A Letter to Pearl Brown: Child of Hope

Dearest Pearl,


My very best and favoritist birthday present present this year was to wake up and find out that I would forever share my (human) birthday with you. It is such a joy and an honor to share that with you! I had been praying for you as soon as I found out about you (especially knowing all the physical struggles that you were going to face). I cried a lot, but with a lot of hope, because I know what kind of Heavenly Father you have, and there is NOTHING that stops Him once He decides to do something fantastic. One thing He's told his kiddos that He LOVES to do is to use the weak things of this world to shame the wise. Now, don't want you to take any offense to this, but you & I are both pretty good examples of what this world would call "weak." It's actually kinda cool, cuz He uses our very weakness to bring all kinds of glory to Himself.

One way that He glorified Himself right off the bat was through your parents. Their hearts were breaking over the thought of losing you. Lots of people told them that they should just "let you go." But your Heavenly Father whispered courage into their hearts and gave them the strength to face a whole lot of unknowns, and to let themselves fall deeply in love with you. When they told us about you, we all fell in love with you, Pearl. People all over the world started to pray for, root for, and fall in love with the little girl who "wasn't supposed to make it." Every time we got an update from your mom or dad about you, I would tear up, and pray, and praise God for you. I don't know how your tiny little body can even hold all the love that has been poured into and over you. You are precious to me. To us. To your immediate family. To your family across the globe.

Now Pearl, I don't know exactly what it's been like for your mom and dad, but I do know what it's like to have a little unborn baby girl that the doctors tell you probably won't live long. My little girl-that-wasn't-supposed-to-live has a pretty name too. Hers is Ava Gray (that means "Living Grace"). Right now she's snoring in her special comfy bed right beside mine, and she looks beautiful. (Just like you!) She is 18 months old. I know that seems pretty old to you right now, but she had to take it like you do: one day at a time. I don't know how many days Ava Gray is going to be with us (I'm hoping lots and lots and lots!). We don't know how many days we are going to have with you either. (Actually, NONE of us really knows how many days we have here). I just know that every single day that we get to spend with you, and with Ava Gray, is a beautiful gift.

Okay, I know you (and your parents) might be getting tired, reading all this, so I'll just finish up with this one last thing. It's a verse from the bible with your name in it. Don't think that's a coincidence. : ) You may already know it, but I'll write it out anyway. (You can find this in Matthew, chapter 13, verses 45 and 46). Jesus is in the middle of explaining what the kingdom of God is like, and He tells this little story; 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." 

Now Pearl, I used to think that this story was telling me that I had to give absolutely everything up if I wanted to find the kingdom of God. (Which is true, but Jesus helps you to do that, cuz it's absolutely impossible without His help). What someone told me recently, though, is that this story is much more about what GOD has done for us, than what we could ever possibly do for Him.  Jesus is the one who gave away everything (even His life!) so that He could buy us back from death and forever keep us. He not only gave everything away, he also fought for us (like your parents are fighting for you) and He won! (He always wins and never loses: how amazing is that!). We are his pearl-of-great-price.... He loves for us to get glimpses of that through real life people and stories. Your life and your story are so powerful, Pearl. You may be weak, just like me, but when I see the power of God flowing through your life, I am stunned and in awe. You are indeed a beautiful and priceless pearl. I don't know if we'll get just loads of time to hang out together here on earth (though I'm praying we do!),  but I do know that you & I have eternity to sit down and catch up on the awesome and amazing things our loving Heavenly Father did with & through our lives while we were here.

I'm honored to have met you, Pearl,  and to have the chance to love you. I hear Jesus' love-song to me so much louder now that I know you. 

Can't wait to come visit again soon! Much, much love to you, your sister and brother, and your courageous mom and dad from all three of us Whitacre women!

-Julie 

An Ebenezer Weekend

People use that term a lot. But really, what is an Ebenezer anyway? I looked it up, so I could tell you something a little more concrete than the definition I have floating around in my head. I found this little explanation that sums it up pretty well:

Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid....an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance.

This past weekend the girls were dedicated at their Grandfather Blanco's church in Hendersonville. It was a really tender ceremony, performed by their grandfather, and thanks to the kind folks who translated it all into English for all of us "gringo's" I was able to hear the prayers, the sermon (all about raising children - don't worry Rafael, I took notes!) and worship in song with my brothers and sisters in Christ there. 

To see those two precious little souls, surrounded by their parents, aunts, grandparents, and friends who have loved and prayed for them from the very beginning, I was (and am) reminded that my God is Real, Holy, so very Present in our lives, and that He has been our very great Help &  Shelter in a time of storm. I looked around going, "how are we this loved?" Back when the girls first arrived, we had nothing. The future looked somewhere in between bleak and dark, especially for little Ava Gray. And now we are here...rich in family, in friendships, in health. We are loved, because we are Loved. All praise to a Heavenly Father who adores His children and loves to lavish them with good gifts - the most precious being the gift of Himself! 

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So, about these pics: we don't usually "twin it up," but this occasion called for some matching apparel. Abuelita (Grandma Blanco) & Laura & Ana & the girls & I went out last Thursday & found some pink sailor-type dresses on sale. It was really fun doing that together. I think there's some hilarious pictures of that outing floating around somewhere. I'll try to find them and post em soon. : ) 

Getting ready....(Little pieces of paper towel make great earplugs-Thanks Papi!)

 

Havster getting the lay of the land....

Ava Gray hiding out between some pews. Just love her sweet "I'm mad" face! : ) 

The ceremony:

Pastor & Grandfather ("Abuelito"), Rafael Blanco:

 

And just when you think you've got your twins figured out....We were expecting to have some trouble with Havyn having to be held/hold still throughout the dedication. Weren't too worried about Ava Gray. They faked us out: Havyn fell asleep in my arms within a minute of us being up there: Ava Gray on the other hand, squirmed, planked, bucked, put her fingers up her fathers' mouth and nose, and worked herself (and her Papi) into a total sweat. Although lil' Havster is no joke to hold for 10-15 minutes at a stretch (the girl loves to eat, just like her mama), I definitely got the better end of this deal. (Sorry Jonathan!)

After the dedication of the girls, Jonathan & Ana & Ava Gray escaped into the nursery to cool off. Havyn slept through the rest of the service. (Perrr-fect) : ) Thanks so much for being there Laura, Jina & Andrew!

A cooled-off & much happier Ava Gray:

"So we're done, right?"

Another thing that made this a truly memorable weekend was that we got to spend it with Jonathan's sister, Lily. For those of you who don't know her, she is a fun, spirited, gentle lady who is beautiful inside & out. The girls warmed up to her immediately and all three of us can't wait for her (& Uncle Jeremy) to come visit again!

 Look, Mama, don't I look awesome in my new duds from Tia Lily?

You'll see here documentation of Ava Gray almost giggling in the arms of her aunt, and Havyn contentedly cuddling up to her. Within minutes of meeting her. This. Never. Happens. : ) 

I hope it's okay: just had to share this precious shot of Lily at the dedication. We are so excited about meeting Ava Gray & Havyn's new little cousin (due January). I know that Lily will be a wonderful mama!!

And a few more shots of our Ebenezer weekend: (Ava Gray also loves her Abuelita - can you tell?)

 This was hilarious to watch. Havyn pretended to ignore her Papi kissing her face, but whenever he stopped she would look straight ahead and tilt her head over towards his for more. Love it.

 And there's always some kisses to spare for Abuelito!

 Here's us hanging out at Musicians Corner. Havyn was in heaven. Doggy-heaven, that is. (I'm pretty sure we met every. single. dog. that was there. And there were a lot!)

Check out the tongue & the tongue : ) And Laura's face is classic too...

And from the "after-party" on Sunday:

 No, it is not some weird new greeting. It's Havyn's sign for "elephant" - her new favorite animal this week.

And lastly, another Ebenezer from this weekend: a high chair. Long story, short: our double jogging stroller was stolen last week. Friends decided to raise money for us to get a new one. They raised so much money that we were able to buy a brand new stroller (from Essex - cheaper than Craigslist!) and this amazing high chair for Havyn (she didn't have one & was running around during mealtimes like a banshee). Havyn loves the chair. (I love that its all wood & so easy to clean!) The girls also love their new stroller (much more comfortable than their old one). Thank you, Father, for such strange and wonderful and perfect gifts. ; ) The gift of a stolen stroller. Just one of a zillion. perfect. gifts. from. You. Ebenezer's, all!