Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Prayers for Joshua needed


I ask you to be in prayer for little Joshua, the son of missionaries to Mexico, Steve and Ruth Miller.  Ruth is my hubby's sister.

Joshua was born 7 weeks prematurely and is having difficulty breathing, a common problem with babies this age.  He was 4 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.

The difference is, Steve and Ruth lost a baby boy 5 years ago in this exact situation.  Their little Jonathan lived two weeks before he went to Heaven.  As you can fully imagine, they are understandably scared for this baby's life.  Please pray for Joshua and for peace for his parents.  

You can read an entire letter written yesterday by Steve about the situation by clicking here.

Please leave them a comment on this post, letting them know of your prayers and concern.  I am sure your words of comfort will be a much-needed encouragement at this time.

52 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting about little Joshua. I was anxiously awaiting any update on his condition. Praying for him and for Ruth and Steve! I enjoyed reading Steve's letter too as it gave even more information (for the nurse in me!) Love ya, friend!

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  2. I am definitely praying for that little guy and for his family.

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  3. I posted this on my wall as well...love you Jolene!!

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  4. We are praying over here for little Joshua to get stronger and stronger each day!

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  5. My little adopted brother was born eight weeks prematurely. When I look at him now, I can feel for this little boy and his family. I will be praying that the Lord will protect him.

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  6. Praying for Joshua and his family!
    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
    (Hebrews 4:16)

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  7. Thanks for the info, I was wondering about them. I am fervently praying that everything goes well.

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  8. Thanks for the info, I was wondering how everything went. I am fervently praying for more good news!!!

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  9. Praying... God will show his wondrous and mighty hand yet again thru this!! So thankful we serve a prayer-answering God!! We will be praying in our church prayer meeting for them as well.

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  10. Praying... God will show his wondrous and mighty hand yet again thru this. So thankful we serve a prayer-answering God!!! We will be praying for them in our church prayer meeting as well.

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  11. Are you familiar with CaringBridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/)? It is an awesome (free) site specifically designed for situations like this. We used it for my mother-in-law during her final illness last fall. It enables the family to post information once, and everyone who is interested can see it. (It will even send out notifications to any who want them, every time the site is updated.) There is also a guest book, where friends and family can post encouraging messages. It was a huge blessing to us!

    At the age 17, my maternal grandmother was so sick the doctor told her mother she would not live. My great-grandmother told the Lord He HAD to heal her daughter, because she just "couldn't live without her." God answered her prayer -- and when my mother was 5, Grandma came down with Parkinson's disease, from which she suffered for 40+ years before she died. Mom has told me that over the years "Grandma DD" (my great-grandmother, who raised my mother and her siblings) said many times, "God saw what my daughter would go through, and He tried to lay her to rest to spare her the years of suffering -- but I wouldn't let Him. Don't EVER try to tell God what he 'HAS' to do!"

    I don't know why God allowed Jonathan to fall asleep in Him, and I don't know what He will see as best for Joshua. I DO know, though, that, when frail humanity has done everything it can, we can safely leave the end results with our loving heavenly Father, and trust Him implicitly to do what He sees best. Even though we don't understand His ways now, someday, if we are faithful and keep our eyes on HIM instead of circumstances, we will be able to say from the depths of our hearts, "God, you really DID know what was best in that situation. Thank you for overriding my shortsightedness, and doing things the way you did."

    On the positive side of the coin -- Our first child was 10 weeks premature, weighing in at 3 lbs 7 oz. Born in the doctor's office on a cold, rainy October day, and transported 25 miles to the hospital via regular ambulance, no incubator, no oxygen, no anything for helping a preemie (her "premature" status got lost somewhere in the communication process), she was given a 0% chance of survival. We were allowed 2, 1-hour visits per day, but could only make it once a day due to the distance we lived from the hospital. The doctor's prognosis was wrong: she will turn 36 this fall. She's hardly been sick a day in her life, and is just starting her second year of Physical Therapy training in Michigan.

    Keep your courage up, and your eyes on Jesus! He WILL carry you through this, whatever the outcome!! (Remember Job??)

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  12. Thanks for the update; I know everyone in the Sloan family is holding little Joshua up during this time - and as far as I'm concerned, he can't have a better prayer team behind him than Mimi and her family! Please let Steve and Ruthie and their kids know that all of us in Lubbock are praying for them as well and are eagerly awaiting news that will bring honor and glory to our Lord.

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  13. I have been praying for them ever since Chandra told me!

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  14. We will be praying. I was just reading about Abraham's faith this morning in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac and realized how much less his faith seems to ME simply because I know the end of the story. Likewise with Jochebed and her little Moses. The most difficult thing about trusting and obeying is not knowing the end result. I pray that God will give you both perfect peace and that He will bring complete healing to your sweet little baby boy. God is faithful.
    Amy Senecal (daughter of the Bosje's - which gives you a special place in my heart)

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  15. Praying for them! We are also missionaries in Mexico and baby Joshua and my daughter share a birthday! My sister-in-law and my cousin both had preemie babies so we understand a little. Thankful that they are in states and getting top-notch care.

    Carol Meyer

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  16. My prayers are with the family and little Joshua. Having been through the NICU with 3 of our children and losing another child, I understand the fear that comes...

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  17. Praying for this family and full healing for Joshua!

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  18. John and Erin CartmellWednesday, July 25, 2012

    Ruth and Steve, please know that you are in our prayers. I cannot imagine what you all are feeling right now but your letter was a blessing to see how God is giving you His strength and peace at this time. Love to all of you and thank you Jolene for posting this.

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  19. Praying for little Joshua and his family!

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  20. Praying for little Joshua and his family!

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  21. Praying for them! Ruthie is a special lady! Can 't imagine how difficult this is for them again.

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  22. I called my church for prayer list and also my daughter(she goes to church with Bro Davids cousin Rebecca in OK)We will all be praying in OK and AR.
    Pat Love

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  23. Praying for this sweet little boy...and for his mommy and daddy too.

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  24. Hannah Keenan WaltonWednesday, July 25, 2012

    Praying for the family!

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  25. Candace Grimes VathWednesday, July 25, 2012

    Praying praying!!

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  26. Diane Davidson BishopWednesday, July 25, 2012

    Iam praying!

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  27. Linda Flanders EstepWednesday, July 25, 2012

    Praying!

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  28. Praying for little Joshua and family!

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  29. I am praying for them. They were at our church a few months ago.

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  30. JOLEEN. I CAN'T FIND A WAY TO SEND A NOTE TO STEVE AND RUTH SO WILL YOU FORWARD THIS ON TO THEM..
    I AM PRAYING FOR YOU. I KNOW HOW THIS MUST HURT AND CAUSE FEAR BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL. LOVE YA ALL.

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  31. Dear Steve and Ruth,
    I will be in prayer for your little Joshua. I know how your heart feels as you await the out outcome of this battle. I know also that God is our loving, heavenly Father and He loves this precious little one more than we ever could.
    Having said all that, I have seen my son's twins born at this age, both weighing in at less than Joshua and although the struggle was long and hard, they are our joy today. I am so thankful for a God who knows all things and is in control of all things.
    May the joy and peace of the God of creation be with you as you go through this trial in your life. I will be in prayer.
    Vicki Alter (and Larry)

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  32. Praying for that sweet baby boy. That picture makes me want to just stroke his little chubs. I'm 30 weeks pregnant, so this strikes very close to my heart. I will be praying for God's hand to be on little Joshua, and for his inexplicable peace to be on Ruth and Steve. What a treasure to know that God loves baby Joshua and his parents and is almighty.

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  33. What a wonderful network of prayer building a hedge of loving healing around this precious child. Joshua was born with God's love and God's knowledge of his life. We celebrate that life and God's glory together. May the Comforter provide all that is needed for this family and may God be glorified.

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  34. You don't know us but we are fellow missionaries and are praying for Joshua and the rest of your family.

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  35. I cannot imagine what his parents are going through after already losing a baby. :( PRAYING FOR THEM!!!

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  36. We are sending you prayers, love, and a reminder of His Perfect Plan. May He bless you and Joshua richly and may you bring him soon home safely.

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  37. I have baby and family in prayer. This must be a very trying time for all the family. God is still on the throne, He is able!

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  38. I will be praying for them. May the Lord's will be done!

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  39. Thank you for sending the prayer update regarding baby Joshua Miller, Steve & Ruth. Please keep us posted. We will be praying fervently for his complete healing.

    Nola Holmes
    Jer. 33:3

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  40. Praying for little Joshua and his parents.
    Rhonda Wilson

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  41. I'm praying! He looks like such a sweet little guy.

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  42. Definitely praying for little Joshua and the family.. He seems to be a fighter just like his name sake... and our God has already won the battle...
    Take care..
    Nell

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  43. Tere HernandezFriday, July 27, 2012

    ORAMOS QUE SE HAGA LA PERFECTA VOLUNTAD DE NUESTRO DIOS.. ESTAN EN NUESTRAS ORACIONES

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  44. I read the letter written by Bro Steve, we have been praying for them since Mona posted on fb yesterday; please let them know-if you can- that they are in our hearts and prayers. Thank you for posting a photo of baby Joshua-he is so precious. Much love to all!

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  45. Hi Jolene.
    I hope all is well there in the Ukraine. We are praying for baby Joshua. I cannot imagine how they feel knowing the outcome of baby Jonathan. Rachael my sister in law had her baby girl 12 weeks preemie. She is now 5 months old and doing great. Please let them know they are in our prayers.
    summer is winding down are y'all getting prepared to come back to the states? How's school going? We will start homeschooling kindergarten the first of September. We love and are praying for you and family.
    Stephanie Way

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  46. My heart is truly aching for them and I know words are of little comfort right now, but please let them know I am praying.

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  47. Awwww Poor baby <3 I know how it feels -- or rather, I've been told that I can relate to the sweet thing :)) I was born a preemie, too, and weighed 4.4 and when I finally went home after a couple weeks, I was 3.4 My mother's pregnancy wasn't the best story, either. SO MUCH I could tell you about it, but it would take me a while to sit here and type it all, but I just want to say that I will definitely be praying for the baby and the parents, and know a lot about what they are going through. My family, too, has even lost a baby. Ms. Jolene, I'm sorry I'm just now reading your updates!!! So if you've sent anything else updating about this, I'm about to read it now! hehe :))) God bless you all -- Prayers are going up for you :) <3

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25