His Mysterious Ways

I've been reading a lot of fiction lately, it's a good escape from my day to day ups and downs.  Most recently I finished Gone Girl, The Last Jihad, and Justice for All.  When I went back to the bookshelf for something new, I grabbed something old instead - a copy of His Mysterious Ways.  The inscription in the front of the book, in my handwriting says, "Happy Birthday Momma, January 27, 1991".  I've enjoyed reading through the stories of God's providence, presence, and miracles...and it motivated me to share with you a recent example of God at work in my world.
Earlier this month after dropping the kids at school I came home and opened my Bible.  I was down, I was discouraged, and I asked God to please comfort me in some way - big or small - I just wanted to feel his presence, to be reminded of His love and that He is with me in this valley.
Later that morning as I was curled up on the couch not feeling my best I kept seeing commercials for Shari's Berries.  I'm sure you've seen them, especially around Valentine's Day!  They are decadent chocolate covered strawberries.  I'm sure they cover other things in chocolate but what beats a chocolate covered strawberry?!  I think one of the commercials came on during each break - urging folks to buy a box for their sweetheart, sibling, or friend and it would ship in time for Valentine's.  By lunchtime I couldn't take it anymore, I was dying for a Shari's Berry!  I went into the kitchen and searched the fridge up and down for a strawberry and some chocolate - to no avail.  My craving would go unsatisfied!
That afternoon I had to get out and run an errand then I went to pick up the kids.  As the kids and I pulled into the driveway I noticed a box on our doorstep.  As I approached the box, I stopped dead in my tracks, frozen.  It was a box of Shari's Berries sent from some friends in DC!  I had never asked anyone for these, never even though of them until that very day.  I asked God to comfort me and He did!
Truly if our God knows the number of grains of sand on the beach and the number of hairs that used to be on my head - that same God cares about every detail of our life.  Are there things I've asked for that I have not gotten, of course.  But He will always reveal His love for us, every single time we ask.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?"

Virtual Scarf Party

So many of you have asked about the beautiful pink and white scarf nicknamed the "Ronda Scarf" that you've seen pictured on Facebook so I want to take a moment and tell you the story behind the scarf.

 Donnie Sasser, owner of Two Blessings Gift Boutique and Mastermind of the Ronda Scarf

On the evening of Thursday, January 22 I had already crawled into bed when I read a message from my friend Donnie Sasser saying he had left me a gift at my front door. Donnie is a lifelong friend who currently owns a fabulous gift shop in Montgomery, Two Blessings Gift Boutique. I opened the package to find a pretty pink and white scarf inside.  I had already lost my hair to chemo, so I was happy to get a scarf to tie around my bald head. I put the scarf by my bedside and fell asleep.
The next morning I awoke and as I laid in bed gathering my strength I picked up my phone.  As I looked on Facebook I saw that I had been tagged in several pictures.  Each of these pictures was of a woman wearing the same scarf I had received the night before.  And they were calling it the "Ronda Scarf"!  It took me a few minutes to unfurl the mystery, but when I realized Donnie was behind it all I went to his page and saw his post...a post I had never seen because he unfriended me on FB!  Smart guy. 
TOP SECRET! Many of you know Ronda McCaul Walker - we have been friends for 30 + years and she is bravely and publicly fighting breast cancer. There are surely tough times ahead and I have a way you can show your support. After working closely with vendors and other friends, we have a Ronda scarf. We are selling these at Two Blessings Gift Boutique for $7 ($10 to mail). This is at cost, + tax (she is a Commissioner) and a portion of the sale will go to an organization of her choice. There will be no profit from the sale of this scarf. The scarves are due any day and we would like everyone to have one by January 23rd. On that day, I'd like her Facebook page to be flooded with pictures of people wearing their scarf! Again, I'm trying to keep this as quiet as possible and a surprise, but she is clever. Please feel free to share thru private message. I'd really like this to go way beyond our mutual friends and involve as many people as possible. If you would like to reserve one, please send me a message and we will contact you as soon as they arrive. If you would like one mailed, please send your contact information via private message or by phone at 334-647-1745. Thank you all!
It was a virtual scarf party! Once I had it all figured out I just sat back and enjoyed the encouragement. Women I had known my entire life were wearing the scarf and women I've never met were wearing the scarf.  I was simply overwhelmed.  At one point Donnie said he sold 100 scarves in one day!  Eventually, the vendor he bought the scarves from sold out and could find no more of them on the planet!  So Donnie put on a search for a "Ronda II" scarf which looks very similar to the original. And more posts popped up on FB and more women were wearing the scarf.  One Sunday at church I was wearing my scarf around my head and someone that I don't know stopped me and said, "Hey, is that one of those Ronda Scarves?  I have one too!"  It was so cool to see how something as simple as a scarf could bind so many people together.  I have so many pictures of friends wearing the scarf, here are a few examples:

 The Honorable Lisa Merkel, Mayor of Herndon, Virginia wearing the scarf

 Friends from work Tonya and Jane wearing the scarf

 A precious lady I've never met - Mona - who just lost her husband to cancer wearing the scarf

 A great group of ladies from Pike Road, Alabama wearing their scarves

My fabulous friend Katie wearing the scarf in Washington, DC

And this is how I wear my Ronda Scarf

But all of this is not simply about a scarf.  And it certainly isn't about one women in Montgomery, Alabama with breast cancer.  This is about friends and strangers sharing in the suffering of another.  This is about the countless people who have personally been impacted by cancer.  And this is about prayer.
There were women who bought the scarf that have never met me, but they have endured chemotherapy, radiation, surgery.  Some women who bought the scarf have a friend, spouse, sibling, or parent who died from cancer...or survived cancer.  Women who bought the scarf understand the importance of bearing another's burdens and the power of praying without ceasing for their own struggles and the struggles of others.
Thank you Donnie Sasser for having a heart to encourage a friend!
If you want to purchase a "Ronda Scarf" please visit the store in person, you won't be disappointed with all of the fabulous gift offerings in addition to the scarf, or go to the Two Blessings Gift Boutique Facebook page or call the store directly at 334-647-1745.  Remember, Donnie is selling the scarves at cost ($7), he's not making a dime on them.  He is happy to ship to you as well ($10).

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2