Pure Grace and Praise at Starbucks

We'll pick up where we left off. We drove out of Greensboro last Friday night, headed to Roanoke, VA which was only a couple of hours North. We went to a Starbucks to find a hotel on Priceline for the night. Before I went on to start the Name Your Own Price, I checked my bank account. All of our purchases that had been in the pending status went through and we were left with $40. I told the girls the uncomfortable news and we looked at each other with that, 'Oh we have been here before but we still don't like it' look. We knew that God had told us to go, to leave the safety and comfort of our fabulous new friends, but without provision? Donna Renee had enough in savings, but one night would drain it. That is where we all were at that point. We decided that instead of getting anxious and spinning out of control, we would stop and pray about it. So, we bowed our heads and started asking God out loud for direction, discernment, and provision. When we finished praying, we decided to just sit still and wait.

We then got a call from our friend Charlie, asking our whereabouts and to ask us to pray that people would start talking and interacting with one another at the Elsewhere Grub. I prayed with him then and told him that we would continue praying. I hung up the phone and threw it on the chair. "I knew it." I had developed a heart for these young artists and their pursuit of community and connection in the make-believe world of their own fashioning. We stopped and prayed again for our friends and their guests. We continued our wait.

As we were sitting still, Laura and I overheard a conversation between the the three baristas. They were talking about the rules and behavioral perimeters of each of their churches. One was a pastor's daughter. Laura and I looked at each other and decided that we needed to engage these ladies.

After some time Donna Renee felt that God had impressed her to put her money towards a room for the night. He was teaching us something about the concept of "daily bread". Laura said that she believed that God wanted us "all in". So, we put a $50 dollar bid on a hotel room and a three star hotel accepted it. We began praising God and thanking Him for His mighty provision and for His love and care for us.

On my way to the bathroom, I stopped by the counter and said, "Ladies, we are terrible eavesdroppers. We overheard you talking about your churches. Which one of you is the preacher's daughter." They told me it was Carissa. I told them about our project, how we had just entered state #35, and shared with them the amazing experience that had just happened to us. I introduced myself and one of the girls said that her name was Hilah. I asked her what that meant and she said it was Hebrew for praise. I asked Carissa what her name meant and she said grace. The other girl named Katie said that hers meant pure. Pure Grace and Praise. Now that was some schedule line-up.

As we were heading out the door, Carissa came over with a brown bag and said that they had a little something for us to take on the road. Miss Grace with a bag full of God-provided treats! We thanked them profusely and made our way out the door. We still are dining on those godly reminders, five days later.

We have more stories of praise and provision that we will pass along as time and internet access permit. Please continue to pray for us as we push forward through our last ten states. Protection, Provision and Praiseworthy moments as we finish this work and make our way home.

Sweet dreams!

Princess Angela