Lessons from Lilly Jane

As our oldest daughter’s birthday nears this week, I am painfully aware that this would also have been the due date of our youngest daughter, Lilly Jane.  Perhaps, Owen’s note to her says it best, “One heart beat has changed mine forever.”  Although we will never fully understand, we did and have asked God to help us not miss the lessons he wanted to teach us through this event in our lives.  So, here are a few lessons from Lilly Jane:

1. We trust Jesus.  

We were surprised by our pregnancy.  Since birth control was in place, pregnancy wasn't even on our radar and the honest truth is that it took me some time to wrap my head around it.  Rene also had difficulty processing this news.  But, when it is all said in done, we know the Giver of Life.  We know the One that hung the stars, numbers the hairs on our head, and knows the number of our days.  We KNOW Him and we TRUST Him.  So, as surprised as we were, we could open our hearts and acknowledge that His plan is bigger than we will ever know.  And, in the same way He gave us this special life, He also took it away.  We STILL trust Him.  We know that we don't have to understand the "why's?".  He is God and we are not and our lives are His to use as He pleases.  Our prayer has been that we will glorify Him through these trials.

          2. Every life matters- Pro-LIFESTYLE 

2017 was a year that reminded me that being pro-life is so much more than a political stance.   Being pro-life means so much more than being anti-abortion.  It has to be a lifestyle.  Pro-life means pro-foster care, pro-adoption, pro-hospice, pro-pregnancy center, pro-single mom ministry, pro- special needs ministry.  Being pro-life means acknowledging your pregnancy and grieving if its lost.   It was so interesting for us to walk through the process of our miscarriage.  If I had carried one more week, it would have been labeled “still-birth” and a death certificate would have been issued and probably a funeral would have happened, but our pregnancy loss was just a miscarriage.  We were faced with questions of wondering what is the protocol for this?  What do we do with the baby’s remains?  We believe that every life matters, so we weighed heavily the proper way to grieve our loss in a way that our other children would be able to understand.  We decided to have a memorial service with just our family.  We sat around the living room and shared why were so sad.  We read some verses that the Holy Spirit had used to speak to our hearts.  Then, we lit some Chinese lanterns and released them in the yard to remember her by and to let her go.   This life that only existed 18 weeks, was honored and recognized because every life matters.

           3.  Priorities have shifted.

When we discovered our baby had serious health issues, our focus immediately shifted.  We are so accustomed to giving and doing for others, that often times those in our own home can get left out or neglected.  However, the news of Lilly reminded us of priorities.  We had to practically weigh our plans and health care options in order to make the correct decisions and we found ourselves willing to walk away from everything for the sake of our child.  Why?  Because priorities shifted.  We are reminded that after our relationship with Jesus, our family is our first ministry.  Sometimes, hard decisions have to be made in order to keep those priorities in order.  We were bracing ourselves for change....a new baby, possible health issues, the possibility of having to leave the mission field...these were all possibilities for us that we were having to prepare for.  In the end, from the outside, nothing has changed.  We are still serving internationally, there is no baby, there are no health issues, but WE have changed.  We are not the same people we were last year.  We hug our other children a little tighter and a little longer.  We have had opportunities to weep with other couples who have recently experienced the same kind of loss.  We have also rejoiced a little greater with the families that do have new babies to hold and rock.  And our hearts have been open to the idea of having another little one in our home.  We don't know if the Lord will allow that to come to pass, but our hearts and our home will never be the same again.

Birth and Burial

"He Gives and He takes away;  Blessed be His name"

Today was our ultrasound that we have been waiting a month for, and we received news that we didn't want to hear.  Our baby suffered fetal hydrops and her heart stopped beating.  I have been induced for labor and am waiting to deliver our little one.  For seventeen weeks, I have carried this life inside of me (even if I didn't know it the first few weeks, ha!)

I am keenly aware that this is infant loss and awareness month.  Sometime over the next couple of days, we will experience a birth and a burial.  It seems like such an oxymoron.  As a family, we cried together today- all five of us.  Our son who was added to our family only a little over a year ago, expressed his grief in words.  It was such a huge moment for him- to allow himself to experience sadness instead of surpressing it.  Our other two have asked a multitude of questions to which we have answered to the best of our abilities.  We are grieving the LIFE of our daughter, Liliana Jane Pizzati (Lilly Jane).  Although our hearts are broken, we can still declare that God is good.  I pray that in our pain, His purpose will prevail.

 Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight....

Our hearts may be broken, but It is well with our souls.


Thank you all for your fervent prayers on behalf of Lilly and for us.  We will rest in His comfort and grace.

We Worship in the Wait

This month we received difficult news about our unborn baby and we were told to wait and see what will happen.  Waiting can be so difficult!  We have a month to wait for the next ultrasound.  We have played through many possible scenarios in our minds, but still find ourselves back to the reality of the unknown future.  We find ourselves not being able to make definitive plans because we don't know what the full projection of our baby's life is going to be.  We have faced the reality that miscarriage and stillbirth are high percentages.  We have also faced the reality that our child could be born with severe disabilities.  And yet, knowing that medical knowledge, we still KNOW that God is able to heal and restore completely if He chooses.  So, we have decided to worship Him in the wait.  As I have stated before, we will praise Him no matter the outcome, so we might as well start now.  We have praised Him for the life growing inside of me.  We have also shared that we are simply His vessels and desire nothing more than for Him to receive glory!  God has been so gracious to us!  He has given us His peace that passes understanding.  He has reminded us of His faithfulness in times past and we have no reason to doubt that His grace and faithfulness will prevail yet again.  In fact, we are simply overwhelmed by the faithfulness and goodness of God.  We find ourselves in a new place facing circumstances we never imagined.  We are in deep waters, but His sovereignty still prevails and His grace abounds.  Of this, we can testify!  His grace is meeting us in our deepest fears and pains and we are resting in His embrace.  We are so grateful for the prayers of the saints that are uplifting us and for the messages we have received.  This is where we are today and we hope to update after our next appointment.  We are so thankful that we can trust Him with our everything!

The second verse the worship song, OCEANS, by Hillsongs says this:

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Cystic Hygroma- Such an Ugly Word!

About five weeks ago, we found out the surprise of a lifetime- I am pregnant.  I knew that I had not felt myself all summer long and thought I just had a case of amoebas or parasites, which can be a common missionary thing.  So, to find out the pregnancy news at 8 weeks pregnant, was well, completely shocking!  Our kids are older, ages 12, 11, and 10.  We had not planned on having anymore children.  I am so grateful for the friends I went to and the truth that they shared with me during that time of shock.  They reminded me that ALL children are a blessing from our Heavenly Father, but they also gave me space to process.  They reminded me that my roller coaster of emotions was normal.  In a podcast I listened to by John Piper about receiving unexpected news, He shared, "take time to grieve the loss of your plans and dreams, but when the grieving is over, dry your tears in sweet surrender, knowing God's sovereignty is greater and bigger and we can trust Him." So, after absorbing the shock and accepting this as God's plan for our lives, we decided to tell others.  Our baby announcement looked like this:

Then, yesterday, in a routine ultrasound of 13 weeks, we heard news that no expecting parents want to hear.  There is something wrong with the baby.  Our baby has a very large Cystic Hygroma and abdominal adema. A what?!?   I had never heard of such a thing.  Immediately, words like miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities were thrown out there.  He encouraged us to read more about it on the internet but also know that many babies have had a cystic hygroma that disappears and turn out to be fine, although ours is extremely large.  The internet is full of a lot of terrifying possibilities.  We are scared.  There are so many questions about the baby, his/her future, our future.  However, in the middle of those fears, I found myself singing... "Your name is Great and Your heart is kind....whatever may pass and whatever lies before me....Let me be singing when the evening comes."  I can't imagine trying to go through something like this without the hope of Jesus.  We KNOW that Jesus is able to heal and make our baby whole.  We also KNOW that He will not leave us nor forsake us.  And I have fashioned my heart to praise Him.  After all, He is the Giver of Life and this is His child.  He only gives them to us to hold a little while.  Granted, there are many possibilities that I would praise Him through a tear streaked face, but none the less, there are 10,000 Reasons and more to Praise Him!  So, if He heals, I will praise Him .  So, if I never get to hold this baby in my arms, I will praise Him.  If this baby has to endure pain and suffering, I will praise Him.  Not because I will feel like it....but because He is Great and He is kind and I know He loves us and He loves this baby and He is worthy of Praise!

Please pray for Baby Pizzati.  Pray for Rene and I that we will lean into each other and pray for our other three treasures as they process this journey with us!

Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours

If you follow us on Facebook, then you know that July has been a rough month for us.  We have a daughter and two sons ages 10 and 11.  Each of the boys have been in the emergency room in the last week and both have required surgeries.  It has been a very trying time for us...one of those times where we are spent emotionally, exhausted physically, stressed financially, and frustrated that plans have had to be postponed and altered to accommodate.  In addition to the health issues that they have endured, many other monkey wrenches have been thrown at us in our ministries that could have been breeding ground for discouragement.  But God...in HIS sweet, steady faithfulness, has met us where we are.  I have been reminded of many divine truths and wanted to take a moment to share from my experiences this past week.

1.  He NEVER leaves us or forsakes us!

Last week, our son Samuel was at martial arts practice when a mirror fell off the wall, slicing his forearm, including muscle, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.  We were told that our time frame for reattachment and surgery was short and that only a very skilled, specialized surgeon could this type of surgery.  What I didn't share on Facebook, is that my husband had just left that day to speak at a meeting in the states.  It was me and my mom.  We took off to the hospital recommended to me to see if we could get him help.  We had three surgeons arrive to turn down the surgery stating that they didn't feel competent to complete it.  So much time lapsed between these surgeons.  Meanwhile, I watched all color drain from my son's hand as it turned blue/grey.  After surgeon number two shared with me that he couldn't do it, my heart began to race as I was thinking that there may be a real possibility that my son might lose his hand.  As a mom, this moment ranked up to one of my toughest to date.  The desperation, the concern, the battle of faith and practicality seemed to all swirl in that dark moment.  Yet, in that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered these words.... "I am your Shepherd.  Even though you walk through the deep, dark valley, fear no evil, for I am with you."  Such peace washed over me in that split second as words of Truth flooded my heart.  He was with me.  No, my husband couldn't be, but He was.

2. Prayer is powerful!

Somewhere in that time period, I posted our crisis on Facebook asking others to join us in prayer. So many believers chimed in to say that they were lifting us up.  I will always be grateful for the army of prayers offered on our behalf.  The fourth surgeon to arrive walked in and looked at the arm and with so much confidence confessed that he could perform the surgery.  His confidence washed over me and filled me with such peace.  I knew that he was answer to the prayers that so many were praying.  The surgery was long, but successful.  Prayer is powerful!  God's word tells us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful!  I got to witness that first hand this past week.

3. Mean what you pray!

A few weeks ago, I prayed a prayer that went something like this:  "Break my heart for the things that break Your heart."  Have you ever been guilty of praying a cliche?  Do we really mean what we pray? Yesterday, one week after the accident with Sam, our other son was brought to his knees with severe pain.  After a revision by a pediatrician, I was advised to take him on in to the hospital for more testing which lead to another ER visit and yet another surgery.  This morning on the hour drive back to the hospital, I was reminded that I had prayed such a bold prayer.  Immediately, I began to praise the Lord that I have a car to drive to the hospital.  I have a hospital to go to and there is a surgeon that can help relieve the pain.  I have access to medicines and I have insurance that will help with some of the costs.  As I began to cry out praises to Him for all these things, my heart began to break for all those that live in this country that don't have these things.

How many mamas in Honduras have to watch their babies suffer and they have no way to do anything for them?  How many mamas don't have a vehicle to get them to the nearest clinic?  How many mamas can't afford pain medicines, much less surgeries?  How many mamas have felt that same desperation I experienced for their child and didn't have any resources or relationships to help?

Yes, this morning, God broke my heart fresh and anew for the people of this country.  I was reminded of the many timely opportunities that I have gotten to witness our medical and dental teams be in the "right place at the right time" by God's providence, and I am grateful.   I am thankful for the medical personnel that give up their time to serve the people of Honduras.  I am thankful that I have had opportunities to witness a mama's prayer of desperation be answered through a team member.  I pray that I will never take for granted the blessings that we have and that we will be faithful to share these blessings with others.

 Tonight, I count it JOY that we are facing trials of many kinds because I know that God is developing our faith and molding our character through them.

Keep praying for our boys that God will heal them completely.

Sam's arm is casted and when the cast is removed, mobility will be tested to see if follow-up surgeries are needed or if physical therapy will be sufficient.

Owen's surgery is scheduled for this week.

We are NOT a zoo~ The kids behind the fence.

This post has been brewing in my heart for a few weeks now.  I realize its been a while since I have written.  Life gets busy.  Not only do I have my own three treasures, but I get the privilege of working with an additional 115 kids on a daily basis....which is the reason for my post.

The place that I serve is BEAUTIFUL!  Seriously, some of the most gorgeous landscape combined with the most precious kids.  We are also blessed with lots of volunteers, visitors, and mission teams.

Today, we received two new children.  I was told of their physical scars on their bodies that are evidence of abuse they have suffered, and my heart breaks.  It is the same story of many of our kids.  They are all at our children's home for a reason.  Most people know this.  So, it is hard for me when I watch visitors come by to see the kids.  I want to shout, "This is NOT a zoo!"

The kids behind the fence each have a story.  Don't just look at them and toss a ball a few minutes and walk away pitying them.  We know that this sinful life has caused them to suffer more than any child should ever have to, but we also know that feeding that pity only produces entitlement.  Instead, allow your heart to grieve over brokenness and loss.  Let your heart break for the things that break our Heavenly Father's heart.  We are working hard to show our kids that through Jesus, they are OVERCOMERS.  We are trying to teach them that no matter who leaves you, Jesus never will.  We are trying to encourage them that even though life has struck them down, they are not defeated.  They can rise above their circumstances. They can defy statistics.  I believe this with all my heart and have dedicated my life to TEACHING them this very truth and EQUIPPING them with tools for being a world changer.

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” – Radical by David Platt.

Get to KNOW them!  Ask them their name!  Hear their story and seek practical ways to EMPOWER them!  We have multiple ways for you to become involved from being a prayer partner, to serving as a teacher, or helping to equip them with supplies and clothing or even sponsoring financially.

We are NOT a zoo to just come and stare at the orphans.  We are Home.  We are a School.  The kids behind the fence are future leaders.  You would be blessed to learn their names.

www.gscaedu.org

Culture Shock-Tween Years

Our oldest daughter turned 12 this week.  It has been increasingly noticeable that we have entered into new territory as parents- the "tween years".  Its a scary time for us actually, because we know of all the traps and snares that she will be tempted with in the years to come.  We desire for her to follow the Lord and stay close to Him and preserve her purity and innocence.  We were thrilled when some close friends of ours shared with us a study that they had used called "Passport to Purity".  We decided that we will use our childrens' 12th birthdays as the opportunity to address with them openly and honestly about some of the snares that are coming and make a covenant with them about working through it together.  So, this weekend, we took our daughter away for the weekend to begin what we hope will be open dialogue with her.

It was clear to us in the beginning of this trip that the enemy did NOT want us to go and address the topic of PURITY and we faced multiple trials and challenges just leaving.  Our vehicle is not in our name, but rather in BMDMI's name, so in order to leave, we had to have a special signed and seal permit.  We obtained that days ago and crossed the border into Nicaragua after being checked by multiple people only to be denied further entry because there was an error.  The permission had to have the license plate number on it and included the letter "n".  However, the letter on the plate is ñ...yes, that is an n with an accent mark.  Because that accent mark was missing, we were asked to leave the country.  We were deported from Nicaragua for an accent mark!  After several hours of finding a lawyer and communicating with our office, we were able to get a corrected copy and finally cross the border.  I will never in my life underestimate the power of the ñ in Spanish again! It was late at this point but we forged on.  An hour into the trip, we ran over a screwdriver in the road and had a flat tire (the 3rd one in two weeks!!!)  After multiple frustrations with the jack and missing parts and wrong size spare, we continued and arrived at our hotel at 3 a.m.

The next day we filled with some of the touristy sites including a tour of a cocoa farm and a tour of the islands in the lake, including monkey island, then we returned to the hotel room to work on our study.  For any parents out there that are wondering how to broach this topic with your children, we just want to say that we highly recommend this resource!  It covered so many pertinent topics that will most likely become a challenge in the years to come.  Yes, there were some awkward moments and some embarrassing questions, but we continued to share with her that it is our job to protect her and we love her enough to have these kinds of conversations so that she isn't learning about it from just anyone or from the media.  We wanted her to see a Biblical perspective!  Saturday evening we visited the active volcano in Masaya.  We finished our weekend today returning home to Honduras and signing a covenant with each other.

The culture shock into these years is real.  I find us answering questions that were certainly not present a year ago.  However, we enter these new places clinging to the One that holds us close and provides wisdom and guidance.  We are relying on others that have walked this road ahead of us and we are seeking out resources to guide us as parents.  We find ourselves praying for our children in new ways and recognizing more cautiously the many traps that await them.