With the start of a new year, the IBLP Publications staff encounter the daunting task of inventory. Taking inventory involves writing down the quantity of every box, plus hand counting each book, music CD, DVD, card set, and calendar—everything on the numerous shelves in our mail room. If you have ever attended an event on-campus or browsed through our online store, you know there are a lot of resources! Our yearly inventory usually is a big, multiday project.

That is where teamwork comes in! Every year, volunteers from all across campus pitch in to help us count. We are so grateful for these believers who add a delightful spirit as we work alongside one another, each with their own stations to count. Snacks are set out, making the whole experience quite appetizing. Bits of chatter are sprinkled here and there, feeding the soul as well.

The best counting time we had ever achieved in known history was two mornings and one afternoon. But that was with a lot of volunteers. This year there was an unexpected change in schedule, which put the first day of inventory on January 1—a holiday.

Still, a small group came in the late morning and got right to work. With many people praying and God blessing the hands and eyes of the workers, the warehouse was counted before we stopped for lunch! Only the products in the room where customers’ orders are pulled, packed, and shipped remained to be counted.

By the end of the first day, everything had been counted! This accomplishment was a big difference from when the meticulous counting took several days. We praise the Lord for His favor in granting a smaller team quickness and precision in the task, more so than ever before. And God not only blessed the team’s efficiency, He also blessed their accuracy as the final count was right on!