1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,170 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,471 --> 00:01:15,431 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,450 --> 00:01:25,241 Speaker 2: Life Audio. Welcome, friends, loyal listeners, and welcome in any 14 00:01:25,501 --> 00:01:33,761 Speaker 2: newcomers to Story Behind Podcast. Inspiring stories, positive headlines. Brought 15 00:01:33,781 --> 00:01:37,131 Speaker 2: to you from GodTube.com, where you can watch without worry, 16 00:01:37,311 --> 00:01:44,071 Speaker 2: and LifeAudio.com. Today, I've compiled a couple stories for you 17 00:01:44,090 --> 00:01:47,310 Speaker 2: that remind us to keep our eyes open out there, 18 00:01:47,371 --> 00:01:51,431 Speaker 2: because you never know where these stories are going to 19 00:01:51,471 --> 00:01:55,261 Speaker 2: be happening. They don't just happen behind all the other 20 00:01:55,341 --> 00:02:00,641 Speaker 2: things out there in places that nobody ever sees. Today's stories... 21 00:02:00,931 --> 00:02:03,751 Speaker 2: took place in a couple of places where it stores 22 00:02:03,831 --> 00:02:08,750 Speaker 2: and places that you probably visit frequently. So think about 23 00:02:08,990 --> 00:02:11,750 Speaker 2: where you've been recently and where you might be going 24 00:02:11,810 --> 00:02:15,441 Speaker 2: today and remember that God sends you nowhere by accident. 25 00:02:15,501 --> 00:02:19,061 Speaker 2: So keep your eyes open because you never know when 26 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:23,101 Speaker 2: you might become a story or witness a story on 27 00:02:23,141 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 2: The Story Behind. I'll leave you with that and be 28 00:02:25,740 --> 00:02:36,550 Speaker 2: right back with those stories after this. All right, our 29 00:02:36,631 --> 00:02:41,351 Speaker 2: first story today is from Heather Riggleman, and this one 30 00:02:41,391 --> 00:02:45,791 Speaker 2: takes place at a Goodwill. A lost baby doll is 31 00:02:45,851 --> 00:02:52,931 Speaker 2: found at Goodwill in a sweet needle-in-a-haystack story. Normally, when 32 00:02:53,011 --> 00:02:57,150 Speaker 2: something accidentally disappears into a donation box, you assume it's 33 00:02:57,251 --> 00:03:00,270 Speaker 2: gone for good. But every once in a while, a 34 00:03:00,291 --> 00:03:02,471 Speaker 2: story comes along that makes you wonder if some things 35 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:06,851 Speaker 2: aren't meant to stay lost. Because finding one little doll 36 00:03:07,811 --> 00:03:13,231 Speaker 2: among hundreds of boxes and thousands of donated belongings, the 37 00:03:13,311 --> 00:03:16,631 Speaker 2: odds had to feel nearly impossible. But that was the 38 00:03:16,671 --> 00:03:21,071 Speaker 2: case for Anna Simons of Virginia, whose husband had accidentally 39 00:03:21,111 --> 00:03:24,411 Speaker 2: donated a baby doll to a Goodwill store in Chesapeake. 40 00:03:25,221 --> 00:03:28,721 Speaker 2: And this wasn't a doll that could be simply replaced 41 00:03:28,761 --> 00:03:31,781 Speaker 2: with another one from a store shelf. Anna had grown 42 00:03:31,841 --> 00:03:35,531 Speaker 2: up holding this baby doll herself. And now it wore 43 00:03:35,571 --> 00:03:39,411 Speaker 2: the tiny onesie Anna's own daughter had worn during her 44 00:03:39,451 --> 00:03:44,451 Speaker 2: time in the NICU. Suddenly, finding this doll meant recovering 45 00:03:44,511 --> 00:03:50,511 Speaker 2: pieces of two childhoods at once. Anna's own childhood and 46 00:03:50,671 --> 00:03:54,241 Speaker 2: one tiny piece of her daughter's earliest, most fragile days 47 00:03:54,661 --> 00:03:58,081 Speaker 2: were wrapped up in a single doll that had disappeared 48 00:03:58,181 --> 00:04:02,521 Speaker 2: somewhere among a mountain of donations. Finding it would be 49 00:04:02,561 --> 00:04:05,591 Speaker 2: like searching for a needle in a haystack. except the 50 00:04:05,611 --> 00:04:10,731 Speaker 2: haystack was a Goodwill warehouse, and the needle was one 51 00:04:10,781 --> 00:04:15,321 Speaker 2: beloved doll. Still, Anna tried to keep her hopes and 52 00:04:15,341 --> 00:04:19,921 Speaker 2: the loss in perspective. While it's sentimental to me, it 53 00:04:20,061 --> 00:04:24,140 Speaker 2: is a thing, Anna said. It is stuff. But what 54 00:04:24,201 --> 00:04:28,460 Speaker 2: Anna didn't know yet was that somewhere inside that enormous warehouse, 55 00:04:28,541 --> 00:04:32,510 Speaker 2: against almost unbelievable odds, her little doll was waiting to 56 00:04:32,571 --> 00:04:36,441 Speaker 2: be found. Anna put out a plea for help online. 57 00:04:37,621 --> 00:04:42,181 Speaker 2: And when Goodwill leadership heard her story, employees decided to try. 58 00:04:43,441 --> 00:04:46,501 Speaker 2: There was only one little problem. They were staring at 59 00:04:46,541 --> 00:04:51,690 Speaker 2: a warehouse containing more than 800 large boxes of donations. 60 00:04:52,851 --> 00:04:55,991 Speaker 2: Many thought finding one doll among all of it would 61 00:04:56,031 --> 00:05:03,111 Speaker 2: be impossible. Goodwill Vice President of Donated Goods Operations, Matthew Stegall, 62 00:05:03,821 --> 00:05:07,021 Speaker 2: and his team thought differently. We just had a feeling, 63 00:05:07,541 --> 00:05:12,241 Speaker 2: Matthew said. So they started digging, and just 90 minutes later, 64 00:05:12,541 --> 00:05:17,451 Speaker 2: they opened the eighth box and found the doll. Anna 65 00:05:17,531 --> 00:05:20,591 Speaker 2: arrived later carrying boxes of donuts for the employees who 66 00:05:20,630 --> 00:05:24,231 Speaker 2: had searched for something so precious simply because it mattered 67 00:05:24,311 --> 00:05:28,831 Speaker 2: to a stranger. Thank you so much. Oh my gosh, 68 00:05:28,891 --> 00:05:32,911 Speaker 2: thank you guys, Anna said. My daughter is so excited too. 69 00:05:34,531 --> 00:05:38,150 Speaker 2: Then came one more kindness. A Goodwill employee had found 70 00:05:38,211 --> 00:05:44,291 Speaker 2: the rescued doll a stroller. It's perfect, Anna said. Hundreds 71 00:05:44,351 --> 00:05:48,591 Speaker 2: of boxes said the odds weren't good. But a moment 72 00:05:48,630 --> 00:05:53,091 Speaker 2: of human kindness said, let's look anyway. Because what looks 73 00:05:53,130 --> 00:05:55,851 Speaker 2: like an old doll to one person may hold an 74 00:05:55,911 --> 00:06:01,281 Speaker 2: entire chapter of someone else's life. And sometimes loving our 75 00:06:01,321 --> 00:06:05,891 Speaker 2: neighbors looks like caring about what matters to them. even 76 00:06:05,931 --> 00:06:09,871 Speaker 2: when it means digging through a warehouse to find it. 77 00:06:11,911 --> 00:06:17,260 Speaker 2: I'm reminded of Ephesians 4.32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, 78 00:06:18,341 --> 00:06:24,681 Speaker 2: forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. And, unfortunately, 79 00:06:25,361 --> 00:06:28,501 Speaker 2: I'm also reminded of the time that I cleaned out 80 00:06:28,641 --> 00:06:33,261 Speaker 2: our extra bedroom closet and almost threw away a stuffed 81 00:06:33,401 --> 00:06:37,201 Speaker 2: turtle that had belonged to my wife's mother. It was 82 00:06:37,681 --> 00:06:41,531 Speaker 2: ill repair, but I had no idea how special it was. 83 00:06:41,771 --> 00:06:45,130 Speaker 2: So be careful out there with what you do donate, 84 00:06:45,571 --> 00:06:48,971 Speaker 2: because I don't know if every story will have the 85 00:06:49,011 --> 00:06:53,451 Speaker 2: same outcome that this story from Heather had, with the 86 00:06:53,521 --> 00:06:56,481 Speaker 2: needle in a haystack and the doll being found thanks 87 00:06:56,501 --> 00:06:59,391 Speaker 2: to kindness. All right, I'll be back in just a 88 00:06:59,431 --> 00:07:03,021 Speaker 2: moment with our second story that takes place in a 89 00:07:03,081 --> 00:07:06,801 Speaker 2: place that's just as common for everybody to visit as Goodwill. 90 00:07:07,101 --> 00:07:19,091 Speaker 2: We'll be right back. Okay, thanks. We are back with 91 00:07:19,151 --> 00:07:23,881 Speaker 2: our second story. positive story today on story behind and 92 00:07:23,901 --> 00:07:27,011 Speaker 2: you know as a father of a 23 year old 93 00:07:27,111 --> 00:07:30,531 Speaker 2: son and a 21 year old daughter I am familiar 94 00:07:30,671 --> 00:07:34,011 Speaker 2: with their own questions of dad how did people meet 95 00:07:34,291 --> 00:07:39,071 Speaker 2: in your day and the confusion that how people sometimes 96 00:07:39,471 --> 00:07:42,631 Speaker 2: get together today and people are getting together less and 97 00:07:42,671 --> 00:07:47,041 Speaker 2: less because it's so confusing with apps and everybody having 98 00:07:47,101 --> 00:07:51,211 Speaker 2: phones and not looking up as much anymore well We're 99 00:07:51,231 --> 00:07:53,931 Speaker 2: not here today to rant about any of that, but 100 00:07:54,131 --> 00:07:57,331 Speaker 2: just to remind you that sometimes having your eyes up 101 00:07:57,551 --> 00:08:00,151 Speaker 2: in the most common places that God sends you day 102 00:08:00,211 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 2: to day can still lead to wonderful things. Today's story 103 00:08:04,881 --> 00:08:09,161 Speaker 2: is from Heather Riggleman, and this takes place at a Buc-ee's, yes, 104 00:08:09,341 --> 00:08:12,741 Speaker 2: at the gas station, where a chance meeting led to 105 00:08:12,831 --> 00:08:17,871 Speaker 2: love and a very special wedding guest. Somewhere between the 106 00:08:17,911 --> 00:08:21,511 Speaker 2: gas pumps, beaver nuggets, and shelves of road trip snacks, 107 00:08:22,351 --> 00:08:25,961 Speaker 2: two high school students crossed paths at a Texas Buc-ee's 108 00:08:26,721 --> 00:08:31,221 Speaker 2: in 2021. But before we dive into this unique love story, 109 00:08:31,961 --> 00:08:34,401 Speaker 2: we have to tell you about Buc-ee's. If you've never 110 00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 2: been to a Buc-ee's, calling it a gas station feels 111 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:43,571 Speaker 2: almost disrespectful. It's basically the Taj Mahal of truck stops, 112 00:08:43,771 --> 00:08:49,501 Speaker 2: where fresh brisket, beaver nuggets, spotless bathrooms, and a giant 113 00:08:49,721 --> 00:08:56,591 Speaker 2: buck-toothed beaver somehow inspire a cult-like following. People plan their 114 00:08:56,631 --> 00:09:00,451 Speaker 2: road trips around stops at Bucky's. They collect the merchandise. 115 00:09:01,691 --> 00:09:05,011 Speaker 2: They walk through the store aisles with shopping carts and 116 00:09:05,050 --> 00:09:09,251 Speaker 2: defend their favorite snacks with the loyalty usually reserved for 117 00:09:09,290 --> 00:09:13,851 Speaker 2: football teams. Around these parts, you don't simply stop at Bucky's, 118 00:09:13,891 --> 00:09:19,521 Speaker 2: you experience. Buc-ee's. And that's what Brody Bauman and Marcy 119 00:09:19,591 --> 00:09:23,111 Speaker 2: Clayton were doing when they ran into each other there. 120 00:09:23,731 --> 00:09:26,930 Speaker 2: They just didn't know it was the beginning of their 121 00:09:26,991 --> 00:09:32,231 Speaker 2: love story. Brody remembers exactly what Marcy was doing. She 122 00:09:32,271 --> 00:09:36,341 Speaker 2: was getting chocolate-covered pretzels, he said, when he spotted her 123 00:09:36,641 --> 00:09:40,540 Speaker 2: through the shelves, turned to his friends and announced, I'm 124 00:09:40,581 --> 00:09:44,921 Speaker 2: going to get her. which is either teenage confidence at 125 00:09:44,961 --> 00:09:47,881 Speaker 2: its finest or a spectacular way to get yourself labeled 126 00:09:47,941 --> 00:09:52,881 Speaker 2: a weirdo. Marcy went with the latter. Brody asked for 127 00:09:52,941 --> 00:09:56,550 Speaker 2: her Snapchat, and she gave it to him. Then she 128 00:09:56,591 --> 00:09:59,491 Speaker 2: climbed back into the car with her parents and told 129 00:09:59,551 --> 00:10:03,531 Speaker 2: them about the strange boy she'd met inside Bucky's. It 130 00:10:03,591 --> 00:10:09,071 Speaker 2: was Bold, Brody admitted. Well, apparently Bold worked. A month 131 00:10:09,111 --> 00:10:12,711 Speaker 2: or two later, the two began dating. they went to 132 00:10:12,741 --> 00:10:16,631 Speaker 2: both of their high school proms together. Five years passed, 133 00:10:17,691 --> 00:10:22,191 Speaker 2: and the teenagers who met beside the chocolate-covered pretzels grew up. Now, 134 00:10:22,851 --> 00:10:26,351 Speaker 2: they're getting married, and they haven't forgotten where it began. 135 00:10:27,511 --> 00:10:32,601 Speaker 2: Brody and Marcy are planning their wedding for June 5, 2027, 136 00:10:32,601 --> 00:10:36,180 Speaker 2: and they want one particularly famous beaver on the guest list. 137 00:10:37,581 --> 00:10:40,151 Speaker 2: There's a great picture with this article, so this will 138 00:10:40,171 --> 00:10:42,011 Speaker 2: be one where you'll want to check the links in 139 00:10:42,030 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 2: the show notes. The couple returned to Bucky's, carrying a 140 00:10:45,611 --> 00:10:50,381 Speaker 2: sign that read, Our love story started at Bucky's. Bucky, 141 00:10:50,521 --> 00:10:54,641 Speaker 2: will you be our honorary wedding guest? They even brought 142 00:10:54,681 --> 00:10:59,651 Speaker 2: the mascot his own save-the-date. Bucky responded with two thumbs up. 143 00:11:00,791 --> 00:11:04,031 Speaker 2: For a beaver, a few words, that feels promising. Because 144 00:11:04,081 --> 00:11:06,321 Speaker 2: how cool would that be to have the beaver on 145 00:11:06,361 --> 00:11:09,801 Speaker 2: the dance floor, Marcy said. You can't top it, Brody added. 146 00:11:11,341 --> 00:11:14,401 Speaker 2: They are already working pieces of their beginning into their wedding. 147 00:11:15,101 --> 00:11:19,341 Speaker 2: The groom's cake will feature Bucky's face, and Brody has 148 00:11:19,581 --> 00:11:22,670 Speaker 2: floated the possibility of Bucky serving as a ring bearer. 149 00:11:23,751 --> 00:11:26,170 Speaker 2: There has even been talk of tossing beaver nuggets instead 150 00:11:26,191 --> 00:11:29,930 Speaker 2: of flower petals. And beneath all the fun is something 151 00:11:29,971 --> 00:11:34,311 Speaker 2: rather sweet. Five years ago, two teenagers stopped at the 152 00:11:34,331 --> 00:11:38,571 Speaker 2: same convenience store on the same day. One boy looked 153 00:11:38,611 --> 00:11:42,111 Speaker 2: through an aisle and decided to say hello. One girl 154 00:11:42,151 --> 00:11:46,221 Speaker 2: decided to give the weirdo her Snapchat. Neither knew what 155 00:11:46,231 --> 00:11:50,001 Speaker 2: would come next. Sometimes the moments that change our lives 156 00:11:50,441 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 2: don't announce themselves. They look painfully ordinary while we're living them. 157 00:11:55,241 --> 00:11:59,561 Speaker 2: A road trip. Snack aisle. A stranger brave enough to 158 00:11:59,601 --> 00:12:03,141 Speaker 2: say hello. And then years later, we look back and 159 00:12:03,181 --> 00:12:07,121 Speaker 2: realize God was already writing something beautiful into an ordinary 160 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:13,111 Speaker 2: day over chocolate-covered pretzels with a beaver. To help be 161 00:12:13,151 --> 00:12:18,371 Speaker 2: reminded of 1 John 4.19, we love because he first 162 00:12:18,851 --> 00:12:25,991 Speaker 2: loved us. I'm Sean McAvoy wanting to remind you to 163 00:12:26,171 --> 00:12:30,311 Speaker 2: keep your eyes open out there, whether it's for a 164 00:12:30,351 --> 00:12:34,251 Speaker 2: missing doll or for a chance at love in the 165 00:12:34,311 --> 00:12:40,211 Speaker 2: most ordinary of places. Again, you go nowhere by accident. 166 00:12:41,530 --> 00:12:46,111 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to today's episode of the Story Behind podcast. 167 00:12:47,591 --> 00:12:50,511 Speaker 2: I hope today's story encouraged you that God is still 168 00:12:50,551 --> 00:12:53,511 Speaker 2: moving in the world around us, even in the ordinary 169 00:12:53,571 --> 00:12:58,681 Speaker 2: places we frequent every day, every week. You can visit 170 00:12:58,721 --> 00:13:01,121 Speaker 2: the links in our show notes, and I highly recommend 171 00:13:01,151 --> 00:13:05,071 Speaker 2: that today to find the original articles, photos, videos, and 172 00:13:05,131 --> 00:13:09,311 Speaker 2: any resources mentioned on the God Updates blog at GodTube.com. 173 00:13:10,391 --> 00:13:12,611 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Story 174 00:13:12,681 --> 00:13:15,681 Speaker 2: Behind wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with 175 00:13:15,721 --> 00:13:20,721 Speaker 2: someone who can use a little encouragement. Story Behind is 176 00:13:20,761 --> 00:13:24,951 Speaker 2: a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, visit LifeAudio.com. 177 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,601 Speaker 2: Thanks again for joining me, and we'll see you next 178 00:13:29,671 --> 00:13:31,611 Speaker 2: time on Story Behind.