For food For affection For HOPE
Lies a multitude of badges. Badges of honor and bravery. Badges of patience and determination. Badges one would never wear by choice. But she has been chosen. And from the outside, one would never know.
I do not know why God chooses to heal some of us on earth and some of us in heaven. But he does answer all our prayers and petitions. All who have chosen Him will be healed. We will have new bodies and no more pain. I do not know why some of Gods children have to die as children and some have to go through horrible suffering on earth and live with reminders of that suffering their entire lives and some seem to fly by without much sorrow at all. But I do know that we can choose to allow it to shape us in to amazing works of the creator and use our hard experiences to bring joy and peace to others. I do not know why he chose Ivy for any of the work he is doing, but it has required a great deal of suffering. For a little tiny girl. Yes, it is a beautiful ending, but it was not easy. We may not have lost her but the road was painful. Life is full of pain. The bible tells us that there is a coming time when all sorrow, tears, pain, and death will pass away. There's coming a wonderful day when God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of His children, and our sorrow will end forever.
The Lord Jesus Christ suffered for all of us, that we might have eternal life. The curse of suffering and death entered this world because of sin. Yes we are ALL sinners. Big and little, young and old. ALL. But we CAN escape the curse through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. There is a day coming when all suffering will end for those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savor. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
If you have any more questions, or you would like to know more about salvation through Christ, please feel free to email me using the -contact me- link on this blog.
Tomorrow I will post more about Ivy and how she's doing!
Tomorrow I will post more about Ivy and how she's doing!
You have SO much Grace, Humility, and Beauty! I can see why HE chose you to be Ivy's Mommy! Take care of yourself too! Hugs and prayers from Florida!
ReplyDeleteLove your heart Mary...love your sweet girls!!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Amen.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteGod has clearly chosen the right Mama to share the Gospel! Through every step of Ivy's journey you have chosen to glorify Him!!! It's such a blessing to call you friend!!!!
And, for Princess Stink-Eye.. Oh my goodness are those pics in the stroller from today? She looks ADORABLE!!! So fun to see her little personality shining through!!!
As for those scars.. Beautiful Badges of Honor!!!
Thanks for walking boldly through this journey Mary!
Love,
Diana
I have been following Ivy's story. Praise God to see those beautiful brown eyes. And also praise Him for that badge of healing! My Beijing Princess had her open-heart surgery all alone in China (spent 4 weeks by herself in s hospital!) . It still breaks my heart. But she was physically healed and now knows the love of a family and her Heavenly Father. Why do some kids have to suffer so much trauma? We will never know this side of heaven. But I can tell you this--these sweet kiddos who we get to call our daughters--are a walking testimony of God's goodness and grace and mercy. Many, many blessings to you and your sweet Ivy!
ReplyDeleteAmy
www.1001tears.blogspot.com
Battle scars and amazing badges of honor on this sweet baby, sweet Jellybean. She is always beautiful and now is even more so. She is the epitome of grandeur. So little, so large.
ReplyDeleteMary, as a selfish sinner, I want to have lots of time to do things. But in reality, I long for that day to come, the one God promises, when we will not suffer anymore. When I will never see any baby crying out of suffering, pain, hunger. And when death will be no more. That's why He created us, to live forever on this beautiful planet which was a paradise of a garden. I long for the day to see my loved ones whom I miss so much and are sleeping in death. I cannot wait for all the beautiful promises to be fulfilled.
“All those in the memorial tombs will…come out.”—John 5:28, 29
“No resident will say: ’I am sick.‘”—Isaiah 33:24
“There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth.”—Psalm 72:16
Thank you for sharing pictures of Cutie Patootie. xoxoxo
Just amazing. Its truly humbling reading your blog, and seeing this lovely little child being held in Jesus"s hand.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteTo God be the Glory!
By His grace through faith in Christ we are saved! Praise the Lord...
We are praying for you all here in AL
Amen, Mary:) What a beautiful post. We'll not know the answers to the tough questions until we enter the gates of Heaven. So glad that you are Ivy's Mom!!
ReplyDeleteSo, I couldn't resist seeking the "anonymous comment" that you wrote about, Mary. Coming from a mother whose child did die, I would say this: There are no guarantees, and we do not know God's plan nor should we pretend to. We can only stand on our faith and on the promises that God gives us. Prayer can do miracles. I believe prayer did do miracles for Daniel, but our family also believes in God's plan for us, and for all. I am almost glad that someone asked you that question, because you answered it so beautifully, so eloquently, and so faithfully. Beautiful testimony and YES we will ALL keep praying for sweet Ivy:)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful answer!!!! As one who has traveled through losing my husband and not receiving the answer to the prayer I wanted, I did know the truth to Gods grace, mercy and truth before during and after the suffering. Gods decisions in how he answers prayers is just that, his decision. He chose the perfect mother and prayer warrior for precious Ivy, one that is willing to suffer along side her daughter! We are praying for you all!
ReplyDeleteSo gracious and eloquent. Praise be to God for the love He gives and the opportunity to experience this life and for the promise of salvation. I do not know you but through your blog chronicalling your family's journey but I thank you for taking your time to be such a gracious and articulate teacher.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written!
ReplyDeleteWell done. For unbelievers (or those struggling with their faith), it is so difficult to understand why there are hurts and sorrows. As believers, we fight through the trials knowing He is molding us and using us. What a testimony Ivy has!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right on Mary... you've shared multiple hearts in this journey, Ivy's, yours, those of your family - and Christ's. I am not surprised. :)
ReplyDeleteAs little Ivy improves, I know you will be over the moon with joy, but you will also be missing your family and home more and more, so I will continue to lift you up in prayer as well. Love you. Jan
Mary - your post is written with such strong faith. Your testimony is one not many really understand as few have watched their child go through what you have. I am so grateful to God that Ivy Joy is doing so well and pray for your safe journey home VERY SOON. I pray you'll be able to travel soon - Alexandria is always asking about Ivy and how she's doing. She's so ready for "1:00 o'clock Ivy and Lexi time"! :-) I know your family must be missing you so and little Lexi will be so happy to have both of you home! Any ideas on when you come home?
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, how I love going back to this post and looking at the pictures. What a lovely baby. So precious. Those pink nails make me so happy.
ReplyDeleteIvy baby, you look like a strawberry jellybean. All pink. Muah!!!!
You have me in tears again. What a wonderful witness you and Ivy are. You are touching so, so many people's hearts and teaching them about faith and Christ. Continued prayers for Ivy and all of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos & the beautiful post. Love you my sister!!
ReplyDeleteAmy
What a beautiful post Mary. Thank you for sharing Ivy's amazing journey with us. We continue to pray for you and Ivy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful post. I am a mother whose 7 year old son died after a near 14 month battle with cancer and I can say with the sincerest of hearts that the healing all of us prayed for indeed happened for him. When Drs and all earthy science were unable to heal his body, his heavenly Father took him from his struggle. I do not understand why my son had cancer or why Ivy Joy has had to endure so much. The suffering of this world is hard for any of us to understand. I do know though that there are lessons and gifts that are given in such struggle. Lessons that change people's hearts. Changes that may never have happened if they were not inspired by the courage of a child. We have been contacted so many times by people, family, friends, strangers who were brought to Christ by our family's journey. Who were brought to Christ by the faith and courage of our son. I suspect the same thing is happening when people read of the miracle and courage of your sweet and precious girl. What a mircle to be loved through all circumstances, to have grace given us, to have peace not just in the best of times but also in the most difficult. The miracle is knowing that whether a child is healed in heaven or on earth they are sent here with a magnificant purpose. What a blessing to witness Ivy's purpose now and as she grows stronger and stronger,to witness Christ in her and your family.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Maria
Thank you,Mary, for this beautiful post done for our Lord and Saviour! Your faith is totally amazing!! "For we are Gods masteriece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.' Ephesians 2:10 -- continued prayer for ALL ! Blessings,Cathy in Illinois!!
ReplyDeletePRAISING GOD IN GEORGIA!! So happy and humbled that I was able to witness a true miracle from God.
ReplyDeleteMom of Fab Five
I am sorry for Anonymous's loss if he/she was speaking of a personal loss of a child.
ReplyDeleteI have struggled with this question myself, though it has not affected me personally.
But I wonder why do some of these children die in China (and other countries while waiting for a chance at a new heart), and others survive and make it.
I do not know the answer.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.
This is why we cling to Him and He is the only HOPE. Without Him, it all does seem quite hopeless.
I also believe He will be glorified in situations where His people choose to be used fully for that. And Mary and her family are clearly being vessels for His glory, and she has said repeatedly His will be done and He is still God no matter what may come.
AMEN! To God be the Glory!
God bless you sweet Mary~ we ask questions that we will not know answers to this side of heaven but am thankful we serve The One that knows it all!!! My b-i-l was healed in heaven last week and although we miss him terribly, he is well and we are thankful. I am SO thankful little IJ is doing so well~ God is so good all the time!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteYou are very articulate. Have you considered writing a book? Beautiful post.
ReplyDelete-Andrea (Mom to one handsome Hangzhou cutie)
You are a faithful, sweet,beautiful, servant of Christ Mary. Your family is a beautiful testimony! May many come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through your words and the story of Ivy. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, a day with no more tears (he will wipe those away), no more pain, when the burdens of this place will be no more and we WILL see Jesus face to face.
ReplyDelete(He knows all and because He knows all we rest in faith that His ways are best!! even if they are not what we want)
What a mixed bag of emotions those pictures bring! How much weight has Miss Ivy lost during all of this? Because she didn't weigh a whole lot to begin with!
ReplyDeleteLori in Texas
Praising God for answered prayers! He is so amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful that your sweet girl is on the road to recovery!
God Bless her and God bless you!
Amen! I never had so many surgeries with my oldest. He only had to have one open heart surgery at 6 days old . Plus a yearly follow up for life going on 6 years now. But seeing your pictures brings back so many memories and How much God has been good to me. I have been praying for your Ivy and will keep doing so till she is well on her way to where my little boy is now.
ReplyDeleteEvery bit of her is beautiful and so is her mommy. What a perfect match when God chose to put you together! The little girl with the broken heart and the mommy with more heart than she could hold in her own chest!
ReplyDeleteMany have said it above...Grace, Humility, Passion, Love, Etc. When they describe Faith in the dictionary, I believe your name or picture is printed there.
ReplyDeleteI have said since we found out about my daughter's CHD, that she was brought on this earth to teach a lesson. I pay it forward by spreading CHD awareness and someday I believe my daughter will be teaching lessons of her own. I am sure Ivy Joy will do the same.
What a beautiful response!!!'
ReplyDelete