Morelli & Kate: Power of Prayer...

I had always been told growing up to "take it to the Lord in prayer." I remember at a young age when I would get scared praying for God to protect me. I also remember praying to God that a boy would ask me to a dance, or I would get an 'A' on a test. Although these aren't very important things in the grand scheme of things, they were to me at the time. And as I was always told nothing is to small for God to handle.

With that said I always prayed but frequently was discouraged for lack of answers (or rather the answers I wanted), and because sometimes it just felt plain silly talking to myself. It wasn't until recently that I really started praying again, and well sitting, and waiting for the answers. I've noticed that if I'm quiet enough God tells me in my heart the answers to my prayers and helps guide me along my way.

If that weren't enough to show me the power of prayer my Grandmas (yes both of them) ... did a pretty sufficient job of it this last weekend. And this story is just to good not to share with the whole world... so here goes... I pray I do it justice!

As you know I'm preparing to move to Texas. So, I made one last trip to visit both sides of the family this last weekend. First stop was my Dad's side. The visit was great as I got to see both my Aunt and her family who were in town from Texas, and my uncle and his family who were in town from Minnesota. But the part of the weekend that will forever be on repeat in my mind is what happened on Sunday morning. Sunday July 24th was a pretty AMAZING day for me.

After all the family had left my Grandparent's house my Grandma, Grandpa, and I remained in the kitchen sitting and talking. My Grandma quietly got up, left the room, and returned with a stack of legal notebook paper that looked very aged, and had a picture and writing on it. She sat down next to me and said, "I have been wanting to give this to you for years, and I wanted to give it to you this weekend. I didn't think I could make it through without crying so I wanted to wait to read it to you after everyone left."

In her hands she held a poem that she had written, to me, over 25 years ago not long after my birth.

Here's a quick background story so you understand the context of the poem... I was born in May of 86, and had a pretty rough time of it entering this world. I went into congestive heart failure, was life flighted over three hours away from my family to a Iowa Children's hospital, was baptised once I arrived with sugar water as that was all that was on hand, because I wasn't excepted to survive, and was diagnosed with two congenital heart defects. At 10 months old I had open heart surgery to correct one of the defects, and am told that I am truly a miracle as it was the first time this type of open heart surgery had been preformed in Iowa.

So this poem was written in the months between my heart failure and heart surgery. My Grandmother told me last Sunday she was taking a writing class the summer I was born and wanted to write me a poem so I would know that she prayed...

The prologue states, This was written for my granddaugther Kathryn. I'll give it to her when she is older. It took me all afternoon to write it and all evening to polish it. (below this she tact this picture taken in June of 86 of my Dad, Mom, sister Jenn, and Me.

The poem is entitled... I prayed for You.. by Maurine Amendt.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.
The news of your birth on May 9th
Came to me as I finished noon duty.
You were only a couple hours old
when I learned you weighed 7 lbs 11 oz.
And Mom was so proud of your long dark hair.

The next day was Saturday so
Grandma & Grandpa drove to Mason City.
We visited with Mom, Dad, and Jennifer.
"Do you want to see my sister?"
Jennifer bounced down the hall
Climbed up the viewing steps
And announced to all
"There's Baby Kathryn!"
I, too, climbed up the steps
And knelt beside Jennifer
And gazed in awe.
Such beautiful long dark hair.
"See my picture?" Jennifer asked.
Her photo was taped to your bassinet.
The hospital "Siblings Class" had planned ahead
So you and Jennifer could become close friends.
Then Dad told of a slight heart murmur.
Tests were scheduled for the morrow.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.
Dad called Sunday evening after consultation
No hole in the heart or meningitis
Pneumonia was the diagnosis.
Your respiration and pulse were high,
Medication and tubes were prescribed.
Mom came home Thursday, very sad,
You had to stay a few more days,
And Jennifer went home with Grandma Hight.
Mom and Dad were all alone.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.
The following Sunday the news was worse.
You were flying by helicopter to Iowa City,
Your pulse and respiration hovered at 200.
No one knew if you'd survive the flight
For possible heart surgery on Monday.
Mom and Dad drove to Iowa City.
They met Pastor Baily, Aunt Larie's minister,
Who baptized you into Chirst's family.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you
Larie and I drove for hours.
I could not teach Monday
If you were having heart surgery.
It was a tearful reunion at the hospital,
Then on to Larie's apartment
Where phone calls were made
To all concerned at home.
"Kathryn had survived the flight
Heart catherization was scheduled for morning."

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you
At 6:30 a.m. we were visiting you.
This was my first chance to touch you.
"Please, Lord, don't let it be my last!"
Tears flowed as I snapped pictures
Of you with Mom and Dad.
The nurse wheeled you out
In your self-contained unit
Oh, so many monitors and tubes
On such a tiny baby.
But then I glanced at 25 other babies
You were bigger by far.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.
We waited an eternity.
Four long hours
In a very tiny waiting room.
We thumbed through magazines,
Read bulletin board notices,
Compassionate Friends 515-424-7211.
"Please, Jesus, don't let us need that number."
Finally the doctors arrived.
We studied their faces
And prayed for good news.
"Her heart valve is bicuspid
Instead of tricuspid,
But is functioning fine.
No surgery is needed for that.
She does have coractation of the aorta
And that will need surgery."
The doctors prescribed medication
And advised no surgery until age 3 or 4.

Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.
What a beautiful service on June 15th.
Your parents, Jennifer, and Grandparents witnessed
Your rededication on Father's Day,
When you were 37 days old.
Your mom and Aunt Brenda sang a duet.
It was called "For Baby",
And was very tender and loving.
The whole congregation prayed for you.

When you are an adult
And read this poem
You will know that everyday
Kathryn Marie, I prayed for you.

Even now I struggle to not cry as I write this poem out to share with you. My Grandma and I hugged after she read it and none of us, my Grandpa included, had a dry eye. It is the most precious gift I have ever received and is the most precious memory I now have with my Grandparents. To know that even at a day old I was so unconditionally and all-consumingly loved by all my family is truly an amazing feeling. I know growing up my family loved me, but to have it in writing, and hear it read to you from the eyes of my Grandma really put into perspective all I had gone through at such a young age and just how blessed I was/am.

Later that morning, I arrived at my other set of Grandparent's (my Mom's side of the family) church to have lunch and see them again before I left. My Grandma Miriam did not know about what had happened earlier that morning, and as we sat in the church waiting for the service to start she turned to me and asked. "Kathryn, would you be okay if I asked for prayers for you today?"

I was startled and hadn't expected this. 'Why would I need prayers?' I thought.

She preceded to tell me that they have been rejoicing in miracles at their church, and in joys of families; and that I was our families miracle, and she wanted to share it in prayer with the congregation. She went on to tell me that on the day of my open heart surgery March 3rd, 1987 she had organized at her church a 24 hour prayer vigil. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped open at this point. I had never known this and I started tearing up. It is still hard for me to comprehend how much praying went on for me at such a young age by even complete strangers. It truly is AMAZING!

So, fast forward to prayer time at the end of service. My Grandma stands up and says, "I have a prayer request for our granddaughter who's here with us today. She recently decided that God was calling her to change her career, and is now moving to Texas to pursue a career as a Director of Christian education. You might remember 24 years ago that we had a 24 hour prayer vigil for her as she underwent open heart surgery. We've been praying for miracles and Kathryn is our miracle baby." again I started to tear up and my grandma went on to say, " Don't look at me like that (as I was crying)... I wanted to pray for thanksgiving for her and pray for her as she starts this new chapter in her life."

After the service as I was helping my Grandma get lunch ready I told her about my morning with my other Grandma and how combined together with what she had said I couldn't help but cry when she requested a prayer for me in church.

The day was really wonderful, and an eye opener for me. You see, I've always heard that all things are possible if you put in it God's hand and pray. But looking back on my first year of life God was hard at work and being bombarded from every angle with prayers. How awe-inspiring is that?

So pray... because... well, I'm living proof that prayer works!!!

God, had and has a plan. Now 25 years later, He has called me to change careers, move across country, and become a DCE. I'm not sure where I will end up, what ministry I will be working in, what country or state I will end up in, or where this new chapter will in the end take me. But you better believe that I will be praying!!!Because there's nothing quite like the power of prayer and the love of your family! :)

Take care, and God Bless!!