Dear friends, today I’m sharing Mandy’s story with you. It’s a beautiful story and it will touch your heart.
I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I feel to be part of their journey. That God can use my jewelry as a connection point to encourage and forever intertwine two lives makes my heart want to burst with gratefulness.
Please take a few minutes to read Mandy’s story and to see how absolutely precious this little life is–and how her life continues to bless others.
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Last spring my daughter was born with half a heart. She was our miracle baby after ten years of infertility, many medical treatments, and much heartache. Unfortunately, her twin brother had passed into Heaven halfway through my pregnancy. When Abigail was born, I purchased four of your heart necklaces that were stamped with the words, “I hold your heart in mine.” I gave one to my mother, sister, sister-in-law, and kept one for myself. While Abigail was in the NICU, we put the necklace across her chest and took a series of newborn photos.
At four days old, she underwent a 10 hour open heart surgery and we were filled with hope and relief when she survived the difficult and risky procedure. We prayed for a miracle but we did not get one. Despite her brave and feisty spirit, Abigail died at one week of age. The heart necklaces have become a real link to Abigail for those of us that loved her most. I have not taken mine off for even a single day since then. Because she lived only a short time and never left the hospital, there are very few tangible things to link me to Abigail. I touch my necklace and I think: She wore this too. It brought me a real sense of comfort during the year that followed Abigail’s death, which was harder than words can say.
On Easter Sunday, we celebrated the one year anniversary of her passing. Our goal is to put more love into the world in her honor, so in the past six months we joined forces with another couple, Brad and Jeannette Gill, to start a nonprofit organization called “The Smallest Gift”. We send care packages to families who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. On her birthday we launched our brand new website www.thesmallestgift.org! We have already sent many packages filled with our love, tears, and prayers all across the United States and to Canada and Australia as well. Abigail’s little light shines on in the world in a big way, through us.
Happily, our story does not end there. Last month we were surprised by a miracle of another sort- one we weren’t even searching for at the time. We brought home a newborn baby boy through the miracle of adoption! We are deeply grateful to his first mother for this tremendous gift. I wanted something special to connect myself and his first mother forever, so I purchased two beautiful gold bracelets with a heart charm and our initials. They connect us, my son’s first mother and me, his forever mother. Thank you, Lisa, for being a part of our lives in such a beautiful and meaningful way!
Mandy, you’re story is full of hope and beauty. Thank you so much for sharing it here–we are grateful!
Thank you for sharing such a touching story, Lisa. The loss of a child is never easy, no matter the age. We lost our oldest at 19, 9 years ago tomorrow. Having things that bring positive memories to the forefront is so important.
Lisa first of all, love the new blog header! Second, there are very few stories in the blog world that actually make me cry, but this one did. Your jewelry truly touches so many lives!
Amazing story! After nine years of infertility troubles, my husband and I are still trying. We had a miscarriage in 2011. My husband bought me a necklace from Lisa and I wear it every day. Took a year to recoup and now are trying IVF again. Stories like this make me believe if you are strong and keep trying, good things will come your way. Enjoy your handsome little boy. God Bless.
I am moved to tears. Praise God for all things!
God has given you a great testimony – you were chosen to honor and glorify HIm and with love that you pour onto others that can only come from the power of the Holy Spirit you are serving your Savior well.
John 16:22
I had two miscarriages in 2003. I lost my 2nd baby when I was about 5 months pregnant. Saddest time in my life. I bought this same necklace shortly after. I wore it every day for a long time. It will always be my favorite necklace in my jewelry box. <3
I’ve lost two babies myself and have been looking for a way to remember them tangibly. I’m so grateful that Mandy directed me here. I’ll be shopping now…
That’s what we are about Nicole. Be blessed! xo
Tears. Loss. Beauty. Hope. Thank you for sharing. A great reminder to me to be thankful for all the gifts of life in my life.
Truly beautiful. Thanks Becky!
I’ve known Mandy for many years, and am blessed to call her my friend and my sister in Christ. She has walked all of her journey with grace and faith, it’s been truly amazing and has made me a better person. Her surviving son is INCREDIBLE! I’m so glad she found you. . . and thinking maybe I should do something like this for people who mean much to me. Mandy does make the world a better place, thank you for sharing her story!
Wow–she is truly being used to touch so many lives, including mine! What an inspiration! I hope her story does compel you to action 🙂
Wow, what a story and what faith. I am going to check out their wesbite.
That is an amazing story of hope. I have a niece that was born with HLHS(half a heart). Thankfully she is doing as well or even better than can be expected so far. Our family though has been recipients of organizations that want to help. So thank you for all you do to help families going through difficult times and need to know someone cares.
So much hope. So glad your niece is doing well. xo
Oh, tears! What a bittersweet story. Thank you for sharing this with us, Lisa.
I cried too! xo
Just beautiful – such a lovely way to help both the pain of loss, and share their thanks to the first mum for the gift of their baby boy.
Praying that their charity helps many more families in difficult situations.
Thanks
I love that they are moved to give out of their loss–so beautiful. xo
Moved to tears, thank you for sharing this precious story.
God always replaces our loss with His incredible, loving gifts.
Mandy’s testimony will help many women, God Bless her.
God Bless your ministry too Lisa!
I was moved to tears as well. xo
Such a precious story! I love how God is bringing good from what was sadness and loss. Love how your designs make a difference.
Thank you Mindy!
This is an amazing story of hope and love. Thank you so much for sharing it, both of you wonderful women!
You are so welcome, Jill! xo
Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us, Mandy.
I agree–thank you Mandy! It’s so hard to be vulnerable but then we see it used for good.
Thank you so much for sharing Mandy’s story with us! Praying that many lives will continue to be touched through your story, Lisa, as well as Mandy’s family! I am a mama to a very special girl who has taught me more than I could ever imagine. I follow you on Instagram and love to see your pictures with your boys. I was just telling someone last night that you are truly an example of love, acceptance, & grace! Thank you!
Wow–thank you Julie. That is so encouraging. xo
I cried reading this story. just amazing.
Me too, Sharleanna! So much hope, too!
Such a near and dear to my heart topic. I lost 3 babies nearly 13 years ago. I have such admiration for these families for providing comfort for others who experience this terrible loss. My own story, in brief: http://tracykuethe.blogspot.com/search?q=babies After I lost my babies, a stranger who worked with my step dad wrote a beautiful poem and printed it on paper with butterflies. 3 butterflies. When I opened this website and saw the butterfly, it touched me deeply. All of us in this club, we are connected.
I need to search my heart and toolbox as to how I might help.
That is beautiful, Tracy!!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful heartfelt story with all of us.
xoxo, Misty
You’re welcome. xo
What a heart touching experience and cause. God is working through these lovely people.
God is working. So many heartfelt comments here!
Such a precious story! It’s amazing how a hobby/job that we love to do so much spreads hope & love to those around!
I know–I am so humbled to see God use it. xo
Beautiful beyond words…so amazing how we can all be connected and how your jewelry can bring joy and peace to so many. 🙂
Thank you Mandy! xoxo
Oh the tears! Such an amazing story. Sending love and blessings to Abigail and her family that she is watching over.
Thank you Shannon. xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing this Lisa. This story struck a close chord with me. My husband and I also lost our little girl, just two weeks after her first birthday…she too was born with just 1/2 of a heart. Your work is absolutely beautiful and I’m so happy that this family was able to find a special piece to celebrate their angels.
Thank you Kristen. xx
Having experienced 5 years of infertility and 2 miscarriages myself, this story strikes a cord in my heart. While I cannot even imagine losing a baby late term in a pregnancy, or losing a baby who has come into the world and become a part of your life, if even for only a week, I know the pain of the loss of a child. These types of losses are not only loss of a person or a loss of a part of your heart, there is a little bit of a lost dream in them as well, for a little while, there is a loss of hope – which may be the hardest loss of all.
I love and respect the vulnerability that went into telling this story. And I love the beauty that Mandy and her partners are bringing to the world by acknowledging all the love and inspiration and hope that are spent on these tiny little lives, and acknowledgement of the beauty that these little lives release into the world.
Yes, you know pain and loss. Thank YOU for sharing your journey with us!
WOW is all I can say! What a strong and blessed woman!
I know, right?! Such an incredible woman.
We purchased the “hope is the thing with feathers” necklace in 2010 shortly after our son came home from the NICU. It was a gift for his NICU nurse who we adore… she is an angel here on earth. She helped kept us hopeful even things looked less than promising. It was that coupled with our hope in the Lord that brought us through such a dark chapter in our lives… My husband also bought me the “by grace alone” necklace before our son was born when we learned that “something wasn’t quite right” and I wore that necklace from mothers day 2010 for over a full year almost every day… it was a reminder that by His grace alone we would make it through this. I love this tangible reminder of His goodness, His grace and His hope! Keep making this beautiful pieces… they make a difference to so many! Love RRA
Thank you for sharing this Rachel. That makes my heart so happy! xo
Wow! What strength, what grace, what love-the world is a better place for this woman, her courage to share her story and her desire to reach out to others through starting an organization. May God continue to use her to bless others and may He also bless her.
It does take courage to share our stories–and I agree, God uses it. xo
wow! what a sweet treasure. It is so true. Miscarriage is so lonely. Thankfully God is an amazing healer of our hearts. What an honor for you to be included in this.
So true Kelly. I feel honored. xx
That is so beautiful! I wish there had been an organization like this when I experienced my miscarriages- you feel so alone and lost. I am so thankful these parents are being ministered to in this way!
I am so sorry for your losses! Your story is so important and will be used to touch others! xoxo
I am Mandy’s sister and wear my heart necklace everyday also. This Easter I asked my sister for initial charms to add to the heart necklace. Of course she came right back to Lisa’s designs to purchase them. Thank you for creating such a beautiful piece of jewelry for this proud auntie to wear!
That’s amazing! Your family is truly being used by God in wonderful ways! xo
Wow. What a story. My heart is instantly filled with joy, hope, sorrow and love for this woman and her family. Thank you for sharing this story, Lisa!
I hope it touched you! xo
What a gift you two are to eachother! Our God is amazing like that. Thank you so much for sharing.
He is! Thanks Christie! xo
What an amazing story. Life is so precious. Thank you for the reminder. I love how God is using your gift of creativity to bring light into the lives of others. May he bless you richly for honouring Him.
It’s stories like these that really remind me that I am just His vessel! Thanks Sam!
Wow! Touching story