I LOVE pedicures!

God has been wooing me in so many ways. He knew that before
I left for the World Race I really wanted to go to a tropical beach to just
relax and rejuvenate. It wasn’t able to happen, but I thought I could just get
a pedicure to treat myself….I like the simple pleasures. Well during the hustle
and bustle that wasn’t able to happen either. I even forgot to repaint my
chipped toe nails and throughout the entire week it was buggin me!

Well on our last day of launch week we were surprised with a
day to the beach at this awesome resort. A tropical beach….THANK YOU JESUS! We
arrived and when I saw the white sand, blue and green water, I just exhaled and
sang praises to the Lord, thanking Him for pursuing me and my heart. I checked
the water…so warm! So beautiful! Then I found a chair, got out my ipod and
began to settle in. Then a woman came up and asked if I wanted a pedicure.
Really Jesus? A beach AND a pedicure? My heart got really excited for a moment,
but there were many people selling services on the beach and some suggested we
say no and so I said no thanks (a bit sad inside). She persisted and I said no
thank you again, but then the Lord pinched my heart and said, “Say yes.” So I
said yes, honestly a bit excited and allowed her to begin…..

I began to talk with her to see how much English she knew
and to see how much Spanish I knew. We met in the middle and began a sporadic
conversation. I found out about her brothers, sisters, children, and home. I
then told her we were here for Jesus and to share His love with others. She
immediately stopped and starred at me blankly with tears beginning to form in
her eyes. I just simply smiled and reached out my hand to hold hers. She cried
for a moment and then began to tell me that her husband died 7 years ago in a
motorcycle accident and ever since then she was addicted to drugs and alcohol.
She said it is hard to feed her 3 children, and she wants to buy food but she
is so sad and when she goes to the store she buys drugs and alcohol instead.
Then I saw a change, a beautiful childish grin shined on her face, a twinkle in
her eye sparked and she said, “5 days ago I stopped drinking and doing drugs,
because of God.” The joy I saw radiating from this woman was beautiful. She had
experienced transformation, joy, and love again. Our eyes and smiles stayed
connected for a few moments as I just spoke words of life into her
congratulating her and pouring out God’s love to her.  The pedicure continued with more
conversations and many more smiles followed. This is the World Race…..this is
how we are to live each day. I felt so blessed to share my day with AnnaMaria.

The day continued with prayer before she moved on to her
next divine appointment. I asked a fellow squad member, Sandra, who speaks
Spanish to help translate as I prayed for her. She spent some more time with
AnnaMaria finding out more of her story and struggles. She loved on her and
encouraged her as well.  Then we prayed
for her We  prayed against the spirit of
addiction in the authority of Jesus and we both felt a release! AnnaMaria
looked at us and asked what that was pointing at her goosebumps. We said the
presence of God. Her child-like grin reappeared and she pointed to the sky
praising Jesus.

Today is day 13 for AnnaMaria and I’m praying for continued
victory! Please join me lifting up this woman, mother, and child of God.