It was like Christmas over here, that's for sure! 11/16

I can't believe I was chosen for this basket. First may I say that the last time I won anything I was twelve and it was a turkey for Thanksgiving-- which while great for the family didn't have much of a lasting impact. This gift basket came out of the blue and brought tears to my eyes. I'm disabled and in a wheelchair. My lower legs and right thumb were amputated after a bout with bacterial meningitis that I fortunately won. Since that time my husband and I have struggled (he's disabled as well) to make ends meet, but and I do want to emphasize this-- WE ARE HAPPY! Isn't that wonderful? And we love each other even more. This January we will have known each other 10 years, five of them with me in a wheelchair, and though we live frugally we are well loved and cared for by our family and friends. I will for the first time be able to try Aveda products. Yay! And Wen! And have a wine party with matching glasses! And most importantly, and I don't know how you knew, we have money for shopping at our favorite grocery store, HyVee! It was like Christmas over here, that's for sure! So thank you once again with all my heart for being involved in such a grand project. Please keep up the good work and know you're appreciated.

Wingate,NC Thank you!

This has been one of the most stressful weeks with college exams coming up. Today after being in a three hour lab the door bell rang and I was presented a box. I was confused at first and opened the card then began to look at all the wonderful gifts. It reminded me of the good in the world and the reason I want to stay in medicine, to help people. My dad was also touched,this act of kindness was such a blessing and I will always remember this! Thank you so much! Love always, Breann (Wingate,NC)

Thank you for thinking, caring, and giving. 10/25

On Tuesday Oct 25th our doorbell rang. I told my wife that it probably was a political visitor as I went to answer. Instead of being greeted by a door-to-door campaigner I was greeted by two wonderful women bearing gifts. The gifts these two incredible women brought for our granddaughter and us were appreciated both as physical gifts and as a heart lifting act of true kindness. Our granddaughter loves her new puppy dog sleeping bag and she has been sleeping with it ever since. It is approaching one year since we lost our daughter. This time of year has always been tough for us and since the loss of our daughter it is ever more so. Your gifts and, even more, your compassion have helped us through this difficult time of the year. Your act has affirmed again our faith and belief that no matter what tragedies befall you, God has a plan and you must trust in Him. God sends constant reminders that He is present and you definitely were one of those reminders. Thank you so very much. Love, David and Cinda

Thank you EXTRAORDINARY women! 11/11

I cannot find the words to say thank you to you for the MOST generous special gift that was brought us today.

I am so very sorry that I was on the phone with a client and didn't have the opportunity to hug and kiss you with my most grateful thanks.

This is certainly not something ordinary, and I cannot believe for a moment that any of you or ordinary - EXTRAORDINARY is more like it.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all

With best regards (and hugs and kisses too)

Lynda

thank you from Ocoee, Florida 11/6

 Hope came to visit me where I work at The First Academy in Orlando, FL. Below is how I remember this incredible blessing – what a surprise – what a day!!! I had no idea who “12-Ordinary Women” were . . . God is so so so Good! He sends angels at just the right time, situations that could only be HIS doing, and timing that is impeccable that puts a smile on my face of “why in the world do I ever question or worry!”

October 26th, 2016 will be a day I always remember! “Hope” came by my office at the end of the day. I don’t think that’s her name . . . however, she definitely gave me Hope and now I understand the name, quite clever I walk outside to meet her and she explained she has been trying to find me for 3 weeks (I’m busy with my active kids/schedule) … “hummmm why is that I wonder?” She then tells me that there are some people who wanted to give me a blessing. She is holding an envelope. “What?! How can this be??!!” My eyes are getting teary and I must have looked so shocked and confused! She said “they” know what I’m going through and see my faithfulness and wanted to give this to you as encouragement (an envelope). I was stunned. I didn’t know what to say or how to respond. I just felt so grateful and actually quite awkward at the same time that someone thought of me?! She said they would like to bless you and they wanted me to give you this envelope! She said she was told that I have people praying for me and God loves me. She didn’t know what was in the envelope, she was just asked to deliver it. Then she asked if she could pray for me. I began weeping. I couldn’t even open the card in front of her. I was just stunned. I was trying to keep it together since I was at work. I thanked her and hugged her and then took the envelope and went straight to the bathroom! I couldn’t get there fast enough and I stayed there crying as I opened the beautiful card from 12- Ordinary Women, with encouraging words and a monetary gift that was truly heaven sent! His goodness and timing are incredible! For I had been praying so much for my boys and just recently, probably about 1 month or so before Hope came by my office, asked God for specific guidance on what He wants me to do and for help with my financial situation . . . and look what was delivered! Words cannot even come close to how grateful and in Awe I am of our Loving Lord! And how thankful I am to you all! I keep pinching myself and saying did this really just happen?! Your ministry is awesome!!! I don’t know why I would be picked, but I am learning not to question, be grateful, and seek His will on what He wants me to learn and do. One day I’d love to pay it forward to others or make the delivery. Until then, I will continue to pray for all you do and all those lives you touch. Many Many Thanks and Big Hugs to whomever you are out there!!!

Thank You! Message: Brentwood, TN 11/3

Words cannot express my thankfulness for this gift! I received my anonymous blessing last week and still cannot comprehend the kindness of this gesture. The timing was perfect too! Daniel and I are looking forward to a date night this weekend! We are so excited to have a fancy meal and time together as a couple. The Visa gift card is a blessing that we intend to bless others with! Adley has so many teachers and therapists that we want to thank so we are spending the gift card of gifts for them! Diapers are always a welcome and necessary, so thank you for thinking of that. The box should last us a month! Adley is such a gift from God and surprises us each day with new ways of seeing the world. I am so incredibly thankful for the 12 Ordinary Women organization and to whomever nominated us for this gift! The notes of encouragement blew me away and I continue to read over them each day. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! We feel the prayers prayed for our family and for Adley Grace. You have made an impact on us that we will not forget. Blessings to you all! Love, Blair

Orlando, FL thank you

 I had never heard of this group and was so pleasantly surprised to receive this gift basket! It was clear there was so much thought and care into putting the basket together – the gifts were so unique! Not only was the basket beautiful and generous, but Joy, who delivered it, could not have been sweeter! She really made me feel special and loved. The handwritten personalized note really spoke to me. This came the day before a big moment in my life amd was just what I needed to lift my spirits and remind me of God's presence, and how He works in so many different and wonderful ways!!! Thank you 12 Ordinary Women for a special memory I will cherish for a long time!!

Kate

What a day brightener it was! St. Michael, MN

I was blessed to receive a knock at the door on Friday. A woman I had never seen before introduced herself and said she was with an organization called Twelve Ordinary Women. She said I was nominated to receive a gift and handed me an envelope. I thanked her and she left. I went inside and opened the card. I was so shocked and blessed to have received such a wonderful gift. We've had a lot of things going on in our family and there's been some tough days. Not too mention that on Sunday I had to prepare for a colonoscopy! (Ugh.) So, what a day brightener it was. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Rita, from St. Michael, MN

Donation-Brain Injury home in Stillwater, MN

Thank you for your generous gift and kind words of support for Granite House. Since we received your gift during our fall fundraising event on October 16th, I do hope that you and I made a face to face contact on that day. What a wonderful organization you have, to spread joy and hope to those of us who have faced tragedy and are taking each day just one step at a time. Granite House is the silver lining to our own family's difficult story, and as we meet more people who support our mission, we are getting enthused, excited, and feeling like our lives have a real purpose again. We hope you will continue to follow our progress as we move forward to build our community residence for younger adults with severe brain injury. We are planning an accessible sensory garden for the enjoyment of many others in our community besides just our resident families. This will include many wonderful volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Please keep us in your thoughts, watch our facebook page for updates, and learn more at www.granitehousemn.org. Thank you. Carol Insley