The Send Off Store

It really started as a normal Friday..."Whew, it's Friday..oh double whew...it's Fiesta Friday, so Cirinia's cooking today".  We eased through breakfast and starting slinging pots and pans in preparation for not only Friday's lunch, a delicious taco salad, but also, the beginnings of the enchiladas for Saturday night's concert.

Yes, we are still dreaming about the new kitchen...as this is all going on in what used to serve as a tanning bed room if that gives you any idea of the size of our kitchen. A sweet volunteer once said about our kitchen, "There isn't enough room to cuss a cat in here:)"

Anyway, right before the lunch crowd  began rolling in, something interesting began to take place. A new customer...I'd seen her twice, came in. The first time, about a week ago, she didn't have enough money on her food stamp card to make the purchase she wanted of chicken salad or pimento cheese to go. I never thought I'd see her again but oh no. She came back on Friday and loaded up paying cash. She said I'm moving to Texas and wanted to take some with me. Her father had recently passed from this area so she was moving on and had a place waiting for her. Somehow the fact that my food became her care package for the trip blessed my heart.

THEN....a regular customer came in to pick up his call in sausage biscuit. Yes, we had moved into lunch but when you love someone you give them what they want if at all possible. I could tell when he showed up all anxious in the kitchen...or that closet..to find me he didn't want to wait. I ushered him back up front where his biscuit was waiting and then began the normal pleasantries, "HEY! How are you. You don't seem yourself. Is everything ok?" I have his phone number memorized, as he only lives a stone's throw from the store. And he usually exits with something along these lines, "If you need anything sis, you know my  number." He proceeded to confide in me that he felt all 'nervousy' as he was about to depart for his daughter's home about an hour or so away. I reassured him of the blessing he would be and reminded him that our heavenly father was the "blessed controller of all circumstances." With that kind of controller we had no need to fret. I watched his anxious shoulders relax, a smile appeared, and it was at that moment I realized I was the SEND OFF PERSON FOR THE SECOND TIME THAT DAY! I wished him well and celebrated that my friend seemed to be leaving better than he came.

AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN: Next, new customers, a party of three, let me know as they paid that they were headed to Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman. The man's mother in law was visiting and they were taking her to see the Grotto. I recommended they find there way into the chapel...as it's open to the public. So, I was sending off the three for a day trip to Cullman.

Following, I had the traditional mom and daughter duo who come in to enjoy lunch before taking off to their annual Rock the South weekend venture. Lord knows my prices beat the event's food prices. This made year number three for me to send the two off to enjoy some mother daughter time as well as some awesome country music.

For the first time ever, I was the meet up place for  the local high school Brewer boys JV and Varsity basketball team as they headed to New Hope for a summer play date. A few of the guys ate lunch before taking off and three of the players returned late afternoon for a food fill up of fried bologna and grilled pimento cheese with jalapenos. I LOVE TO SEE BOYS EAT AND ENJOY THEIR FOOD!

After all the day's events, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I got to be the "SEND OFF STORE FOR MY PEOPLE".

In reality, this probably takes place alot of days as people are always going from one place to another. I think the reason it hit home this past Friday is because I'm sending off my oldest daughter this fall along with my son in law to Philadelphia as full time missionaries. Last night was our first of many fundraiser events this summer to raise funds for their work in Philadelphia. As we prepared on Friday for Saturday's concert, it all hit home that we were a "Send off Store". Last night was such a treat as new people came as well as faithful supporters of our business and family ventures. More than anything it was a time of gathering and  celebrating what we all deemed most important: the call to live the Christ life in our individual lives.

There are not adequate words to share my  heart of gratitude for the many who made the effort to attend, give, encourage, and celebrate the call on Lawren and Brandon's lives to give up their secular jobs here and go to be the hands and feet of Christ in areas of Philly where the gospel remains to be fully experienced.

It's been a full weekend and I have a full heart.

With heart felt thanks to a loving God who surprises me at every turn and faithful customers who are now friends, I am blessed that you let me be your sending agency. It is a privilege I don't take lightly.

All my best,

Pam

Single Mom Sabbath: For When Depression Sets In

It's here. It set in today wanting to stay. The depression. After a tenacious weekend of extended family crisis, my dad flipping his car last night, and running out of progesterone cream....I am a mess. It would be a day that I could have stayed in bed all day feeling sorry for myself.

But someone has to get up and go to work around here and I am the only adult. I guess that means me. So I literally "put on" Christ because it was the only way I was getting there.

Then I remembered how to get out of my hard place. Practice thanksgiving. Another reminder came from a friend many years ago when I thought I couldn't do another day because the grief of losing my love was so debilitating. She gently but firmly reminded me to go do something for someone else. It was a guaranteed way to get out of my self centered state. And it worked. It works every time because it's how we are created...to love and serve others.

So today I got to love and serve my missionary friends from Uganda Simon and Aggie Paech. 

We hosted the first Aggie's Arts trunk show at the store today. It was an opportunity for the community to stop in and meet and greet Aggie, learn more from Simon and she about the various ministry opportunities they work with in Kampala and Kisoro. There were some new beads handcrafted by the ladies in Banda as well for purchase. They are here for seven weeks to raise awareness of their mission in Uganda and prayerfully interact with others who may share the vision of missions and come on board as a supporter.

I got to serve my friends the special of the day: pinto beans and cornbread. And I got to hear Aggie's heart. While asking about there recent trip to Kisoro, she shared what was the most meaningful experience. This trip afforded a new venture. Animals were purchased for 10 families in order for them to begin a business creating a sustainable income to help these families in poverty. You can check out the new ministry opportunity at www.kisorokids.org

Aggie's words were, "this woman was SO SO grateful. She thanked me over and over the entire time we were there." Thanksgiving produces joy. The woman will mate the goat and sell the babies allowing her a first time income!

Caregivers of the Kisoro Kids happy about the animal and potato project!

Here are the first 10 families to receive animals! This is something that has been way out of their reach. Through raising animals they will be able to meet many more of their needs, including paying school fees for their children

And the most wonderful thing happened when I decided to love and serve rather than feel sorry for myself.

My friends came through. 

All the ones who said they would come to meet Aggie actually did! And many brought their children to meet the missionaries.

And there were even new people who drove from over an hour just to be a part of our venture today! Thank you to each and every person who showed up today. God used you to spread some joy in my heart. I am grateful! And I am joyful.

May we "rest" from moments of depression today by practicing gratitude and by loving and serving those God places in our path.

I would love to hear how He's working that out in your life.

Love, Pam