Named by God

For almost a year and a half, we struggled on what to name Bella. Her first name, Isabella, we chose early on in the paperchasing days and we never settled on a middle name, assuming we would wait and see what her birth name was. Well, even post referral, we struggled with this. We had wanted to incorporate part of her birth name, but it was difficult. Her first birth name, although sentimental, isn't necessarily pretty by U.S. standards, nor is it a typical Guatemalan name, and her middle birth name is very similar to (and has the same meaning as) Isabella. After over a year of struggling (and why I didn't do this sooner I don't know!), in September, I turned to the Lord and asked Him what He would have us name her. A week went by, without an answer and then, during a discussion with a friend, God absolutely TOLD me what her name would be. It was completely off topic from what my friend and I were talking about, but the message was clear. I felt a wave of peace flood into me, with goosebumps from my head to my toes, and I just knew. Her name will be Isabella Faith. This entire experience has been a stretching of, journey of, commitment to, and testimony of FAITH.


Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

On countless occasions while I was in Guatemala, Christ fortified me with His peace. All I had to do was turn to Him in prayer, and I was filled with peace. I can't tell you what a difference that made for me! I didn't become bitter. I wasn't filled with rage. Even on the darkest of days, I didn't fall into depression. My God was with me and I knew it. I could feel Him. I trusted Him. And I praise Him today for His faithfulness!


2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

There were many times throughout our adoption that the outcome was doubtful. From the beginning, the funding for the adoption was supplied by God. Without going into too much detail, I can share that we began this adoption with just a couple thousand dollars in the bank, and a great faith that God would provide the rest. He did. We had moments in the first few months of the adoption when the safety of our birthmother was in question. Our file received three VERY difficult previos. We encountered lies and deceit with the Guatemalan government and at one point our file was completely bound by bureaucratic red tape. But God was faithful! I'll never forget one of the most tangible experiences we had with His faithfulness. After nine months of fostering, we were having to face the reality that I may have to come home. Greg and I went over the numbers one night, over and over again, trying to find a way to make it possible. But our budget for fostering was long expired. We had expected for me to stay 3-6 months, and we were already several months past that and facing six more. I was devastated, of course, at the mere thought of having to leave the little girl I'd mothered for nine months already. Two days later, we received the anonymous donation of four months rent PAID, plus a four month supply of diapers and formula!!!


Ephesians 6:16

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one


The enemy was relentless in his pursuit of my family. He sought to destroy our relationships, our trust in each other, our faith in God, our sanity, our health, our finances. But faith reveals the lies of the enemy and exposes his manipulations. Faith protected and sheilded us, strengthening us and binding us together.