Giving the gift of hope
Dear 12 Ordinary Women,
Thank you seems so inadequate, but it's all I have to offer you. The way you gently walked into our story with your gift last fall was beautiful. Our family's loss was so great, but your care and kindness was a blessing.
Thank you.
Sandy
I was stunned yesterday--but oh, so pleased--to find a 12 Ordinary Women gift bag at my door! I had known of your organization because one of my dear friends had been blessed by 12OW a couple of years back, but now me being chosen to be the one blessed? Wow! Thank you, LORD! (And an interesting note: the very day the bag was delivered, I was at the wedding of the son of that dear friend.)
It has been eight months since my sweet husband passed away (with some very challenging times during the years before that). But my family, friends, and God's people have been taking good care of me in many foundational--and creative--ways, and I can only view these blessings as an earthly manifestation of God's grace to me--undeserved, but nonetheless poured out.
The gifts inside revealed that at least one of this group of 12 wonderful women knows what brings me huge joy, and that is MUSIC! I am so excited to use the extravagant gift certificate.
Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being the hands and feet of Jesus. This "whipping cream on the top" gift aligns with the way Jesus not only took care of people's needs, but brought them unexpected and delightful joys.
May God bless you 12 wonderful women! In Christ's love, Linda
I cannot express to all how grateful I am that one day you walked into my world that seemed to be crashing down around me while I was trying to pretend that everything was ok and your visit and gift of generosity and love lifted my world a lot higher. Knowing there is a group of women (some Mothers some not )that would take time from their everyday life's and pray for my grief and send support to a Mother who lost her only child.This THANKYOU from the bottom of my heart is long overdue, the reality of David not being here on this Earth is really becoming a stronger reality everyday.The Peace I have within my soul is knowing David is with our Lord and is without pain or worry anymore.GOD Love to 12 not so Ordinary women. Joann
To the organization of 12 ordinarywomen, I would like to thank you for the wonderful gift of the book " Jesus is Calling" and the beautiful necklace with my beloved Marvelous Marvin's name on it....I will treasure it always! I am not sure who you are but you must be a little more than ordinary and full of grace and love and compassion. THank you for making my day ordinary day extra special and for your love and prayers.
LuAnn
My family and I would like to Thank you for the gifts that were given to me. It was such a nice surprise and I am honored that someone had picked me to receive such an honorable gift. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and how thoughtful this group is. Again, I can not say Thank you enough. Love to all. Kim and family. Judy
My family and I would like to Thank you for the gifts that were given to me. It was such a nice surprise and I am honored that someone had picked me to receive such an honorable gift. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and how thoughtful this group is. Again, I can not say Thank you enough. Love to all. Kim and family.
A couple weeks ago two precious women showed up at my door with smiles and a box full of blessings!! Thank you so much for being willing to be Gods hands and feet in coming along side women who are going through a stressful, difficult time. I pray blessings everyday for all who have blessed us over this past year. It been long and hard but we have felt God put us safely in His arms and carry us through. Please let me know how we can contribute to this ministry. We would love to give back when we can!! Sandy
:I was going through the stack of mail that has accumulated on my counter a few minutes ago and came across a letter addressed to me. It's always a surprise to get any type of letter amongst the bills and junk mail. However, when I opened this letter, the tears started to flow. You see, this year has been one of the hardest years in my entire life for many reasons but I am SO.VERY.BLESSED! I've cried out to God lately as the days seem long and hard wondering if they will ever get easier. He is listening. He knew I needed this word of encouragement. I'm just thankful. To whoever is apart of this ministry, please know you are a blessing. Thank you for taking the time to bless others! It meant so much! I want to hug your neck! ❤️ Morgan
Ladies, whoever you are (or should I says”whomever you are”) ?😌Thank you, thank you, thank you. When I received your gifts I felt such a sense of being cared for! What a precious ministry. Bless all of you.
Last Tuesday on my way to work I found myself with a familiar feeling in my chest. I couldn't breathe. A familiar feeling in my head, it was spinning....racing. A panic attack.
I've been raising two wonderful teenage boys alone for the past 4 years. I left their father and an abusive relationship to show my boys this is not how a woman should be treated. That their mother deserved respect. Their father moved across the country to "start his life over". And he's never looked back. He has no relationship with them, hasn't seen them in almost 4 years. He did it to punish me for leaving him. It's been one struggle after another, but I've made it work until recently.
Everything has started unraveling. My landlord decided to sell the home I live in. I'm in a lease, but I expect to be thrown out any day. Rentals are crazy expensive, I can't find anything out there I can afford. The stress, instability and fear of not being able to provide a home for my children has been killing me. Then there is wisdom teeth that need to be removed, a looming college tuition bill - no help from his dad of course (don't even get me started about the cost of textbooks), another increase in car insurance when my younger one turns 16 in January. Every day my thoughts are what am I going to do. Last Wednesday my youngest son was sick. The doctor diagnosed him with viral bronchitis and a sinus infection. I asked how he knew it was a virus. My doctor has known me for 13 years. He said, do you have a headache?, I did. My nose was running, my eyes puffy, my sinuses burning. He said, you are sharing this virus. You are sick. I can't be sick, I have too much on my plate. Go home he said, drink water and get some rest. My child, still sick with a horrible cough, stays home from school and I go off to work still with the bad headache and puffy eyes and burning sinuses.
I am a really positive person. My oldest son text me the morning after the Las Vegas shootings asking if I had seen the news. That it made him mad. My reply to him: "This violent act makes me mad too. All you can do is be part of the good in the world. Be kind to everyone, treat people with respect and be someone others respect. Go out of your way to help someone who needs your help. Listen to people and offer support. That's what I do, you can too."
My job is to take care of everyone else. I put on a smile and go in to work to do my part to create a wonderful life to those who live where I work. Like giving that kindergartener that gentle nudge into their classroom on the first day of school, I transition retirees into their next phase of live. It's like being the principal of the school. Some kids don't play nice, some need extra encouragement, sometimes a new focus. A pep talk to remind them of what our bodies can do instead of focus on what they used to do. Sometime it's just to listen and comfort. Some people live alone and just need "a person". I'm always happy to be that person.
Lately I've been overwhelmed. I get in my car or in the shower and have a quick cry. Mostly because I don't have time for a long cry. Then, last Thursday morning there was a knock on the clubhouse door where I work. A stranger. She said you don't know me and I'm part of a group of women who heard you are going though a rough time. I said, I am. She said I have a gift for you. She handed me a bag and gave me a hug.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was really, really nice that 12 Ordinary Women were thinking about taking care of me. I had forgotten like what it feels like to be taken care of. You ladies, made my day, my week and my month.
Not by chance, the devotion in the book you gave me on that day read this: October 5 - Remember that Joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world's most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in My Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons...anywhere.
Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties. Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me. Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them. If you make problem solving secondary to your goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days.
THANK YOU....I need that reminder and the love of strangers. Bless you.
