I want you all to meet my younger sister, Melissa. She is one of the strongest people that I know. She has faced some pretty dark moments in life, but by the loving grace and mercy of God….she lives with a story to tell.
At birth, my parents were told that she would not live to be 12.
At 12 years old she had to undergo an open heart surgey.
At 16 years old she was diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension [PPH].
At 18 years old she had a triple by-pass.
At 20 years old she spent 250+ days at UCLA hospital.
At 25 years old the doctors came out of a routine echocardiogram and told my parents that new vessels have grown in and around her heart and the bypasses that were put in place years prior were not being utilized. They were speechless. We called it a MIRACLE!
Today, Melissa turned 30. I celebrate her LIFE!
Melissa, I love you to pieces. I am thankful to God for giving us more life to live together. He has redeemed years lost from fighting and bickering {which we were so good at}, by the friendship I have in you today. You are beautiful. You are strong. You have a story to tell…..and I will forever encourage you to find ways to tell it to the world.
*HAPPY BIRTHDAY*
Love, KELLI
** Prayers for another miracle would be appreciated. Melissa has a pump that carries medication to her lungs for her PPH. With the advancement of medicine, a pill is now given to those diagnosed with PPH, but she has to slowly be taken off of the pump and transitioned to the pill. This process will take about one year and she started to lower her medication 2 months ago….Im believing for complete healing of her body!
Ulmer Studios - This is an amazing story! So awesome! Truly God is not a small god…but the God! Only He could do the things in your sister's body that has been done! Glad that you all are getting to share more LIFE!
Amy - Kelli-
Thank you SO much for sharing your sisters story. What an amazing God we serve! I will be praying for God's continued healing in Melissa's body. Please keep us updated.
P.S. I'm Hollie Hallwyler's sister in case you were wondering!
Felicia Arndt - My younger brother has PPH too, and this story has touched me to know that there are families just like us out there…
Alan Matthews Photography - I'm glad you shared this….love the emotive feeling of the photo. Great work as usual
Hollie Hallwyler - Awe, SWEET Melissa!!
I'm so glad the doc's were wrong about her!
I am definitely praying for her next journey. How awesome to know she has beat most of her circumstances… I have NO doubt God will have the glory again in this next chance for healing.
Kelli you captured her beautifully! She looks gorgeous!
Laura - That gave me chills! Praise God for her healing. We will pray for continued healing!
Paul and Alison - What a tremendous story of God's healing power and goodness. Believing with you for full healing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Jody - God is amazing indeed! 🙂