For those who have been in prayer and contacted us, family, friends, ministry partners & the body of Christ.  A short word from Grandpa:  This last weekend was the absolute most painful work the Lord has done with me to date.  I give thanks in the midst of this.  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [His] purpose.” Romans 8:28  Our Lord was a man who experienced the pain and sorrows of the effects of bearing our sins as expressed in Isaiah 53:3-5 comes to mind the way the world system and many health care professionals expressed a coldness that stunned me.  A short response from Erika to those who reached out.  Thank you so much.  We still covet your prayers.  Alessandra went home to be with the Lord.

Comfort from Gods Word

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed…”

My Alessandra Rose

From Erika…

I’ve done a lot in life that people are proud of me for.. but deciding to be Alessandra’s mommy is the single most important decision I ever made- and I can honestly say it’s something i’m proud of. There were plenty along the way that thought her life wasn’t worthwhile.. I was told the best thing I could do was terminate. That I’m young, I could have another baby. A more “perfect” baby. But I already loved her. Even if they had told me that she would say goodbye before I could say hello, I still would’ve chosen life for my daughter. Because I got to love her every day for almost 38 weeks. I took her traveling everywhere from the beaches of Miami to campgrounds in New Hampshire. I read her stories at bedtime. I brought her to get ice cream and go apple picking. I told her every day how much I loved her. I thought the worst that could happen is giving birth to her knowing she was already gone- but it was still the happiest moment of my life. She left this world the most peaceful way anyone could- straight from a life of only knowing love into the arms of God. The hardest part was kissing her goodbye and handing her to the nurse knowing I’ll never see her again this side of Heaven. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I’ll never be the same again. Mommy misses her peanut like crazy already.. but she’s saving me a place in Heaven. ♥

And to all that have shared her life with me.. came to visit, wrote to me to via comments, messages, texts, calls and so on.. thank you. It means the world to me. I will get back to you all when I’m functioning more. But for now, Alessandra’s journey here is over- but mine is just starting a new phase. So thank you for your continuing love and support.

Alessandra Rose had Trisomy 18, you can learn more at:
http://www.trisomy18.org/site/PageServer
https://www.facebook.com/Trisomy18