This morning I decided to get out in the car with Nora, even if it was just to drop a package off at the post office mailbox. Sometimes just getting out of the house for a change of scenery can make all the difference in the world. With the leaves changing the scenery around here is breathtaking. On my way back home I noticed my gas tank was a little low, so I extended our away time by stopping to get gas. Who ever thought filling the car up with gas would be something fun to do?? I entered my rewards card, entered my credit card, entered zip code, and selected gas type. Do I want a car wash? No. Do I want a receipt? No. “SEE CASHIER,” blinks up on the screen. In exasperation I hung up the nozzle and proceeded to hastily re-enter all of the aforementioned information. I did NOT want to go inside to wait in line for 20 minutes while “everyone and their uncle” purchased hot dogs, cigarettes, singing Elvis clocks, and lotto tickets. “SEE CASHIER,” popped up again. I slammed the nozzle back onto the pump and quickly stormed inside. “Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger,” I repeated over and over again to myself. It wasn’t the cashier’s fault, no need to scream at her. The cashier reset the pump and suggested I try it again. I went back out and tried the whole thing again. It worked. “Amazing!” I muttered under my breath, “Had I known it was going to be so (dang) difficult I never would have stopped!!!” Just as the tank had filled up and I was about to set off on my merry way, a soft spoken girl came from around the back of my car. “Excuse me,” she said nervously,”I’m so sorry, I’m on my way to a doctor’s appointment and I don’t have enough money for gas…”
“Yes, I’ll help you,” I responded and reached into the car to get my purse. She was only asking for a couple of dollars, but a couple dollars might have gotten her to the other side of the parking lot. I had no cash on me anyway. I walked with her over to the next pump, swiped my credit card, and told her she could fill her tank up. As I stood there talking to her, she shared with me that she’s pregnant and that’s what the doctor’s visit was about. A beautiful blonde haired little girl smiled at me from the back seat. Her husband had lost his job a few months back and hasn’t been able to find work. On top of that her doctors are fearful that her baby might have something wrong. An extra chromosome, she explained. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized EXACTLY why my credit card transaction hadn’t initiated a few moments ago. I told her about Nora and what a treasured gift she is. I told her how my faith in God is what has pulled me through all of this, no doubt He is there for her too. She said she knows that full well, but she’s very confused as to why God would add a complicated pregnancy to an already trying situation. “He didn’t cause this. These are the things that draw us closer to him,” I told her. The gas pump shut off indicating that her tank was full. “Thank you so much,” she said with tears in her eyes. I hugged her and promised I would be praying for her, her family and her precious unborn baby. I got back in the car and the tears just started streaming. God’s ways are really, really, really OBVIOUS sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!
As I started the car, “Fall Apart” by Josh Wilson started playing on the radio. The words to the song confirmed what I’d just told her:
Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give You praise
Now it all seems upside down
‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart
Blessed are the ones who understand We’ve got nothing to bring but empty hands
Nothing to hide and nothing to prove Our heartbreak brings us back to You
And it all seems upside down
‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart
I don’t know how long this will last
I’m praying for the pain to pass
But maybe this is the best thing that
Has ever happened to me
My whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when You will find me when
I fall apart
===========
She flashed her brights at me before turning onto the highway, each of us heading our separate ways. I’ll probably never see her again, but I love how God orchestrated our “chance” meeting. I was blessed by the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Luke 6:38 NIV)
Pictures of Nora today:
iwillcarryyou 
Alesia this is absolutely amazing! First of all you are so kind, the thought that you would just fill up her tank…I can tell you that in itself probably relieved so much stress from her, if only for a short while! Second of all I love how clearly God speaks to you as well as through you. simply amazing!
Aleisa, you are obviously a gift from God to this lady and so many others! Your strength, kindness, and inspiration are truly amazing. I am glad your tripped turned into such a wonderful experience for you (and Nora, too)! You very well run into this person again. God Bless!
God used you in a precious way! Great blessing.
God is awesome!
Wow…you have me in tears Aleisa! You are such a blessing to so many people. Thank you!
I just love how God works!! I love reading your blogs they are so positive,uplifting !l. You are such a kind soul. I just love little Nora!! I just want snuggle her 🙂
So glad we serve an Omniscient God.
I love it. Thanks Aliesa. Again you have turned the light on at the other side of the tunnel for me. Bless you and miss you all.
I write this as the tears flow. What a beautiful story. God really is great! And you are a sweetheart!
This story gave me chills! Just as you met an angel named Shirley at the hospital, I am pretty sure she is telling people she met an angel, too!
We pray every day for Nora and your family!
Love that you helped that sweet girl! I truely believe that everything happens for a reason! 🙂
Wow!!! *tears how awesome & totally amazing!!!
The chills have coursed through my body and I am still rolling my jaw up from the floor. What an incredible experience. Thank you for sharing–it was a perfect reminder at a perfect time. This was exactly what I needed to hear today. God certainly is good.
What a beautiful story! And just what I needed to read today.
Beautiful…thats all there really is to say
Wow, I’m shocked !!. Did she see sweet Nornor?.
sobbing sobbing sobbing
Our God is so Good! I got chills when I read this, Aleisa. He uses you, because you listen! I love your spirit and sass: “Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger.” And, clearly He was saying “Slow down, my Child, Slow down”. It is these times that He literally changes a life! Perhaps even Saves a life! Powerful stuff.
You need to order some “business cards”! Put your name and blog info on them. Have them ready to give to a person… like that Mama.
I am proud to call you my friend and Sister! I love you. Kiss my Nora for me. ~ Jo aka JF
While your heart is clearly overflowing, my heart is so very full after reading this beautiful story. I guess my mom has been correct all these years….God really does work in mysterious ways.
God is truly blessing you and those you touch with your amazing kindness, strength, words, and faith. Thank you for reminding us all that he truly is an “Amazing God.”
Absolutely one of my favorites. Alesia don’t you so wish every person would pour their faith into our great father who walks with us daily?
I got chills while reading this! Praise God for his amazing ways! And God bless you Aleisa for listening to Him and ministering to that young lady.
You inspire me every single day to be a better person, a better wife, a better Christian, a better mom and over all a better human being. I love your family so much and I never even met you!
You were so kind and generous to that young woman…this story is like those that circulate the internet and you wonder if they’re true.. Thanks for sharing..and for your kindness.
I must admit that I am not very familiar with Christian singers–more of an old time rock and roller–but when my niece’s baby was born after a perfectly normal pregnancy with hydrops fetalis (cause still not known, and she is a bit behind, but progressing well..), and then my sister (the baby’s grandma) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer–one of the doctors I work with gave me a Laura Story CD called “Blessings” . The words to the title song are:
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, prosperity
We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if Your blessings come thru raindrops
What if Your healing comes thru tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot fear You near
And we doubt Your goodness. We doubt Your love
As if each promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
As long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if Your blessings come thru raindrops
What if Your healing comes thru tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win, we know
That pain reminds this heart.. that this is not, this is not our home…
‘Cause what if Your blessings come thru raindrops
What if Your healing comes thru tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
What if my greatest disappointments, or aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy.
What if the trials of this life..
The rain, the storms the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise..
She wrote this song when her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Here is a uTube link.. I hope it works. This is a beautiful song… if you already know it, I’m sorry to have taken up so much space here.
As always.. blessings to you and your family!
What a beautiful God story! So blessed, encouraged and inspired by your sweet faithfulness. I also love the way you said to yourself…slow to anger, slow to anger as you felt it welling up inside you. Will definitely have to remember that.
Oh, Alesia, I wish everyone on facebook could read your blog, especially this entry. What an encouragement you must have been to that young woman. This has stirred some feelings of guilt within me-there are so many times when God wants to use us in the most awesome of ways, if WE don’t get in the way. I get so caught up in me and my stuff that I often forget about the bigger plan and blessings that I can give and receive. Thanks for the reminder, Alesia! God Bless You and your lovely family.
Thank you for sharing! Wow! Brought tears to my eyes. God puts special people like you here on earth to make life a better place for others! Blessings to your family!
That is amazing! God is so good!
ALEISA, YOU ARE AN ANGEL WALKING THIS EARTH. THAT WAS SUCH A KIND THING THAT YOU DID TO HELP THAT YOUNG WOMAN. GOODNESS, WHAT WOULD SHE HAVE DONE IF YOU WERE NOT THERE FOR HER? GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, AND I KNOW THIS, BUT EVERY TIME I SEE OR HEAR OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING IT STILL AMAZES ME. GOD IS SO WONDERFUL. I DO NOT KNOW THAT LADY, BUT GOD DOES, AND I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR HER AND HER FAMILY. THANK YOU ALEISA FOR SHARING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PART OF YOUR DAY WITH ALL OF US OUT HERE. THE REASON I GOT BEHIND ON YOUR BLOGS, IS BECAUSE I WENT TO SEE MY SISTER FOR A FEW DAYS. SHE IS IN THE ADVANCE STAGES OF ALZHEIMERS’S DISEASE. I DO NOT THINK SHE KNEW WHO MY YOUNGER SISTER AND I WERE, BUT SHE WAS HAPPY WE WERE THERE. SHE ALWAYS LOVED COMPANY. SHE LIVES WITH HER DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW NOW. MY NIECE TAKES CARE OF HER EVERY DAY. HOSPICE HAD TO BE CALLED IN LAST WEEK TO HELP. JUST READING ABOUT HOW YOU HELPED THIS LADY OUT, AND HOW GOD WORKED EVERYTHING OUT, SURE MADE MY DAY BRIGHTER. GOD IS SO GOOD, AND HE WATCHES OVER US (HIS CHILDREN). YOU ARE SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON ALEISA, AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT I DO GET TO MEET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SOME DAY. IT SEEMS LIKE I ALREADY KNOW YOU. PLEASE KNOW THAT NORA AND ALL HER FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS EACH AND EVERY DAY. I PRAISE GOD THAT NORA IS DOING GOOD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR FAMILY DAILY WITH ALL OF US. YOU HAVE BLESSED ME MORE THAN I COULD EVER PUT IN WORDS. I LOVE LITTLE NORA ROSE AND ALL OF YOU GUYS. GUESS I WILL GET SOME SHUT EYE, SINCE IT IS WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
I’ve been a reader since, gosh, not long after you started blogging about sweet Nora.
I need to tell you that your faith inspires me.
I check your blog daily. When I finish reading, almost always with my toddler snoozing all snuggled with me, I talk to God about your Nora. I thank Him again for my son. I thank Him for people like you who share your world with others so we can re-open our own dialog(s) with Him.
It may sound odd, but we (God and I) get along better now- if that makes any sense. It looks silly written down. Nora and your willingness to share her are part of why.
*dialogue
I hate when I misspell.
Wow—-nothing is random!! Stay strong and bring the message to us all!
❤
Just wow…how amazing He works!
Such an amazing, inspiring story……..makes us very grateful for what we have and you inspire me to be a better person. Giving to those who have less, going through a situation that you truly understand and God placing you there to help……..AMAZING GOD he is!!!
I’m a true believer that God works in mysterious ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family . We also have a Nora Rose:) and I often also call her Nornor:) She is 12. Hang in there. Take care of yourself as well!
What a beautiful story! I have a daughter with full Trisomy 18, she’s twelve years old, and her name is NORA!!! A friend sent me the link to your blog, and it’s astonishing how much our babies look alike (at least how my Nora looked when she was wee). We never dreamed we’d have her for so long, and I’d be glad to talk with you if you want, to hear about your “sweet Nora” and tell you about our “sweet Nora”.
I just love to read things you write about, I have faith but i learn so much from you.thanks for sharing your life with me.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Luke 6:38 NIV) This is verse that my husband,David uses in many situations. It is a good Bible verse to live by. If everyone lived by this then our world would be a much better place. I guess we need to start one person at a time. Thanks for sharing your story and your inspirations with the world.