God said no...

Dear Praying Friends,

In the weeks following the death and birth of our son Caleb I have been reading the blog of Stephanie Dyer, mama of Amelia Rose Dyer.

Baby Amelia was given a fatal diagnosis at 24 weeks gestation when a level 2 sonogram found several congenital anomolies that are incompatible with life. Amelia was not expected to live to term and her parents were urged to terminate the pregnancy.

Being followers of Christ, and knowing that life and death are His alone to give, Steven and Stephanie continued on with the pregnancy. The coming weeks would be spent trying to pack a life time of Amelia memories into a few short months, rejoicing in her life, and preparing for death. This included trying to help their 3 older children navigate through their own grief and fears.

While I prayed and believe in faith that God would "provide a ram" as He did for Abraham after asking him to sacrifice his only child, Isaac, Amelia's parents request was simple.

They simply hoped for Amelia to be born alive, so they could hold her in their arms before she left this world. Stephanie prayed that she would be allowed to nurse her daughter just one time. One of their children simply wanted to spend his birthday, which came a few short days after Amelia's due date, with his baby sister. His birthday is tomorrow.

God said no.

Amelia lived to her due date. On March 9th, Amelia's due date, the family visisted the midwife.

The very next day, Amelia was quiet. Stephanie tried in vain to awaken her daughter, and finally in the evening they headed to the midwife dreading the worst but, I imagine, begging God that they would hear their daughter's heart beating.

Instead they were greated by silence. While Amelia's body still inhabited her mother's her soul had already joined countless other's at the Throne of Heaven.

God's ways are higher. The Dyers did not get their wish to hold and love on Amelia in their arms before she died. However, neither will they have to watch her suffer and die. Amelia was spared any earthly pain and discomfort.

Please pray for Steven, Stephanie, and their remaining children as they navigate these pathways of grief. Their faith and love for the Lord is strong, and this will benefit them greatly. However nothing can change the fact that they are "but dust", living with human emotions and understandings. And instincts. Even after your child has died the instincts to hold and care for them are SO strong. I can not even describe to you how lost you feel in those first few days and weeks.

You can find Amelia's story here: http://carriedthroughgrief.blogspot.com/

Because God is good ALL THE TIME,
~ Melodie Miller
Caleb's Ministry
calebsprayer@gmail.com

Lives will be touched....

"But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went..."
~ Numbers 14:24

Day 52: My little bit of happy - lunch with friends and the gift of a necklace memorializing Caleb!

As some of you know, I am in the process of answering God's call to start a ministry known as "Caleb's Ministry". In the days and weeks following Caleb's death, as I have gazed at his pictures, the Lord has strongly impressed upon me that I am to share Caleb with the world.

I have started a group on Facebook called "Caleb's Ministry" to introduce and define the ministry. Please check it out and share it with your friends! On Tuesday I will be "pitching" the ministry at the monthly Ladies Ministry meeting at church.

What is currently going on with Caleb's Ministry:

The website is being designed and built. Caleb's Ministry will provide pictures of babies who have died of natural causes through all stages of gestation. If you would like us to consider your pictures please email the full size image(s) to calebsprayer at gmail dot com. Obviously you will need to edit that a little bit in order for the email address to work, but it is necessary to post it that way to avoid spam.

These pictures will be used to inform those who deny the humanity of the unborn child, to aid in prenatal bonding for family members, and to "prepare" those facing the immediate death of their unborn child.

In addition to the pictures the website will have testimonials of women who have lived to regret their decision to abort their child or children, as well as the stories of women who have lost children to natural causes between conception and the first year outside the womb. There will be a section to help parents in the process of planning a memorial for their child.

The website will host a trimester specific forum for parents who have lost or are losing their children.

Forums will include:

* First Trimester Loss Support
* Second Trimester Loss Support
* Third Trimester Loss Support
* Parents carrying to term after receiving a fatal diagnosis for their unborn child
* Antenatal loss 0-6 months
* Infant loss 6-12 months
* Pregnancy after Loss Support

* Support for post abortive mothers who regret their decision
* Support for post abortive fathers who either were not given a say in the decision to end their child's life, or who regret making that decision

In addition to the website we will be developing and producing a video to be used in Crisis Pregnancy Centers, churches, and schools around the world as well as materials to be handed out promoting awareness of the complex humanity of the unborn. I am also having thoughts of marketing bumper stickers, t shirts, etc. To raise money for these materials as well as to provide sonogram machines to Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

There are certain logistics that still need to be worked out. Like whether we will need to file as our own 501 non profit organization, appointing board members, and figuring out who will handle the financial aspects of the ministry.

Lives are already being touched! I emailed a friend of mine who is a professional photographer tonight and asked her if she was a photographer for NILMDTS and if not, why. She responded that she had never heard of NILMDTS before Caleb and that she was definately looking into it, wanting to provide for others the gift that was provided to me. Praise be to God!!!