Friday afternoon seemed normal enough. My wife and I had, just Thursday, celebrated twenty one years of marriage. We were presently gearing up for our weekly family night!

Because of weekend plans with our local church, the wife and I were busy tackling Saturday chores. Having completed their chores, the children were at a good friend’s home for a swimming outing.

Suddenly, my evening was arrested by an unfolding drama: My thirteen year old son, Madison, appeared in the driveway emerging from the neighbor’s car. He was holding in his arms the limp, listless body of one of our three year old twin daughters, Hayley.

She was still purple, but she was breathing! This was the shocking first alert to the harrowing adventure that six of our children had just experienced.

Apparently, Hayley, who had removed her “floaties” to enjoy an ice cream sandwich with the others, finished her ice cream and slipped away to return to her swim. No one is certain how long she was under water. It could have been a minute or three. That’s when her eleven year old sister, Macauley, spotted Hayley’s unresponsive form at the bottom of the pool. Instinctively, Macauley jumped into the water and retrieved her sister from the deep end. Madison then helped Macauley get Hayley’s limp body out of the pool. There were no apparent signs of life; no breathe and no response.

Frightened, but determined, Hayley’s “heroes” prayed and spoke life over her. Madison compressed her stomach, forcing water out. Ten seconds later, a breath! It was the “breath of life!”

This is where I was brought into the drama. Madison presented his younger sister to me. Macauley ran into the house exclaiming “Hayley’s alive! Mom, she’s alive!”

As I took my baby into my arms, my immediate response was reactive: Jesus, I call upon you. Tough this child! Open and expand her lungs! Restore! Renew! Death, you have no authority here…No, No, No! Life, I command you…abide here now! In Jesus name!

As we were calling 911, the volunteer fire department was arriving, and they had OXYGEN! Within seven minutes, 80% of Hayley’s color had returned. Her eyes became attentive and she was now breathing relatively freely! Ambulances arrived. She was whisked off to the hospital and then to pediatric I.C.U. …

Twenty-four hours later, praise the Lord! Hayley is home. She is back with her family, and is happy, healthy and celebrating life!