Love Letters for Celia

Celia Elisabeth

Celia: "Heaven"

Elisabeth: "God's Promise"

We knew from the moment God whispered her name to us that she would have to have surgery. Celia's open heart surgery is fast approaching- we should have a date next week.

When Charlie had OHS, the girls and I wrote him letters and drew pictures to place in and around his hospital crib. He loved them! And I loved them because I knew that each piece of paper was created with love and prayer.

Please join me in doing the same for Celia. I want her to be surrounded. Literally. I dream that she will have hundreds of pictures, letters, drawings and scripture surrounding her. As her momma, it will be a tangible reminder of how much she is loved and prayed for. A way to surround her in prayer. I know, she's only 3 months old. And I know she may have no idea what all of those beautiful creations mean, but one day I will be able to tell her. I'll be able to share with her how many people love and pray for her daily....even way back when God fixed her heart.

I mentioned the idea to my friend, Natalie, and within moments she sent me her "Love Letter to Celia" that you see above. Oh my....TEARS!! Thank you, Natalie! It's absolutely perfect in every way.

A couple of weeks ago, when Celia was hospitalized for feeding issues, she drew quite the crowd. Her big blue eyes sucked them right in!:) I knew God was using she and I there- in a most unlikely place and circumstance. We met an nurse who just happened to also be an adoptive momma. We were able to chat with her and exchange journey stories and our prayers along they way. She shared with me how God made them wait until the very last moment to be able to bring their son home from Guatemala. Just a couple days after leaving the country, Guatemala closed it's doors to international adoption. Then, a group of student nurses stopped by full of questions about Down Syndrome. One really quizzed me on special needs adoption. Maybe God will use her?! I met a precious night nurse who returned from a Uganda mission trip several months ago with her heart on fire! She is praying about returning and continuing her work with HIV+ orphans. I told her about Jonathan, and we shared tears together. Then, there was the nurse Celia had on our last day. She and her husband are in the midst of finishing foster/adoption classes so that they may adopt a precious little girl from the state system who has been neglected her entire life.

Why do I share all of this? Because our girl is a disciple! A mountain moving miracle packed into all 9 pounds of her teeny body! God is using her, and I can just imagine the hearts and souls we can touch by surrounding her with Love Letters. Not only will they be prayers for Celia and God's perfect healing, but they will be a true testimony to HIS goodness and perfect love to every person who enters her room.

If you don't believe what Love Letters can do, just stop by and peek at Tracie Loux's son, Mattie. Love Letters shouting HIS name from the rooftops and surrounding precious Mattie with prayer.

If you'd like to join us and create a "Love Letter for Celia", let me know (nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com). After I receive your email, I will send you directions on how to get your Love Letter to us.

Hand drawn pictures, prayers, scripture, photos....all would be perfect! Oh, I can't wait to see what GOD does with this!!

In Him,

E