Just an update for those of you who are curious...
I went back for my hair appt today with tattoo girl. She told me her story and was very friendly, accommodating, and did a great job on my hair!! I will definitely go back! Perhaps the lesson is that sometimes people need a second chance?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Really??
Today I ended up very glad that God’s ways are not my ways. I started out at a hair appointment and ended up at a tea room…
I had a coupon to try a new salon. From the moment I stepped inside, I wasn’t very impressed. While the salon itself is very cute, kind of quirky and retro, the totally tattooed owner was on the phone with an unsatisfied customer and she was basically telling her that there was really nothing she could do for her. Really? And she is the owner?
She was polite but intimidating and after an initial consult with me, decided she hadn’t blocked enough time for me and I would have to come back another day. Really? Because I have this coupon I purchased, I decided I would book another appt for another day.
I walked out and realized I had just paid for two hours of parking and had nothing else to do in downtown Tacoma. Really? I decided to drive towards Old Town in hopes of uncovering a hidden treasure I hadn’t previously happened upon in this area.
I parked by the waterfront, laced up my tennies and grabbed my Helly Hansen, since drizzling rain was in the forecast.In Washington? Really? I do love all of the places nearby where you can walk along the waterfront and take in the mountains on all sides.
As I walked along this particular stretch, I noticed up ahead a Chinese-looking structure. I’ve never walked this path before but as I got closer, I realized it was a park that was under construction. After reading the markers along the trail, I learned that it was called the Walk for Reconciliation, a symbolic walk to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the expulsion of the Chinese community in Tacoma. Google it for more information, but basically in 1885, when Tacoma’s economy was failing, a group of 15 men blamed it on the Chinese workers in the city. They gave them a deadline to be out of the city and those who didn’t comply were forcibly put on a train and sent to Portland. Really?
As I walked on I pondered the facts and tried to imagine those poor families who were stripped of everything and sent off to another part of a totally foreign country.
As I walked, I met many older tourists who were all out enjoying the sites and the mild climate of the day. They nodded, said hello, commented on what a beautiful day it was, and inspired me to want to be cheerful and pleasant when I get old:)
Perhaps the highlight of the morning was where I ended up. At the Hawthorne Tea Room. I've been here twice before; once with my PWOC board ladies for a Christmas tea, and another time with my dear friend, Kim. It's a lovely place with lovely people and delightful tea.I don't go many places by myself but I am learning to embrace "alone" time and look and listen closely for what God is trying to tell me. I walked up and down the street a few times before I got the courage to go in. I'm so glad I did.
I ordered Lady Londonderry Tea, which I'd never tried before but I loved the name and wanted something new. I had a salad and completed my time with a triple berry scone and lemon curd. Yum.
I sorted through coupons knowing that when my little "party" was over, I'd have to return to my real world. I sipped tea, pondered, eavesdropped (one of my favorite things to do, I confess), and thoroughly enjoyed my time all by myself. I left with a bounce in my step, said happy birthday to the girl sitting a few tables away, and thanked God that He ordered a morning for me that was just delightful. Really!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
PWOC spring kick off 2011
Well, I prayed for a morning where God would be glorified, but I didn't expect it to unfold as it did.
I began praying fervently for Bambi yesterday at 3pm when she was going in for an MRI.
I prayed for that process and then began praying for her to speak to us today at our spring kick off. I prayed that her words would be those that God would use to encourage someone who came. I prayed for a calm heart and a spirit of peace to reign over her. I prayed that the details of the morning would come together in a way that would bring glory to God. I prayed for Sara to lead us to the throne of Grace in a way that would change us. I prayed that God would multiply the food. I prayed that each person who came would leave encouraged and with a new sense of hope. I prayed for a few specific women to be led by the Holy Spirit to give their hearts and lives to Him for the first time.
But I didn't pray that Bambi wouldn't lock herself out of her house and be stranded for almost 2 hours (in the rain) before someone came to rescue her. I also didn't pray for God to help me remember my cell phone so that when Bambi called me to tell me she was locked out and could I come by to get her (which was RIGHT on my way!), I would have been able to receive her call.
When I got to PWOC and realized what was taking place, several of us circled together and prayed for the morning, that God would, indeed, be glorified and that Bambi would make it quickly.
Praise and Worship time was amazing. The food and decorations were perfect. The women were so thirsty for fellowship that it was difficult to stop conversations at times. They were eager for the upcoming Bible studies. Bambi arrived with enough time to share her message, and God was glorified as she shared her testimony of living in brokenness, while The Heart Healer was pursuing her throughout her young life. It is a tribute to Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals, loving her lavishly and securing her heart for His purposes.
It was, indeed, a divine morning, even though it wasn't as we planned. Thank you, God, for proving again that Your ways are not ours, and that You choose to work in ways we don't understand. And help us to remember that You are God. And you continue to amaze us. Thank you, Lord.
I began praying fervently for Bambi yesterday at 3pm when she was going in for an MRI.
I prayed for that process and then began praying for her to speak to us today at our spring kick off. I prayed that her words would be those that God would use to encourage someone who came. I prayed for a calm heart and a spirit of peace to reign over her. I prayed that the details of the morning would come together in a way that would bring glory to God. I prayed for Sara to lead us to the throne of Grace in a way that would change us. I prayed that God would multiply the food. I prayed that each person who came would leave encouraged and with a new sense of hope. I prayed for a few specific women to be led by the Holy Spirit to give their hearts and lives to Him for the first time.
But I didn't pray that Bambi wouldn't lock herself out of her house and be stranded for almost 2 hours (in the rain) before someone came to rescue her. I also didn't pray for God to help me remember my cell phone so that when Bambi called me to tell me she was locked out and could I come by to get her (which was RIGHT on my way!), I would have been able to receive her call.
When I got to PWOC and realized what was taking place, several of us circled together and prayed for the morning, that God would, indeed, be glorified and that Bambi would make it quickly.
Praise and Worship time was amazing. The food and decorations were perfect. The women were so thirsty for fellowship that it was difficult to stop conversations at times. They were eager for the upcoming Bible studies. Bambi arrived with enough time to share her message, and God was glorified as she shared her testimony of living in brokenness, while The Heart Healer was pursuing her throughout her young life. It is a tribute to Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals, loving her lavishly and securing her heart for His purposes.
It was, indeed, a divine morning, even though it wasn't as we planned. Thank you, God, for proving again that Your ways are not ours, and that You choose to work in ways we don't understand. And help us to remember that You are God. And you continue to amaze us. Thank you, Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
