Drinking the Cup of Our Father...

Sarah Elizabeth Dalton

Today we found ourselves staring at an ultra-sound screen again, listening to a doctor tell us what he was seeing about our Sarah's little body. It was our second ultra-sound with in-depth analysis. The last one was two months ago to the day. We were late so I dropped Jen off in front of the office so I could go park the car. As she walked up the steps to the office her whole body felt heavy. Her steps became really labored and she said her legs were hard to lift. By the time she got inside she was light headed and starting to sweat. So she went to locate a bathroom. After wandering around the different office rooms for a moment she finally found it (she said she was in a total daze). By this time her dizziness was out of control and upon entering the bathroom she sat down, losing consciousness and passing out. About 5 minutes later she came to, splashed water on her face and joined me in the waiting room. She was in a relatively peaceful place. It was odd, she said her heart and mind were both totally at rest, but when she started climbing the stairs at that familiar place, her body went into some kind of shock. We both had a really peaceful non-stressful morning, and it continued like that even after she passed out. It was all really odd. Anyway, the results of the ultra-sound were forgetful. Not worth too much of a mention. But we will share the jist of it...

So we are drinking the cup of our Father... We are drinking the cup of our Father willing to follow Him where ever He leads. Our Sarah isn't what she should be yet. She is still awaiting her miracle. We are in the place of seeing the dream, though we feel like Joseph (Biblical) looking out from the bottom of a pit. Things appear as if they are going in the opposite direction, as Sarah's body is not yet compatible with life outside Jen's womb. Our ultra-sound today revealed no change in Sarah's condition. Our little girl is without half of her heart. She is also still missing parts of her brain matter and her hands are bent at the wrists, not properly developed. Remember though, this was not the voice of heaven speaking today. It was just man, and his machines, nothing more, nothing less. Our hearts are heavy today as you can imagine; nevertheless, we are leaning into our Father... for there is no one more faithful than Him. There is no one more trustworthy. We feel the weight of the news today... it was not easy to see her in a broken body still. Her body from the outside is beautiful (her hands are not formed properly, but the rest of her body seems to be okay), its just the inside that is desperate for healing. But this story is not over...

So our response is simple, we are rising to heavenly places and going beyond where we've been. We are taking her further into heaven in our hearts, in prayer, lifting her again into the face of our Father. We will continue to lay her into the arms of Jesus, into the arms of mercy, so that the things that would want to hold her life down would be released from her. She is still captive by her body, not yet whole, but we know that Jesus took captivity captive. So our hope is undiminished. We know things can change when His voice gives the command. We know that wings are given to angels. Sarah is a perfect candidate for those. We know that ashes and dirt can give way to new life. Seeds lay hidden for a time, but when they re-emerge they come forth green, like a bird escaping from a snare. They come forth set free. They come forth into light because nothing can hold down life. It will come forth. It will emerge.

There is so much we feel God has spoken about Sarah. We've been hearing and writing down the vision. They are the seeds of life that have yet to come forth... but we believe they will. So what exists in His heart, in Heaven, that has yet to come forth in the earth, in Sarah, we will contend for. We will continue to stay in a place of faith for her. Into our world may faith be born. Into all that would say otherwise, may life come forth. We can live faithless and join the masses or we can believe Him and take the journey wherever He leads. We can drink the cup like Jesus did or live without hope. For the joy set before us... We are drinking the cup of our Father.

Jen and I want you to know how thankful we are for holding us and Sarah up in prayer. It means the world to us. We are so blessed by the love and support people have been showing to us the last two months. If it's in you to keep praying with us, we would love for you to stay with us until we see Sarah born into our arms. Thanks again,

Joseph and Jen