nically qualified but was finding many open doors to my quest , they were very supportive .
How did the painful experience of losing your mother while dealing with your daughter ’ s life-threatening illness prepare you for what God was asking you to do ? I was on my face daily in prayer with a deep desperation that allowed me to hear the voice of God very clearly . Walking with God when life and death were hanging in the balance meant my priorities were uncluttered . I was an advocate for my mother throughout her battle with cancer , and I was an advocate for my daughter during her illness . God had prepared me to be an advocate in hard places , so it really wasn ’ t a big leap to advocate for the baby . The awkward part was the how .
Your journey began with wanting to provide a funeral for one abandoned baby but quickly grew into something much larger . Share with us the call you received while waiting to hear back about Baby Doe . Alfie , the coroner , asked me about another need when we were talking on what had become our weekly Friday morning calls . She asked me plainly if “ my organization ” could provide a headstone for an underresourced family . In my head I said to myself , “ What organization ?” I asked her if I could call her back because I had to ask the Lord if this request had my name on it . It was that phone call that started to shape the idea in me that God was expanding my heart for more of His purposes .
It was also when I realized that naming “ my organization ” was my next step .
Why was it so important to give the child a name ? Can you explain how the ministry and book name came to be ? Names give legitimacy to life . A name gives purpose , identify and meaning to a child who otherwise would be hidden . God Himself has named us . We are written on the palms of His hands . God ’ s character attributes are named because it brings fullness to who He is . A child ’ s name gives definition to his or her existence .
When Alfie first asked me about my organization , I asked God about this in my heart of hearts , and He clearly directed me to see He was birthing a ministry . I knew then I needed to have a name . He Knows Your Name came to me like a song , and it felt like a covering over me . It has been confirmed so many times that anointing is on the name of my ministry . People respond to it all the time without knowing anything about it . I have had several people stop me in the airport when they see it on my phone case , and they say , “ I love that !” or , “ I know He does !” It opens many opportunities for conversations with strangers about what it means to them to be known by God .
From the beginning I thought it made sense to have the title of this book be He Knows Your Name . It captures the heart of God for His children and reminds us we are all His precious ones .
What other situations have you and your ministry been able to assist with ? I have provided headstones for families who are under-resourced , and I give a headstone blessing dedication for the family . I also have established a foundation at Indy Parks in the name of a child who drowned . For six years , we have offered a free session of swim lessons and water safety to inner city children so they can learn to swim . I ’ m currently advocating for the Baby Box legislation by giving testimony at the statehouse about the importance of enhancing the Safe Haven Law for awareness and alternative ways to surrender a baby safely .
I also help families who have lost a loved one in a violent crime organize memorials for their loved ones . I connect them with resources that help give dignity so death doesn ’ t have the last word , but redemption of life does ! One family is putting a bench at a park , near where a girl was found after being killed . The bench has her name engraved on a plaque , and the bench brings beauty to the park .
He Knows Your Name is full of the imagery of God as a Father . How did that aspect of God ’ s character influence you to reach out to these families ? Psalm 68:6 says , “ God sets the lonely in families ,” and John 14:18 says , “ I will not leave you as orphans .” These two verses are foundational for me as I consider what it means to live out the gospel in my community . In dark times of grief , the enemy strikes hard with a spirit of isolation . I feel as a follower of Jesus