Some jobs you work without knowing exactly what the purpose of you being there is. Sometimes it’s a means to an end, sometime a passion is discovered, at other times, you’re there in order to be introduced to God’s overriding plan--my orthodontist marketing position certainly fell into the latter category.
This past summer, on a typical day working for this dear Orthodontist firm, my to-do list took me to a general dentistry in La Habra to deliver some paperwork for a mutual patient of ours--the patient being none other than Noah Lietzau. The receptionist I had come to know informed me of his unique story and the phenomenal family he belonged to.
So come on out to Costa Mesa on February 7th for a night of music, games, photos, delectable eats and good ol’ fashion fun--all to support this deeply loved family and glorify of the One who continues to sustain and provide for their needs.
This past summer, on a typical day working for this dear Orthodontist firm, my to-do list took me to a general dentistry in La Habra to deliver some paperwork for a mutual patient of ours--the patient being none other than Noah Lietzau. The receptionist I had come to know informed me of his unique story and the phenomenal family he belonged to.
Leaving the office with tears brimming my eyes, I wasted no time in looking into their website for myself. I not only found their personal testament of the hardships they’d been dealt, but was overwhelmed to discover their incredible faith that had been produced through this trying time. As I kept reading, I became aware of their upcoming Angel game fundraiser and excitement began to rise as I brainstormed how to get involved.
A lightbulb went off internally as I realized how much my boss and his staff would love to contribute to this event if at all possible, and wasted no time in inquiring whether or not the office would be able to support in some way. I was greeted with a receptive reaction from the compassionate orthodontist and the green light to contact Melody.
It was in that initial call one afternoon that I began to see God’s coordination weave together, for as I caught Melody off-guard with the random call and introduced myself as someone who had been touched by her family’s story and desired to pray and hopefully contribute, she in turn took me by surprise with her open response in informing me of their youngest daughter’s second heart surgery being scheduled for the very following week. Talk about amazing timing...how intentional is our God?
I was taken aback and humbled by Melody’s vulnerability and the chance to even chat with her; hearing her calm demeanor in explaining the prayer requests she and Jason had for their sweet Hannah’s surgery was such an honor--it quickly began to register with me that this family was going to occupy a special place within the walls of my own heart.
A couple weeks later, our rounded-up group headed to the stadium in Anaheim to support the Lietzau’s as Noah received the privilege of throwing out the first pitch--kicking off what ended up being a great night of celebration and community. It was about a month or so after the event that a good friend of mine who had been in attendance that evening mentioned his own inability to now get this endearing family off his mental radar. It was a joyful conversation that lead to the producing of multiple ideas in how we could continue to support this impressionable family, all leading to the one that prevailed in deciding to host our own fundraiser for Noah and the Lietzau clan.
Melody and Jason met the idea with grace and open arms, much to mine and my dear friend Andrew’s excitement and gratitude. Planning this occasion has been nothing but a joy as we’ve seen God so clearly go before us and coordinate each donation, site approval and participant according to His will. This fundraiser for Noah’s Heart will be a night in celebration as we, as a community, seek to love on this family that our Heavenly Father has so evidently chosen to use for His beautifully orchestrated purposes.
It’s in relaying this journey that I reach this conclusion: we were given our hearts with distinct intentions, to be led into areas in which we can be used by God for His incredible purposes. It’s in following these callings, though they seem to be absurd at the time, that we uncover His bigger picture, His incapsulating and complex perspective, it’s here that we get to be apart of His mysterious and glorious plans. How humbling.
So come on out to Costa Mesa on February 7th for a night of music, games, photos, delectable eats and good ol’ fashion fun--all to support this deeply loved family and glorify of the One who continues to sustain and provide for their needs.
Hope to see you there,
Sam Stowell
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