Speaking of Being in the Middle of a Miracle

As promised months ago, here is my post about Holland. She was indeed a gift that God scattered in our path. The story surrounding her coming into our family was one we could not miss. Her story is also one that was played out as a miracle. Like the story about church, I was in the middle of a miracle and did not know it. Go back twelve years with me. It was spring of 1998. Nelson and I were pregnant and were delighted to be adding a second child to our family. That joy was short lived, as the Lord took that baby home with Him very early in the pregnacy. The pain of a miscarriage is one that is hard to describe. In short, it was gut wrenching. We managed to get through it with the support of friends, family and the Lord. Christmas of 1998 was hard, as there was a constant reminder that someone was missing. We made it through it and moved into 1999 hoping for a better year. Almost twelve months to the date, I returned to work and to a phone message from a college friend. She had tried to call our home several times over Christmas break and I did not answer. I only did what I had to do that Christmas, as the grief was so fresh. I returned Sandy's phone call, to hear of a baby girl being born in February. Her birth family was looking for a forever home for her. Sandy had remembered that I had spoken of adoption in college. During that conversation, Sandy gave me the email address of Holland's maternal birth grandmother, Gayle. I immediately called Nelson and asked him if he wanted a baby girl in six or seven weeks! He reminded me that he thought the process was roughly nine months! After further explanation, we decided to proceed. I then emailed Gayle. We soon talked and two weeks later she was here to meet Nelson, Tyler and me. We met her for lunch, along with her friend Alma. We got a pictorial and oral glimpse into the life of Holland's birth mother, Errica. She was a very beautiful girl/young lady. Holland now reflects that same beauty.

I have to interject and tell you how Sandy knew Gayle. Sandy sold Mary Kay. Sandy recruited Alma. Alma recruited Gayle. Sandy called to welcome Gayle to her downline. In that conversation, they discussed this precious baby girl. Sandy remembered my desire, shared it with Gayle and the next step of the miracle was taken.

Allow me to interject one more time and tell you about a concert Nelson and I went to when Tyler was a baby. The artist was Michael English. During the intermission of that concert, someone named Nancy Alcorn spoke of a ministry that she had started. The purpose of the ministry was to support young woman through many issues, including pregnancy. Given the ministry was also an adoption agency, I picked up a packet. Fast forward six years later and after that lunch with Alma and Gayle, I was able to go home, pull out the packet and start the paper work. Yes, you guessed it. Holland's birth mother, Errica, was participating in the program at Mercy Ministries.

After that, things moved very quickly. There was lots of paper work, medical reports, reference letters and of course the most important thing-shopping! About a month later, I received an added gift in this miraculous story. Errica gifted me with the privilege to be in the room for Holland's birth. That was an amazing experience! It was that same day, we met Holland's birthfather, Carlos. I will never forget the tears of love he shed that day. What am I saying?! We all shed tears!

There are many more facets to that amazing story. There are two that stand. We learned from Carlos' mother that Carlos rubbed his fingers together when drinking a bottle, the same way she witnessed Holland doing when she met her. Holland and Errica both love Food Network. Ironically, while I am typing this Holland is filming a segment of Food Network Challenge with her new camera. The "challenge" was trying to get her mom to eat healthy. I heard her tell the camera, she knew I would pick the chocolate when we offered me the choice between an orange and chocolate. Yep, I picked the chocolate! I did use the excuse of not wanting to get orange all over my computer! She told her audience, she knew I would make up an excuse to choose the chocolate. :)

So take a college conversation, a concert, a miscarriage and a precious baby girl and you have the makings of a miracle. Had you told me I was in the middle of a miracle when I was grieving, I would have said no way. This story reminds me of a line from a devotional that I read recently. The author said, "His ways are beyond knowing." A lesson for all of us is that we can rest in the fact that His ways are good. Remember, you might be in the middle of a miracle. Be on the lookout for one.

Being Holland's mother has taught me so much. One of the first things that come to mind is controlling my envy! She is so creative and can do things that I can only dream of doing. She is amazing with pottery. She has already sewn two quilts. I don't even know how to turn on a sewing machine! Her drawings are amazing. She knows how to crochet. Does the chain stitch I can do count? She does an amazing job with food presentation. Stayed tuned for her new blog. Those of you that know her middle names will really appreciate the name of the blog. I could continue to list her creative talents, though I have to stop to keep the envy to a minimum.

The thing she has taught me spiritually also makes me envious. Do you detect an area of prayer focus for me?! Contemplation comes naturally for her. I will forever be needing to grow in this area. There is a quietness to her that makes her walk with the Lord special. Last month, I was introducing Trent to the concept of writing a friendly letter and reviewed it with Holland. They both wrote to Santa and Jesus. In Holland's letter to Jesus, she told Him how much she was thinking about Him leading up to Christmas. Her quietness and stillness before the Lord is sweet. Her little brother mentioned to Jesus that he had put some money in the offering. He was hoping that would help with the gifts he got to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Oh my! We've got a bit of work to do there!

My miracle girl is everything I could want in a daughter and more. She is also pretty special to her dad. Who else would accompany him to Lowes, go on long bike rides and hold the ladder for him?! I remember one day my parents drove up to see Holland outside with Nelson, pushing the wheelbarrow and her big brother was inside. My mom was appalled. Holland was right where she wanted to be. Tyler was too! More on him next.