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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: googled (04/10/14)
I have never believed in fate so much, but I do believe in Providence. When God says that His ways are higher than ours, it is absolutely true. God displays His Providence in ways big and small. I was blown away, however, when God's providence was revealed amazingly in an ancestral search done by my husband.

For years he frequently traveled for his employer, but on one particular trip to Scandinavia our confidence in Providence deepened. He went off on this business trip a worn and weary traveler, but returned home a new and energized person. Yes, I would even say, a younger-in-heart version of himself. What had transpired was life-changing.

It seems that God had put him in the right place at the right time. While spending some leisurely moments in a local library of a small Scandinavian town, and between business appointments, he and a colleague happened upon a book sale. His colleague noticed my husband's last name on a small booklet. Our last name is a common one in that part of the world, but upon opening the booklet, there somewhere toward the front of the booklet, lay a picture that my husband had seem time and time again. The man in the photograph was his great-grandfather who had immigrated to America in the century past from the old country. The evidence of Providence began to roll out before our eyes!

Since then, year after year, stones have been unturned and branches of the family tree, lost over the years, have slowly emerged. With help from known relatives in Scandinavia and America, phone numbers and addresses found have connected contemporary descendants: one person knew another who knew another. It has been a marvelous journey and miracle!

Ten years into this search, Providence gathered three of the descendants and placed them together on a homage, of sorts. I was witness to the gathering: a trio of cousins standing in a primordial, perfect, mossy and misty forest in Scandinavia. On this day these three stood on the very spot where, at least three generations prior, their great-great grandmother had birthed this trio's great grandparents. This was a spine tingling, goose bump-producing moment for me. On this day, these three reveled in a satisfaction of finding their perfect place in their giant family tree. The moment felt sacred. It was truly an evidence of Providence.
It was a marvelous moment of delight. If I could have googled the definition of "joy", I believe that even the internet search engine could not have adequately captured that moment of wonder.

I have never believed, so much, in fate. Without a doubt, I do believe in Providence.
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This article has been read 593 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lollie Hofer 
04/18/14
What a great testimony! Enjoyed reading it. You did a good job of expressing your husband's emotions whether it was being weary from travel or reuniting with long-lost relatives.
C D Swanson 
04/19/14
Thank you for sharing this tender emotional and powerful testimony with us. I loved it.

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
04/21/14
In the phrase 'I was blown away, however,' (1st paragraph) perhaps the comma would serve better only after the word 'however', but not after the word 'away'. In paragraph 2, where it says: 'but on one particular trip to Scandinavia our confidence in Providence deepened' I would add a comma after the word Scandinavia. In the third paragraph where it says, 'there somewhere toward the front of the booklet,' I would remove the word 'there' (not needed). In the phrase, 'Since then, year after year, stones have been unturned and branches of the family tree, lost over the years, have slowly emerged.' I would leave the last two commas out of that sentence. Too many comma's make for choppy reading. I had a woman tell me once my writing had way too many comma's in it, and since then I have tried to watch that habit and eliminate them where unneeded. In the fourth paragraph, a semi-colon might be more appropriate then use of a colon. In the phrase at the end, 'placed them together on a homage, of sorts' I would leave out the comma. In the phrase, 'I have never believed, so much, in fate.' I would leave out the commas.
Thanks for allowing me to read and critique your interesting article.
Amelia Brown 
04/22/14
Such a wonderful reunion, and great use of the topic. Keep writing.
Robert Douglas Brown
04/22/14
A very good article that was a pleasure to read.

God Bless!
Larry Whittington
04/24/14
A well written life story.

It was easy to follow and a quick read.

Enjoyable.