Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Tell Me the Story of Me...





I have been sitting on these pictures for a few weeks now, unsure whether I would post them or not. To view these pictures, one may not think they are very special, quite conversely, though the quality of these snapshots may be poor, the richness in their story is incredibly important. I had to sneak around the girls to get the pictures, as not to disturb the discussion happening:)

Emily had decided to spend a day with her grandparents in Lancaster. She was waiting for them to pick her up and she sat down to read. She chose Hannah's storybook that Adoption Voyages created for our family (thank you Chet and Dusty, it is priceless). I was painting in the powder room with Hannah at my feet when Hannah disappeared. And then I heard them, "Once upon a time, there was a little baby in China..."

Emily was telling Hannah her story.

They pointed at the pictures and recounted each detail with great precision. And it got me to thinking about the details. About how God is in every one, the details, He is in every single detail. The parking spot I found when I was hurried, the gift I found for a friend that felt perfect for her, the classroom my child learns in, the friends we have made, and on and on.

I remember about ten years ago, I had just secured a new position as a Youth Director in my home church. The hours were long, but the pay was not sufficient to sustain me. I had just discovered that I was getting a divorce and my soon-to-be ex-husband had dropped our insurance all together. I had Chrohn's disease and the medications totalled over $700 without insurance. I didn't have it. I called my mother from the pharmacy and she graciously gave her credit card that I might have my medicine. I got in my car and cried, sobbed more aptly describes it. I felt so alone and not even my faith felt strong enough to weather this storm. But, it was. As I drove home, I felt the Lord speak to me, "Go to the Administration Building." It seemed a very silly sentence and I drove past the road with the school administration building four or five times before answering obediently.

Once inside, I told the receptionist that I needed a job. "Are you a teacher?" Hmmm, no. "Well, what do you do?" I didn't know how to answer that question for that moment, but God gave me the words and soon she was rifling through postings to find a match to my skill set. That would set in motion a series of events that would land me a job in the classroom with children affected by autism. I didn't see it then, but oh, how God was in the details of that interaction.

In the meantime, my divorce would become final and I would meet and marry Rob (details, people, details:) I worked both jobs until Emily was born in 2002. We then made the choice for me to stay home with our daughter. Settled on that decision, God wasn't quite done yet. I received a phone call from a mother wanting me to work privately with her son, Ray. I have been with Ray for six years. In those years, I have been blessed to enter and exit their home like a family member. I also met other therapists in that home. Gerry. Jim's wife.

Now, for those of you who have followed us from the beginning, most of this you know. But for those just jumping on board, Gerry was also one of Ray's therapists. Her husband Jim (Uncle Jimmy) assisted Rob on the trip to China to bring Hannah home. When Gerry and Jim called us to let us know they had prayed, and God had called Jim to help us with this all-important task of bringing our daughter home, we couldn't believe it, but see, God knew. He had the details worked out long before we could have known. Down. to. the. very. last. one. Our trip was pushed up one week, the exact dates of Uncle Jimmy's vacation, planned months before. God is in the details.

On Friday, I went with Emily's class to the nature center for a field trip. We waited in the vestibule of school for the buses. Through the front door came Uncle Jimmy with his grandson, Jamieson to visit Gerry, who happens to be the receptionist for Emily's school, now. (details:) As I watched him hold that sweet little boy, it was no different than the way he held our daughter for two weeks in China. This weekend, for the first time since Rob, Jim and Hannah have been home our family watched all four tapes recorded in China. Two men and a baby, who would have believed how tender this story could be? God. He planned every detail. From that first moment when Hannah lovingly gazed into Rob's eyes, to the moments that followed when she stroked his cheek and clung to his chest. Other moments would include Hannah embracing Uncle Jimmy and two incredible men making this tiny scared baby, laugh belly laughs for the camera and say "mama" for the very first time. God knew who would complete the task. A journey ten years in the making...God was in every single detail.

In my current Bible Study, I reflected over this verse in Jeremiah,

"The word of the Lord came to me saying, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5

completely confirming for me the truth that God is in the details in a way that we can never understand. I am so thankful for the mundane, daily details He shows Himself in like two sisters sharing the miraculous history of their union. And I continue to stand amazed at the big details, the ones we cannot possibly fathom that make up the foundation of our very faith.

Which details did you see Him in today?

17 comments:

Linette said...

Heather-this is beautiful! You brought me to tears. I see God's details all over our lives right now. Like you said...He is in the details. We have seen His hand on this adoption journey. He is in ALL the details. I'm so very thankful for that and I know you are too. :)

Adele said...

Nothing thrills me more than to hear how God works in the details of the lives of His children. This post was such a testimony of how God has things all worked out and we don't need to worry. We need to just let Him do what only HE can do. I loved hearing how God worked in the details of YOUR life. Praise the Lord!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Heather,

It is amazing how God works his magic in every step of our lives. You are living proof...this is an amazing story!

I have to say that these pictures are very special....you can see the love these girls have for one another. You are blessed beyond belief to have such precious children!

Have a great week!

Great talking with you today!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Our God is breathtakingly good!

Debbie said...

What a beautiful depiction of how our heavenly father is in ALL the details. Your job story kinda of sounds similar to my most recent job change. He indeed is in the small things as well as the big things!!

Sharon Sloan said...

You know I am all about the details, girlfriend! He is amazing!

I love "two men and a baby"! I got tears in my eyes when you spoke about how Jim and Rob held Hannah. Oh my...tissues!

Love the pix!
Love you!

prechrswife said...

What a precious post! Love those pictures, too. :-)

Football and Fried Rice said...

Our GOD is so mighty!!! I have ben reminded today that God is nOT KIDDING :)

I love the pictures; where ddi you have your book made from?

i am thinking of making a book form our blog from our CHINA trip...(if we ever get to go!)

mommy24treasures said...

oh I enjoyed this so much Heather. Thank you for sharing these intimate thoughts and details of your life.
and I think the pics are VERY special.

Denise C said...

Oh Heather....I am wiping the tears as they flow! What a precious, beautiful "detailed" blessing! Oh yes...HE surely IS in the details....all of them.....HE orchestrates them for us! What a beautiful tribute of pure LOVE....your family's love for each other...and oh what dear friends!
Thank you so much for sharing this....it deeply touched my heart, sweet friend!
Love you,
Denise

prechrswife said...

Commenting again to let you know I just tagged you on my blog. :-)

Michelle R Photography said...

Heather,
Those pictures and your story brought tears to my eyes. I can almost hear Emily reciting Hannah's story to her. What a sweet and special sight to behold. And yes, God is SO into the details!! He has shown that to me over and over. Thank you for sharing how He has had His hand in yours.

Hugs,
Michelle

Amie said...

Heather...

This post had me bawling. A big huge ol happy cry! SO VERY BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE to take time to notice God in the details. Because he is always there.. You will always find him. he cares so much about the little things. I love hearing how he was in YOUR details...

Thank you for blessing me today with this! I am smiling BIG!

:)
Amie
www.heart-smiles.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

Okay, I have to comment as I'm wiping tears from my eyes! Beautiful, beautiful post...

DiJo said...

Heather,
This is perhaps the most poignant post ever written. I don't know how I missed it last week, but clearly God wanted me to read it today. Like the broken road that defines us, God has always had a plan. For you, for me, for our girls. I pray that when the time comes He will give me the words to soothe Ruby's heart when we talk about her story. When she is really old enough to understand the details of God's plan for her...

Thank you for pausing to write this.

Blessings,
Diana

Kristy said...

This was one of the most beautiful posts I have ever read. Thank you and God bless you.

Love and blessings, Kristy

3 Peanuts said...

Heather...what an amazing post! I often ask myself about some of the details and questioning if HE is in every single one. I never question my faith...I guess I question the little things and how involved God gets. then I read something like this and it all seems so very clear.


Those pictures brought a tear to my eye. they are love captured between sisters.
Kim

Music


 
© Welcome to Our Little Ladybugs!
CoffeeShop Designs