The morning I was stunned

There was one particular morning two months ago that I will never forget...EVER! It was when I read an email from a certain Ms. Katie Wilkinson informing me that I won 1,000 Euros for answering their online survey. I was stunned. For a moment I couldn't retract my eyes from the computer screen reading the email over and over again.

Here's the exact letter from her dated May 5, 2011.

Congratulations!

You recently filled out the ellesse survey via our facebook page or our website.
I am pleased to let you know that you are the overall winner and have won 1000 euros. WELL DONE!
Please can you send me your full name as it appears on your bank statement as well as the details of your bank and your paying in details so we can ensure the money safely goes into your account.

Once again well done and look forward to hearing back from you.

Kind regards

Katie

Katie Wilkinson
ellesse Digital Producer
ellesse International

Tel: +44 (0) 208 970 6275
www.ellesse.com
Face book http://www.facebook.com/ellesse
Twitter: @iloveellesse
@ellesseheritage

Yes, I did answer an Ellesse Online Survey which I learned from Primer Group of Companies last May 3, the last day of the survey promo. I do recall answering it 3-4 hours before the promo ended at 12am. The start of the survey had me answering the question: Which of the two prizes would you like to win? A) a pair of Ellesse footwear or B) 1,000 Euros. I thought it was a tricky question that required me to pick letter "A". But I chose from my heart, hehe, I picked the Euros even if the Ellesse footwear prize were made of gold.

I submitted the survey without any (as in nil) expectation to win. That was an international survey and besides, I have a bad record when it comes to raffle draws.

It was an early morning at the office, just two days after answering the survey, that I opened and read that email. I couldn't believe it. I didn't tell my husband right away, not until I was 50% sure that it wasn't a scam. I googled "Katie Wilkinson" and found her to be legitimate.

Later that same morning I finally told my husband about it (he, too, couldn't believe it) and replied to Ms. Katie Wilkinson's email regarding my bank details.

Since I haven't gotten any reply from Ms. Katie after waiting for it for 4 days, I called her up on her cellphone indicated on the email. I thought, Ms. Katie needed to hear my voice literally since it says there on her email - "...look forward to hearing back from you". You see, I analyzed the letter, hahaha! That was just how unbelievable everything was to me, then. Anyway, I was in my office cubicle in the middle of work when I called up her number. She answered after 2 rings. I wasn't expecting that again. I introduced myself as the one who won the Euros and she acknowledged it. She assured me of delivering the prize to my account. She sounded like a real nice lady. It was only then when I put down the phone that I started to believe that I really won.

I almost cried and I immediately whispered a loud thank You to my God who I really believe made it all possible. Even now as I'm typing this blogpost, I can't help but get teary-eyed.

Last May 24, I met some nice people from the Ellesse Philippines, Leslie & Donna; Primer Group of Companies and my fellow winners, Mylene and Gayle, during the scheduled photo-ops held at the Bratpack store in Greenbelt 5.

Primer Group of Companies also made an announcement about the winners through their Facebook profile: Ellesse Announces the Philippine Winners of its Global Online Survey Raffle

We were also featured in Philippine Daily Inquirer. I have a copy of that, too.

Finally, last June 22, the 1,000 Euros (converted to Peso) was credited to my account. The following day, I excitedly withdrew ten percent of that amount, which I eagerly and joyfully gave to God that Sunday.

Winning the 1,000 Euros is indeed, unexpected and unbelievable, but the experience has been very humbling since I know it comes from Him.

I know there's so much more blessings that He's going to give to me and my family and I'm just here patiently, excitedly and expectantly waiting to receive them with all my heart.

All the things that happened in the past two months reminds me so much of two of my favorite Bible verses:

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.