Bonnette Acres

Today as I sat down at my desk, I noticed something beside my notebook. It was one of my barrettes from when I was a little girl. I looked at the barrette a little closer, it was once a pink barrette in the shape of a bow, but now the pink has started to fade into a yellowish orange. It reminds me of when I was young and I would look at some of my mom’s things. Like looking through her faded scrapbook, seeing pictures that the edges had started to turn another color, and even seeing her wedding dress change from the beautiful white color I had seen in pictures. I didn’t think of my mom as old but I realized then things don’t last forever and with time things change. Seeing my own things starting to fade, makes me realize I am getting older. I am not saying I am ancient, but I am no longer the young girl I was. Time has passed. Things have changed and I am no longer playing with dolls and clipping my hair back with bow shaped barrettes.  Those many years ago I would dream

Summer 2009. Lushnjë, Albania I had been told to take care of the weed explosion that had sprung up almost overnight in front of our church. We had just had a downpour the week before, and now the sun was out with a serious intensity. I was wearing an old t-shirt and some long beige painters pants. I debated on changing into my shorts I brought with me, but figured the pants might protect me from loads of insect bites. I walked to the back of the church, found some tools and got to work. The weeds were no longer ones you could easily grab a chunk out with your hand, they were so tall it felt like you were in a mini forest. I had been hacking through the bush for an hour when I looked up and saw someone coming. It was Vasili, my “Albanian Grandpa”- well that’s what I called him. We didn’t say much more then “Hello”, and he gestured to the tools and started working on the other side of the yard. We worked for hours slicing down the weeds with sun beating down on our necks so strong

I have a re-accuring problem. Where I tend to get overwhelmed, my way of coping is to do nothing. Some of you are saying right now "well good, just leave it alone." but clearly you don't know me. When I say nothing, I mean absolutely nothing. I block out everything. I tend to stay towards the home, watch way too many movies and tv shows. I stop writing friends back. My parents are close to marking me MIA, since they haven't heard from me in weeks. I guess in my silly head the only way to deal with a problem is to act like it is invisible. You would think at 26 I would still not have such naive thoughts. Sadly I do. But today I woke up, took my time getting ready, and opened the shop. I felt something I haven't felt in a couple weeks- I felt calm. Some days feel rushed, like you are continually fighting to catch up with the rest of the world. But today does not feel like that at all. It is like everyone is on the same relaxed wave link. Everyone seems h

This morning as I walked down the street to church, I could feel it. I felt the small chill in the air, and through the slight fog I could see the once super green trees now have yellow tips spreading all over the place. Fall is coming friends. I am not sure exactly when fall became my favorite season, but it seems every new year my appreciation grows for this time of year. Fall also has such a new beginnings feel to it, a fresh start. That is why today was a good day. For the first time since summer started, our whole church gathered together. We had a wonderful service, where almost each member of the church did something to help with the service. Me & Erica (The volunteers) led the music, with a mixture of English and Polish songs. Then one of our families did the kid's sermon, and another family did the main sermon. Afterwards we all worked together and had a lovely spaghetti lunch. It was a perfect day. For the last couple of Sundays during worship I have been

In the past 3 weeks the shop has tripled with buisness. It has been unbelievable, exciting, and to be honest VERY tiring.  But it has been amazing to see people filling the shop at all hours of the day. All different kinds of people: Business men and women in need of a shot of espresso to get them through the day.  Tourists that heard from their tour guide that we have the best cheesecake in town :) Students cramming for their final exams, chugging down cappuccino after cappuccino. Families that were out for an evening walk, that our in desperate need of a nice cold fresh orange juice. This is what we are to our community. We are the morning wake up call, the home away from home, and always the place to come and relax.  Last night we had a "New Summer Menu Party" and we also celebrated the shop being open for a year. Actually it's been open a year and 3 months, but it just took us a little while to get the party together :) It was a gre

I randomly got to take a weekend trip to Edinburgh, Scotland during Easter weekend. Last year around this time I took a trip to Northern Ireland. So I was very happy to go back to the United Kingdom this year but to the other known luscious green, fun accent filled country: Scotland! It quickly transformed just from a weekend fun trip to a needed spiritual renewal for me. My friend Hannah came with me, and we stayed with a Scottish lady who lives just outside of Edinburgh. The lady's name is Rosemary, and I can honestly say I believe she has changed my life.  All my life I have had a series of people that I have met briefly, but have found myself in the most serious/ life changing conversations with. The kind of conversations where you just know God is speaking through them.  I would not be anywhere close to where I am now, without these people.  Well, Rosemary quickly became one of those people for me this past weekend. She is a true Christ follower who ha