Though words seem inadequate to express all that is in our hearts at this time, below is the message we created in an attempt to convey our appreciation for all the love and prayerful support our family has received. We thank God for the blessing of family and friends and all that is ours in the bonds of Christian love. One day we will know only the blessing of sharing our joys...but for now it is also such a sweet comfort that those we love are there for us, sharing in our moments of heartache as well. In all of this, we say---"To GOD be the glory - GREAT things HE has done!" May He receive our heartfelt praise...always.
Many of you shared in our joy as we discovered God had allowed us to conceive a precious new life. And many of you were praying with us for God to preserve that miracle and allow the child He created to come into this world to be with us. As it has become clear that His sovereign purposes for this little life are simply beyond our understanding, we ask that you would join us in thanking God for His faithfulness and abounding mercy. We are grieved not to be welcoming our child into our earthly family, but rejoice to know there is another member of our family now in Heaven praising and glorifying our Lord.
We cannot imagine the beauty and purity of the praise being offered around the Throne—what a glorious thought to envision my dad and our little one there with those we love fulfilling the purpose for which they were all created—giving glory and honor to the Lord God Almighty! Again, I am reminded that when I enter into pure, unhindered worship—I am there before the Throne as well, so our spirits are joined in those sacred moments as we are unified in praise and adoration for our Lord.
May we all experience more of those moments this season, choosing to focus on Jesus, no matter what our circumstance. As Pastor Rogers often said, “Glance at your problems, gaze at your God”—a truth so beautifully conveyed in the old hymn: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
We know that our suffering is nothing compared to His glory and grace—and it is only through His grace that we can know this supernatural peace and comfort in our time of loss. We also know this is not the end of the story…we have the Blessed Hope of our eternity with Him and with those who have gone before us and are now basking in Heaven’s perfect Light!
Our precious Isabella has discovered the joy of Christmas lights and enjoys pointing them out to us when we are driving. But she also gives an “Ooh, pretty lights!” for street lights, traffic lights and lighted store signs—reminding us that we often overlook the beauty of the Light surrounding us each day. Experiences like we have had this year tend to turn our focus Heavenward. But I pray we will continue to be focused on the Light of Heaven as He carries us forward through the days ahead.
Again, we thank you for your love and prayers and for honoring with us God’s creation of a new life to praise Him in Glory. I’ll close with the verses I read as we were preparing to go to the doctor for definite confirmation of our miscarriage:
“But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice
in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt
bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6, ESV [emphasis mine]
With much love and gratitude,
Manny, Sheri & Isabella Saldana
