Anastasha is yet-to-be born, yet she has already blessed many of us who have been following the lessons she is teaching her parents and siblings. Here’s the latest update from her daddy, family physician Craig DeLisi:

Dearest ones.

This week, some local friends will be having a prayer time for Tonya and I in honor of Anastasha. This is in leui of a baby shower, since we obviously don’t need diapers and onesies. But what we do need is for the Body of Christ to lift our weary arms.

Even though most of you who are reading this live hundreds of miles away, would you consider joining us by praying for us during that time as well? You are our most loved “family,” both by blood and through Christ.

Tonya will be 34 weeks gestation this week. Contractions are picking up quite a bit already. Last night she was having them every 3-5 minutes for a while. While this is “normal” for her pregnacies, we really aren’t ready for Anastasha to come yet, neither emotionally nor practically speaking.

In the last email that I sent out, I mentioned that we felt like we are at the end of a marathon and don’t have the strength to make it to the finish line. One of my friends, John Wall, told me that in the only marathon that he ever ran, he almost quit at mile 23 (of 26). He walked the final few miles … with one exception. When people in the crowd in those final few miles were cheering him on (his name was on the back of his shirt), he would find strength to run again.

Much like John, we are in desparate need to be “cheered” to the finish line by the Body of Christ. You are those who have loved us and supported us most in our lives and especially now.

So would you please join those who will be praying for us here and the great “company of Heaven” to help us press on and RUN the race to the end, and do it in a way that brings the Lord tremendous glory.

We feel the gravity of the coming moments and days and don’t want to “waste” this opportunity to praise Him and advance His kingdom during them.

We know that it is not your “cheering” will carry us to and beyond the finish line, but it is the love of our faithful Abba that will. But we value the prayers of the saints and have numerous times in our lives experienced the increased grace that the Lord imparts because of them.

Specifically, you can pray:

• against fear and anxiety as her birth/death approaches,
• for physical rest and wisdom when to “stop doing” and go to bed (we’ve gone to bed at 2AM or later because of house construction for over a week straight)
• peace for Tonya
• that we would have a few more weeks before Anastasha is born,
• that the details and timing for her birth/death/funeral would come together – LOTS of variables that are almost overwhelming (coordinating the kids, who is coming to visit, funeral plans, etc.),
• physical comfort and safety for Tonya,
• that we could hold Anastasha in our arms while she is still alive,
• that the kids’ hearts will be prepared for what lies ahead

We love you and bless you all.

Craig and Tonya

Here’s the entire series of amazing stories:

• The Story of Anastasha – Part 1 (It will bless you!)
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 2
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 3
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 4
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 5
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 6
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 7
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 8
• The Amazing Story of Anastasha – Part 9
• The Blessing of Anastasha – Part 10 – Day of Life 200
• The Blessing of Anastasha – Part 11
• The Blessing of Anastasha – Part 12 – Day of Life 214
• The Blessing of Anastasha – Part 13 – Day of Life 221
• The Blessing of Anastasha – Part 14 – Day of Life 228
• The Blessing of Anastasha Kalil – Part 15 – Day of Life 235
• The Blessing of Anastasha Kalil – Part 16 – Day of Life 241
• The Blessing of Anastasha Kalil – Part 17 – Birth Day
• Anastasha is in Heaven – Part 18
• Anastasha’s Birth and Death – Video – Part 19
• Anastasha’s New Blog – Part 20
• Update on Anastasha – Part 21 – 1 month after birth and death
• Update On Anastasha’s Family – Part 22 – 3 months after birth and death