Child of Promise (Are you Isobel?)

I want to call you "Isobel" all time, even though we haven't found out if you're a boy or a girl. Let me tell you why... A few weeks ago, I was very hopeful, but a little anxious, that you would stay in my belly, growing healthy and strong. Before you, Daddy and I were pregnant before-but those little babies went to heaven instead of being born. This made us sad and we worried about you-would you be okay in there? Would you keep growing perfectly and meet us someday? We prayed to God very often, asking for help and guidance and protection as you grew. I wanted some sign or word from God that you were going to be okay. 

 The Lord was faithful and gave me this: 

Isaiah 43:18 "This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. 

This made Mommy very happy and helped me be strong while I was still scared that I would lose you. Then, a few nights later, I had a dream that was so quick, like a flash on a tv screen-of a beautiful baby girl! I was coming into the room where she was in her crib, standing up. She had her face pressed on the inside of the top of the crib, and I could only see her nose and eyes and head. She had light brown hair and hazel eyes, pink lips and the prettiest, content expression on her face. As I came in, she expected me...was waiting for me. [end] 

In the first weeks of pregnancy, mommy had lots of strange dreams, so I didn't give this one much thought at first. But a couple of nights later, I had another one! 

This time, I didn't see her face, but I was in the next room and I was looking into where she was. She had a shirt and stretchy pants on, and was toddling around. I could only see her from the back, but it looked like the same little one from the first dream. Her hair and skin were the same color, with hair a little longer and curling at the ends. She was bounding from my room to the next one, with quick, wobbly steps and the thing I remember most about this dream was her laughter-As she walked, her giggles filled the space and made me smile! I wondered if maybe there was someone she loved in that room and maybe she was bounding toward him. [end] 

When I woke up the next morning, I laid in bed quietly and asked God, "Who is she, Lord?" Without a second of pause, the Lord told my heart, "That's Isobel." 

The Lord has been so kind to Mommy while you grew from a tiny ball of cells into a whole baby! He has pointed out bible verses to me that let Daddy and I know that He is making you healthy and strong and special-for a purpose. He's taken special care to bring us together, and He even keeps helping Mommy to feel strong and sure when I am not. 

Isaiah 46: I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. 

I've had one more dream of Isobel, so far: I'm looking at her whole baby body from above, as she's laying on maybe a changing table or her crib. She is cooing with little noises, content and looking above at anything interesting. I can see her whole pretty face, her swaddled little body, her fingers and her toes. Everything looks perfect and I'm filled with joy and awe that she is mine. [end]

In a few short weeks, we will find out if you are a girl or a boy. It will be even longer until we meet and I find out if you are Isobel from my dreams. Don't worry-If you are a boy, we'll pick a great boy name for you! Whoever you are, I want to make sure you know that the Lord has made you special for Daddy and I. You are our child of promise-God's promise-and we are so excited to meet you.