It's 1966. In my dream I'm frantically running along a busy city street. A man wearing a brown fedora is darting in and out of the crowd in an effort to catch me. I'm frantically looking everywhere for a place to hide. Glancing around I see a daycare of sorts. It looks just like a store front, but there are lots of toys and children playing inside. Desperately I fling open the door and cry out, "Where can I hide?! A man is chasing me!" The few adults are silent. Their faces betray a mix of bewilderment, fear and confusion, but they say nothing. .
To my utter amazement I see a stack of twenty mattresses (yes, just like the fairy tale, "Princess and the Pea") piled upon one another in a corner. Just as I reach the top mattress and slide comfortable down into the middle the pursuing man bursts into the classroom! He shouts for all to hear, "Where is she!? Where is the little girl?!" I abruptly awaken, shaking and fearing for my life. It's dark and I realize that I had only been dreaming.
On July 8, 1965 a kidnapping was reported of a 9-year-old girl, Denise Sue Clinton, from an Independence Motel. Denise was staying overnight with her grandparents, the managers of this motel. Her family had just returned from a trip to California. She was known as a friendly and out-going girl. She was a Brownie Girl Scout just like me. The KC news coverage was extensive and I remember my grandparents and parents warning me over and over to "never go with strangers". Just eight years old myself, I was stunned that someone would kidnap a little girl -- right in front of her grandparents! Kidnappings were random in those days and the coverage of Denise's kidnapping was extensive. I began to worry that someone would try to kidnap me, too, and I started having dreams like the one above. Always someone was chasing me.
Throughout the years I have wrestled with the fear of kidnapping, first for myself as a young child, then for our children. I fretted and watched over all three children like a mother hen. Once, as Megan prepared to go shopping with her dad, I scared her so much that she begged to stay home! Another time I gave her a little Christmas bell that hung around her neck so that I could hear her if she wandered off! She thought it was great fun, but my intent was to protect her against a possible kidnapping!
When Jeremy wandered off in search of the restrooms at Silver Dollar City, I panicked. For ten minutes we frantically searched the Gift Shop for Jeremy. In my mind I easily imagined the worst --Jeremy wandering into the parking lot only to be kidnapped by deranged people. Thankfully we found Jeremy before he wandered too far away! But as we drove home, I began to think about my fears -- and, prayed for peace. This incident had left me feeling emotionally drained and unsettled within my soul.
I began to remember how God had shown His love for our family throughout the years. I realized that my fears of kidnapping went beyond the rational thinking of safety issues. "Do you trust me?" I could hear God whisper into my heart. "Are you willing to give me the fate of your children or do you still desire to control life?" I realized that my attempts at control were fruitless. Ultimately God was in control of my life, which sometimes meant difficult and painful times. It was only by facing my fear that I was able to begin to heal and move beyond it. In due time, I shared my fear with the children and explained where it had originated from so very long ago. In doing so I helped teach them the lesson of how to navigate beyond one's fears. We all have fears -- but they do not need to rule over our lives.
There are still times when I remind Megan and Rebekah to walk with awareness when shopping and I always remind Jeremy to stay close to one of us when in public. The girls smile sweetly while acknowledging that 'yes' they would be careful. But now we all smile and recognize Who really watches over us-- and trust that God will walk beside us through the hills and the valleys in life.
"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you, and will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Precious Bundle of Joy -- Rebekah (conclusion)
"Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow." James 1:17
As we awaited news of our impending adoption from the Lighthouse, Rick and I busily steered our family through the daily grind of living. Jeremy was still actively receiving therapy for his developmental disabilities while Megan had successfully integrated into second grade.
Summer was soon upon us. As our family made plans to vacation in Colorado, Rick and I waited expectantly for an assigned social worker to complete the second half of our home study. It had been almost two months since we'd sent our $500 check to retain a lawyer. As the summer progressed and our vacation loomed closer I grew concerned that we would be traveling when our baby-to-be was born and we'd not completed our home study, yet. So I left a voice mail to let the Lighthouse know that we would be gone for ten days in July. Two days later our social worker came over to finish our home study and began telling us about a newborn baby girl who had been born just two days earlier. According to Phyllis, the birth mother had chosen us to be her baby's adoptive family. Because of my earlier phone message to the Lighthouse, Phyllis was told to share the exciting news of Rebekah's birth with us before we left town! We were, then, informed that we would be allowed to see the baby before leaving for vacation. We were elated.
With great excitement our family drove to see Rebekah for the very first time! Megan was beside herself with great anticipation! As we drove through the streets of southern Kansas City I thought of how our lives would change in just a few weeks. We continued to pray for God's affirmation that this little baby was to be the little one chosen by God for us.
As we climbed out of our mini-van I remember gazing down the street only to see a tall man leisurely walking his dog along the sidewalk. Reaching in to remove Jeremy from his car seat, I looked once more and could scarcely believe my eyes! The tall man was the very same friend who'd originally told us of God's plan to bless us with another child! God was clearly affirming to us that this child was God’s chosen baby for us! As we exchanged pleasantries and shared surprise to be standing together outside the foster family's home, I snapped a picture of our friend and his dog. It rests in Rebekah's baby book to this day.
Our family left for Colorado soon thereafter. Besides riding horses, walking through the mountain meadows and eating BBQ, Rick and I spent a lot of time discussing the planned arrival of our third child. My family stood in amazement to think that God would bless us with little Rebekah! Thanking Him for His goodness and mercy, we excitedly began planning for our new baby’s arrival. Eager to return home, we drove straight home to Kansas with very few stops.
Rebekah was required by law to stay with a Lighthouse foster family for the interim before our first court date. During this time we learned that our birth mother had become a committed Christian while staying at the Lighthouse and had decided upon our family with firm resolve that we were perfect for her darling baby. (Our family had prayed specifically for this to happen.)
As Rebekah's foster family, the Norbergs were a lovely family. We would stay in touch with them throughout the years. This family has continued to pray for Rebekah and their daughter, Kathleen, introduced her to the world of classical dancing. The two of them enjoy a casual, easy-going relationship – both are very creative and bright -- and still share a passion for dance.
At fifteen Rebekah is a stunningly beautiful teenager. She has brought much joy and laughter into our family! Rebekah is a beautiful dancer with boundless energy and an infectious optimism. She has been a joyful additional to our family – and we are so grateful to God for His bountiful gift to us.
As we awaited news of our impending adoption from the Lighthouse, Rick and I busily steered our family through the daily grind of living. Jeremy was still actively receiving therapy for his developmental disabilities while Megan had successfully integrated into second grade.
Summer was soon upon us. As our family made plans to vacation in Colorado, Rick and I waited expectantly for an assigned social worker to complete the second half of our home study. It had been almost two months since we'd sent our $500 check to retain a lawyer. As the summer progressed and our vacation loomed closer I grew concerned that we would be traveling when our baby-to-be was born and we'd not completed our home study, yet. So I left a voice mail to let the Lighthouse know that we would be gone for ten days in July. Two days later our social worker came over to finish our home study and began telling us about a newborn baby girl who had been born just two days earlier. According to Phyllis, the birth mother had chosen us to be her baby's adoptive family. Because of my earlier phone message to the Lighthouse, Phyllis was told to share the exciting news of Rebekah's birth with us before we left town! We were, then, informed that we would be allowed to see the baby before leaving for vacation. We were elated.
With great excitement our family drove to see Rebekah for the very first time! Megan was beside herself with great anticipation! As we drove through the streets of southern Kansas City I thought of how our lives would change in just a few weeks. We continued to pray for God's affirmation that this little baby was to be the little one chosen by God for us.
As we climbed out of our mini-van I remember gazing down the street only to see a tall man leisurely walking his dog along the sidewalk. Reaching in to remove Jeremy from his car seat, I looked once more and could scarcely believe my eyes! The tall man was the very same friend who'd originally told us of God's plan to bless us with another child! God was clearly affirming to us that this child was God’s chosen baby for us! As we exchanged pleasantries and shared surprise to be standing together outside the foster family's home, I snapped a picture of our friend and his dog. It rests in Rebekah's baby book to this day.
Our family left for Colorado soon thereafter. Besides riding horses, walking through the mountain meadows and eating BBQ, Rick and I spent a lot of time discussing the planned arrival of our third child. My family stood in amazement to think that God would bless us with little Rebekah! Thanking Him for His goodness and mercy, we excitedly began planning for our new baby’s arrival. Eager to return home, we drove straight home to Kansas with very few stops.
Rebekah was required by law to stay with a Lighthouse foster family for the interim before our first court date. During this time we learned that our birth mother had become a committed Christian while staying at the Lighthouse and had decided upon our family with firm resolve that we were perfect for her darling baby. (Our family had prayed specifically for this to happen.)
As Rebekah's foster family, the Norbergs were a lovely family. We would stay in touch with them throughout the years. This family has continued to pray for Rebekah and their daughter, Kathleen, introduced her to the world of classical dancing. The two of them enjoy a casual, easy-going relationship – both are very creative and bright -- and still share a passion for dance.
At fifteen Rebekah is a stunningly beautiful teenager. She has brought much joy and laughter into our family! Rebekah is a beautiful dancer with boundless energy and an infectious optimism. She has been a joyful additional to our family – and we are so grateful to God for His bountiful gift to us.
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