Scarci-TEA to Opportuni-TEA

"In our weakness He is strong" is a familiar verse to most Christians. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

However, last week in Turkey, I saw the essence of that verse in a new light. His light. 

I saw my scarcity as His opportunity. 

My opening keynote speech was delivered with "scarce" light and "new" bifocals which made clearly reading my notes virtually impossible. 

The result had me sharing words  and experiences which I had not written down. Afterwards, a lady tearfully approached me and said thanks for sharing. 

"I thought I was the only one who had ever experienced that ." she said. 

We talked and it was as if the Lord used those words to release her from guilt and to renew a "right spirit" within her.

When my physical strength waned from lack of sleep, younger members of the team came alongside this "senior member" and offered "an arm" as we climbed the hill in Ulus toward the castle.

Last Wednesday, as we walked the road above the refugee camp, I was privileged to deliver food to families living down those narrow paths past the garbage. 

A needy place. A place of abandoned properties. A place with hungry children.

A place where the possibility of ISIS members roamed. A place deemed unsafe by some. A place of scarcity of food, both physical and spiritual. (Matthew 25:35)

At one crowded "home" a Syrian gentlemen invited us in. His "stove" offered us heat, and though he offered tea, we politely declined by "patting our chest"---  a gesture of thanks, but no thanks, as we were unable to accept because of time constraints. 

This stranger invited us in.....and offered hospitality out of his meagerness. S asked if we could pray.  He said yes. Together......Syrians, Turks and Americans bowed in prayer. 

I saw scarcity in lives of others that God used as an opportunity for the household of faith to share His love with both food and prayer. (Pix of family removed for their safety.)

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, (Isaiah 58:10)

In Turkey, my cuppa scarci-TEA was clearly filled many times with His opportuni-TEAs.

Opportunities to allow me to experience afresh His sufficiency for myself as well as others.

Pittsburgh Possibili-TEAs

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 

(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

So many possibiliti-TEAs for our 24th annual amigas trip. Barbara, concierge at the William Penn in Pittsburgh, said our proposed schedule was a little too ambitious. Watch out Barbara!
We are on plan G---and God's plans are always exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20) Plus, factoring in a touch of "female rebelness" virtually assures an all-out effort.
Hysterically funny play at the Cabaret theatre. Christmas Events---lights EVERYWHERE. The Nutcracker. Wintergarden exhibit at PPG w/ around the holiday displays, think Santa in every language.

Wintergarden's Ukraine  tableau celebrates Holy Supper, a family feast, on January 6.

Creche at US Steel Plaza ; only authorized replica of Vatican's creche in St.Peter's Square in Rome, Italy

The Cathedral of Learning's national rooms (actual classrooms used by the students) were all decorated for Christmas on the University of Pittsburg Campus.

Romanian Room
Click for unforgettable tour of any of the 30 rooms of your choice.

Of course, the Ukraine room (above) was my favorite.
Carnegie Museums of History and Art. Andy Warhol museum.Phipps Conservatory with 14 rooms of Christmas blooms and vignettes.Heinz Center.

Bonnie & Rosie the Riveter at the Heinze Historical  Center

The weather might have been overcast and drizzly and the hotel room a little WARM on occasion, at least for post-menopausal women, but the FUN and FRIENDSHIP trumped it all. Who says we can't find our way across the street to a restaurant---or at least have an adventure trying!

As always, we ate our way thru the city----Downtown, Oakland, The Strip, Mount Washington and Station Square, to name a few. Everything from Southie drink & fried pickles at Meat and Potatoes, and Desserts at The Porch to fancy meals with sensational seafood at Grand Concourse with river view seating and pierogies and great entrees at the award winning Carlton. Plus, the BEST Eggs Benedict ever (Baltimore style, with crabcakes) in the Terrace Room at our hotel.

Pamela's in "The Strip" w/ nostalgic photos on the wall and crunchy edge hotcakes loved by me--
and Obama, too, according to the autographed wall art photo!

Gigi holds all "the goods."

Primanti Bros. even had "sweet tea" on the menu---imagine that! They also serve french fries and slaw on the pastrami/corned beef sandwiches and have fried dill pickles that are nuclear HOT!

This trip there was lots of "tea" for me. I sipped tea, (via an incline for a cuppa at the Grand Brew) bought tea in The Strip and was served tea by my friends when I was having a bit of a tummy issue.

We certainly sipped a BIG cuppa all the possibilit-TEAs on our Pittsburgh Neighborhood's Bucket List.

But Mr. Roger's Neighborhood is still my favorite neighborhood.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT: beach book possibili-TEAs

DISCLAIMER: I HAVE READ NONE OF THESE BOOKS. 

Most of these books were recommended by my "water buddies." 

Who am I kidding! Look at all these books.

 I am a reader...but my time for reading at the beach is more limited than most folks because of 7 grand kids----which is the REASON we go to the beach. So....I know I have to make choices.

Already the Steeped in Evil title is out because I started it yesterday and I'll finish it before we back out of the driveway. Chestnut Street is also out---for 2 reasons. In the first place, it's a "7 day checkout." It's due date is before I return. Former librarians DO NOT return a book late. Also, it's a Maeve Binchy book and since she's been dead for 2 years, it's authenticity is a little bit suspect. 

One book I chose to peruse because it had book club in the title and it's a Thomas Nelson publication, so I know it will be clean. Just hope it's not hokey. Surprisingly, I'm actually leaning toward, On These Courts which is non-fiction.

I'll let you know which one or ones make it into my beach bag (and are actually read) when I return.