm in tears right now for you. I will be praying for you and Phil and Zoe and Ethan, and for all the medical staff now involved in your care. This is a topic close to my heart...I was 29 weeks pregnant when our daughter was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Those were the worst weeks of my life, but Jesus carried us so tenderly and faithfully. I'm praying the same for you. In Christ, Nikki
#50 Nikki (Homepage) on 2014-03-23 01:26
Ali, I am adding my prayers to the chorus. I pray for your strength and for the kind of comfort that can only come from the Lord. I pray for your perfect little Ethan. You have been such a joy and support and comfort to so many broken-hearted mamas, and I pray that you will be surrounded by caring people during whatever is to come.
#51 Cyndi on 2014-03-23 17:32
Hi Ali, Anne Secord shared your blog regarding your sweet baby. I was given the same news at my 20 week ultrasound almost 6 years ago. My baby girl was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome on Dec. 23, 2008. Best Christmas present ever! We prayed for a miracle, that when born, her heart would be completely healed. It wasn't so, but I can tell you we have witnessed many miracles over the years. Grace had all three heart surgeries, ended up with a paralyzed diaphragm that needed 3 surgeries to plicate it and has had several heart Caths. I know that does not sound good, but God has seen us through ever surgery and shown His glory in our darkest moments. We are so in love with our girl and while we wish she did not have to go through this, she is touching countless lives and we are seeing people praying and receiving Christ. And honestly, between surgeries, she really excelled. She is happy, outgoing, smart and beautiful from the inside out. I am here is you have questions, need to talk or pray. I will be praying for you and your family and of course your little miracle. Praying The Lord gives you abundant strength and peace that passes all understanding. Hugs to you and God bless you. Sherry
Www.heartofgrace.net
#52 Sherry Dunn on 2014-03-24 01:02
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
—Isaiah 41:13
#53 Diane zickell on 2014-03-24 09:29
Ali - I am so sorry. I am mourning with you and praying for Ethan's healing.
#54 Aubrey (Homepage) on 2014-03-24 22:01
I am praying for you and appreciate your honesty in sharing this experience. Ethan is blessed to have you and Phil as parents.
#55 Linda Jack on 2014-04-06 20:18
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