Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Today I felt better than Gomer Pyle ever did. My husband and I had a meeting this afternoon at our church with someone who wanted to be a blessing to us. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out who or what it would be. I had fixed in my mind that perhaps it was a representative from Costen Floors. Costen Floors was partnering with our church to be a blessing in facilitating getting our floors redone to provide a safer and more feasible environment for Mireya. Those plans have been sidelined for now, due to the potential risk to her health, but in my mind I thought perhaps it was in some way connected to them.

Imagine our surprise as we entered the sanctuary for our meeting and a group of people shouted 'Surprise'. I didn't know what to think. I started to pan the room and saw a unfamiliar face with a camera and as I continued to the right I saw a very familiar face, Ms. Sabrina Squire. I heard 'You've been selected as this week's Act of Kindness recipient'. I have no idea what my face looked like as this is all unfolding, but I was seriously in a state of shock. Our friend, Frazelle Hampton nominated us for this reward. The premise for the 'Act of Kindness' segment is what we've talked about all throughout this journey...being a blessing to someone. Frazelle was given $300 to Pay It Forward to help someone or an organization in need and she chose #TeamBolton. I will admit that once Frazelle started talking it sounded like the teacher on Charlie Brown, 'Venus and Quentin...whomp a whomp a whomp whomp'. I was fading in the moment and overcome with emotion. Everyone knows I'm very easily moved to tears and today was no exception. We were so touched and so honored. There was something about that camera zooming in that caused me to fight within myself to rise above the emotions, because I could have stood there and bawled my eyes out. I had a Oprah moment and thought it would not be cute to have the 'ugly cry' on tv, at least not the full on version. So we'll all prepare for possibly an abbreviated glimpse of what shock, amazement, surprise and gratitude looks like all rolled in one.

My heart was so full. I couldn't stop smiling at the goodness and favor of God. Sabrina and Matt (the Producer) were awesome. I thought it was really cool that they'd spent some time reading the blog to become acquainted with our journey. I think it lended itself to really being able to identify with how special today was for us. We love our family, our church family, and our friends for your continued love, support and prayers. At Faith and Family Church we love on purpose. We understand the importance of standing in the gap when and where there is a need. We know how vital it is not only to be an anchor for one another, but if we need to jump in the boat and row, we realize that 'together' we can accomplish the task at hand and get there faster. What a blessing!!! God answers prayers.

Details are lacking because I really don't know what the final spot will look like, but we had a great time laughing, crying and sharing. I loved watching Sabrina's journalistic flavor skip through the piece and her ability to make us all feel the heart behind this awesome initiative of community and Paying It Forward. I cannot wait to see the segment air next week. Please tune in Tuesday, August 16th at 5:00pm to NBC's Channel 12 - On Your Side and 'Acts of Kindness'.

Romans 12:13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality (NIV)