Let us not forget.

It was one month ago yesterday that Elijah came into this world. Being a mom of a newborn all the days just run together. Day seems like night and night like daytime. Since I am no longer working out of the home I haven't really noticed weekends anymore. I can't believe it's been a month already. I know that in no time he won't be a bundle in my arms anymore (this is my excuse for holding him all the time).
As this first month comes to a close I am evaluating my conversations with God and outlook on our situation. I know we are all still praying for complete healing for Elijah, but one thing I don't want to happen is to forget  what God has already done. As time passes it's easy to just focus on what we are asking for and not remember the prayers already answered; the miracle God has already done. The scriptures are full of examples of God's people forgetting as time passed. It's only been one month and how much am I thanking and praising God for what He has done compared to asking for what has not yet come?

God has moved on our behalf. Let us not forget.

Fear & Hope

"He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy."
Psalms 147:10-11


God doesn't care about what WE can do and what WE are capable of. He wants us to fear (have reverence for) Him and have hope in Him. Somehow we have to have this holy reverence for who He is and also have this hope in His mercy at the same time. 


There are many things that our medical field can offer our son but it is God that we go to first. We know a glimpse of His power and we have reverence for Him. We trust in His strength, not in ours.  It is in His mercy that we put our hope first and foremost.

How to love Elijah

Elijah's current condition demands extra caution when around him. Here are some guidelines we have to live by for now. Some were taken off the osteogenesis foundation website.

1. If you are sick please don't visit until you've been well for 5 days. Or if you see us when we are out please steer clear.We know to be cautious with any newborn when we have colds. Any sickness would even be harder on Elijah and his respiratory system. We are overly cautious of being around children or crowded places for now (don't take it personal).
2. Never shake or pull or push on a limb, or bend it into an awkward position. This includes trying to put on any clothes.
3. Extra care is needed to support the head. 
4. Do not lift him from under the armpits. Please let mom or dad pick him up.
5. If you happen to hold him, all rings, bracelets and long bulky necklaces must be taken off. Beware of any hard plastic like buttons or metal on your clothing that could come in contact with Elijah. 
6. Be aware of where the baby’s arms and legs are at all times to avoid awkward positions or getting a hand or foot caught. Especially important when taking off or adjusting his swaddle blanket.

Welcome home baby Elijah

After a week of living in an ocean view Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, Elijah Raphael Fadi Mansour is now home with us.

Final moments before leaving the hospital

Jessica was scheduled for a c-section for today, June14th at noon, which is exactly the time we were walking out of the hospital with our 7-day old boy.

Elijah's breathing and eating is completely normal, praise the Lord for that.

The main concern is how weak/strong the bones are and the shape of his legs—upper and lower leg bones. We're still praying for a miracle. 

We are waiting on a genetic test result to come back from Washington State which will tell us more about what is going on with his body/bones.

We really appreciate all the love and support YOU have been showing us, and we ask you to continue to pray for the completion of healing in his entire body.

Elijah's coming home

Praises: We are very thankful for his breathing, eating, sleeping, pooping, peeing, and hearing in his right ear.



Prayers: Healing for his bones and legs, and that his left ear turns out OK. (He is scheduled for more testing on 6/28/12)

Handling Instructions, follow it as you pray for him

Photos

No wonder he wanted to stay at the NICU!!!

This was the first day we were able to hold Elijah. 

Baby Elijah Prayer Update

At 4 and half months into the pregnancy, the foremost skeletal expert on this side of the US looked at the ultrasound and presented the option of ending the pregnancy saying “whether we deliver now, or wait to full term, it won’t make a difference”; this baby will NOT have room to expand his lungs and would not live when born. (She diagnosed him with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, bridle bone disease).
On June 7, 2012 At 7:57 am Elijah was born. 5 pounds 7 oz. Much to all of the doctor’s surprise and our praises, Elijah started and continues to breathe on his own, which is an answer to our prayers. During surgery we were praying together and you can imagine our utmost joy when we heard his cry. On the first day he started taking formula from a bottle and had no problem with the big “Ps” (pees and poops!) He has a hefty cry and is able to move his arms and legs. One of the doctors has expressed that Elijah responded normally to all stimulation and feels Elijah reacts just the same mentally as a usual newborn would during her examination. Thanks to all of you who have been supporting us in prayers. All glory be to God!

The Intensive Care Unit about an hour after his birth

Elijah under close medical supervision

But the work is NOT done yet.

Here is what the doctors are seeing now:

Some fractures noted in arms, legs, ribs and short, curved bones. Of course the doctors are doing more tests and the staff here in the intensive care unit are watching his body alignment closely for his protection and comfort. We have to handle with care but we were able to hold him today. Grandma Nancy did too. They are still not sure the reason for these problems, neither are they sure of treatment or results. They THINK, based on the fractures and the shape of bones, that he has a milder form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Please continue to pray for healing, complete healing. The Lord has done great things for us so far, but we believe He is NOT done with His work in Elijah…or us!

Thanks for your support in prayers and checking in on us —as of right now we are not taking visits and may not get to our phones and emails right now. But we are doing fine and Jessi’s recovery is going well. In the near future we’ll let everyone know when you can come meet Elijah.

We’re starting a blog so you can keep up with what is new, and stop getting these long emails. We’ll send the blog info soon.

With love,
Jessica, Fadi, and Elijah Raphael Fadi Mansour

Elijah's Here!

Elijah was just born!! He's 5lb 7oz. Jessi's recovering well. He's breathing completely on his own, Thank God! The doctors still don't know how his bones are, but a bone specialist will see Elijah soon.

Baby updates/Prayer requests

Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,

We just want to give you the latest updates on our baby, Elijah. At 4 months into the pregnancy the baby was diagnosed with a bone disease and we were told that he would not live once born specifically due to the ribs being too small to allow the lungs to expand.

Through these difficult months God has given us peace and joy that surpasses all understanding and can only be explained by Him.

Along with you, we’ve been seeking God for complete healing and so far we've seen God doing some awesome work in our baby.

We completed our last ultrasound and the specialist has seen improvement from the original diagnosis. His ribs now seem large enough to allow him to breathe, but there is still healing that we are praying for and believing it will happen. His legs and arms show possible fractures, some bones are slightly curved and are measuring very short.

We are asking and believing for healing because we believe God wants everyone to be healed. The enemy came “… only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). God hasn’t changed His mind or joined the enemy. Also, even though Jesus didn’t heal everyone in His time, He did heal everyone who came to Him.

We know sometimes God may heal gradually as in this passage:

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. -- Mark 8:22-25

We believe He is NOT DONE healing our baby yet.

The doctors are not very hopeful overall. They are expecting disabilities and they also believe there is a chance Elijah won’t live.

We are going in for a c-section on June 14th. Please join us in prayer (and fasting if you feel lead to) for complete healing for our baby.

Our God is Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even if you don’t follow Him or believe He exists please feel free to pray anyway. We believe He hears you.

Here is what we are asking for:

• Complete healing of the bones 
• Completely healthy baby—mentally, physically, emotionally, 
• God would be glorified in this situation, and He alone will get the credit for the work that He is doing. 
• Protection over our minds so that we won’t doubt or be shaken, and that we will continue to have peace and joy during this time 
• Physical comfort for Jessica during this last week of pregnancy, as she has not been feeling well at all. 

Thank you so much for your prayers.

With Love,
The Mansours

Prayer request and baby update

Dear Loved Ones,

We apologize if this is the first time you are hearing of our pregnancy. We haven’t been the best at getting the word out.


The doctors have been seeing developmental problems and our baby boy was given the diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Type 1 Collagen or Brittle Bone Disease. With such a severe case the Dr. does not expect our baby to live once born specifically due to the ribs not growing enough to allow him to breathe. That is what the doctors see.

BUT
We know our God is a God of miracles and we are believing HIM for healing, not just for life, but complete healing. We are asking everyone to be in agreement with us: not that God only can, but will heal Him. (If you are not in a place to trust like this, we just ask you don’t say anything to the contrary) We trust that the LORD will be glorified in this situation. We choose to praise Him, believe in Him, trust in Him, bless Him, glorify Him and love Him.

We are relying on God--our one and only hope during this time of our life. Please join us in prayer and thanksgiving.

After initial shock and grief, God has given us complete peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding as Philippians chapter 4 puts it.

Feel free to call us, Fadi at (949) 282-8430 and Jessica 949 274-1353.

In Him,
Fadi and Jessica

Prayer Request

Dear Loved Ones,

We apologize if this is the first time you are hearing of our pregnancy. We haven’t been the best at getting the word out.

The doctors have been seeing developmental problems and our baby boy was given the diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Type 1 Collagen or Brittle Bone Disease. With such a severe case the Dr. does not expect our baby to live once born specifically due to the ribs not growing enough to allow him to breathe.

We know God is a God of miracles and we are continually asking God for healing. Please keep this prayer request before Him. And again, whatever God does or doesn’t do with any of our requests we choose to praise Him, believe in Him, trust in Him, bless Him, glorify Him and love Him. Our prayer is that you would do the same.

Although this is an extremely tough season, we are taking it a day at a time and trying our best to lean into God. If you need to speak with us please call Fadi at (949) 282-8430.

In Him,
Fadi and Jessica

Prayer Request for our little one

Family and Friends,

We are writing this email in hopes you will stand with us in prayer. We are so excited to welcome our little one, although the journey so far has been a bit rough.

Please stand and call on God with us in prayer for a healthy, normal baby; mind, body, spirit, will, and emotions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our simple theology on prayer is this:

• We believe “God’s will” was with a perfect world in Eden. (Which He will eventually restore earth to His perfection again)
• Because we sinned in Eden, We currently live in fallen world with fallen people.
• “God’s will” currently allows for this “fallen-ness” even though Jesus died in exchange for us due to our sins. 
• Thankfully, as people of an Almighty God, we can approach Him and ask Him to move or change his direction or our circumstances on our behalf. We see this throughout the Bible when people asked, even though it didn’t look like it was in God’s plans, people asked and it was granted:
  
  Moses: Exodus 32, Moses requests earnestly from God to spare the people. God does.
  
  Blind Man: Luke 18:35, A blind man calls out to Jesus even though Jesus is just passing by. He never intended to stop and heal him except the man cried out. Others told him to be quiet but he kept calling. Jesus heard him and healed him.
  
  Woman asking healing for her daughter: Matthew 15:21. A woman came to Jesus and the disciples told Jesus to send her away and even Jesus said He came for others. She continued telling him even dogs eat the scraps from the masters table. Jesus told her she had great faith and her request was granted.
• Whatever God does or doesn’t do with any of our requests we choose to praise Him, believe in Him, trust in Him, bless Him, glorify Him and love Him.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you for your love and prayer requests,

Fadi and Jessica


PS - This is all we are choosing to share at this time.