{"id":2713,"date":"2025-12-20T18:40:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T23:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/20\/the-little-engine-that-did\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T07:34:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T12:34:28","slug":"the-little-engine-that-did","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/20\/the-little-engine-that-did\/","title":{"rendered":"The little engine that DID!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One week ago we had the time of our lives preparing for Koinonia\u2019s 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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u2019Asia 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Rico and I arrived I didn\u2019t know what we would be walking into BUT I knew whatever D\u2019Asia and Kelly put their mind to, it would be every bit of amazing! And so it was! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2019s collaboration (next blog) one of Dolly\u2019s 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\u2026one week later! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sweet boy who turned 8 had hoped that he would bless a family and indeed he did. He didn\u2019t gift his train set for a prop but to be used, adored, loved, and played with by special little boy and his family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Psalm 130:5 says, I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God never works on our timetable but I\u2019ve always Him to be right on time. Often times we get impatient because we think God\u2019s delay means an unanswered prayer or him simply denying our request. Fact of the matter is, that\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I was sitting here thinking that the train would have been the \u201cicing on the cake\u201d, 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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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 \u201cThe Little Train that could\u201d and so I had to refresh my memory as I hadn\u2019t heard the words since my guys were still in pampers. These three pages stood out to me: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How often do we think we can\u2019t do something because of our size, our lack of knowledge, lack of resources, or lack of trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Today\u2019s blog is a testament that waiting prepares God\u2019s children for stronger faith. We learn to trust God as we wait. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m so thankful for folks like Stacey who BELIEVE in Dolly\u2019s House and make things like today happen. I\u2019m so grateful for folks like Dave & Kelly who BELIEVE in Spry\u2019s Durty Kitchen and allow us to have fun and witness God\u2019s love through food. The list could go on as I think about folks like D\u2019Etta, Kami, Faith, Jasmine, Kathy, D\u2019Asia, Jamika, and SO MANY OTHERS and Eau Claire Baptist Church for believing\u2026that encourage, support, and help \u201cthis little engine\u201d that thought she couldn\u2019t\u2026accomplish things only God knows and reach the top of mountain. In 2026, I am claiming that \u201cthis little engine\u201d will keep smiling, keep puffing, and keep praising as my family and I come down the mountain and step into uncharted territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy 8th birthday sweet Ben from Dolly\u2019s House!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One week ago we had the time of our lives preparing for Koinonia\u2019s 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\u2019Asia… Read moreThe little engine that DID!<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"The little engine that DID!","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[250],"class_list":["post-2713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-joy","tag-thelittleenginethatcould","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2727,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/transforming-loss-grief-and-fear\/","url_meta":{"origin":2713,"position":0},"title":"Transforming loss, grief and fear.","author":"Whitnee","date":"December 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cCome to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.\u201cTake My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.\u201cFor my yoke is easy and My burden is light.\u201dMatthew\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hopelessness"","block_context":{"text":"Hopelessness","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/hopelessness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-3.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-3.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-3.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-3.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2428,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2024\/06\/20\/finding-beauty-in-god-on-juneteenth\/","url_meta":{"origin":2713,"position":1},"title":"Finding beauty in God on Juneteenth.","author":"Whitnee","date":"June 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Ephesians 4:11-1611 He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Strength"","block_context":{"text":"Strength","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/strength\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_7950.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2444,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2024\/08\/12\/im-hot-and-tired-but-i-wont-quit\/","url_meta":{"origin":2713,"position":2},"title":"I\u2019m hot and tired but I won\u2019t quit.","author":"Whitnee","date":"August 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\ud83c\udfb6 I just can\u2019t give up now, I\u2019ve come too far from where I started from. 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