Heather in Neverland Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Nearly 30 years ago, when I was 10yo, I went to church camp for a week. I was shy, insecure, homesick, etc. My counselor was a young woman named Lorna. Is there someone in your life that has made a huge positive impact on you even if they are no longer a part of your life? This was her. She was this awesome example of Christ's love personified. She made such a huge impact on me that I went to camp for the next 3 years in a row and requested to be in her cabin every time. Spiritually and personally, she is someone who stands out in my memory. Obviously, we all grow up and eventually stop attending camp and I never saw her again but I never forgot her. As I have lamented before, since we moved back to Michigan we have had a tough time finding a church. We have visited probably 15-20 different churches. Every time I think we have found one that might fit us, something weird happens (there is a lot of weirdness going on out there :tongue_smilie:). This morning we visited yet another new church. I enjoyed the sermon and was thinking, "Hmmm, this might work." After the sermon, a man seated next to my dh introduced himself and welcomed us to the church. He introduced his wife and then motioned to the couple seated behind us and said "and this is Danny and Lorna." AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! She didn't recognize me of course but she looks exactly the same. My eyes welled up with tears and I grabbed her and hugged her really tightly (which, for anyone who knows me, is strange since I have personal space issues :D ). I am pretty sure she thought I was a lunatic. But then I started babbling about who I was and how I knew her and what an impact she had on my life as a teenager, etc, etc. She remembered me then and was so happy to see us and started talking about how great the church was AND the fact that there were several members I already know from my childhood church (which burned down when I was 22yo). It was so AWESOME. So, anyways, it was really cool and I had to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Sounds like you just found your new church home! HOw exciting to find that special person from your past, it should be interesting now to get to know her as a peer rather than a her charge kwim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacqui in mo Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 That is Wonderful!! I hope this is going to be your new church home.! Jacqui Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Awwwww...isn't God just like that? He knew you needed to see Lorna again, and there she was :-) How wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 How totally cool! As much as it made your day, I would guess that you made hers as well. It must have been a blessing for her to see how her friendship and mentoring paid off. I hope you have found a church home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PariSarah Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I'll bet she's been smiling to herself all day!!! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Wow Heather! That is a beautiful testimony of God's goodness. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Your story gave me chills... you know the kind that cover your arms, legs and even your face? Those kind of chills. I'm glad you had a reconnect with someone who obviously made such an impact on your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I was just going to say the same thing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in St Louis Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 That is amazing!God is Good!:D Melissa in St Louis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Aw, I love when things like that happen! I'm so happy for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 That's incredible, Heather! God has such a wonderful way of surprising us sometimes! Congratulations on seeing Lorna after all these years and on possibly finding a church home. Chelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamato3 all-boy boys Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Awesome story, Heather! There were several people in my life whom God used to show me His love. Prior to moving back east, I was able to tell one of the women what a witness she had been to me, and how she had (unknown to her) planted seeds that bore fruit. It was fantastic to be able to bless her with that testimony of her faithfulness to God. I doubt I'll ever see the others -- but after your story, Who knows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Wow, that is incredible! What a great story! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Had to sign on really quick to say WOW. I love the small world stories and when God shows up to bless our socks off.:001_smile:. Thanks for sharing. This is very touching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 What a great story!!! I ran into my voice teacher from high school who had a HUGE impact on my life and she moved away. It was such a great experience for both of us!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest janainaz Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 :001_smile:That is a truly amazing God-wink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in IN Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Heather, that's so awesome! What an great reminder that God is directing your steps! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 That is so cool!!!! I had something like that happen one time. When I was about 11 or 12, my family hosted a couple of 18yo traveling missionary (with YWAM) girls who were passing through Maine (where I grew up) on a trip. I kept in touch with one girl, but not the other. 13 or so years later, I was in a remote part of Northern Ontario with a YWAM team myself, in freezing cold January, helping out at a youth retreat. The lady in charge of the retreat got up and was talking to the kids, and she said her name. When I heard her say that, I thought, "That's the name of the other girl from that weekend whom I didn't keep in touch with. hmmm......" I got all excited inside, because I just KNEW it was her!! Impatiently I waited for her to finish and give the kids a break, then I went and introduced myself. I asked, "Did you travel with YWAM and stay with a single mother with 5 kids in Maine one time in the early 80s?" She looked at me strangely, then said yes. I said, "I'm the oldest of those 5 kids and you have no idea what an impact you guys had on me!!!" She was so shocked, and then blessed. She shared that story with everyone when the retreat sessions resumed. It was very cool. I loved your story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 What an amazing reunion!!!!! Thanks for sharing this incredible story. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesa Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 What are the odds of that happening.... really. WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 What an awesome story! It made me cry. God is good :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I LOVE stories like this! It shows the awesome caring of God for each of us! I can picture Him smiling and chuckling as you two met and embraced! God is so good! Thanks for sharing this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreen State Sue Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Your story brought tears to my eyes. That is so awesome. That sounds like a confirmation sign that this is the church for you. It is just the best when you can connect like that in a church. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 what a HUGE blessing! God is AWESOME!!! I think you found your church! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Very wonderful story! Have you thought about sending it into Guideposts?? If you are not familiar with it, they have a Mysterious Ways column every month and your story is perfect for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 What is Guideposts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 http://www.guideposts.org/ Monthy magazine with inspiring true life stories. My MIL got it for us years ago and we have kept up the subscription since her passing. It has been around for decades and was started by Norman Vincent Peale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.