Sunday after church our family had a fun time with the one to one cards. We had purchased bottled water and chips to give out to people in the waiting room of a hospital as Tim had suggested, but ended up doing something different. On the way to church we always pass many people selling newspapers at the corners. Our new plan was to cruise through the city looking for newspaper vendors. Our daughter brought a friend along with her and they were on the lookout for the bright yellow t-shirts of the vendors. They took turns handing out the water and snacks. At first the girls seemed a little timid but quickly jumped into the spirit of our drive-by blessings. They enjoyed the confused look we got when we handed out our gifts. As we drove away they would watch to see the response that we got. Most of the time the card was read and they would look up and smile and wave at us. When we exhausted the supply of vendors we took the rest of our water and chips and handed them out to the people hanging out at Williams Park. What an awesome way to spend a Sunday!

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It was a difficult couple of months, our apartment was broken into and we were robbed, then someone stole money out of our bank account, then my car went in for routine maintenance which ended up becoming a major and majorly expensive repair. All this right before I was supposed to go on vacation for the first time in 3 years. I was angry, disappointed, and feeling a bit selfish. Luckily, it was Thursday, I look forward to this day because I get to volunteer, it’s the highlight of my week, I wasn’t about to get in something positive for me this week.

With no vehicle and running too late to walk, I called a taxi. With the money being lost for all sorts of reasons, I knew this may not be wise. I was picked up in a red car and off to the office to cut out stars. Thinking about this one to one stuff Time has been talking about, but not knowing how to start a conversation, I asked the driver if he went to church anywhere. What I got was the most incredible taxi ride and encouragement I had ever gotten. This gentleman told me that his wife had left when their children were young (5 of them) and he had to raise them all. There were times that he more than contemplated suicide. The stories I was told about his struggle made mine seem like an ant hill next to Killimanjaro. Among the struggles he shared with his children, he had battled cancer and was facing the possibility of having an ear removed due to cancer. I reached into the money I had pulled out to pay my mechanic and gave more of a tip than I usually do.

I was energized and encouraged and ran into the office to tell Tim about right away! I think this one to one did more for me than it did for him. Sorry it took so long to share it with everyone else.

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I was so excited when Tim said he had cards for us and that we were to go out and spread the word, one 2 one… You see, I’ve always been that person in the drive through who pays for the person behind me. When I go to Fort DeSoto or Sarasota, I take extra money with me to pay for at least the guy behind me, sometimes 2 or three behind me. My father, because he’s seen me do this, has now started doing this in Michigan (it’s hard to say, maybe I learned from him and then he re-learned the generosity from me). The only message I’ve ever asked the people at the drive through and in the toll booths to pass on is “God Bless You!” How cool is this!!! Now I have a card to go along with it!
I’m so excited to go out and leave fun, secret, little messages for those who may need God in their lives. I’m offering it up to God, that he will direct me to the places and people who need him the most right now
Thanks Tim!

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