Isabella Hope Alexandra Lafferty went on ahead of us, into the Presence, this afternoon around 1:30, in her daddy’s arms, surrounded by her mother and big brother and sister, and other dear admirers. Her big brother Seamus got a chance to hold his little sister before she died.
The mysteries surrounding all her afflictions found their answer in the chromosomal defect called Trisomy 18. Her heart, brain and lungs had been so compromised that she could not support herself. Her beautiful little body just could not do what bodies need to do to live.
We’ve scheduled the funeral service at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Ave, at 1:00pm, Friday, the 21st.
To all of you who have accompanied us on this leg of Isabella’s journey, words fail us presently. For now, thank you. We love you so.
She was truly a miracle and a mystery. We will miss her so. Our hearts grieve… not because she is in her Father’s arms, but because our arms are empty. But we will try not to grieve as those without hope.
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December 19, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Chris and Laura
The girls, Laura and I watched the videos of beautiful Bella together and we are all very very sad. Words fail us too.
Love,
The Seals
December 19, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Mark & Aimee Mathews
We are all grieving the loss of this precious child. We cannot know your pain and recognize we are beyond comforting you. Only our heavenly Father can do this and we pray that He will. We are so very sorry for your loss.
The Mathews
December 19, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Kari Stainback
Praying for you as you grieve beyond words. May the Comforter embrace you all as you cling to His heart that grieves too; and maybe more as Jesus knows that our hope is so much greater in Him than our little hearts and minds can grasp. She is not dead, but asleep in the arms of our dear Jesus…in the inbetween time of waking up, I cling with you to Him in this sorrow.
Love,
Kari
December 19, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Corbi Shurtleff
We are thinking of you and praying for you during this time of great loss. May the God of all comfort surround you with His loving arms. We love you all, and while we regret that we did not meet your sweet daughter on this earth, we look forward to meeting her someday in Heaven.
Love, The Shurtleff Family
Preston, Corbi, Jessica, Alex, Graham, Hannah, Clara, Gabriel, Peter, Paul, and Jon Patrick
December 19, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Broken Heart « Anastasis Life
[...] December 20, 2007 by Troy Greene My heart broke when I read about little Bella. God have mercy on them. God have mercy on us. [...]
December 19, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Sally Holt
We grieve with you this evening in the loss of your beautiful Isabella. Patrick, words fail me too, but I don’t believe there are words in any language to express such sorrow.
Bob and I are praying for God’s comfort and love to surround your family.
Love,
Bob and Sally
December 19, 2007 at 8:35 pm
sethandkristen
We are shedding tears and grieving with you tonight. We love you all and wish we could be present at PCPC on Friday and the weeks that follow to be a support to you. Know that we are thinking of you often and praying God’s overwhelming peace and love be showered over you during this time.
Love, Seth, Kristen and Jackson Kolb
December 19, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Dana Harrington
I am a friend of Teresa Davis who is a friend of Christy’s. I have been praying and keeping updated on Bella’s progress for many months through your page. I was so thrilled to see her face a couple days ago and I can’t stop the tears tonight seeing that she has parted this earth.
May the words of Hudson Taylor, who shares your sense of loss since he buried three small children bring you a touch of comfort. He wrote, “Love gave the blow which for a while makes the desert more dreary, but Heaven more home-like. There is a homecoming awaiting me which no parting shall break into, no tears mar. [Jesus said] ‘I go to prepare a place for you’; and is not part of the preparation peopling it with those we love?”
My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear ones.
Dana Harrington
December 19, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Brian Marquis
Ohh… I’m so sorry… My heart hurts for you all. I don’t know what to say. I guess if any of this made any sense, we’d all just be tempted to trust in our attempt to make sense of it rather than to trust in Christ alone. Even so, her precious name is so fitting – maybe more so now, as she is beholding the ‘Beautiful Hope’ that we all so eagerly anticipate by faith.
Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you – don’t hesitate even for a minute to ask. Josh and I are both praying for you all.
With much love,
Brian
December 19, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Jon and Libby
We grieve with you for your loss of beautiful Bella. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bring His comfort, peace and love to you at this time.
We love you,
Jon and Libby
December 19, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Suzanne Keffer
I love you, sweet friends.
May He comfort you as you hurt,
Suzanne
December 19, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Amy Bell
My heart grieves for you and you are in my prayers. Bella finished the race God ordained for her to run and is a testimony to all who hear her story that God is faithful no matter the circumstances.
Amy
December 19, 2007 at 10:26 pm
sara moore
we are so sorry and are praying for you guys as you walk this path.
grace, peace and love, peter, sara, matthew, hannah and michael.
December 19, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Peggy Fleming
Looking at the cluster map of visits to exitstrategy and knowing of all the prayers, love, and reminders of how much we depend on our Father’s grace and how ceaselessly we should petition him in prayer . . . anyway, it occurs to me that Bella has demonstrated more about love and faith in her days here than many of us do in our years. Thank you for sharing her life with us and for drawing us all together in prayer and celebration, even as we are now united in grief. Thank you, Bella, for giving us hope.
Ken, Peggy, Kevin & Katie Fleming
December 19, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Douglas Jordan
Father, please comfort the family of Isabella. We know that she now grows in patient anticipation of those future days when she will be reunited with her parents and siblings. Please grant to them now that same patience you have given her.
December 19, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Byron Lipper
“What I need is just to know
I have a home within your heart.
Just hold me close. A few words will do.
We don’t have to find the answers now,
it’s enough to be with you.” (D. Wilcox)
May you find enough arms to hold you close. Our hearts grieve for your loss. We continue to pray for your dear family.
Byron & Jenny
December 20, 2007 at 12:11 am
heatherleigh74
You are in my thoughts and prayers even though we have not met but I have shared your journey as a fellow RECPTA member. What a beautiful little girl and what love she knew in her short time here. What love she will bring to everyone through her passing. May peace be with you.
-Heather Chapman
December 20, 2007 at 1:45 am
Anonymous
Our worth is measured by the price our God paid so that we would know Him. The same price He paid for Bella’s life. He mourns with us. He mourns for us. When we can’t walk, He runs to us. He is our ever present help. In prayer, we are drawn to His side in the throne room. In the midst of our searing and deep, deep pain, His comfort is ever with us.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. Psalm 22
5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart.
9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.
15 I wait for you, O LORD;
you will answer, O Lord my God.
21 O LORD, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my Savior. Psalm 38
December 20, 2007 at 7:24 am
Kristin Edwards
Praise God that precious Bella is no longer suffering in her Trisomy 18 state, but she is with Jesus being loved perfectly as only her perfect Father can. I feel your pain as my son, who also had Trisomy 18, went to be with the Lord sometime before Nov 4, 2007 which is when he was born still. There have been a myriad of emotions and struggles these past 7 weeks and I’m sure there will be more. Cling to our Savior, as only he can comfort us as we need. Contact us if you want.
December 20, 2007 at 7:41 am
Brooke
We are SO very sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Bella. We are grieving and crying with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers, may the God of all comfort embrace your sweet family with His love that surpasses all understanding. I wish so much that we could be you right now! If there is anything that we can do, please let us know. We love you all so much!
Love,
Kris and Brooke
December 20, 2007 at 8:04 am
Fred Brown
Words always fail. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face to shine upon you.
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
December 20, 2007 at 8:48 am
Brian & Rachana
Our hearts ache and grieve with yours. We pray that the God of all comfort will grant you peace and hold your family close during this time. Bella is truly a testimony to the faithfulness and wonder of God. You are in our prayers.
December 20, 2007 at 9:13 am
Lauren Bell
Dear Friends,
In God’s providence you have joined a group no one aspires to be part of … those who have sent a child on ahead to heaven. As one who has walked this road with my sister and brother-in-law, my heart breaks all over again with your loss. Thank you for sharing Isabella’s precious life with us and allowing us to enter into this journey with you. May God surround you with grace and comfort as only He can.
Love,
Lauren
December 20, 2007 at 10:29 am
Brenda Hudson
Our hearts break, even more knowing your’s are in a million pieces. You knew, loved, and gave more to your little girl than most ever do. We are convicted of our guilt in taking our own children for granted so much of the time.
Isabella Hope Alexandra Lafferety lived what the Lord asked of her without a complaint and her parents fought with a bravery like we have never seen.
Oh, to behold what she now beholds!
We are praying.
We love you,
Don and Brenda and Family
December 20, 2007 at 10:34 am
Lee and Michelle
Her life was brief and wonderful treasure. We’re grieving with you and pray that the God of all comfort will bless you with His intimate presence, now, and for the coming days. We love you,
Lee and Michelle
December 20, 2007 at 10:37 am
Teresa Davis
My heart grieves in unison with yours today over the loss of little Bella. Even from a distance, I have been touched by the overwhelming response of people to Bella’s journey into this world and her amazing, yet short-lived existence in it. God is good…and my prayer for you today is for comfort and peace. I love you all very much!
December 20, 2007 at 10:42 am
Elisa Laird
My heart breaks for you, and I cry with you. This must be so very hard. We will be praying for you. I ask that God give you comfort. All our love to you.
Elisa, Ray, Aidan, & Toby
December 20, 2007 at 11:25 am
Beth Brereton
I am crying with you today. I cannot fathom your grief, and I pray that our Great God will give you comfort and peace and even joy in knowing Bella’s short life touched so many others.
I did want to pass on something from the blog of a friend’s friend who lost her daughter Claire to Trisomy 18 a year ago. “Claire has left me full of hope to be confident of what is to come; for what I feared would be the worst time of my life could not have been more full of Jesus.”
I pray that this difficult time in your life WILL be so full of Jesus. I look forward to meeting your couragous little Bella in heaven someday.
Much Love,
Beth
December 20, 2007 at 11:38 am
Cindy
You continue to be in my prayers and in my heart. May you find comfort and peace; and continue to hold to the hope found in Jesus as you grieve.
Love,
Cindy
December 20, 2007 at 11:40 am
Matt Bradley
Lafferty Family,
Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5…
“For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”
(2Cor 5:1-5 ESV)
December 20, 2007 at 11:49 am
Todd & Nettie Groat
Dear freinds,
My heart is sad for you. I pray that you will experience God’s peace that passes understanding.
Blessings,
Todd
December 20, 2007 at 11:53 am
Nelson Shake
I’m so, so sorry…know that your family is continuously on my heart, and I pray that you will feel His loving and comforting arms wrapped around you more tightly than ever at this time.
I love you guys so much,
Nelson
December 20, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Jennie Loftis
John and I continue to be heartbroken. We’ve both cried and ached over losing Bella so soon. I’ve only seen John grieve like this one other time and that was over the loss of our unborn baby. Like others, I take comfort in knowing she is in the arms of Jesus and maybe even in the arms of Patrick’s mom.
This verse comes to mind right now:
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
Bella is certainly one of His little saints. I praise Him for how He has already used her life so much to touch others.
I count it a huge privilege and blessing to have prayed for this Beautiful Hope and to know her through you. I can’t wait to meet her in the presence of Jesus some day.
I love you so much.
Jennie
December 20, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Julie Hickman
Ours hearts are so heavy.
We sit with you in silence. There are no words…..
…only the One who is the Word. We pray He speaks comfort to your hearts.
December 20, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Julie Hickman
Ours hearts are so heavy.
We sit with you in silence. There are no words…..
…only the One who is the Word. We pray He speaks comfort to your hearts.
December 20, 2007 at 1:00 pm
The Altmans
Oh, how our hearts swell and ache with you all. We are crying and praying with you all as you coninue to understand and grieve the loss of little Bella, knowing that our Almighty Father is perfectly soverign in His every plan. He is the Great Physician and has healed Bella. She is perfect… and in perfect company with our Saviour. How we long to wrap our arms around you and hold you right now in your pain. May the Almighty continue to give you hope and sweet time together as a family as you are carried through these deep waters. May we continue to long for our home where Bella is rejoicing. We love you dearly, dearly.
Our hearts,
Blake, Lauren and Andrew Altman
December 20, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Alina and David
I can’t tell you how sorry we are… words really can’t express all of the pain and all of the emotions. We just want you to know that we are praying for you, even if sometimes these prayers are silent ones. The Spirit and the Father knows what we are and what we need… May He be with you…
So much love,
Alina and David
December 20, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Jason and Leah Helopoulos
We both sit here with tears rolling down our faces and hearts marked with grief. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. I wish we were there to give you a hug and cry with you. We rest assured knowing that you are in the strong and mighty hands of our Savior. May you find refuge in the shadow of His wings.
December 20, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Sheila Black
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 20, 2007 at 3:07 pm
The Dawsons
We are heartbroken and are praying for each of you today. Our words fail to express how our hearts are aching for you. We are praying for each of you to be comforted as you grieve the loss of Little Bella. Much love, Jeff and Joanna
December 20, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Anonymous
Oh, how we wish we had wise and comforting words for you! But words fail, and we are weeping with you. We just pray that our mighty Lord would comfort you, as only He CAN. We are also so very thankful for precious little Bella… and for the privilege knowing her and praying for her.
You are all in our prayers. With lots of love,
kathy dekany and family
December 20, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Matthew O'Hearn
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep you life. The Lord will keep you going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints… we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whosoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die…Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No comes to the Father except through me. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one…you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:30-31, Psalm 121, Psalm 23, Psalm 116:15, Romans, 8:28, Romans 8:35, 37-39, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, John 10:14, 28-30, John 14: 27, Philippians 4:7
“The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear lord, beside me; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy Cross before to guide me. And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never: Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever. When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress. When through fiery trials your pathway shall not lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we’ve first begun.”- Henry W, Baker, 1868, Rippon’s selection of hymns 1787, A collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790.
Though now we may walk through the shades of death, we know that Bella is in the strong hands of the King of Life, whose sovereign grace never fails us.
In His Sovereign Grace,
Matthew O’Hearn
December 20, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Anonymous
I am so sorry for your loss and am aching with you. It is such a comfort to know that Bella is healed in Heaven with the Lord, where you will one day be with her again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Collin
December 20, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Maria DeCesare
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is aching so…Thank you for sharing the video of Bella with all of us. I am at a loss for words. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Maria
December 20, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Stengle
Crying for your loss today. Prayerful that God’s glory would be seen. I really wish I could be there tomorrow but have a work commitment.
Love you both so much.
December 21, 2007 at 9:10 am
Linda Vandercook
A tiny precious life that brought so many people down on their knees to pray! She is in our Heavnly Fathers warm and loving hands today. We hurt with you all. May his gracious love surrond your family.
The Vandercooks, John, Linda, Emma, Jane & Sarah
December 21, 2007 at 10:32 am
Lad & Malia Nompone
Our hearts are grieved with you, and we will pray that the Lord gives you strength and comfort through his Holy Spirit, that you may indeed grieve with hope. We love you,
Lad & Malia
December 21, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Joey (Daly) Hansen
Praying for you today.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Joey
December 21, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Mandi (Hughes) Fuller
Christy and Patrick, I’m so sorry that I am not there to hug you and cry with you. But I see that you are surrounded by a multitude who are equally willing, and able. I have been reading your updates since you mentioned Bella’s blog on the DTS alum site, and have been enthralled with her journey. Many, many of my friends have read the posts with me, and questioned and wondered along with your words.
It is almost 1pm on Friday, and you both are preparing for your daughter’s burial. I hope this time presents for you an unabashed opportunity to grieve freely. To our limited understanding, we are given promises, allowed to trust in them and fall in love with them, only to have them removed from our site. Knowing that there is more to the story that we cannot see doesn’t always quench the pain of loss. Christ’s Body has you tethered to hope and faith, knowing that in times like this, we need a little room to feel lost.
We love you and will continue to envelope you in prayer. Love, Mandi, Josh, and many others who’ve heard your story but have yet to meet you.
December 21, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Julie Hickman
The service today was heartbreaking and scared all at the same time. Thank you for sharing Bella with us. Thank you for letting us grieve alongside you.
Tonight, as I tucked Sullivan into bed, I told him about Bella’s passing. We cried together. He said admist tears that he didn’t want her to go away, he wanted her to be here. With tears to match his, I told him I felt the same way, but that she is safe in the arms of Jesus, and one day we will get to hold her there with Him. Then we prayed for your family, Sully prayed especially for Seamus….and I can imagine that many many many more prayers are being said this eve and will continue far past this night. May those prayers along with God’s gracious hand carry you day by day.
December 21, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Jared Nelson
Michelle and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in our prayers.
December 27, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Brad
I just looked back at the list of the so-called famous high and mighty who died in 2007. The loss of all of them combined could never equal the loss of a precious innocent child. God bless and strengthen you all.
December 29, 2007 at 1:17 am
John O'Leary
I am humbled to read about all that you have been through these last months and days. I am just learning about all that you have been going through and am so sorry for your loss. As I read your story I am so encouraged by your words and your faith!
December 30, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Proto Attorney
I am so sorry for your loss.