The parade of health professionals briefing us on life after NICU continued throughout the morning, and after each specialist said their part, I would turn and say to Jesher, “It’s time to go home bro!” Honestly, much of the medical jargon and final reviews never made it to my frontal lobe. For four months, we had hung onto every syllable of “hospital speak”; however, my ears and my brain weren’t as perceptive on this particular day. I didn’t have my usual level of clarity. My eyes were hazy; I was lightheaded, and my heart rhythm was irregular. No, I wasn’t suffering from any ailment. I was just too excited. 120 days after our journey began, we were going home!
Our ‘room-in‘ night had come and gone with little sleep and a lot of childish nerves, but we made it. Jesher was up more frequently than expected due to constipation caused by his vitamin fortified formula (NeoSure), so he was a bit cranky. He signaled his discomfort with high screeches or low grunts whenever he thought we forgot about his clogged tummy. And that’s when I would politely interrupt whomever was in the middle of listing our follow-up schedule, lean over the hospital-white crib rails, and repeat my comforting phrase (probably more for my own comfort than for his): “I know Jesher; I hear you. Let’s go home bro!”
I couldn’t believe it. I kept trying to let the thought sink into my soul, but the habits of the past just wouldn’t allow me to comprehend the occasion. Our daily routine had revolved around going “to see” Jesher or stopping by “to check on” Jesher, and this daily ritual had been our life for 1/3rd of this year. At times we wouldn’t eat, sleep, drink, or nap because of our devotion to this cause. Jesher had parents, and we wanted him to know he had parents. We wanted to make sure he knew that his parents were not the dedicated professionals who donned blue scrubs and grey stethoscopes. Yes, Jesher’s nurses, therapist, doctors, and practitioners provided outstanding care for our lil’ warrior, but there was one thing they couldn’t provide: They couldn’t provide parental support. So our job description was self-explanatory. Our sole purpose was to be there, to show up, to comeback, and to keep coming. That’s why the idea of taking Jesher with us was so foreign. It was a cataclysmic paradigm shift—a shift that had me feeling weak-legged and heavy-armed. Today, Jesher would come with us; we wouldn’t have to go to him.
And somewhere between Jesher’s final assessment and the signing of his discharge order, it hit me…Our Father in Heaven must be geeked about bringing us home! As a professed follower of Yahweh, my faith is often uplifted by the prophecy of day when God won’t come spend time with me here on Earth and then return back to His home only to start the routine again the next day. One day—and I do pray it is sooner than later—Yahweh will send His firstborn son to come to Earth and tell me, “Let’s go home bro!” It won’t be a day where encouragement, tears, moral support, or prayer is needed. Those concepts are only necessary when parents are limited to coming and going, visiting and returning, waiting and watching. But when a parent gets to take his or her child home with them, no longer separated by the unfortunate circumstances of injury and recovery, the only thing that fills the air is an electric positivity that can only be expressed with smiles and laughter. And that’s all I had to offer Jesher as I picked up his car seat and walked towards the 7th floor elevator. I didn’t have much to say. I just smiled at him and laughed with his mother. But just as the elevator doors opened, I remembered to console our son once again before he drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t verbose; however, I do think it communicated the fullness of my heart. I leaned forward, while lifting his seat towards the middle of my chest, with both arms, and whispered, “Let’s go home, bro!”
Here is Jesher’s current medical report:
WEIGHT–Jesher is currently 6lbs. 8oz, and already he is out-performing his dad. When I came home from the hospital, I was only 6lbs. even. And Lhorraine is the primary one to thank for this. Although she was in a time of extreme grief and discouragement, she still pumped milk for Jesher 4-6 times per day. Even without the emotional benefit of nursing her child, and even when dealing with the cold callousness of a mechanical substitute, she would pump with a fierce determination that nourished our son from the very beginning. Through tears and grit teeth, she would force herself to get out of bed and pump early in the morning and late at night. And this, along with the covering blanket of the Holy Spirit, has led to our son beginning to show signs of having ‘baby fat.’ PLEASE ASK YAHWEH TO BLESS LHORRAINE IN SUCH A MARKED MANNER THAT SHE, LIKE THE BIBLICAL SARAH, IS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER AND JOY BEYOND MEASURE! PLEASE CLAIM THAT GENESIS 21:6 WILL HAPPEN TO HER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
CONSTIPATION–Jesher did come home quite constipated. We are now going through the process of researching an alternative fortified formula for him. With so many options and so many opinions out there, we are asking God to come near to us and guide us on Jesher’s diet as He guided Manoah and his wife in Judges 13:5. PLEASE ASK THE LORD TO SEND US AN ANGELIC MESSENGER TO GUIDE OUR STEPS AS WE SEEK OUT A FORMULA THAT WILL NOT CAUSE OUR SON THE DISCOMFORT HE IS CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO MANAGE.
NEUROLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT–Jesher’s discharge paperwork outlines an amazing prognosis of his state. As I have shared in the past, the team of healthcare providers have been baffled at how Jesher’s health has turned around in only four months. One doctor even told us, “As of today, I consider Jesher to be a regular baby with no signs of apparent developmental or physiological deficits.” Yahweh is so powerful! With this report being declared, we understand that the true sign of this assessment being fulfilled will come this time next year. So between now and June 30, 2019, we are asking God to protect our son from all diseases, deficits, and disorders. PLEASE JOIN US IN DECLARING OVER JESHER WORDS OF LIFE…ASK GOD TO CAUSE HIS BODY TO PROSPER AS HIS SOUL PROSPERS ACCORDING TO (3 JOHN 1:2).
The Bible takes time to remind us that Earth is not our home:
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” [Hebrews 13:14, 15]
Like Jesus, we are supposed to look at our trial and declare: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). And this experience has reassured me of how much my Heavenly Father must be anticipating the day when He gets to say, “Welcome home son!” Like Jesher, we all are in a pattern of sickness and recovery, attempting to cope with the pokes, prods, pains, and predicaments of a rough environment. But also like Jesher, we can all look forward to a day when we will be relieved of our difficulties and taken to a better place, a place that was prepared by God for His children—a place we now call heaven but we will soon call home.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1-2
Prayers for Jesher 
Yes Jesus!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!🙏🏾🙌🏾
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God is good!
Nelva
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My GOD is GREAT!!!! Welcome home sobrino.
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Whoooooo Hooooooo!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!! I’m so so so very excited for you guys!! What an incredible blessing!!! Your son has beat the odds. When everything was stacked against your family, Jesus showed up and showed himself mighty. Thank God for answering every prayer.
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Praise the Lord!!!!! God is able and He has proved it once again! My heart is overjoyed for you, Lhorraine, and baby Jesher! May the same God that has comforted you, carried you, and heard your cries continue to be your source of joy and happiness as you begin your new journey!
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Love you, Jesher!
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Praise the Lord! What a powerful testimony! Welcome home! You are so precious and blessed Jesher. You have awesome and godly parents.May God continue to give you health!
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Jesher is home. Praise the Lord! 🎊
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My heart is full! So much to thank God for! May His hand hover over Jesher and your entire family. How do I say thanks for the blessings you have allowed to flow through you at a time when all would have understood if you just focused on your immediate family and circle of love. But no, you chose to be used even through this extreme trial. I hadn’t ever thought clearly about how God must miss our face to face communion…What an exquisite pain this separation from His creation must be! Can’t wait to be reunited! Keeping you, Lhorraine and Jesher on my perpetual prayer list. Much love!
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There’s no God like Jehovah!!! All I can do is give Him praise!!
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Hallelujah! PRAISE THE LORD! Great things He has done!
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Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above the heavenly host. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. My God is AWESOME.
Welcome home Jesher, God’s mighty miracle.
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Greetings My Friend: In church today, there was a loud burst of praise of your son going home today. The Praise was spontaneous and prolonged.
Peace to you and your family. May the shield of protection of The Creator of the Universe be around you and your family including the Achilles’ tendons of the three of you all.
Don
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What a Mighty and Powerful God we serve!!!!!! It’s so good to see how God has continued to answer the prayers of sooo many people and especially of the Polites! Forever a Jesherite! Literally a bundle of miracles and joy!!! He’s so precious!!
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Thank You God!!! Praying for the transition home and for continued blessings over you all.
*God is always faithful*
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Sometimes God is just exquisite in the way HE does things. At the end of a wonderful sermon preached today about why we praise God, our Associate Pastor, Eliot Brooks literally ran to the pulpit and announced that Jesher was home today! Our church family at Dallas City Temple erupted with spontaneous applause, praise and celebration at the good news. I can only imagine what celebrations like this were experienced around the world as prayer warriors saw God yet perform another miracle in bringing Jesher home. What can we say to these things–‘How Great is our God! Congratulations Michael and Lhorraine, and welcome home, Jesher!
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My God is so big and so wonderful there is nothing he cannot do. Praise the wonderful name of Jesus. Hallelujah!! Welcome home “bro”
May God continue to grant you favor.
Prayers and blessings on Jesher and parents. Praying always for him.
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I shared Jesher’s testimony to my dad’s singing group and my dad shared it in front of church when his group went up to sing. It is wonderful to know others were just as thankful as I was and that, truly, other people all around were praying. Hallelujah for Jesher’s amazing recovery. Praise forever to God!!!!
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PRAISE THE LORD! THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE A WITNESS TO WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU AND PRINCE JESHER! I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU ALL! WITH LOVE AND PRAYERS! I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT UPDATE IN THE LIFE OF THE LITTLE PRINCE, JESHER😁
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What a happy ending to your long, painful, remarkable, suffering, and faithful, journey. On that morning of Jesus’ return we will have a happy ending to our long, painful, remarkable, suffering, and faithful journey. What a morning that will be!!!
I have prayed so much for your son, your wife, and for you. God is soooo good!!!
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Your “prayers for Jesher” have been so very inspirational! I am so very happy for your family. God is a miracle Worker and I praise Him. Enjoy your baby son!
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“Welcome home Jesher! You are living proof that God is always lavishing us with His blessings!”
“Welcome back home Mike and Lhorraine! God tried you and you came forth as gold!” Proud of you!!
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Praise God from whom all blessings flow. We have prayed for this day and are overjoyed that Jesher is going home healthy and blessed. May God continue to bless your family.
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Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Jesher’s journey has been such a benefit to my own faith in God. It is so beautiful how God performed a miracle in this lil guys life. I am so happy that he is home with his parents! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Will continue to keep you all in my prayers. Love you!
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To God be the glory great things only He can do. I rejoice with you and Jesher. What God has started He will fulfill by His grace.
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My great nephew Jesher has won the battle with God and his parents by his side. What an awesome feeling to know we have a God that will never leave us nor forsake us. Michael and Lhorraine to God be the glory great things he has done. Love you all family!🤗
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I’m doing cartwheels!!!!!!!!! Amen amen amen!!!!! Love you all
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Thank you for sharing the pic. It is evident that the peace of God rests upon Him. God bless you in this next phase!
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Praise Jesus!! I am all smile. Oh happy day! Prayers and praises will continue for all three of you. Jesher is a beautiful baby!
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🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽😍😍😍😍😍
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This brings my heart so much joy. Yay Jesher, you’re a true warrior and so Loved by God! Will continue to pray as your journey continues at home.
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Wohoo! Congratulations! So happy and excited for all of you. Continuing to pray.
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Words completely fail me. I told you 4 months ago that I was a 4 month premi baby – I don’t remember the fight. But I still hear stories of how God brought me home safely. Now little Jesher has the same story to tell. God bless you little warrior. You have a huge future ahead. Luv from your Wahroonga family in Sydney Australia. Xxx
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God is awesome, and He makes all things beautiful in His time. Sometimes we have to wait. So thrilled for this God-given development!
Also, very intrigued and encouraged by the scriptural specificity of your requested prayers. Praise God!
As to Jesher’s constipation, please consider the information in the article I’ll share concerning proper colonization of the gut microbiome. Ultimately, proper gut colonization in babies begins in the womb, is furthered by vaginal birth in particular and is booned by breastmilk (in detailed ways you can discover online easily, but not delineated in this article). Infant probiotics may be just the thing for Jesher. Enjoy the read!: https://www.mamanatural.com/probiotics-for-infants/
A hug and kiss to your dedicated wife, Lhorraine.
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So precious!
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Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.
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Yayyyyyyy!!! Rejoicing!!!!! 🙂
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Wow this is some amazing news. You all’s whole journey has been encouraging and reminds me of what an amazing God we serve! I am so happy Jesher has made it home healthy and making progress. Love the Polite family! Stay blessed and continue to stay encouraged.
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I touch and agree with you that Jester will have no developmental or physical setbacks. God can do it! I’m a firsthand witness! Like you guys, I am a former NICU parent. I went into premature labor at 24 wks and watched my 1 lb 6 oz baby blossom into a beautiful baby girl. My baby was born on March 8th like Jesher! They have so many similarities. I know about “kangaroo care”….the NICU terms like “desaturation”…..the frustrations of a mom having to pump milk…..I get it! I also know that God chose special people like us to handle these tremendous testimonies of faith that we have in our miracle children! I will keep praying for Baby Jesher and know that God has an awesome purpose for his life!
P.S. I gave my daughter Prosobee formula which is soy-based because she also couldn’t handle regular milk.
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Tears of joy. Praising God for His mighty works!
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Your home Jesher 👍🏿🏠.
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Thank you Jesus!!!!. Hallelujah!!!!! 🙏🏽🙌🏽
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Thank you lord for bringing Jesher home 👶🏽
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All praises to Our Heavenly Father for the completed 120- day journey!! Jesher has been blessed to gain weight and FINALLY be discharged home with his parents!! How amazing!!
It has been a magnificent prayer journey that I thank God for the privledge of being a part of.
I will join in prayer with Jesher’s parents (Michael and Lhorraine) and others who are committed to continued prayer through June 30, 2019 for Jesher to tolerate his feedings w/o side effects, increase in stature and prosper more and more until that perfect day…all “Because He Lives!!”
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JESHER IS SOO HANDSOME!
Thanks for sharing the first 120-days of his precious life!!
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