My evening

So I have to tell you about my evening and the strange interaction I had – there is a homeless man I see pretty much every time I go to my local grocery store. He sits on the curb at the small liquor store next to the Publix store and he always has his head down, almost looking lost. For months now I seem to see him everywhere – not just when I shop, but sometimes I see him walking main streets near my home, or on the way to work one day I saw him walking near the city dump. I have had this tugging at my spirit telling me I’m supposed to do something for this man. But that’s not something that I usually do – there are programs and such for homeless people and surely he could get plugged into one or another. And yet, I see him frequently enough that it continues to bother me.

For months now I see him and I think, “Ok, if he’s still there when I get out I will go give him some money – or I will buy a grocery gift card so he can at least spend money on food.” And somehow I never get the gift card, or I get cash back and he’s not out there when I leave the store. Well, yesterday our paths would finally cross. I have gotten to the point where I make deals with God on my way to the store. “God, if he’s there I promise I will approach him and offer him help, food, etc”. And last night was no different – and still I got there and he wasn’t in his usual waiting place near the liquor store. I made the deal with myself that I would buy a gift card anyway and keep in my wallet for the next time I will see him. I hurried through the store, made my purchases and then a new check out lane opened so I started to unload my groceries – no gift cards for sale in the aisle. I decided I would just get it next time -- after all, the guy wasn’t exactly out there waiting for me.

As I finished loading my items on the belt who gets in line behind me! The guy!!! He had a can of sardines, a small packet of crackers and some free silverware from the deli department. My heart raced as I realized this was my moment – God had put this man directly into my path so I could do something, say something wise or at least half way intelligent… I could barely manage to get my wallet out as I prepared to tell the man I’d be honored if he’d let me buy his items. I didn’t say anything half that eloquent and I think I at least managed, “Can I purchase those for you, sir?” He first seemed shocked, cracked an odd smile and put his items on the belt after mine. The young cashier obviously heard me offer so he was kind enough to bag the guys items separate and hand them directly to the guy. I also slide my debit card through and asked for $20 cash back which I promptly gave to the man and simply said “God bless you, have a wonderful night.”

The guy never said a word to me, and I suppose in the other imaginary situations maybe he would have said thank you, or asked me something profound – but not the case. At least I know, for whatever it was worth, I showed that man he mattered. For that one day he didn’t have to worry about what to eat – and maybe the cash can get him through a few more days worry free. He didn’t seem like the typical transient – I didn’t worry he would spend the money on booze, or drugs. He just looked like a lost soul who had given up hope.

I will probably feel that tug to help him each time I see him – but I need now to pray about what the best form of help could be for him. Help does no one any good if it’s not what he needs right at that moment. And I just pray he saw the love of Jesus through me.

Wild Kingdom

We've had quite a few weird visitors into our front yard lately - this HUGE turtle surprised us when we went to leave the house last week - so big we slapped into it with the door, and the lizard was in the tree closest to the front door - what's next? Dare I ask?

Sigh - vacation is over

I'm back to work and the real world didn't waste any time slapping me around! Tons of things got left on my desk for me to do when I returned and Tim picked me up late last night only to drop me off at the house and go back out to work - it's not mid-afternoon on Wednesday and we've yet to really see each other. The house is a wreck of course, and the cupboards are bare - so I have a full agenda tonight and very little sleep to assist me with my chores...

Here's a few more pics from my trip:

I had my cell phone and a wheat donut in my pockets - creating lovely lumps:

Still having fun !

Today is my last full day in Spokane with Jen and Nate - we've been making the best of it. I drove in snow for the first time - well, more like freezing rain and it sure didnt stick to the ground - but it counts, right?

Yesterday was our MS Walk - it was rainy, cold and overall nasty but we still had fun. There were 12 on our team of walkers. We did iron-on shirt designs... but it did take us forever to complete. They sure did come out cute though! Too bad it was soooo cold that we all put on jackets over them.




Here we are wearing the shirts on walk day:


We cleaned up nicely for dinner:

Lunch at Red Robin:

It's snowing??? !!! ???

You heard me right folks - it's snowing! Ok, by now you've realized I must not be at home and you'd be correct. I'm here visiting my sis in Spokane, WA. It's chilly and sure enough - even though the forecast before my trip didnt call for snow - it's SNOWING!

Here's some snapshots of us having fun at Frank's Diner (a converted train car that served breakfast all day) - shopping at ShopKo with Jen's hubby Nate (who I affectionately call Tater), hanging out at home, and the snow we woke up today!

I look tired because my flight left Florida at 7am! And there is a 3 hour time difference so I got un around noon her time after flying for 7 hours.


Jen not sure which color purse to by - for those wondering, she went with the lime green one.

Tater posing with the Tater Mits!

I smuggled the only thing Jen wanted - Dunkin Donuts - since they don't have them here. Cant believe I got a half dozen donuts in my bag withing ruining them!
We hung out the rest of the night at their home - with pizza from Pizza Pipeline and took goofy photos like we always do!

I went to bed at about 9:30 their time - which was pretty good for a Florida girl! Here's what we woke up to this morning and some fun we decided to have (apparently at my expense)...