In Search of Mary Poppins

In a previous blog I wrote about our search once again for a caregiver for Scotty. (CLICK HERE) A few weeks ago I wrote a want ad describing the perfect caregiver for Scotty. We are looking for someone who will be accepting, patient, playful, loving and kind...always kind. We are looking for someone who will never classify him as just a job.  Magically she will already know everything we need...She will be practically perfect in every way.

So for the past six weeks we have been waiting and waiting for our very own Mary Poppins to show up.  Each new applicant seemed to send us farther away from what we were looking for instead of closer.  Our search seemed endless and was beginning to seem hopeless. I prayed and I prayed along with so many others who were praying for us and yet it seemed that God was being awfully quiet on this one.

One afternoon I received an email that made me throw my hands up in defeat.  It was from one of our "no shows" saying she wasn't able to come because she had been in jail, but wanted to know if I still wanted to interview her...um no...but thanks for your honesty.  

Later that evening I sent one of our first caregivers, Gretchen, a humorous email begging her to come back and regaled her with the ridiculous shenanigans of some of the applicants. She called me a few minutes later and although she already had a job she very kindly and very generously offered to help out until we found the perfect person for Scotty.

So I was able to relax and put off thinking about it for just a little while longer.  In fact, Gretchen was due to start today, but it seems God had a different idea.  Last Friday I opened an email from Care.com that had been sitting in my inbox for a few days.  Here is part of the email:

"I would love to speak with you and meet your son. I have worked extensively with young adults and have a God given ability to connect with human beings that have limited communication skills. I especially love teaching life skills. I also have a good grasp on various behavioral techniques and love the challenge of empowering young people to love and believe in themselves"

Hmmm...  So I called her and one of the first things she said to me was, "I have been praying every night you would call me."

Hmmm...

We scheduled a visit for the weekend and that night as I lay in bed I finally felt at peace after too many weeks of needless worry.  I already knew she was the one. God was not being quiet at all he was just waiting along side me for just the right person.

Is any thing too hard for the Lord?

Genesis 18:14

And if you need proof that God has a sense of humor...that night as I lay in bed saying prayers of thanks the wind outside my bedroom window howled with the incoming cold front.  Obviously He was indulging my need for "a sign" that she really was the person we had been waiting for and whipped up a wind like the one that blew Mary Poppins straight towards the house of Jane and Michael Banks.

This weekend she came over and spent three hours at our house telling us about her life and learning about ours.  She was as comfortable watching football with Steve and Scotty as she was talking with me about how God is working in her life.  On her way out the door she and Scotty fended off a vampire (dad) together and my very persnickety son was hooked and she was rewarded with a big hug and a kiss from our very sweet boy.

 As I closed the door behind her I said to Steve, I think we just found Mary Poppins and shockingly Mr. "I am skeptical and suspicious of everyone and everything"...Agreed!

Today as we waited for our much prayed for Mary Poppins to come over Scotty ran around the house gathering "things" to show her. Our little trio spent the morning together and whenever I had the opportunity I quietly faded into the background.

In doing so I had the pleasure to listen in on the conversation between Scotty and his new friend.  I listened as they together protected the house from the Indians in the front yard and laughed at the antics of Bob the squirrel who lives in the front yard as they waited for Jimmy John to deliver our lunch.

We were not wrong...she is patient, accepting, warm and kind...so very, very kind.  She joined Scotty in his world and she magically knows everything he needs.  She speaks softly when he is agitated and holds his hand to comfort him.  She sings to him about everything they are doing just like we do and amazingly enough that is not something I ever shared with her.

A little blurry, but there is no mistaking the smile on Scotty's face.

Our new friend Leah told us how blessed we are to have such a rich and full life and now we are able to count her as one of our many blessings.

She is practically perfect in every way.

Welcome to our world Mary Poppins.

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