It was test week my first semester at college. Tired and stressed out, I looked forward to going home to the sights, sounds, and smells of the Christmas holidays. It couldn't come quickly enough, but first I had to get through my exams and finish that last term paper.

Hearing a knock at my dorm door, I opened it to find my R.A. She placed a package in my hands. "For you," she said. I couldn't imagine who would send me a package the last week of the semester. There was only an address on the brown paper wrapper, but I smiled when I noticed it was from my hometown.

Unwrapping the package, I lifted the lid on the box inside. I found a $5 bill, a hand-written note, and some homemade chocolate chip cookies. I smiled, and began to munch on a cookie (I had skipped lunch to study). Unfolding the note, I began to read, "We hope you are having a good week. We're sure it is stressful with your exams. We just wanted you to know we are praying for you. See you soon."

My pastor, Walt Williams, and his wife Carol wrote the note and sent the package. They partnered with God that week to encourage the hearts of all the young people in the Spartanburg (South Carolina) Church who were away at school. They didn't send a sermon, but every bite of the cookies conveyed a caring message to me.

Diane Thurber is the Lake Union Conference assistant communication director.