Tuesday, October 14, 2008

It's a Small, Small World

This past weekend we headed South to visit family. Leaving at 5:37am Friday morning we headed to Swainsboro, GA to visit my parents. We arrived there about 5:00pm. It was a long trip, but Saturday was filled with nothing to do but sit around so we rested. Then Sunday morning we left and traveled 2 hours North to visit with Craig's Mom. A couple hours there then we went to lunch at Krystal's. Why don't they have this fast food place this far north? Then onto Columbia SC to see Ellis and Gina. We spent some time with them and then went onto the hotel to sleep. Leaving Columbia at 8am Monday morning we headed on home. It was as whirlwind trip but nice to see all the family we could.

On the way home we knew we had to be on the lookout for Chick fil A for lunch around 11ish. Somewhere in NC we saw a sign and went hunting, after driving off the interstate for miles and no sign of the Chick fil A we headed back to I 95 and continued on. By then I am just thinking find something. So I said let's do the next Wendy's we see. In a few minutes we spot the exit and take it only to find the Wendy's connected to a Truck stop. A no go, so back to the interstate.

Just a few more exists and WOW a Chick Fil A in Dortches NC. We take the exist and see the sign that says it is 4.1 miles down the road. You know when you are in a hurry to get home and still have hours to go you just want things to be quick. Well, we made the decision to find this Chick Fil A and we did. After driving for a couple of miles we found this really nice Chick Fil A and went inside. Now I have to say this was the best Chick Fil A. It was lunch rush, the manager started taking orders, he delivered our food to our table. In a few minutes an employee came by and gave us mints, another employee came by to see if we needed any refills. The service was exceptional. We are sitting there eating and over the high counter a lady stopped and asked how old Shoshannah was and asked what her name was. Then the questions (my mind was wondering was this some small town lady who had never seen a Chinese little girl and was wondering what her next question or comment was going to be) Then she said her granddaughter was 3 also and she was meeting her for lunch. Then she also said that her daughter was going to be excited. So I asked" Is your granddaughter adopted?" Yes, was her reply, from China. In walks her daughter and granddaughter and she calls them over. She introduced the little one as Lily. Shoshannah and Lily began to talk and the adults carried on our own conversation. It went something like this.. Where is Shoshannah from- Chongqing_ SO is Lily! What orphanage? Chongqing City. Where is Lily from Dianjiang which is near the Shicuan Province, but they stayed in Chongqing. How long has she been home> 2 years. US too! They flew home September 15 2006, we got home September 24, 2006. Shoshannah's birthdate August 4, 2005, Lily was born in July 2005. Lily's other grandmother lives on the Eastern Shore and they pass through Chesapeake on their way there. So, I gave them our address and phone number,they said they would call the next time they were traveling through. Lily and Shoshannah wanted to play,but our time was limited so off we went.

Craig and I got back in the van. Both kinda quiet thinking about what God had just done. Then we begin to talk. We don't believe in coincidences. We believe God orchestrated that meeting. And we are so thrilled. We hope to visit with this family again.


Have I ever mentioned that Shoshannah means "Rose"? There is a wonderful story behind that. Well, another way to spell Shoshannah is to leave the last h off. If you do it means Lily:)

5 comments:

usafinks said...

oh yes... I do beleive God orchestrates these meetings :)

one day... our girls will need each other for understanding and support

God provided MANY meetings like that for me when (at my lowest points) we were waiting for Annalee-- and each time I was amazed at how "perfect" the timing was for support!!!

missing you guys... especially knowing you were so CLOSE but so far! ;)

Kristin said...

What an amazing story. It surely is a small world after all.
Kristin

Gina Marie Perpetua said...

Chills. :-D

Lisa said...

Oh my... another post that gave me goosebumps and a tear!

I too firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and that reason is all a part of God's plan for us. We are all intertwined and like you, nothing happens by accident!

I'm so gladd I popped in. :) I cannot WAIT to see you again!!

Hugs,
Lisa :)

dandsratz said...

Hey Tarita!! I actually didn't read this whole blog...I will come back here, but I just wanted to quickly say hey, and to tell you that I was thinking about you this morning!! :)