Pictured above is our view from a Tiki hut off the bay of Sarasota at sunset (last night). There was a perfect breeze, not a care in the world, with some wonderful friends. Little did I know that the Lord would rock my world this morning. I was sitting in church listening to Christine Caine speak at Bayside Community Church, where I go during my stay here in Bradenton. Christine is the founder of A21 Campaign, a campaign focused on abolitioning and fighting human trafficking. She attends Hillsong Church in Australia, and is having a powerful impact on people around the world through her passion and drive to serve the Lord. As she was talking about human trafficking, and urging us to step up and embrace the calling the Lord has placed on our lives, the Holy Spirit hit me with the reality of my own resistance to His calling lately. Last semester the Lord really placed human trafficking victims on my heart. I resisted the urge I felt to contact an organization and attempt to get involved because I was scared. Scared that I may be called to serve these victims--how shameful of me. Today, I felt this urge again....in a more powerful way than I can begin to describe, except to paint you a picture of me with tears pouring down my face as we were praying and my heart yearning to know what this spark ignited in me today will turn into. I don't know where the tears came from because I was trying to control them and I couldn't--that's called the Holy Spirit. The opportunity for me to be in Bradenton, FL, at this exact church, listening to Christine Caine, when I was just researching her organization 6 months ago is called divine appointment. What a beautiful encounter today was. I have no idea what the Lord will use me and my OT education for in the future, but I am more excited than ever.
After church, El, Kayla and I visited Norma Rae's, a delicious brunch/cafe in Palmetto. I had a summer salad and chicken salad sandwich, which was very hearty. I am beginning to keep a tally and blog about the haunts and local restaurants we visit over our next few weeks to enlighten those who ever may visit Bradenton, FL in their future. Enjoy!
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