Liliana Risa...this 2-month-old cutie is now a 6-year-old beauty!
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When Debbie told us that she and Steve were expecting, we were thrilled. They were going to present us with our third grandchild!
Then came an awful thought: how in the world could I manage going up to California to help my daughter and son-in-law after the baby was born? I had never traveled alone internationally; always with my husband to help me out (due to my poor health). Besides, we didn't think we could afford it. (Most missionaries aren't exactly rolling in money!) It seemed like an impossible dream...but I wanted so much to go!
So I decided to place a "fleece" before God and wait for His answer. (I'm very cautious about "fleeces"; one should be very careful, as, like with many things, it's possible to manipulate them to suit one's desire. But I had used this method of confirming something with God before, and it always worked.) Now I had to think of what that fleece would be.
This is what I decided: if it was OK with God for me to travel to be with Debbie and Steve, and if He was going to guarantee that I'd make it through the international airports alone without any trouble, then I asked Him to prod someone - anyone - to offer to pay at least half of what my ticket would cost. I knew that there were some people who, when they knew Debbie was pregnant, would offer to help with smaller amounts - and they might even add up to enough for us to be able to buy the ticket. But I couldn't think of any one person who would be able to give me at least the half. So my specific request was that half of the fare come from one person alone (something I viewed as being quite unlikely). If that happened, I'd know He was giving me the "green light". I told Germán that I was going to use a "fleece", but I purposely did not tell him - or anyone - what my "fleece" was (precisely so that no one could influence its result, no one could bend it in my favor).
The very next day, Germán asked me, "What was your fleece?" He seemed excited. I didn't tell him, just listened. He said, "Jerry offered to pay your round-trip ticket so you can go!" WOW!! God doubled the "fleece" confirmation! Not only did half of the ticket come from one person...the whole ticket did! There was no way that either my husband or our friend could have known what I was asking...but there it was! Now that I was sure that God would help me in the airports, we bought my ticket. Dan suggested that I request wheelchair service. Since he figured out my itinerary, he arranged it so that I was able to stop in to see him and his family also, both on the way to California, and on the way back! 
And all for the same amount that our friend was going to give us!! So I was able to spend a few days with my other two grandkids. I made all the flights without any trouble...alone! (Well, not really. My Father must have sent angels to help along the way...some of them in the form of the wheelchair-pushers, who were wonderful; they didn't just push the chair; they helped me through customs and onto the next flights, at the baggage claims, etc.)*****************************
Debbie holding her newborn.
Steve studying his newborn...and she studying him back!
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| Two months later, we flew to the States for Christmas with the family. Germán met his newest granddaughter and we had fun with all three of our grandkids. |
Liliana Risa is a beautiful, smart little girl (sorry...big girl!). (To remember what she looks like now, just scroll back a few posts, to the picture of us with the grandchildren.) She has a desire to know how things go together, and happen...unusual in one so young. She thinks things out in order, even when talking to others. An example: when she was 5, she was telling me about her little sister and cousins; she first of all explained exactly who each person was and the relationships (her aunt Karen was her dad's sister, etc.). Then she explained, "Crystal is the oldest, Miriam is the littlest...and I'm the middlest."
Risa means "laughter" in Spanish. God gave us a lovely child who makes our heart laugh with joy! His provision for my going to the States when she was born was a major blessing. (He even added a dollop of whipped cream: spending a few days with Dan's family allowed me to be there for Noe's and Micah's birthday parties!)
No matter our circumstances, there is always something for which to thank God. Sometimes it's "big" (like providing for me to travel) and sometimes it's a bit "smaller" (like providing the wheelchairs) but He'll send it our way and make sure it arrives..."sealed with a kiss".
Let's let the laughter of joy peal out our gratitude to the One who is so kind to us, His undeserving children!
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