"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more."
(Psalm 71:14)

Over the course of an incredible year of anguish—turned to wonder, we have been asked to forward previous issues of Baby William's e-mail updates. These requests are usually made by friends and family who are closely involved with the urgency of a family of a newborn preemie or a critically ill baby. We are forever grateful to the intercessors who sent our family a link of hope—a full year of progress reports of their friends' preemie. It is our desire that the Lord would use the following testimonies within William's updates to bring encouragement and hope to many. We serve a mighty God who is able to use all things to His glory, and because of His goodness, we can be assured it will be for our best—Romans 8:28. To access William's updates, simply click on the dates below William's Story.

WILLIAM'S STORY

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every
purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

TIME: Feb. 1, 2002

LOCATION: Under the heaven.

SEASON: "a time to heal"... Our 10-day-old grandson, William Goforth, is being transferred by medical transport jet from a Colorado hospital to the Neonatal I.C.U. in San Antonio, Texas, to receive further intensive care.

PURPOSE: To glorify Christ Jesus in everything.

"A Time to Love". . .

In the blink of an eye, the new year catapulted us into a totally unexpected timeframe of events, responsibilities, and roles in the family. We are just now beginning to resume some things we were called upon to put on hold for a season... "a time to be silent."

When our whole family left for Colorado right after the holidays for a vacation followed by family camp ministry, we had no idea how our lives would forever be changed before returning home again. Josh and Noelle were to become parents for the first time in May. We were delighted to have them minister alongside us, for they were scheduled to speak about their experience with courtship in hopes that it would encourage other families with their teens... "a time to speak" and "a time to build up."

However, Josh and Noelle's life testimony was to be delivered in a way that they never could have imagined. Before the opening chapel at family camp, Noelle was rushed to the nearest hospital in pre-mature labor at only 22 weeks along. Hours later, when it became apparent that labor could not be interrupted, with heavy hearts, they were preparing for what seemed at the time to be the inevitable... "a time to lose."

No one expected what was about to happen. After much fervent prayer for the Lord's will to be done, just as Jesus calmed the storm, Noelle's labor became still and continued to remain at bay for eight additional days, which was precious time needed to give their baby a fighting chance of life this side of the womb... "a time to keep"!!!

William Reid Goforth was born 16 weeks prematurely at only 24 weeks along on January 21, 2002, weighing all of 1 lb. 4 oz. and measuring 12 inches tall! He has been given the nickname William "the conqueror" by his parents, for it is their prayer and ours, that he will conquer the many battles of survival that he has before him with God's mercy and grace... "a time for war" and a time to heal."

Whatever the Lord purposes in baby William's life, and in the lives of all of us who love him, we are comforted as God's Word reassures us that—"we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

"He hath made every thing beautiful in His time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)