Whitnee's journey with Christ

One week ago we had the time of our lives preparing for Koinonia’s Polar Express party. From the decorations, to food crafts, to the hot cocoa bar, and down to the gifts everything was centered around the Polar Express!

D’Asia and a few middle and high schools worked tirelessly to create a grand entrance for the Polar Express where you crossed over the railroad tracks surrounded around snow, entering into the whimsical hallway, leading into the enchanted fellowship hall that was decorated like a box cart with various seating spaces.

When Rico and I arrived I didn’t know what we would be walking into BUT I knew whatever D’Asia and Kelly put their mind to, it would be every bit of amazing! And so it was!

Traffic was hectic last Friday and I grew impatiently aggravated waiting to get to the church. Driving at only 10-15 miles per hour, it felt like it took forever and a day! Finally we made it and so many beautiful people put their gloves on and boots on the ground and came to our aid to help set up.

It was such a magical night that it has taken me over a week to put to words how grateful and humbled I am at how things turned out. All in all I felt like something was missing and I looked high and low and could not find an affordable one (a train that is). Little did I know that on Saturday after being blessed by God’s collaboration (next blog) one of Dolly’s Houses angels would hand deliver Thomas! He was delayed but not denied and it meant so much to me that God would allow things to wrap up such a perfect night…one week later!

Stacey had sent a text message asking if a special family could use a Thomas train set for Christmas and I was delighted! All I could think about is how I was in search of a train set just last Friday to finish off the Polar Express theme. Little did I know it was never God’s intention for Thomas the Train to be on display as a prop but it was the wish of a little sweet child who had turned 8 the day before to gift his train set to a family that would appreciate it!

Joshua has always been fascinated with trucks, trains, and excavators since he was a baby and at the tender age of 6 he finally gets to have his own HUGE set.

I had to tell Stacey how special this was, not only in my search for Thomas but how timely and fitting this was when it comes to the waiting season that a lot of us are in right now.

A sweet boy who turned 8 had hoped that he would bless a family and indeed he did. He didn’t gift his train set for a prop but to be used, adored, loved, and played with by special little boy and his family.

Psalm 130:5 says, I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.

God never works on our timetable but I’ve always Him to be right on time. Often times we get impatient because we think God’s delay means an unanswered prayer or him simply denying our request. Fact of the matter is, that’s not always the case. Many times in our waiting, God is building character, building our faith, establishing or maintaining trust, or strengthening our reliance on Him.

While I was sitting here thinking that the train would have been the “icing on the cake”, for those who BELIEVE and boy did the boys and girls and their parents truly believe, and so does this 8 year old and Stacey believe and it showed!

Stacey had mentioned wanting Joshua to be able to purchase more trains for the track and to get the book for him to be encouraged. Madison reminded me that Dolly’s House had a Thomas the train story time book and so I was excited when I found it and was able to give it to Stacey. It was a true God moment. Stacey was able to share sentiments about “The Little Train that could” and so I had to refresh my memory as I hadn’t heard the words since my guys were still in pampers. These three pages stood out to me:

How often do we think we can’t do something because of our size, our lack of knowledge, lack of resources, or lack of trust.

Today’s blog is a testament that waiting prepares God’s children for stronger faith. We learn to trust God as we wait.

I’m so thankful for folks like Stacey who BELIEVE in Dolly’s House and make things like today happen. I’m so grateful for folks like Dave & Kelly who BELIEVE in Spry’s Durty Kitchen and allow us to have fun and witness God’s love through food. The list could go on as I think about folks like D’Etta, Kami, Faith, Jasmine, Kathy, D’Asia, Jamika, and SO MANY OTHERS and Eau Claire Baptist Church for believing…that encourage, support, and help “this little engine” that thought she couldn’t…accomplish things only God knows and reach the top of mountain. In 2026, I am claiming that “this little engine” will keep smiling, keep puffing, and keep praising as my family and I come down the mountain and step into uncharted territory.

Happy 8th birthday sweet Ben from Dolly’s House!