Little Isabella...God has used this girl from a small village in Uganda to touch many lives. 

Isabella, you have stretched me, you have brought me before the throne of God over and over again, you have kept me on my knees pleading with God to bring you to Canada and to heal your heart.  You have taught me life is not all about me.  You have encouraged me to share about the goodness of God to others in a way I've never done before.  You've given me the courage to tell people about the amazing God we serve.  You have shown me the faith of a small child and how pleasing that is to the Father's heart.  You have shown me gratitude and how to be thankful in all things.  You have reminded me of how much I have and how much I could give.  You have caused me to be uncomfortable, to be flexible, to share my home, my time, my space.  You have shown me my weakness and complete dependance on my Father.  You have touched my heart with your sweet hugs and the way your little hands pat my back when I we embrace.  You have taught my children how to give, how to share, how to pray, and you have caused them to see their parents broken before God and calling on His strength.  It is because of your little life that I am changed.  My home, my children, my marriage, and my relationship with my God will never be the same.  God is using your little life in mighty ways all around the world.  Through the holes in your heart, He is bringing healing to mine.  I pray your holes will be healed today, Isabella.  I pray your life will forever be changed and you will grow into a woman who can't wait to tell others of the amazing work God has done in your life.  I am completely and utterly grateful and humble that God brought you into my life and allowed me to be a part of yours.  Our hearts are being knitted together.

Perspective

We picked up Isabella, Kellen, and Jean at Anita's house this morning and took them to church.  What a special experience to worship beside them, to hear Jean's beautiful voice as she sang, and to be reminded that God is the God of Uganda and Canada and the US.  Isabella sat on my lap for the entire sermon coloring in her little Minnie Mouse coloring book maybe even using crayons for the first time.

They came over to our house after church for lunch.  Over roast beef and rice, we shared about our lives, and I heard about how Kellen walks one mile every day to retrieve water and then carry it on her head the mile home.  She has no running water, no flush toilets, no electric stove.  I will think about this now every time I turn on the water at my sink or cook something on my stove.  How different our lives are, and yet we both our love our children with a fierce love.  We both would go to great lengths to protect our babies, and we both work hard, in our own ways, to put a good meal on the table for our families.

After lunch, I got out a few items of clothing that I thought they might like, some for Isabella and some for Kellen.  Oh, I had no clue how much this would bless them.  I was simply cleaning out my closet and Lidiyanna's dresser getting rid of some things we no longer wore, but to them, it was a huge gift.  Their eyes light up and they immediately started trying on the clothes.  Isabella had been wearing some thing of her brother's, and to see her little smile when they slipped a light green dress with pink roses on over her head made my heart melt.  She looked adorable and she knew it.  It was a moment I do not want to forget.

When they left to go back to Anita's house this afternoon, my heart was full.  We have so much here in North America.  I am thankful for the perspective Isabella and her mommy gave me today.  I want to live with less and give more.  I want to choose a life of purpose over a life of comfort. I want to be stretched so I can love more.  God is using Isabella's heart condition to work on the condition of my own heart.  May it be so.

She's here!!

After several months of waiting and praying, Isabella received her visa and made her way to Canada arriving today.  The kids and I met her, her mom, Kellen, and the interpreter, Jean at the airport.  We brought them back to our house and fed them bowls of chicken tortilla soup.  I think it may have been too spicy for their taste but they ate all of it.  Before I could even get up, Kellen and Jean were at the kitchen sink washing the dishes.  Graham said, "Wow, Mom, you are going to like this!"  I was really touched by their willingness to help.  They both seem so grateful, appreciative, and hard working.  Yes, I think we are going to get along just fine!

Later after we had some time to unwind and get familiar with each other, I asked Kellen when she got to know God.  It was through her daughter's heart condition that she sensed her need for God.  She surrendered to Him and His plan for her life, and she placed her daughter in His hands.  I am praying her faith is strengthened as she watches the Lord work.  She has left behind two sons and a baby girl to accompany Isabella to Canada.  This journey has not been easy for her and as she will have to watch her daughter undergo open heart surgery, there are more difficult days to come.  Yet in her eyes, I see a warmth and strength.  As I told her today that I had been praying for Isabella, our eyes met and I felt the connection between two mothers.  Yes, I think we are going to get along just fine!