Most of you know that during Raquel's pregnancy, I looked for Scriptures that contained water references in them. (My amniotic fluid was low and I needed it to remain at a certain level to maintain my pregnancy.) There was one chapter, Isaiah 55, that ministered to me because of it's message. I recited those verses over and over during those long months. When Raquel died, we had the reference inscribed on her memorial stone.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 12 “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And [e]it will be a [f]memorial to the Lord, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

I know the chapter refers to the Jewish return to eretz Israel after their exile but I know Adonai used it to remind me of His love, compassion, mercy. The night before Raquel died, it poured for hours and that following morning, it snowed as I drove back to the hospital to finally hold and release my dear daughter.

The following year, we planned a trip to DC. We were hoping it would rain (always represents blessing) and snow during the anniversary of her birth and death. Amazingly, it did. It began snowing on the 28th and throughout the next ten days in Atlanta and the corridor up to and including DC. It was a freak storm. We were prepared for mild weather on our first trip to the capitol city but we were in for a frigid surprise.

Every year we wonder if it will rain and snow up in Roswell. And every year, one or both have greeted us. This year, a light snowfall began in north Georgia on March 1st. My mom let me know, it has snowed lightly every day. Sweet!

The rain (which flooded my south Georgia backyard this year) and the snow always touch my soul. Is it possible that our Abba remembers me and my sorrow every year and opens the heavens to touch me? It appears so. Not only did I receive that blessing but this year a bigger surprise awaited me.

On Raquel's 5th birthday, I found out two family members expecting babies, back in my hometown, were finally in labor. My dear brother and sister in law were patiently awaiting the arrival of their third child. She was due Saturday, February 23rd but she arrived later than predicted. My cousin gave birth to a handsome boy and my beloved SIL brought forth a beautiful little girl on March 1st. It felt like a double portion blessing. Two sweet gifts being sent by Adonai to our family! I was thanking Him, weeping and rejoicing, at the gift and the timing but He wasn't done yet.

The first picture I saw of my niece made me gasp. She looks nothing like her first two blonde siblings but instead she looks very similar to Raquel. Yes, you read correctly. I couldn't trust my eyes, so I asked my dear hubby and children. Of course, we had the three large digitally enhanced portraits made of Raquel in the room for a good comparison. Wow.

As if all that wasn't enough, my brother and SIL chose to make this child Raquel's namesake. This was HUGE. My little niece is forever linked with my precious baby. She is Aleena Elise. The honor given us is immeasurable. I'm still trying to process it all.

A big heartfelt thank you to my bro and sis. Your gift made this anniversary even more remarkable than I imagined possible. I can't wait to meet my darling niece.