Happy Mail

 

Yesterday evening, Ryan came in with the mail and said to me, "Someone got fun mail!!" I promptly became puppy-level excited and then said, "Wait. Are you for real or is this a bill that you're pretending is fun?" 

Not that he would ever do that. 

Wait. He probably wouldn't. 

I would. 

Actually, I did. Do you have time for a quick fun side-story from the days of WillowBridge?

We had one tenant who would ask every single day, "Did I get any mail?" He loved mail and we all knew it, but he hardly ever got any. But every time, when we told him he hadn't gotten anything, he said, "Thank God. Could have been a bill." 

Mmm hmmmmmmm.

So one day, he got mail. It was nothing fun or remotely personal. Probably a bill or junk mail. But when he came in that day, before he had a chance to ask me, I put on my most concerned face and said, "Hey, I have some bad news. Like really bad."

He immediately started rapid-fire guessing all the things it could be and I just sat, all forlorn, shaking my head. Finally, he said, "WHAT IS IT???"

I said, "Turns out you got mail today. I'm so sorry." 

I believe he called me a turd. :) I had the best time with it. 

So you can see why I don't believe people about the mail. I'm people, after all. 

But back to yesterday's story...it turns out it really was fun mail! 

Ryan handed me a thick envelope with a local return address on it, and I ripped it open and promptly cried. 

Some of you already know what I'm about to say because your names were attached to it!

Inside I found a stack of gift cards to local shops and restaurants and a note that simply said, "Bekah - you are welcome here." And then it was signed from a whole group of you that I first interacted with back in my WBCL days, and then that continued in the Gateway days. Some of you I have met in person and some I have not, but the mere fact that you would bless me/us in this way was completely overwhelming in the most wonderful way. 

Instantly, I was reminded of how God goes before us and orders our steps. All those many years ago, when I worked at WBCL, He allowed our paths to cross. You've been following our story and we've followed many of yours. None of us had any idea then we would live in the same town, but here we are! And I couldn't feel more like I belong. Truly.

The tangible gift was overwhelming. But the intangible gift of welcome and belonging was the part I needed most. Thank you for loving us so well. 

We are humbled and grateful.