Page 5 - Journey of Hope by Raymond Moldenhauer

This book is about the “journey of hope” that our family experienced He gave joy to a 95-year old couple in Wisconsin who adopted Alyssa
beginning with the premature delivery (at only 25 weeks term) of our as their own. He compelled a couple in Kentucky that we did not
one pound, ten ounce granddaughter – Alyssa Grace. The journey know to travel to Dupont Children’s Hospital to see the baby that
chronicles the emotions of family, friends, nursing staff, doctors, as well they were so fervently praying for. He brought nursing staff to
as complete strangers from around the world that all rallied together to Alyssa’s bassinet to pray with our family. He placed it on the heart of
join us in prayer and place their faith in God to work a miracle before our a woman in California to pray all night while we slept and on the
very eyes. minds of missionary children in China to pray for Alyssa at every meal
and at bedtime. And, just as remarkable, He has allowed me to
When I sent my first e-mail to family and friends to keep them informed author a book of encouragement for others that find themselves in a
about the very unexpected birth of my granddaughter, I never imagined lingering storm of life – so that they too can “Praise Him in the
that I would be writing every day for 129 days and then periodically until Storm”.
Day 186. On that day, Heidi took Alyssa back to Dupont Children's
Hospital for her follow-up visit with the Endocrinologist. Tears came to This is a story that is painted with the words as well as photographs
Heidi's eyes when she heard the Doctor say: " I believe that you have a from my daily e-mails that portray the feelings and deep emotions
normal baby here". No one had ever said that about Alyssa before - no that words alone cannot adequately describe. Together, they will
one in the 6 months since her unexpected birth. It was also bring the readers along on our ride. Our prayers will become their
inconceivable that my e-mails would ultimately reach hundreds of prayers. Our hopes will become their hopes. And, in the end, our
people throughout the country and around the world. joy will become their joy as they see how God used a tiny little one
pound, ten ounce miracle girl to touch the lives of countless people
The 186-day roller coaster ride included three emergency surgeries, a around the world.
cancer scare, development issues with Alyssa’s ears and eyes, and
numerous setbacks that brought hundreds and hundreds of prayer I spent a lot of time in the NICU Waiting Rooms at three different
warriors to their knees on a regular basis. And at one point near the end hospitals, reading their pamphlets and magazines about premature
of the extremely stressful journey, after coming through so much, a final babies and the NICU experience. We were told from day one that
shock wave dealt me such a blow that I found myself preparing to accept our stay would be a roller coaster ride. Naturally, we assumed that
Alyssa’s imminent death and an answer from God that was going to be there would be some ups and downs. But we never imagined there
“no”. But through it all, God was faithful, His presence was felt, and we would be so many, or how long the seemingly endless ride would be.
did indeed witness a miracle right before our eyes. The pamphlets did a good job of explaining the terms, the
procedures, the medications, and even the potential complications.
Through this journey we saw God work a plan that went far beyond our But none of that was relevant until we lived and experienced the
circumstances and, in fact, impacted and blessed the lives of so many, drama that God had in store for us first hand.
many people. God brought our son-in-law Jim (a youth minister without
a job) to take a call to our church, which allowed our daughter Heidi and Our wilderness journey was extremely tough to endure, but we
our new granddaughter to live closer to us. He brought our new startup always felt the support of family, friends, and numerous prayer
church of fifty together in a way that our pastor said “united the partners that we didn’t even know, but most of all, the hope that
membership as a family of God as no other way could”. He rallied an comes from our Heavenly Father. My desire is that this book will
older, declining church to a new purpose. He brought a floundering reach thousands of people around the world so that they too will see
women’s bible study group in Delaware together in prayer and the power of prayer and come to know a God that loves them and
strengthened their commitment to study His word. cares for them and promises to be with them.