Many of you were praying with me for my friends Nick & Aubrey Rodrigues, specifically in the month of February as they awaited the birth of their beautiful daughter, Leilah. At 20 weeks, Leilah was diagnosed with anencephaly which is a fatal neural tube defect affecting the formation of the brain and skull. Most babies that survive pregnancy are stillborn or at best live a few hours. We rallied around Aubrey and the entire Rodrigues family and prayed for healing, peace. You name it, we prayed for it concerning sweet little Leilah. As you know, Leilah was in fact born with anencephaly on Feb 12 but she defied all odds and hung in there for 3 1/2 days. On Feb 15, she went to be with her Creator. Here are some beautiful words that her mom, Aubrey posted at that time:
At 7:42am Leilah faded into glory. She was blind so her first sight will be the face of the One who loves her more than we can imagine. She was deaf so her first sound will be the angels singing, welcoming her home. She is healed and whole! We feel peace but pain. We love her so much. We thank you for all the prayers and support. We couldn't have gone through this alone.
A few weeks later on March 4, Aubrey was able to put into words the things she was feeling and share the intense pain she was going through. Here are some inspiring thoughts & feelings by her on the final moments with Leilah.
The night she was fading I held her hands and put my face close to hers soaking in everything I could, telling her that I loved her. I had the image of my heart breaking but all the broken pieces were in His hands. As painful as it was this ridiculous unrelenting peace anchored my heart. Then the final moments the next morning as she simply stopped breathing, still tightly clutching my fingers in her hands – there was still a deep peace. And unexpected joy – joy that this was not the end. She faded into the arms of the One who IS LOVE. In a situation where faith is shattered and hearts are wounded HE pulled us close and completely covered us. In the midst of my heart breaking I have never known peace and love so real. And THAT is a miracle.
Read all of her thoughts, feelings and words on their blog here: http://bit.ly/1ibc39s
I can't imagine the pain of losing a child though I know my mom & my sister both have been through stillbirths. I have a brother and nephew playing together in Heaven right now with Jesus and I know they, along with her Aunt Amy that was also stillborn, welcomed little Leilah and are showing her the Streets of Gold and playing in Jesus's Backyard as I type this & you read it.
Please continue to lift up this precious family to the Lord as I know their grief is not done it is just beginning. Thank you so very much for standing in the gap for them.
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