Generations....

In continuation of my last post, I want to share this letter my mom sent me today...


Your friend's story is beautiful. I understand Stephanie's tears. Yet it reminds me of another amazing story about a man, a woman, a boat and circumstances that were changed beyond their control.

It was 11:00 AM on November 11, 1911 at the Church of England in the village of St Austell, England. It was Albert & Mary’s wedding day! Soon after their wedding they planned to travel by ship across the Atlantic Ocean to a new place where they would make their home and begin a new life together. They’d made arrangements to travel on a brand new, beautiful ship. It would be the ship's maiden voyage and the news media would be at the dock to see the ship and all it's passengers off. It was all so very exciting! There was also much talk about the safety of this new ship - it was far superior to any built before. And the fine, onboard accommodations out surpassed any other ship of it’s time. Although Albert and Mary regretted leaving their families in England, they were equally excited to begin their new life together - in a wonderful new place. Their hopes were high as they made preparations for their new venture.

However, as sometimes happens, their plans changed and they learned they would not be able to travel on the beautiful new ship after all. Albert & Mary were disappointed at this news, yet they refused to give up hope. So they made new travel arrangements to sail, a bit later than planned, on a much older ship. There would be no news media with flashing cameras present when they set sail; nor would there be the elaborate accommodations onboard the ship. Yet, Albert & Mary would still be together and they would have a wonderful life in a new, exciting place. The day finally came when the young couple set sail on a ship that had traveled many seas to many destinations. The ship took them to Canada where they lived for several years before traveling once again to America. They made their home in Flint, Michigan. Although times were difficult in this new country, Albert & Mary’s dreams did in deed come true and they lived for many, many years in true happiness - just as they had always planned!

Albert & Mary were blessed with nine children. On February 6, 1927 their youngest daughter was born. They named her Ethel. In the summer of 1950 Ethel met Harold; a shy farm boy from a small town in the Thumb Area of Michigan. Wouldn’t you know it was love at first sight! And so, on June 9, 1951, Harold & Ethel were married. They settled in Harold's home town of Cass City. Times were difficult for this young couple as well, yet they were married for 54 very happy years! They had two children. Their daughter, Sherry, was born on March 18, 1952 and a son, Larry, was born the following year, right on Mother's Day, May 8. 1953. Harold & Ethel loved their children deeply and taught them - by word and by actions - to love and depend on God for whatever might come their way in life. They taught them to always hope in God and never give up on their dreams. They taught them that no matter how difficult the situation, to always turn to God for the answer and to know all things were best left to God’s planning and timing.

On July 10, 1971, Sherry married her high-school sweet-heart, Bob. On October 1, 1973, their beautiful baby girl, Mardi Leigh, was born. Mardi was an extraordinarily special person. Sherry often said, "God knew what he was doing when he gave me Mardi." Even as a child Mardi was very determined and always knew her own mind. God gave her an added dose of compassion and empathy for others; she always seemed to be far wiser than her years. Yet, the time came when Mardi wondered if she would ever find a husband. She didn't want just any husband; she wanted "her husband". God heard Mardi’s thoughts and he also knew her heart. And so, one night Mardi had a dream and in her dream she felt a man's arms come around from behind her and lay his hands across her arms - ever so gently and lovingly. Though no words were spoken, Mardi knew those were the arms of "her husband" and she knew right then that God had a plan for her to someday meet this extraordinarily special man. And so Mardi waited. She waited and waited for what seemed to Mardi far longer than necessary – after all, how long could it take God to bring “her husband” to her? Yet she did not give up hope.

At this same time, in a far away place (Arizona), there was an extraordinarily special young man named Dan whose heart God was speaking to. You see, Dan too had questions about where he would find “his wife.” For he knew only God could make a woman into the extraordinarily special person he could some day call his own. And unbeknownst to either of them, God knew Dan & Mardi would be an extraordinarily special couple. Together, they would be just what God was looking for to complete a very special journey; a journey God had planned for many, many years. But it would be several more years before God would reveal Dan & Mardi’s true purpose and mission together to them.

And so, on a very special day during the winter of 1996, a man named Dan walked into Mardi’s life. Dan took one look at Mardi and thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met! You see, on this day, God allowed Dan to see more than physical beauty; he allowed Dan to glimpse Mardi’s inner beauty – a heart touched by God himself - and this was very new to Dan. Right then and there Dan asked Mardi to go on a date with him. Mardi said, “Yes,” she’d go on a date with him. The love between them blossomed with each new day. And a short while later, Dan asked Mardi to marry him and she said, “Yes,” she’d marry him. And so, on June 12, 1999 they did just that. And Dan & Mardi have lived very happily together ever since that day! And today, Dan & Mardi are making very extraordinarily special plans to travel to China where they will meet their little girl, Lauren, for the very first time. Lauren will be beautiful and perfect - just like her Mommy. She will be the answer to Dan & Mardi prayers. And Lauren will be loved and cherished – for her entire life - by her Mommy & Daddy.

It is something to note that Albert & Mary's hope, courage and strong determination are seen even today in later generations of their family. For these are truly good characteristics to pass on to our children. Another important note is the name of the ship that Albert & Mary did not travel on - that ship was the Titanic, which is now docked at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. For, as we all know, it's first voyage was also it's last. If Albert & Mary had kept their original travel arrangements, they very likely would have died together on that ship and this story would have ended there. But it did not, because God had planned all along to send a little girl named Lauren to be born in China. He knew Lauren would need an extraordinarily special Mommy & Daddy - people who would never give up searching for her. And this extraordinarily special Mommy & Daddy would travel across the seas to wherever Lauren was waiting for them. And God knew this extraordinarily special couple would bring Lauren home – to a very special place - where they would all live very happily ever after. For this is Dan & Mardi’s true purpose and mission together, all planned by God many, many years ago. And this is the true tale of Lauren's Journey Home.

Love, Mom (Lauren's Grandma!)