Last Friday morning, Ann Sophie got an email telling us a special delivery was arriving between 11:00 and 1:00. At about 11:00, a giant furniture delivery truck pulled into our apartment complex, and two strapping young guys got out.

They hauled several large pieces into our living room, putting them together in less than five minutes. And there stood a deluxe, gorgeous lay-z-boy chair, a gift for Nelson from his “home church” in Tennessee–Brentwood Baptist.

It had remote control and could move up or down according to his wishes, whether he wanted to use it as a chair or a bed.

We all tried it out, happy with its comfort and capabilities. The best part was watching the chair move Nelson from a lying-down position to a full stand-up without any effort on his part—other than pushing a button. This lavish gift is from a group of thoughtful, generous, supportive friends in Nashville, who wanted to do something special for Ann Sophie and Nelson.

Because lying flat is almost impossible for him, this chair now allows Nelson the comfort of a bed with the ability to put his lungs at any angle that makes his shallow breathing easier.

After welcoming the new chair to our living room, we were making weekend plans when Ann Sophie got a text from Tennessee. “There was actually money left over after we bought the chair, so what else would you like? We’re going to spend it on you guys somehow, so just tell us what to buy.”

After we stopped shaking our heads in wonder, Ann Sophie gave it some thought and chose a KitchenAid mixer. The beautiful KitchenAid she has in Kona, Hawaii, (too heavy to ship) will now be given to someone else way out there, who will receive a ricochet-blessing from the folks back in Tennessee. God does, indeed, move in mysterious ways. And he loves to use generous people to take part in his happy surprises.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)