another miracle story from Xander....

My nail girl....God just speaks to her.  Literally.  The Christmas ornament miracle was the first story she shared....but today, these two stories....

She and her hubby traveled every year - for about 12 years - to Hawaii.  She loved the islands so very much and she took many pictures.  Pictures of the rain forests, the ocean, all the beauty there - but she never took pictures of the sand....the beach.  She doesn't know why, but it just never was part of her pictures....until the last trip there.  She said "you know that poem about footprints in the sand?  I have never been crazy about that poem - not sure why, but just not a favorite of mine" - but this last trip, she was just obsessed with footprints....she took pics of people's footprints, kid's footprints, ANIMAL footprints - just all these pictures of footprints.  They came home - she never even mentioned the "footprint" pictures to her husband Joe....just had them in their photos and never really talked about them.

Fast forward to a church service.....Xander said she's always been drawn to people that seem to be alone....it's always on her heart.  They were sitting in the church service and as the service proceeded, she just kept noticing a woman....in her 30's....sitting in front of them - all alone.  At the end of the service they had their prayer warriors come to the front of the church and asked anyone in the congregation that needed prayer, please come forward and the prayer warriors would pray with them. Xander, still drawn to the young woman that was alone....her shoulders shaking because she was not in tears.  Xander immediately stood and went beside the young woman and put her arm around her....she leaned in close and asked "Do you want to go forward?  Do you need prayer?" The woman replied "I do, but was scared to go alone" - Xander said "That's why i am here.  I will go with you."

Together, they walked forward.  Many were already receiving prayers but there were a few waiting to pray with others.  Xander didn't know which way to go but noticed a lady that she had always been drawn to - she said she wasn't sure why, but she had always been intrigued with this lady in their church.  She didn't know her....hadn't ever even met her.  But she felt that is who she should go to and she did.  The prayer warrior reached out to the young woman and began to pray.  Xander stepped back but held her hand on the woman's back - agreeing in prayer.  She was far enough back that she couldn't hear the prayers - but stayed there with the young woman for support.  As the prayer finished, the young woman turned around and Xander began to walk back to their seats with her but the prayer warrior motioned to Xander.....Xander told her "no, I'm okay.  i don't need prayer" - but she continued to motion to Xander to come back.  When Xander reached the lady, the lady said "i don't know why, but i keep seeing footsteps....footsteps in the sand - i just want to tell you that the footsteps you have made here today will not be forgotten:.  Never met the lady before....hadn't even mentioned the pictures to her husband.....that was all GOD.

Another story.....she was driving in Casa Linda.....drove by a young woman sitting on a bench....all in white....with her worldly belongings in a cart in front of her - her arms around the cart, her head bowed down on her arms as if she was asleep.  Xander drove by...noticing, but telling the little voice speaking to her "no" - she continued on her way and the voice just kept telling her to go back and talk to the woman.  Xander again said no.  Well, the voice kept on to the point that she had to turn around and go back.....she told the Lord "okay, if i go back and talk to this woman, You will have to give me the words to say because i haven't a clue what to say to this homeless woman!"

She parks and goes up to the woman and taps her arm "Would it be okay if i sit with you for a minute?"  The woman welcomes her - they introduce themselves and begin a conversation.  Right off the bat, Xander realizes this woman is educated, kind, and a believer.  She asks "where do you live"?
"Right here" the woman replies.  "Right HERE? THIS is your HOME?" - and the woman begins to tell her story.  There used to be a department store there close....the woman worked there for years.  But then it closed and the woman went to stores and restaurants all around the area and inquired about a job.  Nobody had a job for here.  She had been living on that bench for 14 years.  She didn't ask Xander for money....but Xander went to a nearby restaurant and got her a good meal....got some extra things....and gave her what little cash she had on her.  She asked the lady if she could share a couple of scriptures with her.  She told her Jeremiah 29:11......told her this was NOT what God had planned for her.....that he had so much more and that she needed to realize that and help Him move forward with plans for her - told her the other scripture....John 10:10....that the enemy comes to steal but that Christ came to give life....abundant life.  She told the lady that the enemy had stolen her joy.....and that God had so much more for her.  She prayed with her....she gave her her phone number and told her when she was ready to move forward, that she would be happy to help in any way she could.

Okay, so this lady....what homeless person dresses in SPOTLESS all white?  Educated, easy to talk to.....Christian....i told Xander i wondered if she was an angel....and that God was testing her obedience.  She said she had never thought of that but agreed.  The lady never called....and when Xander went by the next day and the next....never saw her again.

Xander said she kept saying no....but finally just heard His voice and knew it would haunt her forever if she didn't respond.  I love this sweet lady and so glad Vicki told me about Xander.  She's such a blessing in my life!!!!

Birthdays

Becky's birthday is October 19th.  She's always planning and doing for everyone else, so this year i thought we might surprise her and do something a little different!

We had to celebrate later in the month due to her family celebrations, a little illness but on October 30th, everything was a go!  Sue and i got together after bible study on Monday and baked cut out cookies.  We did pumpkins, ghosts, and then some circles to decorate too.  On the morning of, i got up really early and made all different colors of icing - had them in the bags, ready to decorate.  

Becky chose Chuy's for our lunch.  We had this crazy waiter.....but he was awesome.  Bet we were there for at least 2 1/2 hours!  He entertained us BIG time!

We got to sit at the Melancon table in the bar =)  It was one of the most fun times we have had at lunch!  Suzanne had plans and couldn't join us =(

Then we headed to my house to decorate cookies.  It was a great afternoon and i was so glad that we got to do something really fun for Becky's birthday.  She's quite the planner and hostess when it comes to everyone else's birthday.....so glad we had this time to celebrate her!  

A fun day celebrating a sweet friend!  Happy Birthday Becky!