Come Walk Three Weeks With Me

Charlotte, NC is a city I’ve never been to before and I can now say we will definitely be returning here in the future once the WonderVan is completed! John and I are visiting and making our way back home to Ohio in the next couple weeks as we celebrate our love and a miracle that only happens when Jesus is at the center of one’s marriage! 

We are hitting up mountain bike trails, healthy restaurants and unique outdoor activities everywhere we go! Ok, and a few special dessert places, too, like Amélie’s French Bakery where I treated myself to a lemon raspberry tart.

 Next blog there will be some epic photos and videos of white water rafting, zip lines, more mountain biking and who knows what else we will experience en route to Ohio! I’m truly blown away that I’m living this life! I’m the recipient of a modern day miracle and I don’t take it for granted!

Hitting the trails full of ivy and huge Willow oaks! I was surprised to roll over a black snake in the video. I’ve not been on my mountain bike in months so I’m taking it slow and soaking in mostly green trails where the skill level is easy and the enjoyment level is high for me. John on the other hand hits the techy, chunky blue and black trails where I video him attempting the jumps and using his skills from his childhood motocross racing days. 

THIS place is a cafe we have been reading about for years and finally found one in a city where we were! Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is very, very special. Read about it and encourage your town to get one!! In honor of Brooklyn who introduced me to this drink and my niece, Stephanee, who reminded me that this is her favorite coffee flavor, I treated myself again with a honey lavender iced latte! Here’s to you gals!

A charming restaurant called Flower Child I learned is a chain restaurant that offers deliciously healthy food and delightfully beautiful atmosphere! The South End of Charlotte’s location was so quaint as it was seated next to the train tracks in the newly renovated part of town where youth are bustling about and the weather was idyllic!

Listened to live guitar music at a vegan restaurant, Oh My Soul, in NoDa area that’s owned by a South African family! A must see for you plant-as-food lovers! The musician even played several John Denver songs for me! 

On April 18th I enjoyed time with this dear friend, Karen. She joined me for my trip to Columbus, OH as I received my infusion at The James. I’m such a blessed woman to have so many supportive and loving family and friends like her. If it’s not Karen, it’s Wendy or my family with parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins or my beautiful kids. If it’s not Liz and Brooklyn or Jordan and Deb and Trace, it’s Linda and Burr, Judy and Michaelah. I could go on and on. If it’s not Todd and Pam, it’s Breanna and Mauro and Jumi or Alex. If it’s not Glen and Doni, it’s Roger and John’s Men’s group! It’s strangers and it’s friends. It’s those who, like me, follow and proclaim Jesus as Lord..Christians of all walks! It’s my beloved Jewish family. It’s even been Muslims and agnostics. God uses us all and He has blessed me with prayers, support and out pouring of love from around the globe! I’m sometimes overwhelmed when I hear of those who lift me in prayer. May I be as faithful to pray for others as so many have been for me. And I’m still feeling 100% with only a few minor side effects that aren’t even worth mentioning. My Gratitude Bell is still ringing! 

In fact for those who haven’t seen it, there’s an amazing organic healthy chocolate company called The Conscious Bar that is featuring me in a little video that’s coming out soon. They made this teaser for me to share. God uses anything He wants to spread His goodness, even chocolate companies where I’ve made new life long friends like Mauro and the gang here a couple months ago!! The video he sent me this past week and I am blown away! God, You are amazing! 

Babbs getting in great grandbaby snuggles

H!

Z!

Yay yay!

Granita yoga in the mornings!

Lisa’s church service

Back to Florida for a couple weeks in between infusions as my sweet 12 year old friend, Zoey, and my mama joined me to babysit the most precious cargo ever, grandchildren. These two babies bring me the love, cuddles and laughter that nothing else offers. Yoga, dance parties, singing Edelweiss and toes in the ocean and sand are just a few unforgettable memories I hold on to with my beautiful grand babies!! Also Zoey and I were gifted with hospitality from a newer friend, Lisa, who God coordinated our friendship on an airplane about a year ago and what a treasure she is! I just love how God literally puts people in my life. “If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere.”(Thich Nhat Hanh)

For anyone wondering what I’ve been reading lately, here’s a book that Chat GPT recommended as a top resource on communication and I am learning so much! If anyone is interested in knowing the basic outline, watch this video of the author as he presents it to an audience several years ago. The world lost a special human when he died and I’m so grateful his legacy continues on in his book and videos. It is worth one hour of your life to watch it! And don’t assume you’re a great nonviolent communicator until you’ve read it!!