This is the story of a Russian immigrant family- the oldest of their three daughters was only 8 years old when they arrived in the U.S.  They had been granted asylum in Israel when they first fled Russia.  Through the help of Amnesty International, an American church was contacted with the request for a sponsor family in the U.S. to assist a young Russian family transition to America.  A family in the church felt an inner urge to help.  And so it was that a young Russian family landed in the open arms of a middle-aged American couple in rural Pennsylvania.

Today Husband and I had the privilege of witnessing the official opening of a state-of-the-art dental facility in our town in Oregon.  It is owned by a young female dentist whom we have grown to love.  She got a little choked up when she addressed the crowd gathered to celebrate her accomplishment.  She mentioned receiving help from a couple in Pennsylvania when her family first arrived in the US twenty-two years ago.  They had left Pennsylvania after a couple of years and moved to Oregon.  Their family and the American family had drifted apart and fallen out of touch.  The young girl excelled in school in Oregon, eventually earning scholarships to college and then dental school.  Now she is an excellent dentist in a small town where she lives with her husband and two children near her parents and sisters.  A man stepped forward to offer the prayer of dedication for the new building.  He was an older gentleman from Pennsylvania.  Yes, the one who had helped the young family all those years ago.  Turns out that our dentist had renewed ties recently via Facebook with her sponsor family.  This sweet story has yet another dimension.  When our dentist friend got back in contact with her sponsor family, of course, she mentioned that she was going to build a new facility for her practice.  Wonder of wonders, guess what the occupation of the man had been for years?!  A dental office designer!  How surprised he was to find out that the little girl had grown up to be a good dentist who was ready to build her very own dental facility!  Newly reunited, the two teamed up to design the most beautiful dental office I have ever seen.  Isn’t God amazing?!

Here is the story of her dream in her own words:

1. “My first memory was from the Soviet Union days. My aunt took me to the dentist and we stood in line for hours. I had the most terrible experience and remember the ladies being so stern and mean. I cried all the way out of there! But who knows, maybe I was a terrible kid to begin with ?.
2. The second memory is of the American dentist. She was so nice and sweet! I got a sucker at the end. (Hmmm…now as a dentist myself I wonder if I have my memories mixed up with the physicians!)

Bad vs. Good, Sad vs. Happy. The juxtaposition of these two events really are the catalyst to me making that decision at eight years old to become a dentist!  There is even that home video at the age of 12, standing on top of “Pill” hill in Portland and my tiny voice saying “Someday, I will go to school here and become a dentist!”  Dreams really do come true for some kids!

My mom was the constant parent who saved every piece of artwork, card or gift that we have ever given her.  I have come to appreciate that fact about her, especially when she brought out a list that I wrote down while I was in high school.

(check) Go to College (George Fox was my dream!)

(check) Get my degree

(check) Go to dental school (I ended up on the “Pill” hill!)

(check) Become an associate (Thanks, Dr. Puffer!)

(check) Buy my own office

(check) Get my own equipment and instruments (I don’t understand my reasoning for buying a practice first and not getting instruments with it!)

(check) Marry and have a family (Somehow this was low on my list but I accomplished both of these before getting my degree and then had my kids before finishing dental school!)

There is no magic to me, I just don’t know how to say no! Honestly, God has given me so much energy to dream and create, and I really don’t see obstacles in front of me, instead, there are just possibilities to change the world! Additionally, He has also blessed me with the most amazing family, parents, sisters, husband, and children who get what we do. They really keep me grounded. But the person who brings those plans to life is my husband Scott. He really deserves all of the kudos!”  Dr. S.

I think there are two, no three, things we can take away from this heart-warming story.

God is the great Arranger of our lives.  He delights to bring people together to bless one another.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”  Isaiah 48:17

God gives us vision, drive, and strength to do what he has put in our hearts and equipped us to do.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

When we do the big and little things that God asks us to do, we are happy people.

“All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.”  2 Chronicles 15:15

Now I’m going to add one more lesson in this story;  as adults, we should respect the dreams of children (after they are old enough to think for themselves).  Who knows?  Perhaps a young heart is able to hear God’s whisper better.  As a famous pastor has said, “We should be Wow! people instead of How? people when we hear the dreams of others.  “Wow!  Wouldn’t that be great if you could accomplish that dream!”  Instead of, “How could that ever happen?”

“your assistant, Joshua, will lead the people into the land. Encourage him, for he will lead Israel as they take possession of it…encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people…”  Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28