“We was on this mission trip to Brazil and prayin’ for this here lady that had cancer and I’ll tell you what, she was death on a cracker, that woman. Next week we saw her, and my Lordy, she’d swallowed the whole electric company, you know what I mean? That lady was lit up! Cancer gone! Ain’t God good!? I tell ya, ain’t He gooooood!?”
-wiry guy with salt and pepper hair
“Excuse me, ma’am, do you mind if I bless your daughter real quick? The Holy Spirit keeps laying her on my heart.”
Me, after a split second prayer for wisdom: “Sure, her name’s Ellie.”
Silence. He seems to be listening.
“Do you sing alot to Ellie? Because God wants you to know He is blessed by how you are using your voice in her life. He gave the gift of your voice and He sees it is bringing forth fruit. Ellie came into the world observant and absorbent and she is absorbing what she observes in you: the kingdom of God…”
Me: teary
-chubby 20-something with a bushy, bushy beard
“Would you like to try some beef jerky I made last week? Help yourself to these cashews as well.”
-tall, classy lady in creme
“Faith brings answers. Enduring faith brings answers along with character.”
-the preacher
Me: “Could I ask you a question? Why do you wear that thing on your head?”
Girl: “Well, um, mostly I wear it cause I was raised Mennonite.”
What I wish I had said: “What is Mennonite?”
“So we had three boys and then my wife felt God saying we need to have a girl and 9 months later David was born, haha. I told her it just ain’t in the mix for us, haha.”
-laid-back dad from the nursery
A squeeze from a stranger: “You’re such a beautiful mom.”
-a sweet voice, from somewhere behind me
From inside the bathroom stall: “Hello? Hello? Hellooooo? Could someone please help me?”
Kind woman rushing to me at the changing station: “Sure, what do you need help with?”
Me: “Im ok, thanks, but there’s…”
Shouting now: “Hey, hey, I need help. Someone please! I can’t get out of here!”