Dear brothers and sisters in Christ...

You may have already heard that, on Saturday, October 24th, Kimberly gave birth unexpectedly to our new daughter, Zoe Ann Casmer. She is a blessing from God to us, weighing in at 1lb. 3oz. and measuring out to 11” long. She came in the 24th week of Kimberly’s pregnancy, which was 16 weeks earlier than expected.


Needless to say, we baptized her on the very first day. Zoe is currently under the care of the wonderful team of doctors and nurses at the Waukesha Memorial Hospital NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit). This will be her home for the next 3-4 months. Preemies this early have quite a long road and many hurdles to jump along the way. Zoe has done well so far but has also had setbacks and difficulties. The doctors and nurses consider her to be doing well, but are always very cautious about her treatment and the outlook for the future. We have enjoyed wonderful blessings like seeing her open her eyes for the first time, as well as struggles like watching her be poked and prodded. We rest in the comforting Word of our God for hope and confidence, patience and strength while we wait and visit with her. As one of Kimberly’s former students wrote to her:

"For we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love [him], who have been called according to his purpose." Stay strong…God will work good out of this. You taught me what this passage really meant. Don't forget it.

We won't.


Zoe’s name is the Greek word for “life” (ζωὴ). We liked that name, but didn’t really have any idea of God’s intended application at the time – seems a fitting goal now. More importantly, in baptism, the beautiful poetry of the first chapter of St. John’s gospel is true for Zoe too as she struggles with life:


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)


Her life in Christ is our confidence, hope, and guiding light.

We are also greatly helped and encouraged by all of the prayers you have offered to the throne of God on our family’s behalf. Through the wonder of the internet and telephone, within hours of her birth, hundreds of people were praying for Zoe; by now thousands have continued to do so for all three of us. We thank God for every prayer of yours and every word of comfort you have sought to give. We have also appreciated all of the offers of support and assistance. While we are still figuring out exactly what our life-schedule will be in the days and weeks ahead, we will gladly look forward to resting on all of you a bit as you lovingly support us. Thank you so much.

Zoe’s struggles will be many. As the few days we’ve had so far have borne out, the future will be filled with up and down days and hours. Our prayer is that God fill her with tenacity and life to grow and develop so that we can be a family at home together. We ask that you continue to pray for us as a family and for Zoe as she struggles. Paul’s words remind me of the wonderful working of God’s Holy Spirit among his people:


“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.(2 Co 1:3-4)”


He has greatly blessed and comforted us through all of you.

Resting on the strength of God,

- Phil, Kimberly, and Zoe Casmer