God's love & grace from the last several days have left me quite speechless, and I'm still in awe. Words to translate what I've experienced have developed slowly, as what my eyes have seen & ears have heard have left me awestruck! Usually I can at least find a starting point by writing, and as I have worked on other writing projects, describing actual life events from the last week has been something for which I've had to wait for clarity and direction .. They've been life-changing days to say the least. Praise the Lord!
Last time I left off .. about to embark on an adventure .. little did I know it would be the beginning of a 5-day SPREE of God's kindness & goodness. I have never felt excitement like this!!!
Yleinia (YG as we call her) grew up in a home that didn't celebrate Christmas and she, after answered prayers, moved out of the home with her family, and into her first apartment! "Free YG" ~ our chant, became reality. This called for celebration, and of course, Lauren Buck (planner), had the idea to throw probably the biggest surprise YG's ever had.
Before I tell you about the night, I have to back up and tell you a quick childhood story that relates! My dad came to my 4th grade Christmas play where I don't even remember what character I played, I just know it was the Christmas Carol! He noticed a girl who was wearing really old clothes and looked poor, and asked me after the play about her. He insisted we go buy her some things and take to her as a Christmas present. I had so much fun walking through the aisles of Wal-Mart with my dad! Picking out basic things and clothes for my classmate, wrapping them in a white box, topped with a bow .. then the hard part came .. he made ME go up to her door and give it to her. I don't know why this was hard but it was .. I didn't want her to feel embarrassed I guess? I wanted her to feel loved and appreciated as she had received much different messages during our first years of elementary school .. I clearly remember her face when I handed her the box. She was grateful. And I ran back to my dad's car so happy that he had encouraged me to do this for her.
This night took me back to that day .. and that joy ..
We asked YG to turn over the keys and come back in 30 minutes. During that time, the "elves" got really busy. Heather set up the tree, Dawn prepared the cocoa, I wrapped about 14 gifts (previous holiday college job experience) and Lauren set the ambience with music, stuck encouraging notes to the walls, and hung the stuffed "G" stocking.
Before I tell you about the night, I have to back up and tell you a quick childhood story that relates! My dad came to my 4th grade Christmas play where I don't even remember what character I played, I just know it was the Christmas Carol! He noticed a girl who was wearing really old clothes and looked poor, and asked me after the play about her. He insisted we go buy her some things and take to her as a Christmas present. I had so much fun walking through the aisles of Wal-Mart with my dad! Picking out basic things and clothes for my classmate, wrapping them in a white box, topped with a bow .. then the hard part came .. he made ME go up to her door and give it to her. I don't know why this was hard but it was .. I didn't want her to feel embarrassed I guess? I wanted her to feel loved and appreciated as she had received much different messages during our first years of elementary school .. I clearly remember her face when I handed her the box. She was grateful. And I ran back to my dad's car so happy that he had encouraged me to do this for her.
This night took me back to that day .. and that joy ..
We asked YG to turn over the keys and come back in 30 minutes. During that time, the "elves" got really busy. Heather set up the tree, Dawn prepared the cocoa, I wrapped about 14 gifts (previous holiday college job experience) and Lauren set the ambience with music, stuck encouraging notes to the walls, and hung the stuffed "G" stocking.
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| Ready! |
When she returned, we ran out singing "Joy to the World!" and a few other songs .. the look on HER face was priceless!
Then we read some of the messages to her that girls who couldn't make it had sent .. apparently when I submitted my verses for Yleinia I didn't spellcheck and told her that the Lord's giving promise in Romans 8:32 was that He didn't spare His own Song= (rather than Son, equal sign), which they found to be quite comical ...
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| [ Nice wrap job ;) ] |
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| she had a new smile :) |
guess you had to be there ... I think she was encouraged nonetheless :)
Heather & I hung the New shower curtain, we all made the bed with the New comforter .. and finally .. the last project for mission move-in & first christmas:
*the christening of the New microwave*
We learn new things every day .. this was my 1st time to hear of this custom, but I enjoyed participating in the marshmellow madness and my overdose on sugar for the day!!
Times like those with my dad and with my sisters here are why I love this holiday, but even moreso ... it's really a special time of year because it is the celebration of Light coming into the world (Jesus' birth) ~ God's gift of love to us .. hence, why giving brings such a feeling of Love, Peace, and Joy! That is His Spirit. And I love to share it! Merry Christmas (early)!!
***
Onto the following 4 days of awesome Goodness! The next day Lauren (aka Mrs. Doe / female buck ~ she gave me the idea!) and I took off for Charlotte, North Carolina. We didn't really know why we were going, all she knew was she felt a calling to go there after some prayer, and to invite me. I accepted and off we went, no plans or expectations, just some curiosity and trust that we were doing the right thing. We didn't know whether to call it an act of obedience or leap of faith, or both. Our friend Halia lives there and offered her condo which we quickly named "The Upper Room ~ Halia's Haven" (LB sometimes adding "Organic Love!" because everything was labeled organic and Halia is one of the most generous friends we've ever known).
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| for ex, we woke up to this daily! + an authentic Ukranian-style breakfast :) |
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| Jump!... |
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| heel click! lol |
When I was a little kid I read Laura Ingalls Wilder books, she was a tom boy too! And this day I read a quote from her:
It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.
This day: a few of the 'simple things' were friendship, flowers, laughter, silliness, and rejuvenation ..
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| "make a wish" |
Halia mentioned her birthday was coming up in a few days and Lauren immediately started planning how we could surprise her! I asked her to describe her perfect date in Charlotte! She said her favorite restaurant, Zink, had closed for the opening at a new location ~ but THAT would be the perfect place, followed by coffee + convo at her favorite place, Amelie's, a french bakery/coffee shop open 24/7 .. L did some research, found out Zink had just opened, made reservations for the following day, and we invited Halia's sister and a couple of friends.
She took us to her church the next day and it was phenomenal! It was so big we had to park in another lot and take a bus to the church entrance .. and we sat in overflow! But it was probably the best worship experience I've encountered. We left refreshed .. and ready for coffee and more girl talk!
She took us to her church the next day and it was phenomenal! It was so big we had to park in another lot and take a bus to the church entrance .. and we sat in overflow! But it was probably the best worship experience I've encountered. We left refreshed .. and ready for coffee and more girl talk!
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| :) |
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| At her other fav cafe, Caribou |
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| the adventure starts..she was clueless! |
We had an awesome time, she was extremely surprised!! and then we continued with the perfect "date" ..
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| This is one of the best places on Earth!! |
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| French PRESS |
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| Acting French |
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| Feathers!! I spotted from across the room.. |
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| Cheers to Halia!! Happy 31st our beautiful Ukranian Sister!! |
We actually had her describe her perfect guy as well during our investigation, and as the mystery of the guy she spotted as we were leaving continues! she was very happy about her birthday surprise and we are excited to see how more of this weekend unfolds. We even had to meet at starbucks a few days later to discuss revelation we received during/after the trip (we're always looking for a reason to hook up for coffee!) .. and I hope I am free to share more in the near future. All I know to say is the more I follow and trust God, the more His Word and promises like Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 43:19 become more Real.
I watched a beautiful sunrise this AM and wanted to share this story .. and now it is time to go see my Christ Fellowship fam that I missed last Sunday. I'm grateful and excited for another day to praise God and experience more blessings and gifts from the One Who loves us unconditionally.
In the words of my Starbucks friend who I run into all over South Beach...
May Christ's Love bless you today!
Ciao ~
hailey
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