If you want to read the first part of the story, click here. (http://www.susanmaywarren.com/blog/2012/11/09/birthday-surprise-for-pete/)
The Rest.
It all started with this:
Peter, my senior running back son, #33, scored 8 touchdowns in one late season football game. He wasn’t trying to run up the score – it was just a rainy night and we couldn’t pass the ball, so he got it. For those who know football, he only got 2 touches in the 3rd quarter (both he scored on) and didn’t play the 4th quarter. So, he made six touchdowns in the first half.
He set a new Minnesota high school state record for most points score in a game – 52. And made national news. In one of his many interviews, he mentioned that the one person he’d loved to meet was his hero, MN Vikings Running Back #28 Adrian Peterson.
For his birthday, we had already planned on going to the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions football game. Had already purchased tickets. But we thought…hey, wouldn’t it be fun for Petey to meet AP? A parent’s dream – to arrange for your kid to meet his hero.
So, we wrote to the Vikings Community outreach department and asked if Pete could meet AP before the game. In truth, we wrote an email, we called and left a voice mail, we faxed an information packet and we put a packet of information in the mail. Just in case. And then, because I felt it was such a longshot, we prayed.
A week went by, and we heard nothing. Andrew and I both figured, ‘oh well, we tried.’ But I hadn’t stopped praying.
Another few days went by and Andrew attended a big corporate meeting for his chain of hotels. Among the folks there was an old friend who had just joined the company. He overheard another friend ask Andrew about Pete’s record and while he was listening, googled Pete. Andrew said nothing about the request we put into the Vikings – he’d long put it out of his mind. But this friend read the article where Pete mentioned his hero.
And…without telling Andrew, he texted a friend of his. A friend who happened to work in the marketing department of the Vikings. A day later, the friend texted back that yes, he would mention Pete’s request to the community outreach department. Only then did he tell Andrew what he did – and we all held our breath.
And prayed.
A day later, Andrew got the email he read to Pete. It arrived ON HIS BIRTHDAY. Nice timing, Lord.
So, you see – the story isn’t that Pete is awesome (which he is), or that his parents are amazing (which we aren’t), but rather that God hears the prayers of his children, no matter how wild and unnecessary and seeks to bless us good things. We expected nothing, and God certainly didn’t have to delight us with this gift.
But He did.
Here are the amazing pictures of that day.
Adrian Peterson and Pete!
Jared Allen is awesome! (#69 – Defensive End).
Pete, talking with MN Head Coach Leslie Frazier.
A big thanks goes out to the MN Vikings for making a young football players dream come true and especially Chuck and Kurnel.
And now you know…the rest of the story.
Believe Big in a God who loves you today!
Susie May
