2/29 this was the encouragement I really needed today

Hello my name is Carol and I manage a coffee shop in Pinehurst N.C. 18 months ago my son was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had moved to his abdomen. After 13 months of treatment he had a major surgery and we thought we were on the road to recovery . 1 week ago we were told it had moved to both lungs and Vanderbilt told us there was nothing they could do . We are currently trying to get him in a trail with help from another oncologist. This has been very hard week but I walked in work this morning and was greeted by a wonderful surprise the book Breath as prayer and a gift card. I have been truly blessed throughout this whole journey but this was the encouragement I really needed today. Thank you so much for stepping in and blessing me I am truly grateful. May you all be blessed for your kindness and faithfulness.

Carol

2/22 A sweet basket

Thank you so very much for the sweet basket overflowing with goodies! What a wonderful surprise! Your kind gesture and note will carry me through for many months to come! God bless each and every one of you!

2/5 A bottle of tears

Thank you so very much for the beautiful basket of lovely gifts. What a wonderful surprise! I love the candle and the Bottle of Tears. How incredibly kind and thoughtful of you. with gratitude and love, Beth

2/2 I realized I was never alone!

I just want to say Thank you so much for the wonderful gifts I have received. I am not one to show my emotions, but as someone passed the gift along to my boss for him to deliver it to me tears came into my eyes. I have always tried to give my love and effort to others. I have recently gone through a hard time with my foster kid, I pulled my license due to the circumstances. I have questioned my faith to God, and to humanity. But it is this, today, that makes me realize I was never alone and will never be alone. I am so truly grateful. Thank you!

Allexis

1/23 Thank you for the meals and gift cards

Thank you to those who blessed our family with meals and gift cards. It was such a blessing during such a difficult time. It couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Your kindness reminded us that God sees us and meets all our needs!! With much gratitude. April

1/18 Thank you for helping my daughter

Hi! What a blessing this extraordinary group is!!!
I was just made aware of this group when my daughter who live in  the Minneapolis, MN. area received a package from this group of beautiful women.
She is experiencing some very scary health issues and was surprised to come home yesterday to a package left for her. What a beautiful gift of love, hope and encouragement. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing God’s love and grace. Kathy

1/17 It’s actually hard to process such a meaningful gift given anonymously

It’s actually hard to process such a meaningful gift given anonymously- who are they? How did they hear? How can I ever thank them?

Before this journey of doctors and testing and surgery happened- I was watching Lord of the Rings- rings of power.
Elron says to the king how could we do this on the basis of “Mere hope”
And the king says:
"Hope is never mere, even when it is meager; when all other senses sleep, the eye of hope is first to awaken, last to shut."

I had never thought about hope like that, but now I understand- I had also never needed hope like I do now.

You are truly the hands and feet of the Lord- because the gifts are so specific with things only he knows.

wow. And thank you.
Wow and thank you one million times. Actually 12 million for all 12 of you out there weaving together the utterances of the Holy Spirit.

I feel the covering of prayer by those I know- but it hits a different spot in one’s heart to know strangers are praying for them.

Just a bunch of renegades out here being anything but ordinary. Thank you 12 extraordinary women.

Stephanie

1/3 6 years later and I still cry!

I received a 12 Ordinary Women gift back in High school my junior year while facing some huge difficulties no one should face at that age, and now I'm sitting here at 23 in my own home, with food on my table and clothes on my back so beyond thankful. That one gift made me feel so seen, heard and cared for, whoever created this is beautifully ending generational trauma one gift at a time, it was a hug I never got, so thank you. Francesca

12/28 Thank you for seeing me

Thank you is not enough.

About a week ago I was given a glimpse of God's goodness and faithfulness on a day that was one of the most painful and challenging of my life as I tried to maintain a strong presence and show God's joy to my children when my heart was breaking in pieces with the crushing realities of where our family was at-- shattered. 

My desire and love to heal my home and family was not met with similar views by my husband after years of trying to heal. It had become clear that I had to "be still and know God is God" as I put my trust in Him despite my desire to heal our home with all my might.  The process of grieving the man and family I desire, challenge of showing strength and energy for the children in their confused emotions and anger, combined with dealing with the challenges of a separated home and lives, had become the hardest challenge of my life.  

On this particular morning, one day before celebrating for the first time as a separated family for Christmas, I was at the bottom of a pit of despair and pain, even crying so hard I became sick. I spent some time to gain strength from God, but the pain was so raw.  As I was heading out from the home to drive some kids later that afternoon, I noticed a car stop in front of our home with a lady coming out with a gift. I turned around to meet her. She said who the present was for and I confirmed it was I.  I asked who it was from and she only replied, "there is a card".  

I brought the gift inside and found a lovely plant arrangement and a beautiful necklace with the message of hope. My emotions hit me with tears seeing the word hope.  After this, I found 12 heartfelt personal messages from women that seemed to have known me for years and spoke to the hurt and pain I was walking that day. Tears rolled down my face as my kids joined me in concern seeing my emotion.  I simply said it was tears of joy from God's faithfulness that he answered my prayer, giving me comfort and hope. 

The kindness of these 12 ordinary women gave me a tangible and powerful blessing of God's goodness and showed me the power of the fellowship and care of the body of Christ.  I keep all 12 of these cards with me daily, reading them when needed and as a reminder of the love and support God provides.

I am forever grateful for these 12 women who gave pieces of their own heart, wisdom and gifts to support me and our family in such a painful time.  May God bless you for your willingness to love those in need and tangibly be God's hand and feet.

In Christ,
E

12/20 Wilson thank you

On behalf of my father (Todd Wilson), I (Morgan Wilson) want to submit our sincerest 'thank you' to 12 Ordinary Women. What you may not know is that my dad's late wife and my late stepmother was named Candice HOPE Wilson. We have the words HOPE all over our home. Receiving a book with 'HOPE' written across the front felt like arms wrapped around us from both God and Candice in Heaven. God bless these women and men and families bringing joy to those who need it most. The holidays are the happiest time of the year for most, however, for those grieving it is the season that hurts the most. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Many tears were shed. Merry Christmas!