Delayed story telling!!!

As I was visiting with a friend this morning, I was sharing this story that happened back in June. It hit me that I never published it. I had written it out as not to forget the details and I'm so glad I did because today when I was retelling the story, I couldn't remember her name OR where she was from. Age, it's a real thing! LOL 

I can't begin to tell you I understand all the unfoldings of this last year but this little memory warms my heart!!!!!  We continue the processing... one day (sometimes minute) at a time. 

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Have you ever headed to accomplish a task and then with one single interaction you realize... it's not about your task? 

For the past 5 months I've missed photography. It had just become part of me, I love everything about freezing time! So you can imagine my excitement when a young man (just happens to be the age of my oldest man-child) approached me and said "I heard you were a photographer, would you take some pictures of me proposing to my girlfriend?"  Say wha???  Well, of course I will young man... just let me finish this box of tissues here and I'll get right on that. With my son just getting married and being away from them this was just about too much for this mama heart. All in a good way of course! I'm ecstatic but nervous! As much as I love taking pictures, I've never photographed a proposal EEeeekkk!  True to form, I start overthinking EVERYTHING - ALL. THE. THINGS.  Because, that's what I do, I truly don't have a reason :)  

My ever loving husband (25 yrs this month YAY!) went with me to the park so I could see if the lens I have will work for this particular setting.  Beautiful park!!! We find the area he was talking about so we start discussing options. I had Jeff walk to the other side and sit on the bench so I could see if it was too far.  I see a bush with a bench close to it in the distance so I take a few shots and start walking down the sidewalk. I see an elderly lady sitting peacefully, thoughtfully looking out at the fountain in the pond. I get close and politely say "excuse me for  getting in the way, I'm just going to take a shot real quick to see if it will work". 

She says "oh, no problem! I'm a artist, can I see the shot?"  

As I explained what I was doing and was showing her the shot, she said "oh, that's so sweet!"  

At that point I motioned to Jeff to come on around. 

I said "that's my husband, we've been married 25 yrs this month" (can you tell I'm proud of that haha)

With a sweet expression she says "oh that's precious, are things still going well?!" 

Taking that question in, I said "ya know, they really are!!! I'm blessed and can't complain"

She very emphatically says "God has to be center"

Taken back just a little I said "yes ma'am, I can honestly say there's no way without Him!"

She then asked if we went to a specific church here. What was so interesting was, we visited this church and REALLY liked it! We've been praying about a church... well, just praying about life in general to be honest but church has been up there on the list! 

About that time Jeff reached us and I introduced him to my new friend who up until that point was nameless to me.  She introduced herself as Lilly! Sweet 87 yr old Lilly! I sat down in the middle of the bench facing her as much as I could. I felt Jeff sit behind me at the end of the bench. He knows me well <3 To give every detail of this conversation would be simply impossible. It truly went EVERYWHERE! Sweet Lilly is from Austria but has been here in our beautiful country longer than we have :)  She married in Austria at 18 and her husband sent her to the states and he followed in early 50s.  From our conversation we found out she was a poet and an artist. She had a gallery in Manhattan but has lived here for 23 yrs. She lovingly said "I've lived here a complete life time"

I said "yes ma'am, that's how old this young man is who is getting engaged"

We shared stories with each other.

We soaked in the wisdom.

We saw God.

I asked "so did you get saved at a young age?"

She replied with LOVE in her eyes "oh no, I was about 30"

She continued to share every detail of coming to Christ and with tears in her eyes she said "I felt God's overwhelming love. You can't beat it. Man tries but they just can't"

I believed her.

As we stood to leave she said "there comes my Hungarian, he's number 2" LOL

She had told us earlier that her first husband who ended up being a minister, passed away. Apparently he just couldn't keep up with her. Wish I could have photographed the twinkle in her eye!

She grabbed my hand with both of hers and prayed. Not a frilly prayer, a prayer full of the Holy Spirit's guiding. A prayer that touched not only my heart but undoubtedly the heart of God! 

We talked with the "Hungarian" for a few minutes and then we said our goodbyes. I reached down and gave her a hug and expressed to her how much of an encouragement she had been to my heart. She held on to me and prayed... again... I didn't want to leave.  

We did.

In silence we walked hand in hand, each knowing we experienced a special God appointment. It was quite a bit before either of us broke the silence and of course it was me who said the first word through a few tears. 

Did God speak specifics, well no. 

Did he encourage our hearts, um... that'd be a yes!

We held hands pretty much the rest of the evening. We've had a few of those experiences in our 25 years of marriage. What does it mean?  

Well, I haven't the foggiest idear other than... keep listening. He's there! 

One day at a time!

Meet my friend Lilly! <3