First, a recap ...

Back in February, Prevention Magazine printed a tiny piece I had submitted when they asked readers to write about how they quieted their minds.  I wrote about walking on my hill in Astoria.  A lady in Nevada read it and wrote to me, telling me about her childhood trips to Astoria, where her mother had grown up.  She was taking a cruise that was stopping at the port in Astoria and wanted to meet me.  We arranged to meet at the Astoria Column, a popular tourist attraction, in May.  On the day that we met, she said she was a little under the weather but contributed it to being tired from the busy traveling days prior to this stop in Astoria.  She did look a little tired but then I had never seen her before so I didn't have anything to compare with.  We had a nice chat, decided to stay in touch and then they went on their way. 

Since then, she has emailed me maybe twice.  But I hadn't heard from her in awhile.  I have prayed for her from time to time.  And then, last Wednesday, I really thought about her (I hadn't in awhile).  Yesterday, I checked my email (usually just impersonal stuff) and there was a message from her.  Quite a shock.  She was recovering from a serious cancer surgery!  She was not feeling well that day we met because SHE HAD CANCER!  She had no idea - no one did.  And she started showing symptoms a few weeks after that trip.  From the way the events unfolded in her message, I feel that the Lord had a hand in the timing of her surgery, the hospital she was sent to and the excellent surgeon she had.  She had the surgery on our wedding anniversary (strangely enough) in early August and they sent her home from the hospital LAST WEDNESDAY!  The very day I thought of her!  This is no coincidence!  God is at work here!

It took me a day to think about what to say to her.  I finally emailed her a reply today and then I ordered flowers to be sent to her tomorrow.  I LOVE sending flowers - I'd do it all the time if we could afford it.  I love getting flowers, too.  (Todd, are you reading this?!!)  Just kidding, honey, I know you know and you do a good job!  Again, I digress ...

I'm supposed to pray for this person, there is no doubt.  I prayed about what to say to her.  I do not know her spiritual background or beliefs.  But I am hoping and praying that the Lord will make Himself known to her.  I tried to be encouraging, not preachy, and cheerful.  She has a long recovery before her but things do look promising.  Boy, it was just so startling!

And all because I started blogging here on HSB.  I have asked the Lord to use this blog to be an encouragement to others and a place for me to pray for people when they ask (and even when they don't ask!)  Writing on here has given me more confidence to submit my writing elsewhere.  And because of this, I can be an encouragement to this new friend of mine.  Do you see the connection?  How many opportunities have I missed to be an encouragement to others?  I can't dwell on that.  But I can actively look for more ways to allow the Lord to use me and my writing to His Glory.

One more thing - please say a prayer for my friend in Nevada.  She will appreciate it, and so will I! 

Thanks!