November 10, 2010 marks a day that would changed my and my families' life forever. I was at work getting ready for the annual Veterans' Day Con at Salk, my 8th grade band's first performance of the year, when I got an urgent message from Kalya that Christa had gone in for an emergency C-section and that the prognosis was very grave, and, that Christa had had a baby girl, something that we had been hoping for. That was the moment, for me, where my world literally stopped and we quickly began to pull together as a family and nothing else was more important. That was when we felt so small 
and helpless and God loomed very large as we would quickly lean on the only person, God, through Jesus Christ, who would prove to be ever present and grant enormous grace, love, compassion and, ultimately, miraculous healing over the course of the next 70 days. 
Today, November 10, 2011 marks Ella's 1st birthday and we are so humbled and grateful to know that she is here with us healthy, beautiful and a testament to God's presence and miraculous work. A student of mine, last Spring gave me one of those plastic wrist bands that has engraved on it, "Believe in Miracles" that I wear to this day. When I look at it everyday I am reminded of the miraculous power of God and His wondrous gift of Miracle Baby Ella. One thing, and there are many, that God taught us through Ella is that we always have time for each other. Our culture comes up with many excuses and "good" reasons to be too busy to be there for the ones we love. I know now that life is too short to not be there when those you love need you. I am amazed that, during Ella's stay in NICU, Kalya and I were able to get to the Hospital to visit Ella every day through one of Spokane's more severe winters. And now, one year later, it is so difficult for Kalya and I to be half way around the world in Thailand and not be there in person with Ella on her 1st birthday. But, our hearts are there and we want to take this moment to wish Ella and her family the happiest of days as we take time to think of her and remember, with very grateful hearts, the gift of God who is Ella.
I wrote a song called "Ella's Eyes" last year. The melody came to my mind within days of Ella's birth and I couldn't help but sing it in my heart whenever I thought of her. I later recorded it and set it to a video using pictures and clips that Erik and Christa took in the days that turned into months in the hospital following her birth to her homecoming in January, 2011. "Ella's Eyes" is dedicated to Miracle Baby Ella and a God who is very present and loving, who granted Ella and our family a healing miracle that we will never, ever forget!Thank you Jesus, and Happy, Happy Birthday Ella Louise Dordal!
Grandpa and Yaya
Click the link below and listen to "Ella's Eyes" and then look at the pictures above and marvel at God's miraculous, healing touch.
