PERFECT TWO!

t W o

I

T

T

two years ago, we spent the day in a hospital waiting room. we were hoping and fervently praying while mel was laboring. i wanted to believe the uncertain things on ultrasounds were a fluke. i wanted desperately for austan to come announce a perfect baby had arrived.

two years ago, at 6:15pm witt harris lupher made his entrance into this world. austan came into the waiting room to proudly announce, "it's a boy!" followed immediately by the fact they had immediately taken him for help breathing.

later that night, everyone gathered as a specialist tried to explain details. details about some less than perfect conditions. then witt was brought back into the room for everyone to meet him for the first time. what i remember most about that moment was seeing the display of perfect love as mel reached out her hand to hold her son's hand for the first time.

over the course of two years, witt (and austan and mel) have given me a whole new definition of perfect. there have been so many details that are less than perfect on paper. so many tears and hard days. i don't mean perfect in the sense of painless. instead what i'm saying is that witt is absolutely perfect because he is God's creation. his story is filled with miracles and trusting in God's perfect plans. and for two amazing years witt's life has touched us in ways that are unexplainable.

witt is perfect. did you know perfect means a) pure b) excellent and delightful in all respects and c)completely suited for a particular purpose? i can't think of any more perfect definitions for my perfect nephew.

happy birthday witt! we love you beyond measure. we give thanks for you everyday and are overjoyed to celebrate you today!

love,
annalee

WITT'S ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD....GLORY!!!!

WITT THEN...

AND NOW!!

This was the first Entry in witt's blog. I am printing it here for us all to read again and realize how faithful our god is!!!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

MEL'S APPT

Unfortunately, at today's appointment we did not get the news we had wanted. The space in the brain has grown from 10 to 13. This could indicate some form of brain damage which we won't know till the baby is born. I believe that God is calling us to walk the walk. I ask that you pray for Mel and all our family that we look past any results and look to the very face of God. I am still wholeheartedly petitioning God to miraculously heal this baby but we have to have our faith in Him regardless of situations. Honestly, I don't think I have ever been called to walk in this kind of faith and trust. Please pray that God would fill us with immeasurable trust in Him...He is Trustworthy! Whatever God chooses to do in this situation we will praise Him and seek to give Him glory! Mel has her OB appointment this Wednesday. Once again Melanie was hit hard but she has caught her breath and knows that God is in control. She is an incredible testimony to me. She is not pretending that everything is going to be just fine but she manages to keep seeking God and His strength. Please continue to pray for her. She still laughs! I would ask you to pray for me also...that God will strengthen me as we walk through this. "Thank you" falls so short of what I mean but I sincerely thank you all!!!!
-Karen

God has Faithfully carried us through Witt's first 2 years. God made it almost impossible for us to not see His face with each step. God has healed Witt in so many ways. I have lost count the number of times we were told that Witt was dying. Each time we had doubts God filled us with more than enough trust in Him. God is, has been and will be our Strength!!

Now speaking personally, I want to share just a few of the many things our Faithful Father has taught me through Witt's first 2 years!

I have learned that there is no end to the depth that my God will reach down to pick me up and there is no end to the heights that His love takes me. I have known and wholeheartedly believed that my God is Sovereign but I have learned to trust that sovereignty. Not just knowing but trusting in His sovereignty ushers in a peace that is beyond all human understanding. I have also learned that excruciating pain can exist in the midst of total peace and somehow this peace makes the pain bearable. I have known that He is sovereign and I have learned to trust that Witt will breathe every breath that God has deemed. I have learned to trust that He has the final say in all things. I have known that all things were created by and for Christ and I have learned that undoubtedly, undoubtedly, undoubtedly Witt was created by Christ and for Christ. Witt is created in His image and for His glory. I don’t know of another human being in which the fullness of Christ overflows from more than Witt. I do know that Christ made me for the exact same purpose too. I have known that I am to bring Him glory in all things and I have learned to say, “NEVERTHELESS…NEVERTHELESS, I will praise YOU. You alone are worthy of all honor and glory no matter the circumstances!” I have learned that something that many would say is horrible is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I have most definitely learned to bow down at the throne of Grace and wholeheartedly thank God for Witt…thank Him for Witt just the way he is…perfectly made in the image of Christ! Perfectly made to bring God infinite glory!

APPOINTMENT WITH DR. MACICEK TODAY!

Witt has a cardiology checkup this afternoon. He seems to be feeling really well! Witt's feed has also been changed so they will check his electrolytes today. Other than that Mel is preparing for Witt's 2 year birthday!!!! I just want to shout "Hallelujah"!!!!!!

Melanie sent this video yesterday to GrandBud(Witt's great grandfather!) who had a procedure done yesterday. Of course GrandBud loved it!!

AMAZING GOD!

What an amazing God...what an amazing 8 days at Warrenton!!! At the top of the list is that Witt and Mel were there for the entire show(except for part of the day Monday) and Austan joined them for the weekends. Melanie and Austan both jumped back in at the cafe with Melanie making plates and Austan grilling. God's blessings on my family certainly flowed and one of them was from Rachel Ashwell.

Rachel Ashwell(Shabby Chic) was on our property doing a book signing in the Junk Gypsy tent. She took time out to come inside and meet Witt. I told her all about Witt, explained his equipment and mentioned that we were wanting to raise money to buy a van or car that Witt's cart and equipment could just roll into. Later that day Melanie was presented with a book that Rachel had signed for both of us. It read:

To Witt's Nana and Mama, Your story touched my heart. You are a beautiful,

strong little soul, surrounded by love that you so deserve. Please accept this

token towards the vehicle that will help show you the world.

From my heart,

Rachel Ashwell

Attached to the page with a poem entitled "Mother" was very generous check!!! Thank you, Rachel! Thank You, Lord!! Just having Witt out there was blessing enough but surely my cup is overflowing!!!!

One evening I walked in and Melanie was reading to Witt. He

loves the books that he can touch and feel!