This is Isabelle's tree given to us in love and kindness.1 John 4:7-12
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
A lasting gift.
On Tuesday, September 23rd: We began a journey that would begin and end Isabelle’s life. Doctors had already told us that Isabelle had chromosome disorders and Isabelle’s life could be filled with pain. Isabelle received so much love in so many prayers. The love shown to our family gives us the remembrance to the end of the last day on this earth, the love that God gives to us. It is a sample of heaven. Isabelle was part of the church family in a strong way. Isabelle and us were blessed to have many people come over to pray and visit for hours. Many Christians called to say that more Christians were concerned and many prayers were offered.
On that day - busy, fear filled, fast-paced, unannounced day, this great congregation, this loving church family showed up, stayed, wept and provided their youngest Christian with baptism. As Isabelle was being born, her church family gave Jesus Christ to her. It was a time of tears, Isabelle would not fill the lives of her family with her life and their love. It was a time of mercy, Isabelle was born with a beautiful face and was blessedly asleep in the Lord. The youngest Christian of the church family was going to the Lord with a look of love, baby joy and contentment all over her face. Her parents will remember that peace for a lifetime. They will wait for patience for the day the Lord brings them home and know one of the first voices calling to them on that day will be Isabelle reunited with her family. It will be a great day to walk with Lord in love and a great family reunion.
Matthew 7:12
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Our church family fed us more than we could eat, Dilly was coordinating with the wonderful church family and our good neighbors had our refrigerators overflowing.
Michele and Larry, part of our Friday group, brought a thanksgiving of food that we were truly blessed. My 11 sisters in our prayer and service organization wanted to bring meals for many weeks; we were really grateful, but were trying to keep to a more normal schedule. Neighbors - Renee, SueJen, Suzanne sent meals. The church family sent meals, we had more food than we knew what to do with.
Our family travelled from all over the state of Texas and as far as California to be with us. All of our siblings and both mothers came. They stayed and provided immeasurable comfort.
Acts 15:9
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Our pastor gave a beautiful homily and made the point that whether Isabelle was an infant, a king, or queen God sees us equally loved and important to him.
We were most fortunate to have a wonderful deacon, Lisa, and her family to give the reception after the funeral. My 11 sisters and wonderful women from the church provided the food.
We are blessed to live in an area with so many kind people. My good friend Renee and our neighbors asked me what type of tree we wanted to be given by the neighborhood to remember Isabelle. I asked for white Crepe Myrtle for the christening gown she was cremated in.
Matthew 22:29
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
<><
Posts
