Soul Candy

I hate leaving home even if it is something good. Leaving my house, my furry babies, and the land of familiarity brings a lot of unnecessary anxiety. There are no explanations for why I feel this way; it really is just a part of my personality. And generally once I get to my destination I am just fine!

Last week I attempted to take advantage of time away at training to look for soul candy. Anxiety would not get the best of me!

Soul candy is when God chooses to either reveal himself to me in different ways or allows me to experience things that I love.


Of course I was able to find some...

 

Everyone knows Fall is my favorite time of year. It just so happens that the trees have all been changing colors over the last week. Therefore, a three hour drive to my destination was perfect for enjoying God's beautiful canvas. Every time I came around a curve or over a hill, there was a new painting of reds, yellows, oranges, and greens. It was absolutely beautiful every time. I never get tired of it! 

Candy really helps strangers become friends, especially cherry flavored Twizzlers. My cheap little bribe (along with a shared interest in sarcasm) definitely worked. 

 

I ended up meeting some fun people! Nothing bonds Missourians quite like a Cardinals playoff game; so after training we headed to a bar and grill for food, drinks, and sports. Good thing the Cardinals won that night!

 

The people in this town were especially friendly. Everywhere I went people were smiling; joy really is contagious. However, I do wish that they would quit calling me 'maam'! This is a new trend that I have noticed since turning 30. Apparently, I now also look older and the youngins are no longer including me in their peer group. Positive... they were polite and had good manners. Negative... the manners made me feel 'older.'

 

I was very impressed with the hotel. It was probably one of the nicest hotels I've been put in for training. The check-in girl was very chipper and friendly, which this starving and exhausted girl definitely appreciated. My room was clean and updated. There was even a little stuffed animal that greeted me from the bed when I walked into the room! There was a gorgeous clubhouse with a pool right outside my window. It was way too cold to swim, but it was pretty. And the whole hotel was decorated to elicit the feeling of a mountain cottage get-a-way.

 

 

I did not sleep in the hotel very well; I never do. I missed my furry babies at night. There is always one positioned on my feet and the other by my side. It sure was nice to know that they missed me too!

The positive attitude spilled over into my weekend. It was jam packed with fun, friends, family, and worship. I want to do it again!

It is so amazing how God reveals His love for me when I'm actively looking. I had a lot of soul candy this week! I enjoyed a canvas of Fall colors during a 3 hour drive; I made some fun new friends; strangers were friendly and joyful; it was affirmed that my babies need me; and then I spent time with people I love doing things I love.

Praying that it continues to overflow into the coming week.