Pray for Reese

Reese is a little girl I would like to call on fellow Christians to pray for.  

This is probably a strange "how we met" story, but this is how we met Reese...

Several years ago I joined in a team of bloggers to do a Bachelor-related series called "After the Final Tweet".  Some of you MAY remember it?  Basically, we would tweet about the show and then do a recap post each week.  For some reason, this grew into a much bigger thing than what we had anticipated.  One of the persons that was an adamant tweeter was... twitter id- Unclekyle.  Yes, some of you may have been creeped out by an unknown man tweeting about the Bachelor!  HA!  {After all, meeting strangers on the www is CREEPY!}  

Anyways, Kyle and his wife, Elizabeth would watch the show.  {Not so awkward since Dave would watch it with me!}  Elizabeth wasn't into "social media", but oh my... Uncle Kyle was!  ;)  HA!

Anyways, Kyle and Elizabeth were Kentucky people.  We had mutual acquaintances.  It wasn't that creepy to me.  

Long story short... after hundreds of tweets later and a more recent Facebook friendship, I was able to meet Kyle, Elizabeth and Reese.  I had already had Kennedy when I met Kyle in internet land, but we were able to share in the pregnancy of Reese and Wyatt since becoming "cyber friends".  HA!  It was fun because Kyle and Elizabeth chose to wait until they delivered to find out what they were having!  And to their joy and surprise... IT WAS A GIRL!  Reese McClain.  

I have been hoarding Kennedy's clothes for some time.  I decided recently I was going to get rid of some, and since I had had SOOOO many people asking about them, I chose to make a FB status and then the first person who responded could come look first.  

Why wasn't I surprised when social media king, Kyle Nichols, responded?  HA!

We planned a meeting!  Kyle, Elizabeth and Reese drove to our home and we had dinner and hung out while Elizabeth picked clothes out for Reese.  It was surprisingly one of the most non-awkard blind family dates I've ever been on. We all immediately clicked.  Dave & Kyle and Elizabeth & I.  Wyatt thought Reese was pretty cute too, and Kyle lived up to his "twitter ID"  with Miss Kennedy.  We had a great evening.

So funny... Elizabeth told a family member  prior to our meeting, "oh we are going to meet some woman that Kyle met on the internet to look at some clothes for Reese."  

Not your most normal relationship here.  Still yet, even as strange as my family and the Nichols family beginning seems.... I am so thankful for the way God orchestrated every detail.  I'm so thankful that we are blessed enough to know Reese.

I LOVE this photo of their sweet family when Reese was born!  

Here is a more recent photo of Reese!  I am partial to this one because she's wearing Kennedy's old outfit!  Doesn't she look beautiful?  So fun knowing that some of Kennedy's clothes that were apart of so many wonderful memories for us are a part of new memories for Reese and her family.  

Here's Reese with her sweet mommy.  She loves her so much!

Here's what is going on with Reese's health in the best way I know how to share {Kyle's FB status}.

Just an update for everyone on our daughter because this is the easiest way. We were told on March 23rd that Reese's blood work came back with a genetic disorder called xq28 duplication. Since that time we have done our own research but actually got to meet with a geneticist until yesterday. Reese has an extremely rare genetic disorder that occurred during conception. There are only 4 cases documented in the US and Reese making #5. There are several cases of boys; however, they have overall been more severe. This genetic disorder was not even discovered until 2006. The doctors cannot tell us Reese's future because they simply do not have enough research. With what little research they do have shows major hypotonia (which we've experienced already), respiratory problems (which we are experiencing), eating issues (which we experience) and severe physical and mental disabilities. Life expectancy is unknown. The doctor told us to take it one day at a time. We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Sweet baby Reese is currently in the hospital for what I believe to be respiratory issues.

Pray for Reese.  Pray for God to heal her from these respiratory issues she is having and pray for her to be able to overcome any limitations the doctors say she may have.  Pray for her to be able to sleep, eat and continue growing.  Pray that she will respond to the treatments she receives.  Pray that she is comfortable and doesn't suffer or experience any kind of pain in this sickness she is dealing with.  

Pray for God to fill Elizabeth & Kyle with His presence.  Pray for God to comfort their souls and give them a peace and strength through Him.  Pray for them to take rest in Jesus.  Pray for them as they make medical decisions for Reese.  Pray God to provide wisdom.

Pray for the doctors and nurses involved.  May God specifically choose who He wants to be apart of Reese's care.  Pray for God to give her caregivers a transcending wisdom from above.  

Pray for friends and loved ones of the Nicholas family.  Pray that people will be called to serve this family and help them in whatever way they need.  

Praise God for Reese!  She was formed in her mom's womb by God!  He knows every detail of her body.  He made her perfectly the way He intended for her to be.  He knows the hairs on her head, and he knows the deepest details of her genes... beyond what any microscope can find visible.  He has her within His grip.  I believe this with all of my heart.  

Please pray for Reese McClain.  Her life is a precious gift to so many!  God can be glorified in the tiniest of packages!