‘What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men …… That is what love looks like.’ - St. Augustine

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Miracle on Lafayette Street

Sometimes God makes Himself known in a big way. I mean big as in a 'there is no way to explained what just happened' kind of way. Today God stepped out and revealed his power to me in a way I could never have imagined.

I've been speaking with Anya lately, but not blogging about it, because it is not good. She is depressed, despondent, and  recently homeless again. She is dealing with the loss of several friends to suicide. She doesn't see a way out, and has given up. I can't blame her. After almost five years of waiting to be with my family, I would give up, too. She waits impatiently for us to find a way to come to her this month, and she lives off my own constant reassurance that God is watching over her.

So, I've been angry at God, if I'm to be honest. I have been talking to him non-stop this week about Anya and asking him what the heck he wants me to do. I don't feel his support. I keep telling him I am trusting him, but when I speak to Anya and hear her desperation, I lose it. I'm then just a frantic mom who wants him to help her baby. NOW.

So today was like ever other day...with too much on my plate, and all I could think of was 'how am I possibly going to afford to get to Siberia this month?' and 'when is God going to answer my prayer?'  I was driving to work, and this is when I do alot of my praying. I was feeling the weight of Anya's situation -- her life hanging in the balance -- and I just starting crying and talking outloud to God.

I told him that I was honestly ready to move to Siberia if that is what needed to be done. I was sick of waiting for a call back from Senator Kerry's office. Sick of being told by his Chief of Staff that he'd get back to me. Sick of not knowing if anything was being done for my girl, while she remained homeless and hopeless in a world without any support. I was in the midst of asking God to please open up doors for me,  to please  inspire people to get things moving at Kerry's office. Please move the powers that be to help me with Anya, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ...And I looked to the side of the road on Lafayette street.

There stood Senator John Kerry on the steps of Saint Joseph's Church .

 No tv cameras, no masses of constituents -- just John Kerry and the Mayor of Salem standing under a giant cement frieze of Jesus on the cross.

I pulled over. I looked out my window. I wasn't dreaming. He was standing about 5 feet from my car. I called my friend Brian, 'Brian, what do I do? John Kerry is standing outside my window and I have been trying to reach him for almost 5 years...letters, calls, emails, etc. What do I do?'

"You go talk to him."

And so I did. I walked right up to him, and put out my hand. I told him my name and that I was the woman working to reunite her daughter with her sister - for 5 years now. I told him we had a mutual friend, which we do. I told him I was grateful beyond measure for anything he has already done to help reunite my girls. I told him I was heading to Siberia next week, where Anya remains homeless. I hoped to bring her good news. I told him I had been speaking to his Chief of Staff, Drew O'Brien, who kept me updated. Suddenly, a man sticks out his hand, " Hi Keri, I'm Drew, nice to meet you finally."

I won't post the details of the conversation,  but I will say that Senator Kerry was kind and also present. He looked me in the eye and listened. He did not rush to get away. I felt heard and felt respected. I walked away and burst into tears in my car.

John Kerry's name had been on my lips not 5 minutes before I saw him, as I poured out my heart to God. Senator Kerry is one of the few people in a position to help. I had written him countless letters over the years, send him emails, called his offices. I had done everything in my power to reach him, and here he was on the steps of a church, in my hometown, at the very same moment I happened to be driving by... at the very moment I was crying out to God for a sign that He heard my prayers.

That, my friends, is a miracle.

31 comments:

  1. Wow! I have goosebumps all over. I'm so happy you had that immediate, tangible sign from God that he is there, he does hear you, and he loves you and Anya and Anastasia. God bless you!

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  2. OH WOW. I cried when I read this post. God is so present. He has His timeline, and there He was, showing you the way. AMAZING.

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  3. GOD IS GOOD! Hallelujah!

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  4. This story brought tears to my eyes. I truly hope with all my heart that you can bring Anya home soon!

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  5. Anonymous1:59 PM

    Keri
    I have followed your journey for several years. I am a former Bostonian as well as adoptive mother of an 8 yr old for the far east region of Russia. I am moved by your resolve and passion for all things related to orphans.
    I felt compelled to write you after your last posting, I am more spirtual than religious but I do so believe that the universe provided you to be there at that particular moment. I so hope that Senator Kerry will move mountains to reunite you and your far away daughter.
    My daughter and I send you good thoughts and sincere wishes that all your prayers are answered.

    With the upmost respect and affection

    Ann

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  6. Wow. Just ... wow. So proud of you for your prayers, your efforts, and for stepping up in every literal and figurative way, and so happy that you got some affirmation today.

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  7. amazing!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!KEEPING PRAYING FOR YOU!

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  8. Wonderful! I love it when prayers are answered. I hope he listened and will now take action to move some mountains!!!

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  10. Mary, me too!

    It's been over four hours, and I am still so stunned that I dont know what to say! Just wow. wow and WOW. We all ask God for tangible proof sometimes....but to actually GET AN ANSWER immediately to a prayer I was in the MIDST of saying??? (outloud, I might add)...it is mind-blowing. Think of the chances:

    1. That John Kerry was in town without anyone knowing.

    2.That he would be standing in front of a church
    that I was driving by.

    3. That I would drive by in the TWO MINUTE time frame he had in front of the church.

    4. That I took THAT road to work. (I usually skip down Dow street to avoid traffic. I should not have even BEEN there...)

    5. That I would LOOK TO THE RIGHT and see him standing there. I never do that when I'm driving in traffic! AND in a rush!What possessed me to look to the right in the middle of my rant to God?

    6. That I would have the guts to walk up to him(lol)

    7. That his "people" would even let me near him, nevermind walk up to him, shake his hand & talk with him.

    8. That he would LISTEN and not brush me off! (After all, he had no idea who I was.)

    9. That the mayor of Salem, who KNOWS me, would be with him and could advocate for me after I left!

    10.Too many other variables to mention. It just shouldnt have happened.

    BUT IT DID!

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  11. Unbelievable! I pray he can make something happen for you now. He can't possibly ignore you now. Good luck!

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  12. Anonymous3:37 PM

    Praise the Lord

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  13. Anonymous3:55 PM

    Yhis will be short because I cannot see through the tears`God showed us all a miricle today~through you! Love and continued prayers for all. Love Mom

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  14. Like everyone else, I am crying. You needed this! Isn't God good?

    A spiritual advisor I had once told me that "God speaks through events" - and I've found this to be SO true....especially, He speaks through coincidences. This is so beautiful!

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  15. Harry/Ann - Just wanted to acknowledge what you wrote.

    "I do so believe that the universe provided you to be there at that particular moment"

    I so know this to be true. And how amazing is that? Whether you believe in God, a higher power, the Universe, Great spirit....whatever you choose to call it...isnt it AMAZING that a power greater than us CARES enough to make himself/itself known?

    I have friends of many faiths and I completely respect every one of them. Who am I to say how God speaks to another soul? I know in my heart that whatever you call Him ( or Her or It, to be respectful), He is LOVE personified.

    Love moves immovable mountains.

    Love heals un-healable wounds.

    Love is listening to each one of us.

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  16. Keri she has to come now! I am wishing you all the luck in the world!!!!!

    Sharon

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  17. God answers prayer and he doesn't show favortism. He is as apt to answer your prayer or my prayer as he is to answer anybody. You can now rest assured that God is going to take care of the problem. God Bless you !!

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  18. oh, my. Goosebumps, tears of joy, that mysterious amazement that comes when He does what we know He can do. I have all of that on reading this post. Just wow!

    Now, then, you may still have times ahead of you when you may feel frustration; but you can never, ever again in your life doubt that He has His hand on you -- nor that He is listening to you. He truly gave you a modern-day miracle that is no less powerful or amazing than turning water into wine or healing with His touch.

    My goodness, how He loves you!

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  19. Anonymous11:23 PM

    Ask and You Shall Receive! This is a story I will share with many~Your love is stronger than you know.
    Blessed Be!

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  20. That gave me goosebumps!! Simply Amazing!

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  21. Greetings from India! It's great to get this news. It's most encouraging. I think you are heading toward this time zone about the time I'm leaving it. May God speed your journey AND, most importantly, bring Anya home!

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  22. I keep coming back to this post... this wonderful story... It just amazes me, I love it!

    To see such solid proof that so much hope and devotion and energy was put out there by you, by Anya, by all those who know and care and hope for you in kind... that it was heard and answered in such an amazing fashion.

    I read this and all I could do was feel awed and warmed and smile ear to ear.

    Keep fighting and hoping and praying, Kerri. You're a mover of mountains.

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  23. Thanks Tayley! Someday I'd love to put that on my resume ( once Anya is home) It'll read:

    Keri C
    occupation: Mover of Mountains.

    Can you imagine a better occupation???
    THank you for those REALLY inspiring words!

    PS: I am in love with your name.

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  24. I've never commented on your blog before (but I read it faithfully) and I just wanted to thank you for posting this. You have no idea how much I needed to read this today. I've been really struggling with my faith lately - really struggling - and your post just spoke to me and moved me. It's exactly what I needed. Thank you!

    Best of luck!

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  25. Recovering noah -- just left you a note on YOUR blog, which I am kicking myself for not knowing about!

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  26. Anonymous11:41 AM

    Thru the tears, I'm rejoycing with you. Keep the faith, it will happen. We Brought our Anya Home after 5 years and 7 months. She's been home for 4 months now and is a pure joy! Your Anya is coming home also.

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  27. Ahhh, Keri!! I have the chills! I am sooooooooo glad you met and spoke with Kerry, himself and even Drew, too! This shall happen! Cathy

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