Day 9

Anyone else always up at night? I'm not. Like, not ever. So when I couldn't sleep at 1:45 a.m. I decided it meant I should probably start praying. Shortly after 2 a.m. I'm still awake and so I grab my phone to see if there's something I can read and within a minute I received a text with Becca. Okay God. I read you loud and clear. Time to write and post and ask for all of Canaan's prayer warriors to lift her up mightily to the Lord on this day. Here are her prayer requests:

- She has just been intubated. Her body was just working too hard and as the evening wore on this needed to happen. Her numbers are already looking better, which is good news.

- She's also receiving a blood transfusion. Pray the transfusion goes well and that it does its job.

- They're also going to do another echo to see exactly what the PDA is doing, so they know how/if to treat it.

So please pray. Pray for her heart and lungs to work together in such great sync that there can be no answer except that God did it!

We are constantly reminding ourselves that she's still supposed to be in utero. And yet she's starting day 9 of life outside it. Becca's mom said something beautifully to her that resonates deep within me:

"God knit Canaan in the womb for 25 weeks (Psalm 139) but now is still knitting her in a womb (an isolette). It's a sacred place where heaven meets Earth and we get to watch."

How humbling to know that they are watching Canaan be knit together. God isn't done knitting her yet, so please pray that our Great Physician can heal her and help her get stronger by allowing her major organs to work together. Heart. Lungs. Bowels. All of it. 

There is a farmer's market just down the street from Becca and Nathan's home.
Fresh flowers - what a beautiful reminder of God's creation!

Maybe you're reading this as you get ready for church. Will you lift these requests up with others in your Sunday School class? Will you talk about these in your church pew with others sitting by you? Can you share the message of what all God has done so far but that Canaan needs an abundance of prayers today? Let's expect continued miracles for Canaan. I believe it can happen. Do you?

Also continue to lift up Becca and Nathan. Nathan returns to Nashville later today, which is going to be extremely hard for him. Pray for Nathan's safe travels. Pray for incredible strength for Becca and her mom as they stay in Arkansas. The whole NICU situation is hard enough as it is, but being hundreds of miles from home and having to divide and conquer this way can be extremely overwhelming.  Pray for peace for both of them.

Do you need to smile? What can be cuter than a baby getting a sink bath? Hi Wake and Fenley!

HOW YOU CAN HELP -
Go Fund Me Page for Becca and Nathan

Their temporary home:
ATTN: Becca and Nathan Daniel
15 N. Locust Avenue, Apt. 3
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Becca's aunt and cousins at lunch visiting from Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Family is a wonderful gift to see!

Becca also asked that I include some additional prayer requests from around the NICU, so here are those:

- Ashton is Canaan's night nurse this weekend, and she's pregnant. She is doing well but pray health over her baby and that her baby stays put (in utero).

- Cam and Challee from Utah. They are adoptive parents and their baby girl Kai is sick.

- Andre is another baby in the NICU. Pray health and strength for this tiny warrior next to Canaan.

Tonight they sang this song on the way home tonight. Prayers for Canaan to be safe and sound.

Matthew West - Safe and Sound

Friends, I'm going to try now and get some sleep, but I have no doubt in my mind that this needed to be written and shared now, instead of waiting until the morning. So if you're up, pray. And if you wake up in a few hours and see this, pray. Pray throughout your day on what I'm sure will be a glorious Sabbath from our Father. 

Blessings,

Courtney

Day 8 - Saturday Morning Update

Good morning and happy Saturday to all!

I'll keep this short and sweet since there aren't a lot of updates, but still important prayer requests to put out there. I'm grateful people want to know what to pray specifically for, so here goes.

PRAISE -
Becca and Nathan's aunt came in from Texas yesterday, and is a neonatal nurse practitioner. She feels great about how Canaan is doing and also about the care she's receiving. This is such a praise and comfort, to know that Canaan is in a good place for her care and that she's doing well.

PRAYER REQUESTS -
They are doing a repeat echo this morning on Canaan, and her doctor is requesting a rush on results from Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. We really need the PDA to start closing up, so prayers that it is doing the right thing!

Also, please please please pray for Canaan's bowels. This is a significant hurdle to overcome. Pray that her bowels can work, and can absorb the nutrients she needs so that she can grow.

We feel so encouraged by the progress she's making, and at the same time she can have a rough morning, and the roller coaster of emotions follows. We have to remember that she is still fighting for her life, and every day is a miracle for her.

HOW YOU CAN HELP -
Friends continue to ask for their address and the link for Go Fund Me, so I'll continue including it on blog posts.

Go Fund Me Page for Becca and Nathan

Their temporary home:
ATTN: Becca and Nathan Daniel
15 N. Locust Avenue, Apt. 3
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Nathan and Wake outside their new place

Thank you - as always - for lifting this family up in prayer. They arrived in Arkansas one week ago today, and they know there are many more weeks ahead until they can return. Prayers can sustain.

Blessings to all,
Courtney

Day 7 - One Week In

Morning friends, Courtney here.

Today is Friday, July 14. One week ago today I was running errands, cleaning out the car and packing our family up for our annual beach vacation. It was late afternoon and our babysitter had stopped by when my phone rang. Becca's name popped up on caller ID but I silenced it to finish my conversation, figuring she was just calling to say hi and that I could call her back in a bit. And then the text came.

"Please call me. Urgent."

You ever get that feeling in the depths of your stomach where you know there is bad news coming, and yet you're scared to find out the specifics? That's the feeling that encompassed my entire body one week ago today.

The hours that followed felt like a cruel nightmare. How could this be happening? What can I say to my friend? Is my children's birth sibling going to die in these next moments, and then what??? My kids were running around, oblivious to the scene unfolding over the phone. I closed myself into our kitchen pantry, sank down into a sitting position, hugged my knees, and sobbed with Becca. 

One week later, Canaan is here. She's alive and she's fighting. We have such hope for her, and yet we also know she is still in such a precarious position. The prayers have expanded, from just one family, to another, and to another, and yet another. And now there are thousands of you praying for her, and we all hold on for this hope of a miracle within her little body. So thank you for your prayers and for all the encouragement you're sending to Becca and Nathan. We are one week in, so let's please keep that coming for them. Here are today's praises and prayer requests.

This is Becca's hand holding one of Canaan's diapers.
Just to give you perspective on how tiny our warrior is!

PRAISES -

She is still extubated. Her doctor says she really is a miracle baby and so to be alive and doing this well is amazing! Oxygen levels look good - go Canaan go!

PRAYER REQUESTS - 

Canaan's echo came back and she does have PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), which they'll watch closely. They don't want to give her medicine or do surgery unless they have to. Her left ventricle looks good (praise!). We just need her body to close up the PDA on its own. It can take quite a bit longer to close up with preemies. This is an important step towards having a healthy relationship between lungs and heart. Right now her heart is having to work twice as hard, so pray the PDA closes up!

Please please keep praying for her bowels. Many micro preemies can have bowel issues so please pray for her to absorb what she needs.

Also pray for the other families in the inner core of the NICU. Two families went to regular rooms yesterday, but two new ones came in. It is so hard to watch and will probably never feel normal. If you know Becca and Nathan, you know they will take any opportunity that comes up to minister to other families there, so lift them up as they look for those moments.

Continue to lift the Daniel family, specifically Fenley and Wake. They are being so great, and Becca and Nathan are trying to keep some sense of normalcy, but it's hard for kids. 

OTHER UPDATES -

Thank you to everyone giving and sending cards! Becca and Nathan received a package from a friend in Tennessee who had a preemie and they sent blankets and encouragement to give to other NICU families. What a blessing!

And the mystery family who put 7 flamingo's in Becca and Nathan's front yard at home in Tennessee? Awesome. Flat-out awesome.

They went to a taco place called Tacos 4 Life (you know how the Daniel's love Mexican!) and it's a Christian-based restaurant. One taco = one meal for a kid in Honduras. One of the guy's who works there paid for their meal!

Sign at Tacos 4 Life

They've also seen the Duggar family a couple times. They have been so kind and encouraging and have invited them to church! Arkansas is becoming their new home, and they love their rental house. Even though every single day is tough and has new battles, God blesses them with gifts, too. 

Songs they feel blessed to hear:

Do It Again

Holy Spirit

Thank you all again. God bless each of you!

Blessings,

Courtney

Day Six - Thursday Morning Updates

Good morning everyone! I can't speak completely for Becca and Nathan, but I am still basking in the glow of there being no brain bleed and that she is still extubated. Anyone else feel the same way? This beautiful little girl is defying the odds and I, for one, am incredibly grateful. She is a testament to your prayers. Your breaths of prayers you whisper as you pour your coffee, or walk to a work meeting, or change your baby's diaper. When you breathe out that prayer request while you are driving or laying down in bed at night, God is hearing them. The staff are now coming by Becca and Nathan, saying "Did you hear no brain bleeds? It's because thousands are praying!" This time right now is displaying the work of Jesus, and people are paying attention.

Thank you to Jenna in Florida for what you did in your Bible journal! 

Let's hit up some praises and prayer requests, because I know you are ready to see how you can pray today!

PRAISES - 
She remains extubated. Cannot state this enough as to how wonderful this is for her.

She still has zero brain bleeds! But keep praying for this as Canaan will have another scan on day 14.

She is alive for day 6! Becca and Nathan found out more last night about her birth story, and it's incredible. This little warrior wasn't expected by anyone to make it. And yet here she is, surviving. Next step: thriving!

Mommy and Nanna, doing some of that beautiful healing touch time.
And check out the sweet pictures Fenley has colored for Canaan's bed!

PRAYER REQUESTS -
(There will be something new to pray for each day, because micro preemie's are constantly changing. Especially as she works toward day 10 of living. Her perseverance is a great attribute.)

Canaan needs to keep her feedings down. Pray for the development of her GI tract.

She had an echo on her heart yesterday. Please pray that she will miraculously have no PDA (this is a valve in the heart that usually closes up in babies when full term). We need this to not be present. Do you believe this can happen? I do! Join us in that prayer - I am ready for her to shock the doctors yet again.

Pray all her systems work together. Especially those heart and lungs!

Daddy doing a temp check at one of Canaan's care times.
Fun fact - he knew the name of something that the nurse practitioner did not. I think he enjoyed that!
For any of his anatomy students reading along, you would be proud.

HOW YOU CAN HELP -
I've posted the Go Fund Me link, but wanted to post it again here.

Go Fund Me Page for Becca and Nathan

Also, Becca and Nathan were able to move into a long term rental they heard about from a NICU nurse. So here is the address if you would like to send them a card:

ATTN: Becca and Nathan Daniel
15 N. Locust Avenue, Apt. 3
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Soaking up family dinner at Chipotle using a gift card someone sent.
They are so incredibly grateful!

The beauty of song and scripture is coming at them every day. Here is some they are clinging to these days:

"The Lord's promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over."
---Psalm 12:6 (NLT)

Jesus Culture - Miracles

Amy Grant - Breath of Heaven
(this song, even though it's sung during Christmas season, is one they sing over Canaan's bed every night. That beautiful chorus is so fitting for her!)

Many, many thanks to all of you as you lift the Daniel family up in your prayers. We keep expecting miracles, and God continues to deliver them.

Blessings,
Courtney

Wednesday morning update

Hello friends and family! Here is the latest update on our warrior Canaan-

PRAISE -
THERE IS NO BRAIN BLEED!!!!! Can we all continue to praise God in these miracles?? Insert praise hand emoji because everyone is doing the happy dance!

Her numbers look good...oxygen and blood pressure. She continues to stay extubated which is wonderful!

PRAYER REQUESTS -
We need her to keep feedings down. They had to cut her feedings last night and tried again this morning and she's not tolerating them. We need her to eat and be able to keep it down, digest and grow.

Colleen (her respiratory therapist) said her lung X-ray didn't look as good as it has but that's to be expected

They also did an echo on her heart but those get sent to Little Rock so won't know anything till later in week.

Please keep those prayers coming and as we keep saying, this is a long road. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog if you'd like these updates emailed to you (check the right side of the blog to sign up).

Blessings,
Courtney

Praises and How to Help

Wow - what an afternoon for Becca and Nathan! She wanted me to send out a quick update of some praises for Canaan and I am not surprised of these praises as they happened while all of you were lifting this family up in prayers. I don't know about all of you, but God sure is growing my faith!

PRAISES -
Canaan is not intubated!! Massive surprise for all. She's got oxygen, and will for a while. And she could be intubated again if she doesn't hold good levels. But she's so incredibly strong. It's a delicate balance - they don't want her intubated too long because it could cause lung damage but they also want her to receive ample oxygen because she needs good eyesight and brain development. So right now, she isn't intubated so we are praying she continues to breathe well and her lungs keep growing.

Another beautiful sign made by Canaan's nurse, Sarah

Another praise: Becca and Nathan got to touch her! It's called healing touch, where you can't rub, but can lay your hand on her. After scrubbing in, they donned gloves and laid hands on her. And guess what that sweet girl did? She opened her eyes and looked right at them. Her levels also dropped (in a good way!) - healing touch can be so calming. What a precious time for Becca and Nathan, and I pray they get more of those moments in the coming days.

Canaan is called a micro preemie, and is currently the smallest baby at the hospital. She stays in an isolette bed, where they try to keep her as comfortable and "womb-like" as possible.

We all know this will be a roller coaster, with two steps forward, and one step back. But we are praising Him for these beautiful moments. So keep up the prayers; we invite you into these moments so you can see God's glory in all of this. I am overwhelmed by the goodness of this community.

Becca wanted me to include this from her cousin, which showcases a special connection of her name and the Old Testament:

"Jonathan says he keeps thinking of Isaac's birth story. To Abraham and Sarah it seemed impossible. But God had a plan to fulfill His promises to Abraham and, ultimately, to bring about redemption for the world. So God made a miracle. Just like God promised a great land to Abraham, and eventually brought His people to Canaan. Which also set the scene for our Redeemer and proved God's great power. He keeps His promises to His people. Always. Canaan, your name is such an incredible reminder of God's greatness today. We pray that anyone who hears your name and hears your story sees the Lord in His glory and might. We pray that your little organs, immune system, muscles and bones will be strengthened daily, and that you grow into an even brighter beacon for the Lord than you already are. Because you already shine big, sweet girl."

HOW YOU CAN HELP - 
We are getting overwhelmed (in an awesome way) of how people can help. Most importantly, continue the prayers, and believe me they are being felt!

Becca's cousin has set up a Go Fund Me page. I'll post the link here and on the side of the blog, if you feel led to donate. Also, if you'd like to send a gift card to a restaurant, they have Taziki's, Chipotle, Whole Foods, Walmart, etc. I'll post the address of their Airbnb, and they welcome any cards or letters. As I said in my first post, they are going to be there for quite a while.

Additionally, I will be going to Arkansas next week, so if you have a care package you want to send, please email me here  and we can find a time to meet up next Sunday or Monday morning before I head out.

Thank you thank you thank you! May God continue to receive ALL the glory in this story!

Go Fund Me for Becca and Nathan Daniel

ATTN: Becca and Nathan Daniel
15 N. Locust Avenue, Apt. 3
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Blessings to all,
Courtney

EDITED TO ADD: I've added a gadget on the right side of the blog where you can sign up to receive updates. I know there will be many updates to the blog as we move ahead so feel free to sign up via email so you don't miss anything!

God's Promise: Canaan Rebecca Daniel

Hi everyone. This is Courtney, posting on Becca and Nathan's behalf. I'm a very old friend from childhood, and feel humbled and honored to join the Daniel's on an incredible adoption story that is overflowing with miracles. Many of you know what's happened recently but for those who need a quick catch-up, here is a brief background.

I have 4 kids, two of whom are adopted and are full biological siblings. Their birth mother became pregnant and my husband and I asked Becca and Nathan to adopt this baby girl. They said yes, and God confirmed each movement along the way (and I can't wait to share with you in the coming days all of those God sightings).

At 25 weeks and 1 day along, Canaan Rebecca Daniel was born, and the Daniel family rushed to Northwest Arkansas to say their goodbyes, as the doctors told them this little girl was not expected to survive. But as we all know, God is in the business of miracles, and she is alive! One pound of pure miracle, with a head full of hair and a lot of grit and determination within her.

We are planning to update this blog frequently, as her medical needs can change within a minute, and we know the power of PRAYER matters. Assume though that no news is good news. If you don't see the blog updated, know that things are still moving along and that Canaan is still fighting. We are expecting one miracle after another, so we are asking each of one of you to share Canaan's story, and to boldly approach God's throne along the way with us. Canaan has an incredibly long road ahead of her, and I know we all want to help out in any way we can. That said, here are the praises and prayer requests for today:

PRAISES -
She endured a lumbar puncture yesterday to test for infection and the results came back with NO INFECTION! Truly wonderful news and a blessing!

She has been able to increase the milk she is receiving, which means her stomach is being able to digest more food. More food = more weight gain. Becca is also going to donate her breast milk to put into Canaan's feeding tube  Bring on that liquid gold - we are ready to see Canaan get nice and chunky thighs!

PRAYER REQUESTS -
We need to beckon the throne together and pray for ZERO BRAIN BLEEDS. These are measured in 4 levels. Levels 1 & 2 are common and okay typically. Levels 3 and 4 are very scary. While this is common in a baby so tiny, we are all praying for a full miracle that Canaan have zero brain bleeds. The brain scan happens tomorrow (day 5) and again at day 14. So amp up your prayers tomorrow because this will be critical for Canaan's continued improvement.

And of course, please continue to pray for her to get off the ventilator. Pray for strong lungs and for her oxygen levels to be normal.

These are the prayers Becca and Nathan asked me to share, but I will add to please continue praying for their family. They are all doing well and feel so sustained by your prayers and encouragement, but continue to lift them up as you lift up Canaan.

OTHER UPDATES -
Becca and Nathan are where they need to be: they have good doctors, great care, and there is no talk of transporting Canaan to another hospital, nor do they want that right now. Wake and Fenley are doing AWESOME. Because the hotel is right by the hospital, Becca and Nathan are able to take them swimming, read books, play, etc. Wake is on a fun adventure and Fenley's prayer and faith is deepening daily. The faith of a child is truly powerful to watch!

So how can you help? Right now, pray. We will have many more updates as they get used to their new normal. Becca's new home is Northwest Arkansas, and it will be a while before they are able to bring Canaan home. They are taking this day by day, and continue to keep their focus on God and family. They have temporarily deactivated their Facebook accounts, not because they don't want comments, but simply to not become distracted. So please leave comments on this blog post - they need the encouragement and appreciate all the love you are sending!

A beautiful note drawn by Canaan's nurse, Ashley

Canaan was born on 7/7/17. The doctors say the first 7-10 days are critical so they need Canaan to make it to 7/17/17. You see a theme here with the number 7?? As a helpful sign to remember to pray, any time you see the number 7, lift up a breath of prayer.

One final reminder. Baby Wake (as my kids like to call him) was a 0.001% miracle. And look at him now! So we need God to do it again with precious Canaan.

I leave you with some songs Becca and Nathan have on repeat right now. May we lift His name in praise and expectation for a multitude of miracles.

Glorious Unfolding, by Steven Curtis Chapman

Miracles, by Jesus Culture


Humbly yours,
Courtney