My brother Tyler is the Life Teen Worship Leader at St. Frances Cabrini in Littleton, CO and his wife Lauren had been teaching 4th grade at STEM Academy. She just started at a new school this year. On October 6th, they welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world and named him Elijah Vincent Tracey. A week before his delivery, Lauren was hospitalized due to signs of severe growth restriction. Elijah wasn't growing as he should, measuring more than two weeks behind. Praise God that Lauren was already in the hospital because the doctors were able to see signs of Elijah's distress and they performed an emergency C-section. He was only 26 weeks along and weighed a mere 1 pound, 3 ounces. He may be tiny, but he is mighty! Elijah is currently in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital in Denver.

Tyler and Lauren are facing a lot of challenges. They both want to spend as much time as they can with Elijah, which means they're commuting daily from Castle Rock to downtown Denver. Because he was so early, he has a lot of health complications. He will need to spend months in the NICU. Unfortunately, they're not eligible to stay at the Ronald McDonald House because they live less than 50 miles away.

Several people have reached out asking how they can help Tyler and Lauren and they are very grateful for your concern! First and foremost, they need your continued prayers. We believe they are all being lifted up daily by the flood of prayers being said! There will also be a lot of expenses that they weren't necessarily planning on. All of this while trying to navigate taking leave at each of their jobs which could reduce their income. If you are able to give anything to help them through this difficult time, it would be sincerely appreciated!

If you'd rather donate directly to Tyler and Lauren via Venmo, Tyler's id is @tjtracey and Lauren's is @LaurenTracey

Your continued prayers and support are so greatly appreciated!