Right in the middle of phones ringing, admissions, orders, and delivering babies-a friendship emerged.
Ellie is the labor and delivery HUC aka super secretary. She has one of the most stressful jobs, and I can say that because I have sat in her seat. After fours hours I walked away with a whole new respect for her…
…and a migraine.
She deals with paperwork, scheduling, demanding doctors and nurses, whoever pops up on the other end of the phone, and the most annoying revolving doorbell on the face of the earth (seriously)…
…and yet she does it with ease.
This past April, in the middle of all that chaos, I found myself sharing my Swaziland stories with this woman, who was completely interested in the lives that I touched. Ellie didn’t just listen as I talked about Timbali crafts, the ministry I helped in Swazi, but she invested in those women by buying their bags. That’s just the kind of woman she is.
Even though I was running from it at the time, the Lord had been whispering the World Race in my ear. I threw the idea out to her, since she had been so fascinated by my short-term mission trip.
She didn’t even blink; “Emily you have to do it.”
From that moment Ellie has been my biggest supporter and I’m not just talking finances.
In July I went away for a friend’s wedding knowing that when I returned my focus had to be raising support if I was going to go through with this. The thought was nauseating. I arrived back at work to find this taped to several walls.
Shocked. Touched. Blown away.
I had to reread it several times before it actually set in.
Ellie has been raising chickens for the last year. They are her girls. And they have been working hard for me these last few months doing what they do best; laying eggs.
Saturday I had the privilege of meeting the 26 girls that have raised about $500 and are still going. I figured since they have been doing such a stellar job I would give them the five minutes of fame they so deserve.
(Ellie and the girls who are just full of so much personality!)
I am blessed beyond words to have Ellie in my life. She has told me several times that she can’t go, but she can support someone who can!
Ellie, if you’re reading this THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I know I joke about you being my sugar mama since you hand me cash every time I see you, but seriously you are so sweet and generous for supporting with me in this. And thank you girls for laying quality eggs, I promise to bring snacks next time I come to visit!
