PRAYER ALERT FROM LITTLE BEAR
for Baby William
January 24, 2002-AM

Dear Friends and Family,

Here is the latest update on our grandson, who has been named William Reid Goforth. Josh and Noelle decided on the name William after William the Conqueror, with the determination that William will be a conqueror, no matter what. And it is our constant prayer that he will goforth! This sign, made by a caring staff member of the NICU, hangs above his equipment as a hopeful reminder.

Early this morning, at 3:00 am, baby William began to show signs of trouble. Tests were taken which showed bleeding on the brain and the lungs. These are both the most serious of combinations. The first 8 days outside the womb of a 23-24 week preemie (called a micro-preemie) are most critical.

We have been told that the medical prognosis for William is very grim. It would seem that if the Lord does not intervene immediately, baby William will have his going home to heaven very soon. After many days of crying in travail for this child to live, the Lord has given all the Wheelers and the Goforths the peace to trust in Him no matter what--not our will be done, but His. Jesus exercised this prayer in the garden, just hours before He was crucified for our sins. He too learned when there is no understanding, that our will must be submitted to the Father in Heaven Who sees the past, present, and future.

Please join us in our immediate prevailing prayer--for this child to pull through this by the healing hand of Jesus.

Noelle was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and she and Josh (and the rest of the family) are now staying at her Aunt Edna's in Colorado Springs, just a 15-minute drive from the hospital. We recognize this as a part of the Lord's provision of mercy and grace so far from their home in San Antonio. I will keep you posted.

In His Providential care,
"Little Bear"