Tuesday, January 29, 2013

an account closed, a door opened

I had another one of those amazing God-incidences today.

Last fall, I opened up an account through Stamps.com, so I could ship books directly from the house.

I didn't realize, at the time, that there is a monthly fee involved. It's not much, but it's a cost that I can't justify right now with my stay-at-home mom status and Jimmy's new real estate career, so I decided to close the account.

When I called them today, I felt an instant connection with the representative who answered.

His name was Daniel.

He was attentive, kind, and even waived last month's fee for me.

I couldn't help but mention, at the end of the call, that I had taken note of his name right at the beginning of our conversation, and that I had written a book about our son, Daniel, who is now in Heaven. 

And then he tells me that he, too, had a son named Daniel.

Who is also in Heaven. 

In complete awe, we shared our son's stories. His Daniel passed away many years ago as a one-year old baby. He was a precious little preemie who suffered from lung issues.

"He struggled for a while, but he just couldn't get to where he needed to be," he said.

And I couldn't help but cry out, "He did get to where he needed to be!"

Oh yes indeed, I believe those babies are exactly where they need to be...in the loving arms of Jesus. It just wasn't how or when--as parents--we'd planned that they'd get there.

This loving father shared how deeply he was touched by his son's brief life, and that he was so thankful for the experience that God had given him.

And here the Holy Spirit put us together on a phone call today.  Just to meet--for a brief time--and share our similar bond of our angel babes who watch over us.

Had I not been prompted by the Holy Spirit to mention Daniel, we would have hung up that phone without ever knowing that we shared such a blessed connection.

These are the encounters that blow me away. Those pieces of the puzzle that God puts together in our lives and unite us in His love.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Daniel Days

I call these my "Daniel Days."

Because this month is pretty much when it all started.  God prepared our hearts in the month of January to receive our beautiful son on January 24th, 2010. The month was spent feverishly nesting, planning, and packing for travel to China, 

all while our love for a son we'd never met kept growing and growing.

Three years ago today, we were united with him. I can still vividly remember my emotions at the time...as if it was just yesterday. My fear and uncertainty all blended together with excitement and pure joy. The closer I got to that moment when Daniel was placed into my arms, the more God poured His strength into me so that I'd handle our union with grace and unconditional love. 

Although we knew of Daniel's serious heart condition, we weren't expecting to welcome a sick child into our arms. And oh my heart...our baby was so sick. My Mama bear claws came out without warning, as I clutched Daniel in my arms and immediately came to his defense as his Mom

Forever his Mom.

Tonight, Jimmy and I will watch our Gotcha Day videotape footage, we will revisit our trip to China, we will embrace and treasure every memory of our sweet beginnings with Daniel, and we shall surely shed a tear...or maybe a few more.

Daniel, you are eternally present in our lives, son...forever etched in our hearts.

Happy Gotcha Day, Angel boy:)

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Belong

Our Aunt Diane has been busy sharing Daniel's story up in New Smyrna Beach.  She is part of a Catholic women's group in her parish called "Belong."

Last week, I received a phone call from the group's leader. She asked me all about the book, and we had a wonderful (and emotional) conversation. Our call ended with an invitation for me to come speak at one of their group luncheons.

And the opening that's available for me to speak?  I will be sharing Daniel's story at their Mother's Day luncheon in May:)  I am so excited for the opportunity to talk about our precious angel with these women!

As an added bonus, I get to drive up the night before and spend time with Aunt Diane and Uncle Rick!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Angels on Earth

I had the most amazing God-given, Holy Spirit experience yesterday.

A woman, who found me on Facebook through mutual friends, sends me a message a couple of days ago stating that she wants to buy my book.

She just happened to be down in South Florida this week with her youngest child (adopted from China), so after a few emails back and forth I invited her to come to our home to buy a copy of the book directly from me. At least that way I could save her the shipping, and she had requested a signed copy, so I could do that, too.

She arrives at our front door with her adorable daughter, and I am instantly struck by her beautiful piercing bright blue eyes, and an aura that gave away her generous heart and soul. The two of us connected before our conversation even began. And then, as we shared our journeys, the similarities were astounding:

She is a Catholic woman.
Who has beautiful daughters from China--one of them from Nanchang where Daniel was from.
And she has strong ties to Half The Sky Foundation, which is mentioned in the book.
And she has a son named Daniel.
And another son who lives here in our town.
And two of her children live in Boston, where I am from.
And she, like Jimmy, knew at a very early age that she wanted to adopt from China.
She spoke phrases that are written in my book.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. We had so much in common.

But that's not the most amazing part.

Just three days ago, I posted about the possibility of opening our hearts to adopt again and how I need to pray for direction in 2013. Did you read that one?

And then this kind-hearted woman shows up at our door three days later and offers to help fund our adoption should Jimmy and I wish to proceed. And no...she had not read my blog post. This saintly woman divulged that she and her husband feel a strong desire to help couples adopt. That's how they've currently chosen to pay their blessings forward.

Seriously?  I don't know about you, but I was blown away.

This experience just gives me more proof (as if I needed any) that the Holy Spirit is everywhere, and if you open your hearts--and your ears--miracles can happen. God does send angels when you need them. 

My lovely new friend purchased a hardcover copy of my book. And I can hardly wait to hear how Daniel touches her life, because I'm certain he will.

Angels indeed.

To be continued...