I was sitting at my desk Friday afternoon getting ready to wrap things up the day when two women walked in and asked to see me. They began to explain the reason for their visit and I started to feel myself fighting back tears. I just could not believe that someone (who remains anonymous) had asked the organization, 12 Ordinary Women, to reach out to me. With smiling faces these women said we are here to offer you encouragement and support and to pray for you and your family. I cannot begin to express how deeply grateful I am for that visit which came at a time when I was feeling very discouraged, sad and anxious with situations in my life. The women presented me with a gift bag, gave me a hug and offered continued prayers for my family and me. To the anonymous person, the two beautiful women, and the 12 Ordinary Women organization I offer my sincere and heartfelt “thank you”.
B
Evansville, Indiana
Hope and blessing in Memphis
Well, what was I thinking when I thought today would be yet another ordinary day in the life of a struggling woman....... Little did I know that the God of the Universe would choose today to shine His face on me with an overwhelming reminder of His Love, Grace and caring touch that only He can personally provide. Lynn (she had to sign in at our front desk) His angel of choice for MY day came in with several small (in size) gifts for me.
I'm sure I'm not unlike others she has faced.... I sat stunned as she quietly told me who she was and why she was looking for me. Her message short, she wanted to be a blessing and encouragement to me and above all else she and OTHERS WOULD BE PRAYING FOR ME.
My husband has a rare blood disease. He lost his job. We have tried unemployment, food stamps, and we are now waiting for the verdict on disability. We were told his life expectancy was two to seven years....maybe more but maybe less. We are somewhere in the middle with lots of hard decisions to face. When I read the beginning of Sarah Young's book, I could see our lives meld with her experience. Had to stop and have another cry.
I'm afraid to look at what is in the other card but I can only imagine what I'll find.
You know, it's sort of like God and Moses. God knew how much of His Glory Moses could handle and I think I've seen enough. I will be wise to wait and share the envelope with my husband so he may partake of the riches you have bestowed on me/us today.
Thank you is not sufficient but then neither are we. None the less, thank you. And may you be blessed beyond measure.
KC
New group forms in Hugh Point NC
Tonight 12 Ordinary Women in High Point NC met for the first time to begin this journey of reaching out to women in our community. We have been so inspired by what you have started in Franklin TN and are so excited to come together to touch the lives of women and hopefully make a difference while remaining anonymous!
Blessings to you and to all the 12 Ordinary Women across the US!
They didn't know me but they had a gift for me!
Yesterday, after my husband and I got home from the doctor, two sweet women came to our door. I was still dizzy so I didn't get to meet them personally. They asked if I lived there and that they had a gift for me. My husband asked them who it was from and to come in, and they said they didn't know me personally but that everything I needed was in the bag. When we opened the bag, we were in disbelief because inside was a sweet note, a beautiful bracelet, and visa cards. We were so humbled that we both cried. This year has been so extremely hard due to a month long hospital and rehab center stay along with my husband being out of work for several months. Next month, I am going to the Vanderbilt Center in Kentucky and we were stressed because of the expense of the trip. This well appreciated gift will definately help us with my medical bills and lodging at Vanderbilt. God did send these women to us and we are very very thankful. Hopefully some day, I would like to return the favor. Thank you and God Bless!
A North Carolina Thank You
I wanted to send a Thank You for sending my cousin Leslie (Indian Trail, NC) a gift. She is very sick but has a kind heart and strong faith in God. She is always smiling and laughing. Her spirit is contagious. Thank you for your kindness. It is GREATLY appreciated.
Flower Mound, TX - Thank You.
Thank you so much for my gift! It was so nice to get a gift like that. I did not expect it at all. Thank you! I hope that I could know who sent it my way, it made my day and help me pay bills I couldn't have paid without it!!! Thank you soo much!!!
My Heart is Overflowing with Gratitude
With tearfilled eyes, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful, heaven sent gift. Words can not express my gratitude for the angel, card and generous gift I just received. I certainly don't deserve it and my heart is overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness. I am humbled and blessed to think that a group of anonymous, none of which are just "ordinary," women loves me enough to do such an incredibly selfless and thoughtful act. I wish I could personally thank and hug each of you for your love, generosity and prayers for me, and my husband, Jim. Your thoughtfulness and prayers must be due to the health struggles he has faced for so many years and the news we just received regarding his health. Although faith assures us that God is with us always, even in the darkest of valleys, and that he holds our future, and knows what is best for all of us, the worry and uncertainty can still be a lonely place, at times. Jim and I are both richly blessed and grateful for our Christian family and friends, who have always loved us, even me, when I'm not very lovable, and stood by us through all the bright and dark times in our lifes, and we dearly love and cherish all of them. They are bright, shining examples of God's love, as are all of you, and, I'm not mentioning names, but I bet some of you are part of this Christian group of 12 Ordinary Women.
Thank you again for your prayers, love, support and this incredible gift. I was listening to Dr. Charles Stanley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, this morning, and he was talking about experiencing God's love during one of his struggles, and he discussed the time he felt as if he had been literally hugged by God, that he could feel God's loving arms around him, and that he's never forgotten the experience. He went on to explain that we all know God loves us, but to feel the strong presence of God's warm embrace is truly special. I feel God's embrace now, and felt it when I received your heartfelt gift today, and I will never forget that feeling and this blessing!
May the Lord richly bless each of you, and your loved ones, for your prayers, goodness, kindness and generosity. Please call on me if I can ever help any of you or your loved ones. One day, I would like to join your group, or similar group, and bless others, as you've blessed me.
Thanks again,
B Y
A Sunny Suprise on a Cold Winter's Day!
Dear 12 "Extra" Ordinary Women in Elizabethtown, KY,
You are anything but ordinary. . .hand picked by God to carry out His work through your kind words, sincere prayers and selfless acts. My flowers are beautiful! Such a pick me up on this winter day. . .5 weeks out of surgery, counting my blessings for a cure, but at the same time stir crazy and ready to be on the move again. I appreciate the surprise and tulips. . .my all time favorite!
With Appreciation, A J
Thank you North Dallas 12OW
THIS MESSAGE FOR 12 ORDINARY WOMEN FROM NORTH DALLAS, TEXAS, WE WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE GENEROUS GIFT SENT FOR KAYLEE FIGHTING CANCER, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN SENT ANGELS FROM GOD FROM ALL OVER. OUR LORD HAS BEEN SO AWESOME TO US AND YOU LADIES WERE HEAVEN SENT, PLEASE KNOW ANYTHING HELPS WHILE MY DAUGHTER IS FIGHTING THIS HORRIFIC BATTLE BUT SHE IS FIGHTING WITH GOD ON HER SIDE AND HOPE NEVER FEAR THE LORD TEACHES US NOT TO BE SCARED CALL UPON HIM AND HE IS THERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH WITH ALL MY HEART AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU EACH AND EVERYDAY.
WITH LOVE TEAM KAYLEE
Abundantly blessed in Ocoee, FL
Ahhh! I don't even know what to say. I am ABUNDANTLY blessed, with amazing friends & family, an amazing life, and now an AMAZING surprise blessing, like the one you gave, in a card at work (in Winter Garden/Ocoee FL). When I opened it, I had my first serious HOT FLASH! I sat stunned for the rest of the day; stunned, humbled, BLESSED, loved, joyous, and totally emotional! Thank you so sincerely for thinking of me, for praying for me and for trusting me to be wise with such a blessing.