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A message from Brooke Martin on the birth of Emma Noelle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Many WISH-TV viewers have followed the journey of Brooke Martin and her husband Cole throughout their pregnancy.

Several months ago, Brooke and Cole were told that their expected baby, Emma Noelle, was diagnosed with anencephaly, a condition in which the baby’s skull does not develop.

The couple learned the baby had a zero chance of survival. Brooke carried Emma to term, delivering her on Friday morning. Emma passed shortly after being born.

Brooke and her family have invited everyone to a celebration of life at Traders Point Christian Church in Whitestown on April 27 at 10 a.m.

Brooke and Cole – From all of us at WISH-TV, our hearts are broken with you. 

Here is a message directly from Brooke:

Her perfect lips. Her sweet button nose. Her pretty eyes. Her big feet and long fingers. Her chubby thighs and soft skin.

These are thing things I’ll remember about our Emma Noelle. Those, and so much more.

I went into surgery Friday morning, March 15, at St. Vincent Hospital for Women & Children.

Emma was born at 8:45am. She lived for 21 sacred, precious minutes. Minutes in which Cole and I both held her, looked into her eyes and spoke the words we’ve been waiting to say; “We are proud of you, baby girl.” “You did so well.” “So many people love you, Emmy.” “Do you know how big of an impact you’ve made?” “Jesus is ready to hold you, Emma Noelle. “You can go, sweet girl.”

At one point, while being held by Cole, Emma heard me talking to the doctor. The nurses still remark about her head jerking toward me, recognizing her mama’s voice. She then passed in her Daddy’s arms. I am confident she felt loved.

Just as much, I’m confident that Cole and I have felt loved; by Emma, by you, by our Heavenly Father.

There’s a reason one word flooded my heart upon the diagnosis in that ultrasound room that October day. I didn’t know it then, but my God, I know it now.

“Emmanuel.”

Emma Noelle.

God with us.

I believe our personal Savior was telling me; I’m here. This is going to be hard, but I’m with you.

I wish I had the time to tell you every way in which that came true, every detail that was meticulously orchestrated and miraculously provided. Emma Noelle changed our lives. Emma Noelle showed us Emmanuel.

We are now looking forward to celebrating Emma’s life, along with all families who have experienced infant loss. We want to come together, whether we know you personally or not, to honor these precious lives and hear about the powerful purpose each of them have. Will you come? Saturday, April 27th at 10am at Traders Point Christian Church in Whitestown.

I’ll be speaking about our experience, and you’ll also be hearing from others about what these sweet babies are experiencing, and why, dear God, why tragedies like this are allowed to happen under the watch of a loving God.

I hope to see you and to be able to say thank you in person. You have made our story so incredibly special.

We love you, friends. Thanks for loving our little girl so well.

Brooke, Cole & Max