08/03/2026
Dear Church Family,
Please pray for little Ari (Anitra McKnight's youngest daughter - Angela Smith's granddaughter). Ari is 4 years old. Last night she was taken to the ER and it was discovered that she has Type 1 diabetes. Thankfully Anitra recognized something was wrong and began researching the symptoms. When the hospital tried to check her blood sugar, it was so high it wouldn't register on their device which only goes to 600. A blood draw and further tests revealed it was 780. She has been transferred to Banner Pediatric ICU for further testing and treatment. They have her on an IV Insulin drip and have brought her blood sugar levels down to 451.
Please stand with them in prayer and let's fight this battle together. These numbers are insanely high and life threatening. It is only by the grace of God that Anitra was prompted to do some quick research and get her in right away. I wanted to repost here Anitra's post on facebook...
In a matter of seconds last night our world completely changed. My sweet Ariella was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
To say I’m heartbroken would be an understatement. There are a million emotions running through me right now fear and uncertainty weighing the heaviest. Yesterday there was a beautiful message about running towards your battles like David ran to the front line to beat Goliath. I had no idea that less than 24 hours later my family would be standing face to face with a giant of our own. Type 1 Diabetes may be our Goliath, but our God is so much bigger.
So we’re choosing to run toward this battle not because we’re fearless but because we know Who goes before us. I will learn every carb count, every insulin dose, every late night alarm, every hard day, every victory. And I will run hand in hand with my little girl through every single step of this journey.
This diagnosis does not define Ariella. It doesn’t steal her joy, her smile, her dreams, or the incredible plans God has for her life. If anything, I pray this becomes part of her testimony.
Please pray for my sweet girl. Pray for wisdom as we learn. Pray for strength on the hard days. Pray for peace when the fear tries to creep in. Most of all, pray that Ari always knows she is deeply loved by us and even more by the One who created her.
This is a battle we never wanted.
But we already know Who wins.
This battle is the Lord’s.
