The Sweetest Encouragement

Over the last year Kelli and I have worked to plan a speaking event for the women at our church and the women in the drug and alcohol program at the Reno Sparks Gospel Mission.  We flew in National Speaker and Author Jan Coates from Texas to speak to us this past weekend. Friday night she spoke to the ladies at our church and Saturday night she spoke to the program women. It was a success and huge blessing to many. 

I confess it's a lot of work planning an event. This isn't our first time, but it's really the same every time. You do as much planning as you can ahead of time, but it's in that last week that things really start to come together. 

Tickets are sold-out. Last minute details unfold. The loose ends flip-flap around needing a quick tie up. Shopping lists are made which require... stop after stop after stop with children in tow for this or that. Then there's decorating, food preparing, people organizing... and anxiety woven all throughout. 

Yes, I know... it's all about God. That's true of course, He's the primary focus, but when you're the ones that He calls to put it all together stress moves in and stretches itself uncomfortably across your mind and body. 

I compared planning an event to having a baby... once it's over you think, "I don't know if I want to do that again!" But, then a day or two passes, you forget all the pain and are left to enjoy the blessings of it all and you think, "Yes, I believe I will do that again!" 

I'm sharing all of this with you because someone sweet thought to encourage us. Someone unknown. And, we're so grateful.

At the end of Friday evening I became painfully aware of my throbbing feet. I stood most of the evening in high heel shoes... which I rarely wear anymore. I stared at my cute black footwear and thoughtfully considered the condition of my toenails before finally reaching down to remove them anyway. A few moments later I notice Kelli in her bare feet too and I smile. 

As we quickly cleaned up the last of our mess a friend brings us two bottles of Raspberries and Cream shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath with our names on them. She said they were left for us and didn't know by who...

You can see that I have already enjoyed mine quite a lot :) But, as much as I love the yummy body wash it wasn't what encouraged and refreshed my soul... it was the note... 

In case you can't read it well it says: 

Heidi Avery, You are desired and loved by your Beloved. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. --Galatians 6:9

The sweetest encouragement. 

From someone unknown. 

I admit there's a part of me that would love to know who it's from and it's the great big hugging part of me! But, then there's another part of me that because I don't know who she is I am able to simply accept that gift from God who knew exactly what I needed to hear. And, I am certain that Miss lovely and anonymous has found her blessing just by being His hands and feet.

Oh, I could do some prodding and likely figure out who "she" is and I thought about it, but I wouldn't want to steal her joy. So, I'll just leave it.

But, Kelli and I are both hoping that she'll see this and know just how special she is and just how very grateful we are. 

Thank you precious friend from the bottom of our hearts!