Believing and Receiving

Fourth Month Ultrasound
 Ashley, my daughter, went to her routine ultrasound appointment. This was her first baby and she was excited to find out if the baby was a boy, or a girl. 

After arriving for her appointment, the technician at the imaging lab showed her into the changing room and she undressed. 5 minutes into the ultrasound, the technician told her she had to step out and get the doctor. 

Ash Knew Something Wasn't Right
In absolute silence, the doctor looked at the images, as the equally silent tech moved the instrument across Ash's lower abdomen. Ten minutes later, Ashley was dressed and escorted to a private room in which her ob-gyn doctor was sitting. 

Your Baby Has Spina Bifida
Quietly, Ash was told that the ultrasound had shown the typical complications that occur in a baby with spina bifida -  clubbed feet, excess fluid in the brain, open spine in the lower back. Stunned at the news, she almost missed the doctor telling her she was having a boy. Ash walked out of the hospital, across the parking lot to her car, sat down in her car, and called me. 

During Later Appointments
Doctors told us the worst case scenario- mental retardation, no bowel or bladder control, seizures, very little fine motor skills, and no feeling from the waist down. If he walked, it wouldn't be until he was four. 

Bill and I refused to accept the diagnosis and told Ashley that the baby was going to be fine. We could tell she wanted to believe us, but the doctors kept bombarding her with their expert, medical opinions.  

Matthew 18:19-20 AKJVAgain I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.

My husband and I are prayer warriors who believe God's promises. 
We met the news with prayer. Our church family, Christian Motorcyclists Association family, and extended circle of acquaintances kept our daughter, our grandson, and the medical staff who cared for Ashton, on their prayer lists.

Matthew 21:21-22 

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen."And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Yes, there have been surgeries, braces, and therapy.
BUT every nurse and doctor are amazed at how swiftly Ashton heals. In spite of brain surgery to install a VP shunt and reconstructive surgery to his lower back, Ashton was out of the neonatal intensive care unit in five days. At fourteen days old, he was released from the hospital to go home with his mom. 

God gave us a miracle. Bill and I praise Jesus at every opportunity for the healing that he granted Ashton.

Ashton's healing continues to appear. 
At birth, Ashton had no reaction to stroking, poking, or prodding from his feet to his hips. Now, he has feeling from his hips to right above the knees. At two years old, his little feet are straight and the night braces are no longer necessary. This has happened a full year before it was supposed to happen.

Again, God gave us a miracle. Thank-you Jesus for the speed at which our grandson continues to heal. 

Today, our grandson is an active toddler who speaks in 3-4 word sentences, stands unaided, uses a tiny walker to walk, and is starting to use a toilet like a big boy. 

Bill and I have no doubt that Ashton will continue to heal because we believed we would receive what we asked for - a healing. Ashton is healed. Every day, every month, we are giving praise and glory to God for the proof that he has healed Ashton.

And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 

1 John 3:22 AKJV