ZOE:LIFE

Today I want to share something with you that really touched my heart. A few months back I ran across a blog ( http://batiansila.blogspot.com/ ), I love to read of real life of struggles and being able to overcome, I love learning of others faith and of hope. This blog was about a family having child, (the eighth, I would realize later.) She was to be named Zoe. Her parents wrote in the blog of the heart defect that had been discovered, but there was hope that when Zoe was around 6 months she could have the surgery to correct the defect. The faith and hope spoke of in this blog intrigued me. I loved reading of how much faith they had in God. I admired the courage and seemingly unfailing strength. In a live blog about the birth of Zoe, I learned that she was born not breathing, but was revived only to stop breathing again later and being revived once more. Days later I read of lil Zoes diagnosis, she has Trisomy 18, the blog read:

"Yesterday I was called to run back to the hospital and meet with a doctor. He had bad news.

He told us that Zoe has trisomy 18.

30% of children with trisomy 18 will die in their first month.

70% die by their sixth month.

Those who live on don't do well.

Some will make it to their teens with severe neurological disease. I'm not going to lie, it's 2:50 AM and it's the first time I've had a chance to get to a computer since all of everything. I didn't read the link up there, and I don't blame you for not wanting to. This is grim stuff.

Grim stuff when you meet with the head of the NICU to discuss a Do Not Resuscitate for your 3-day-old girl. Grim when they tell you their recommendations for a DNR.

I went to tell Zoe's biggest brother and sisters about Zoe. And as they wept, I asked them what they believe. What do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? That this baby is His? That she's going home? If you believe, we can deal with the agony of letting go. This world, take it from me, is a brawl with sin and the devil. He gets some rounds. But thanks to God that the fight is won through Jesus.

It was the devil who invented the word "corny." It is his hope we avoid saying simple truths because we're so scared of being "corny." But right now, it's the simple truths that work. There are no complex answers.

My heart breaks for those whose hearts are broken: Jen, who struggles to lift her head, but is determined to give her daughter all the love she can in however many days she has left; my 3 big kids who have surpassed any measure of bravery and love and courage and faith. Little Ethan who keeps asking when he's going to get to meet Zoe.

You all out there have surpassed any measure of nobility and friendship. I am so grateful for your thoughts and prayers.

So Jenny is holding her girl as this doc is breaking the news, and he tells us he's sorry and he leaves. And for some reason, the song I used to sing for other people is in my head, so i sang it through tears. Because i'm the other people..."

My heart was shattered. I share this to share with you God's never ending blessings for those who have faith and believe.

In many of the post I read on this blog they spoke of the Robbie Seay Band it was through this blog I was introduced to his music. And with all that has come about with Zoe, the Batiansila's need a lil extra help, with doctor bills they already have and those to come. And as always when those who have faith and believe in him, God sends his blessings down to help carry his own up the mountain they are climbing. Through friends of the family and co-workers there has been a benefit concert set up for July 8th and Robbie Seay will be there to sing for Zoe. To raise money to help with the struggles that the family encounters daily.





Ticket information, from the Batiansila Blog....
" What: Robbie Seay Concert to benefit the Zoe Means Life Foundation
When: Tuesday July 8 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Brookfield Lutheran Church
How: Buy tix @ www.zoemeanslifefor.us
Tickets are only available online.
To order:
Go to www.zoemeanslifefor.us.com
Provide the requested information. Tickets cost $20 a person. You can pay with a check or credit card.
We will send you a link to a page that will have your ticket. Print that page and bring it to the concert. You will not be admitted into the concert without your ticket.
If you have any questions, please contact us at tickets@zoemeanslifefor.us . "

Now I know many of you that read my blog are not able to make a concert in Wisconsin. But there are so many other ways you can help, there is a link to Zoe Means Life Foundation on the Batiansila blog, make a donation to help the family and this very beautiful little girl. PRAY. Pray for Zoe and her parents and her other brothers and sisters. Check out the blog and allow your heart to be touched as mine was.

So please whatever you may do, donate, drive to Wisconsin with me, or just pray for the life of Zoe and her parents and family, I know that they would be so thankful, as will I.

I love you all.

Pray please that the concert is a success, for Zoe, the Batiansila's and for the honor of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.