Meet Baby Ava!!...Korben's Newest Cousin

WOW!! We serve an awesome God!! On Monday, April 16, 2007, we welcomed the newest member of the Altman clan into the world. Little Ava Nichole was born a month early due to concerns about her sweet mama's BP being SOOO high. Ava weighed in at 6 lbs. 2 oz. and was 18 in. long!! She's such a precious lil' thing with a head FULL of dark brown (almost black) hair. (see picture below)




Of course, being born a month premature comes with it's disadvantages, too (no matter HOW anxious we were for her to get here). Ava is perfectly healthy except that the lower lobe of her left lung wasn't completely developed. Early this morning the doctors decided to put Ava on a respirator to help her with her breathing so she wouldn't have to work so hard. Being the tough lil thing that she is, they've already been able to lower the oxygen level some today. Thank you, Lord. She's doing great though! And the doctors and nurses say that this isn't anything that wouldn't be expected with any other baby born at 36 weeks.


Please keep Ava (and her mama and daddy, Nikki and Kelly Altman) in your prayers. It's been really hard on Kelly and Nikki not being able to hold her and to have their new baby in the room with them since she's been born. I know that the Lord will be faithful and they'll be able to get to know each other REALLY well soon! "I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." Psalms 139:14


Lord, I thank you so much for the gift of life. And most importantly for the gift of salvation. I lift up Ava, Nikki, and Kelly to you and I pray that they would feel your arms of compassion wrapped around them during this time. And that you would touch Ava's lungs and heal her according to your will. I also pray that you would not let me take for granted the healthy child that you have given to me. Remind me continually that YOU are the one and only one who "makes all things new"...both physically and spiritually. Help us to look to You first for comfort and strength and to thank you always for the blessings, big and small, that you give us. In Your precious name I pray...Amen.