Hello dear friends and family! I'm Courtney, a family member of Phil and Caris and I will be posting updates on the Ramsey family current situation - For those of you that know Phil and Cari, you know that they truly are servants of the Lord in every aspect of their life, always putting others before themselves. They are the kind of people that walk by each CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit) room and pray for each baby. If we could in any way lessen some of the stress they are going through right now, I know they (and all of us) will never forget the love and help they received back from their strong and caring community. 

Phil and Cari welcomed their firstborn son into the world on July 27th, just ten minutes before midnight. Abner Phillip Ramsey has been a fighter from the beginning, just like his parents told him to be while he was still in the womb. Early on, Abe was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a heart defect where the left atrium does not form correctly and affects normal blood flow through the heart. Abner has spent his first days with his loving parents singing and reading the bible to him, while they laugh at his facial expressions, with his truly angelic CVICU nurses, prepping him for his big surgery that is to happen in the next coming week. He has been as stable as can be thus far, which we are all so grateful for! 

As you could imagine, there are many costs that come along with having a newborn baby in the CVICU. Phil has been and will be commuting back and forth from Brainerd to visit his son and wife, as he has been doing for the past month while Cari was in her final stages of her pregnancy. They will be staying in hotels nearby the hospital, eating out for meals, paying for parking, all while paying Abner's medical bills. Abner's unknown length of stay hinders Cari's ability to work, and is a major unknown fear for these newborn parents. 

What we do know is that we serve a Loving and Powerful God. We all believe in the power of prayer, so even if you cannot help out financially, please keep Abner and his parents in your prayers during this trying time. Phil and Cari are keeping busy in his CVICU room by playing cards, reading, laughing at Abe while he tries his hardest to open his eyes and see what is going on around him, praying, and getting to know the nurses that are taking such good care of their baby boy. In the midst of all the unknown, Phil and Cari are still SO grateful for this blessing. He is the greatest part of their lives. We are hopeful and walking by faith, as we hope you all will with us. 

Abner will be having the Norwood surgery within the next week, and after we will start a CaringBridge for those of you who want to follow his journey in more detail. The Norwood surgery is the first major surgery Abner will face. The main objective of the surgery is to reconstruct his heart, and reroute un-oxygenated blood to the lungs. Recovery can take anywhere from 3-6+ weeks. If you follow the CaringBridge, you will have updates on the upcoming surgeries and on how Abe is doing. What you need to know now: He is stable, getting stronger everyday for his surgeries, and surrounded with love. Please join our army of prayer and donate if you have the means. 

Please help us spread the word. Thank you for everything in advance. 

PS. Cari couldn't just pick one verse ;) So here are a few they have been reading to him throughout the day.

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2

"In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on firm foundation." 1 Peter 5:10

"So you have sorrow now but I will see you again. Then you will rejoice and no one can rob you of that joy... I tell you the truth you will ask the father directly, and he will grant your request because you have used my name. You had not done this before. Ask using my name and you will receive. And you will have abundant joy." John 16:22-24

"And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be TRULY GLAD. There is wonderful joy ahead. Even though you must endure many trials for a little while." 1 Peter 1:5-6

"But the Lord is faithful - He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one." 2 Thes 3:3

"I look up to the mountains does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go; both now and forever." Psalm 121

"Now glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20

"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you have received it, it will be yours." Mark 11:24

Cari and Phil read this everyday, it is a poem from his Great Grandma Ramsey:

"You are precious in his sight
Your life will be a shining light,
Pointing souls to calvary
Many will hear and be set free.
In the image of God you have been made,
You are the one for whom we've prayed.
We trust the One who has the power
In Jesus name 'be healed' this hour."