MORNING UPDATE

Just an update on Witt's digestive system. The doctor's will give Witt a couple of doses of medicine to clear his stomach and then feed him afterwards. Please pray for his stomach and entire system to clear and start working normally. Thank you as always for your continued love and support for little Witt. His strength is in the LORD our God...

THANK YOU GOD AND WITT!

When I arrived here at the hospital this morning I had no expectations. I knew I wanted to see Witt and see how he was doing, but that was it. I was carrying my computer, bible and newspaper and thinking I was going to just sit back and catch up.

(Witt's new KING - sized bed)
The nurse was there and Witt of course when I got to the room. Witt was making some noises, but only because he had just been checked a few minutes ago by a doctor. As the nurse and I talked about football and colleges, she decided that Witt needed a diaper change. I was up to the task and quickly relearned the "technique" since I had been watching Melanie change the diaper over the last week. Witt squirmed a little, but was back nice and comfy after I closed the last tab and the nurse started to rewrap him. Then without any prompting from me...the nurse asked if I wanted to hold my grandson. Thank you God. That was what I had prayed for throughout the week, that I would be able to hold him without taking any holding time away from Melanie or Austan. Thankfully, mom and dad were back resting in their room and I had over an hour of holding Witt, praying for him, teaching him what my voice sounds like and singing (off key) to him. It was amazing. He rested very soundly and even opened his eyes to look at me just to tell me that it was ok that I couldn't sing very well. A little over an hour went by with Witt and I just know that God has blessed me with a great start to my day. Here is my praise for Witt today... Jim
Psalm 112:1-8
1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

EVENING UPDATE!!

We wanted to let you all know what we are aware of so far today. Austan and Mel were told today that Witt has an extra partial chromosome on the #1 chromosome (not on #18 as orginially thought). They haven't been able to meet with the genetic specialist yet so there are many unknowns concerning this finding. The great thing with this finding is because there are so few cases, and so few case studies, Witt will be treated as a "normal" baby with a "normal" life span. This means if a surgery is necessary for the kidney the doctors would make the decision for him the same as they would for a baby with no chromosome syndrome. Mel and Austan had been told that if Witt had Trisomy 18 most likely no surgieries would be done because the expected life span is so short. We will know more after they meet with the specialists...possibly not until Monday. We are thanking God for the fact that with this diagnosis Witt will not be labeled. Please continue to pray for him to be able to digest the breast milk!! Thank you for you continued prayers, notes and calls.

CELEBRATION

Isn't it crazy how we make plans wishing weeks away.... "I can't wait for this week to be over" or "Next year is gonna be better." It is an amazing and Godly day when we can can take the time to celebrate one week of life. Ever since Witt joined our family I have found myself singing, humming and thinking

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King... Jesus!

-Leslie G.

ON BENDED KNEES

I will probably never be able to start without always saying I don't know the words but I know God! I am back on my knees but that's because I am humbled by the very presence of God and by all the prayers being offered on Witt's behalf. I definitely raise my hands to worship and thank Him for everything He has done!
What I never want to happen, what I want to guard against happening, is for any of us to somehow get confused and begin trusting in what God does and not in Who He is. I am on my knees before Him, thanking Him for His healing but my trust must remain in God and God alone. What He has done in Witt's life would be marred if we begin to trust in God's work…in His miracles and not in Who He is. If we put any faith or hope in God's actions then we may lose hope when we don't understand what God is up to. Our faith is in God, our hope is in Christ, and that's a hope that never disappoints us.
Join me in asking God to do His mighty work once again in Witt's DNA, please take away the extra chromosomes. Join me in shouting from the mountaintops telling the world what God has already done in Witt's life but also join me in keeping the faith in the only thing that is Worthy... in GOD!
-Karen

FRIDAY'S PRAYER REQUESTS

Good morning to all of you!
This morning we pray specifically...
*that Witt will digest his milk. I believe he did fine through the night but the milk he was given at 6am was basically still there at 9am. The nurse is going to check with the doctors when they make rounds. I don't think its too alarming, we just need him to continue to "eat!" Aren't we glad that absolutely nothing is alarming and certainly never disarming to God!
*for another sweet baby in the nursery (we don't know its name) but no visitors are allowed in for the next few hours while they do surgery on this baby. (UPDATED- the doctor tell the mom that the little baby's emergency surgery went well! The mom will be able to see the baby in 20 minutes. It was emergency surgery of some kind. It is amazing that they can do surgery right there in NICU when there is not time to move the baby to the surgical area. God's wisdom is incredible!)
*for baby Autumn and family. She is 7 days and is fighting for her life. Her parents are Jessica and Jason and they are very young parents walking on an unbelievable hard path.
*rest for Mel and Austan and all the family.
*and a prayer of thanksgiving that baby Andrew is doing very well. His grandfather, Paul, shared that he has turned the corner to recovery!
-Karen

THEY SAY IT'S WITT'S BIRTHDAY

Happy birthday to our favorite 1 week old! We have so much to celebrate so tonight that's just what we did, we celebrated Witt.

In the past 7 days...

We have learned how far our hearts can be stretched.

We have learned more about the power of prayer.

We have learned more about God's faithfulness in each situation.
We have learned to trust Him more than ever before.

We have learned the necessity of being "real" with one another.
We have learned to love one another at all times.

Our family has been fastened together in extraordinary ways.

God has blessed us with the opportunity to know this precious child of His.

We celebrate His greatness and the greatness of Witt's life!

Love,
Annalee

"THE MOTHER LODE"

When they checked Witt's stomach at 3:00, he had digested the breast milk so the stomach is doing its thing! They gave him more of the mother lode!!!! Now, on to the chromosome issue...I am asking God to make the chromosomes look right...right numbers everything...go God..be glorified!!!
~Karen

GOT MILK!?

Witt is being fed breast milk as I type! Please pray that he is able to digest it!!! The doctors are beginning to mention things we couldn't have even fathomed a few days ago...things like he might be able to bottle feed next week...and, they are even beginning to mention "going home!!!" Witt has several MAJOR hurdles to jump before "home" is a reality but even the sheer mention of it makes my heart SOAR!!! I am blown away by the ways that God is "showing off" through our precious little man! A friend emailed me today and pointed out that God is still in the "business of miracles!"
MIRACLES INDEED!

***Karen would like everyone to pray very specifically that God intercedes and rearranges Witt's DNA...so far, the doctors are baffled because they can't confirm Trisomy 18!!!
You go, God!!!

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for your precious words of encouragement...the kind words from those we know and love and the sweet messages from perfect strangers has helped to open our eyes to the beauty of this most difficult walk we are on!!! I have never seen God's Hand more clearly...His tender, loving touch sustains us!

God's Grace IS Sufficient!!! Praise Him!
~Cheryl

NO STOMACH BLOCKAGE!!!

God continues to show Himself in mighty and wonderful ways...it appeared to the technician doing the test that Witt does NOT have any blockage in his sweet little tummy...we are anxiously awaiting confirmation from the doctors but in the mean time, we are shouting HALLELUJAH!!!
Please join us in prayers of praise and thanksgiving!!!

AWESOME NEWS!!!

As Witt awaits the test this morning to determine whether he has blockage in his stomach, we have just received AWESOME news! He does not have blockage in his kidneys but rather has kidney reflux that will be treated with antibiotics! Witt's precious cousin, Adelaide, also has reflux and it hasn't slowed her one bit. We are thrilled to pieces with this wonderful news! ALL GLORY AND PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!

***Karen just emailed...9:15am...they have begun the test on Witt's stomach and it should take about 45 minutes...the doctor should be able to share the results with Austan immediately!!! Please pray for Austan as he is in there alone with Witt.

THE POWER OF PRAYER!!

In the morning, between 7:30 - 9:00 am, Witt will be taken to have his stomach checked. We are specifically praying that his stomach will begin to start digesting normally between now and the test. There is a possibility that there is blockage and that could be af setback from moving forward. We know that God is constantly showing himself to us through Witt's progress thus far. We are fervently praying tonight that HIS glory will be clearly seen in the test and the results. Our comfort and peace is resting on the promise that God's will is about healing the weak, the tired and those in need. Oh Father, please amaze us with your love and tender hand on the body of a child who knows only Your hand thus far.

Your prayer and support tonight and tomorrow are needed more than ever for Witt. Witt's parents, Melanie and Austan thank you for your continued love.

-Jim

LET THE PRAISES TO THE LORD BE LOUD!!

Let the praises to the LORD be loud and ring true! We were just blessed with the voices and music of Moses Rangel and Todd Gross here in the waiting room. They brought their love of music and Jesus to us and it was awesome to hear. God has blessed us as we covered the waiting room with family and friends and the gifts of our friends Moses and Todd.


Witt's lungs are clear after a chest x-ray this afternoon. We are still waiting on test results that we hope to hear about tomorrow. Witt was not under the lights today as his color has dramatically improved from yesterday. He also had all breathing assistance removed and was doing great on his own.


We received so many comments and prayers today and we so appreciate the faithfulness that you all have. Keep them coming and know that God is in the room with Witt. We pray that the miracles of healing will glorify our God as Witt is strengthened throughout the day.

UDPATE

Witt is done with the kidney test and we will share the results of that as we know them.
They have found that his stomach is enlarged so they will do a test for that soon (today). Please pray specifically at this time for the stomach blockage to clear.
We are still waiting for the chromosomal test results. Once those arrive the doctors will be able to make some more decisions as to what can be done for sweet baby Witt.
He can't survive very long being sustained through IVs alone. Once again we near the end of what medicine is able to do which gives God a chance to really shine...to His glory!

KIDNEY TEST HAPPENING NOW

It's 10:15am and the doctors just took Witt for his kidney test. The urologist has been very eager for this test to happen so he can tell whether Witt's kidneys are fine or if he has reflux or a blockage. He has to have a catheter and undergo tests for the next hour. Please pray for sweet Witt's comfort during this time, the test results, and for Austan too as he is in the room with him during all of this.

Please join us in praying Psalm 29:11
"The Lord gives strength to His people (Melanie and Austan);
the Lord blesses His people with strength."
The other day Mel asked me, "Isn't enough enough?" Oh my goodness, from my human perspective this walk seems like enough. I want to say "uncle," a cry of surrender, for Witt, for Mel, for Austin! Instead I have to say "El Shaddai," The One Who is Enough! I call out to El Shaddai for them...to the One Who is Enough. I call to the One Who can strengthen them, to the One Who can comfort them, to the One Who can heal them. He is Enough. He is all they need. I am asking El Shaddai to reveal Himself to Witt, Melanie and Austan right now and forever!
-Karen

WEDNESDAY MORNING NEWS

Please continue praying for Witt.
They have only given him one "serving" of milk and haven't been able to give any more. The doctors were hoping to this morning at 6am but couldn't.
They just took a chest x-ray. They are not too concerned about this part but there is a little fluid in his chest.
We are awaiting the final test results on chromosomes which will hopefully come in today or tomorrow.
He's still under lights for jaundice.
He is also still the most precious baby...of course I am biased!
-Karen

MAGNIFY

Magnify....that's a word I don't use very often except that's the word that has been coming to my mind the last few days...magnify! That's what I see Witt's life doing...magnifying God. God's work in one tiny life is being broadcast everywhere...being magnified!!! God can do something in one life but it is spread across thousands and thousands of lives! Glory!
-Karen

*Witt's cool goggles are there to protect his sweet eyes from the spotlight he was under today to treat his jaundice.

SUN BATHING OUR SON

Witt had a great day today. First, we heard some great news about the heart and that Witt was able to take some food from mom through a tube. He will take more milk tomorrow morning hoping that his digestive system has cleared itself of mucus and small blood particles. He spent much of the day under the sun lamp working on his tan and getting some much needed rest. More test results are hopefully coming Wednesday or Thursday.

Thank you for the many comments and prayers today. Your love for Witt and the family is felt here for sure. Your prayers are keeping us all strong and forever remembering that God has a greater plan than we even know.

We hope to have live praise music this week in the waiting room and will let everyone know when that is going to happen for sure. Have a great evening.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23,24

BABY LUPHER'S LULLABY

Take a look at Witt's fresh new bedding and all the company he has in his crib.

Of course he still likes to be in his parents' arms most of all but when nighttime comes his crib is filled with lots of love too.

The Lord gave these words to Witt's Grandma Vickie more than 5 years ago and she has been singing them and saving them for her future grandchildren ever since. And nod that day has come! She is a proud grandmother and wants to share these sweet words for Witt at bedtime...

BABY LUPHER'S LULLABY

Your heavely father he loves you so
there's no need to fear what the night may hold
His love is strong, kind, secure
on all these things you can be sure

You're one of Jesus little lambs
you are so special
your life's in his hands
And don't forget just why he came
to save the world from sin and shame

Now rest your head and close your eyes
it won't be long till morning is nigh
He is your light, your life, your way,
Jesus is with you
night and day

I love you Witt!
-Vickie

MAKING THE ROUNDS

The doctor came by this morning to make his rounds and update Mel and Austan on some specifics of Witt's health as of today.
*The heart shows to be totally fine! There appears to be no cardio. issue at all, which is an amazing discovery!
*Witt is a little jaundice. They said it is just in the same way that so many babies have jaundice though and should get better.
*They decided to start him on some breastmilk today. This is huge news! Mel has been diligently pumping without even knowing whether Witt would ever be allowed to have milk. We are thrilled that he will be fed some several times today. He is acting quite hungry and the milk could also help with jaundice.
*Later today they hope to test the kidneys to determine if there is reflux or blockage and find out more information on how to treat our little buddy.
Thank you for sharing in all of our concerns and praises. Your faithful prayers are what we need most!
-Annalee

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Exodus 15:2-3

GREAT NEWS!

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27: 13-14

Just when we thought God was going to bed...we got some great news about Witt's heart. Without trying to recount the medical explanation, the bottom-line news we just received is that Witt's heart appears to be working properly now and his blood pressure is equal across his arms and legs. This was a major concern initially, and with one more check the doctors will consider his heart functioning normally. Praise God!!

WITT'S FRIEND THAT NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

We met a family tonight that was waiting for news of their relative who is just five days old. After having surgery to close a valve in his heart, little Andrew Montes has begun to fight for his life. Please pray for Andrew and his mother Michelle and father Joseph Montes. This family is fighting for the same thing we are...more time and healing. Please join us by keeping the Montes family in your prayers.

As the day comes to an end we want to always thank our many friends, new friends, and extended family members who have taken up the call to petition God for Witt Lupher. The outpouring of love through your words and comments still blows us away every time we read of your faithful prayers for Witt. His day was filled with mom and dad taking care of him and the nurses and doctors watching over him as he completed another glorious day with us. Many of us got to hear his voice today as the sounds of crying filled his room. Melanie, his mom was quick to hold and comfort him and to reassure him that she was there and it was okay. To be honest, I was a little overcome with emotion as I watched my daughter and grandson together. Their closeness and bond is fun to watch grow. God's love fills Witt's room. Praise hymns interrupt the sounds of monitors that occasionally beep, seemingly just out of habit. Verses from God's word surround his bed and constant prayer stands at his door, guarding Witt each hour of the day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to remember Witt everyday. Your prayers are making a tremendous difference. We would love to meet all of you someday...have a blessed night.

Jim

SOCK IT TO ME!

Cutest legs with socks I have ever seen!

-Karen

SWEET COUSINS

ADELAIDE and WITT

L- adelaide at 10 days old

R- witt at 4 days old

can you see the family resemblance? i know i can!

it is so interesting to me what a difference perspective makes. when i saw adelaide fall asleep like this back in january i wondered how she could possibly sleep on her changing pad in such an uncomfortable position. now it is 9 months later. yesterday i was in witt's room watching him squirm and squirm until he finally positioned himself like this. it suddenly looked like the most comfortable way i'd ever seen a sweet newborn sleep. i loved watching him peacefully snooze in his crib.

right now i don't know what words to pray but i am thankful to know that is okay. my prayers don't have to be perfectly phrased or all-knowing. that is not my role anyway. the important part is to pray without ceasing and always remember that God is listening.

-annalee

in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. -romans 8:26

THIS IS WHAT HEROES ARE MADE OF

I have been trying to write this note all morning. I am just not sure where to start. This is a heartache I have never come close to feeling before but I have never been carried by God this way before. I have never been so downcast in my soul before, but God has never reached so deep to bring me up. I have never argued with God like this before or never not understood His ways like this before but I have never had God speak and minister to me like this before. I say this to you guys to say that I have never been so devastated and I have never been so lifted up. Right now I have no understanding of Gods ways, at least in this picture but He has poured His infinite faith into me so that I don't need to know why. I want everyone to know that I am not in a good place because I have not had anger and questions, but I am a good place because of the faithfulness of our God. My sister, Cheryl just sent an email expressing that Melanie and Austan are her heroes. Melanie and Austan are our heroes not because they haven't had true human emotions but they are our heroes because they have had those emotions and yet don't stay there. I have watched Melanie acknowledge her anger, her excruciating pain, her questions and yet she soars, she soars with Christ. In the midst of her feeling very down, I still have to look up to see her because she is being held by Christ. Mel and Austan are our heroes because Christ is their God. Indeed they "would have despaired unless they believed that they would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"(Psalm 27:13). Some of that "goodness of the Lord" is that I was blessed to do my quiet time with Witt this morning! He held my finger in his tiny hand while God spoke. My quiet times are changed for ever. Thank you all again for the emails, phone calls, encouragement...they are priceless to me.
-Karen