I travel with ear plugs and an eye mask. I was grateful I had them due to the early morning light and the freeway noise of the city. I slept better than I had in over a week.
We had plans to make it to the Mall of America at 10:00 am when then opened, but a message outside our door on the way to the main kitchen for breakfast informed us of a coffee/tea break at the World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) office at 9:45 followed by a time of prayer. Anya was willing to accommodate and allow me to go and greet people. I had met everyone before, some here, but some in Washington. The hospitality included being upheld in prayer for our travels to Tanzania and the move to Sweden. Most of these folks have had major international moves, so they can really empathize and say heartfelt prayers to encourage and support us. I hope all of you readers have praying people like this in your life. It is truly wonderful.
We headed off to the Mall of America (MOA) for Anya. My former housemate, Diane D. (DD) drove up from Sioux Falls that morning, and we met at the mall.
Anya cruised from store to store following a route she had previously prepared from an online map. Diane and I tried to keep up with her power shopping pace.
After a pause at Starbucks at Barnes and Noble, we were walking out, when I told Diane, “That woman looks like Ann J.” who is a mutual friend (as well as our former pastor’s wife, as Diane and I attended the same church). Diane knew it was Ann and greeted her. How crazy! Ann just moved to Duluth and was bringing friends to the airport with a short stop at MOA. What a Providential connection! For about 8 years, Ann and I spent most Wednesday evenings together for worship team rehearsal (she plays the guitar and I the drums) and then also Sunday mornings! It was so great to see her and catch up.
With our big move, I told Anya that this really wasn’t a shopping trip, as we have limited space for packing to go to Sweden. Here are the results:
But with some super sales (50% off at the Levi’s store), and the high tax rate in Sweden, she talked me into some things, as well as a birthday gift for a friend.
I actually bought something too, but it is about the size of a thimble.
This lens magnetically attaches to the phone and takes a picture at 90 degrees from the direction you’re looking. My dad had one of these in Hong Kong and took some beautiful surreptitious photos. This may come in handy in Tanzania!
We introduced Diane to pho’ (Vietnamese noodle soup) and headed back to the guest house for a mellow evening of talking and stories. We sat in the beautiful living room. Here are some pictures:
A day filled with friends and fun, including a little visit by our guest house managers with their 3-week old baby!
With blessings,
Beth