The first day In August when I was in the hospital, I heard a loud noise that sounded like it was right outside my window. From my bed, I could see the walls of two hospital buildings with what appeared to be an empty square between them.

After the second noisy encounter, a nurse told me it was a helicopter landing right over my head. Thankfully, it didn’t happen again during my week-long visit there.

A week later when I went to Rowan Diagnostic for a follow-up visit with Dr. Malone, I heard that loud hovering noise again while I waited for the Rita Transportation Service to take me home. The louder it became, the further I inched my scooter out into the drive-thru lane. I was able to watch as a helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital.

There were a couple of other ladies waiting for transportation and their curiosity got the best of them so they joined me to find out what was so noisy. We started talking about low flying helicopters, planes, and the military jets that flew so fast and low over my home during the war with Iraq.

I mentioned the card ministry and the pretty white-haired lady turned around and asked “Aren’t you Linda Beck?” “Yes I am. Where do I know you from?”

She told me that she lives at Trinity Oaks and remembers me from the daily activities when I was in Rehab last year. She expressed how much she loves my stories and admires what I have done with the card ministry.

I explained to her how my friend, Donna and I, had just been discussing how we might have to stop the ministry. The cost of envelopes and supplies are getting so expensive and we do not have the financial backing that we use to receive.

About that time her transportation from Trinity Oaks arrived and the driver helped her get in the car to leave. We exchanged farewells and I returned to reading a book. A few minutes later I saw the Trinity Oaks’ vehicle returning. She had the window open and was waving a paper at me. Lo and behold, she felt led to write a check for $100 for the card ministry.

That was another one of those “God things.” I guess God is not ready for us to shut the card ministry down just yet. Since 2004 over 170,000 cards have been sent to the soldiers. Maybe with the help of others we can reach a goal of 200,000 cards. If you wish to contribute to keep this card ministry alive, email me at lindainthecards@gmail.com or call 704-278-9355.

Some of my hand-made cards may someday be found in attics or personal stationery boxes. This ministry was “answered prayer” after my multiple sclerosis exacerbation in 2002. I had just moved back to my new home in Woodleaf and I asked the Lord how I could do anything worthwhile with the new complications in my health.

Through people like Debbie Chesney, Benita VanWinkle, Donna Fessler, Food Lion, and many contributors, the ministry grew so large! I received a lot of sweet thank-you notes from soldiers and was told many times what a blessing the cards had been for so many of them.

The truth of the matter is that no one has been any more blessed than I have through answered prayer and the love and friendship of so many new people that the Lord brought into my life. Once again, praise God from whom all blessings flow!

 

Linda Beck lives in Woodleaf