God sends another life raft and opens doors

You know the cute story, I was reminded of it again as I watched Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness this weekend, God sends multiple life rafts and when you get to heaven you ask God, why didn't you rescue me?
God, of course replies, I sent you (and he names them depending on the version), a train, a plane, a ship, etc. And the light bulb finally goes off. We are so blinded; we pray for the answers, God faithfully responds, yet we keep seeking, often blind to His answers or too weak in our faith to believe it could be meant for us to follow.
As many of my followers know, I have been seeking answers for direction in my life for a long time. God, certainly, has sent multiple answers, yet I seem to continue to query Him in prayer, seeking discernment.
In His perfect timing, He has sent yet another life raft for me. I know these life rafts come from Him, the provider of all things, because His grace is clearly evident.
You know those times, when everything seems to supernaturally fall into place in an unexplainable way and you are perplexed, yet, left smiling from ear-to-ear in amazement.
It's the end of summer, I'm enjoying my playtime and travel and my brother calls to tell me to go the website FaceofClassic.com He thinks there's a job description written just for me. I laugh out loud as my brother, my best cheerleader, is always calling me with ideas and encouraging me to apply for this position or that, especially if there is any celebrity element, such as a television broadcaster or something. In less than five minutes, to anyone we meet who will listen, he will say, "this is my sister, isn't she beautiful? Can you believe she has two master's degrees and was Mrs. Virginia and..." and he continues to be a television infomercial. Not that anyone cares, though they always seem to be graciously impressed, it's just so adorable seeing his admiration for me come through. So, as the younger sister who always tries to listen to her older brother, I visit FaceofClassic.com online. This particular site was interesting and fresh; it hailed a dream job opportunity. It was very intriguing and I had to agree with him, the job description was written for me detail by detail. It encompassed my complete history of work and extracurricular activities from stage, theatre and pageant experiences to having been a radio announcer, Marketing Chief, and media specialist; even having been a Fasching Princess and parade marshal in Germany would be a benefit. It included every element of what I would consider an exciting job opportunity from public presence, special projects, marketing, public relations,special events, customer service, business strategizing and lots of community mingling. The applicant would even do some modeling shoots and lots of public speaking. I could not have dreamed up a more perfect job description. But, my God, who heard every prayer of my heart, who yearns to give me the desires of my heart, knew this very position would come about at the very time I was prepared to truly make the transition.Of course, I was going to respond.
The challenge: the position had been open for nearly two months and closed in four days! I had a day and a half to arrange the details of a very extensive application portfolio.
It required I include an application, professional photos, a commercial and a resume.
God paved the way. In a matter of hours, I had professional hair, make up, photography, videography and printing services lined up to all take place the following day. To my joy and amazement, God thrilled me with every call I made. If I called, hoping for a 12:30 slot, the cameraman said, I am only available at 12:30, when I missed the voicemail for a 3:45 photography session, the photographer happened to have something come up and only was available at 4:30. I made a wardrobe change and we shot the photos in less than 12 minutes. She captured just the right looks and there was exactly the time to drive to the printers precisely two minutes before they closed their doors.
During the day, my computer had crashed due to a virus, so I stopped into the Apple store and asked to play on their computers. I completed the online application on one of their demos and emailed it to the printers for printing. Only my second time to walk into an Apple store ever. They are super friendly and I learned, I love the power of the Mac. The point is, at every moment of the day, God was allowing things to fall into place. I had the pleasure of seeing it take place, almost as an onlooker of a movie, and as I prepared for the next appointment and moved along the day, I grinned from ear-to-ear and thanked Him profusely.
At the close of 48 hours, I had an application packet I could be proud of, complete with promotional video, applications and photography, I sent it on its way.
The extra wink came when I received an email 45 minutes after confirmed delivery, expressing their initial interest and noting that I had made the first round of applicants. I didn't expect to hear for another week or two and even that pressure was eliminated. God is so good! And, while I am sure I have missed many a life raft sent my way, and I'm not even saying this opportunity will come to pass, as I'm still in the interview process, I am praising God for the joy of this life raft and the opportunity to see His grace with every step. It makes the journey all the sweeter!

Trust in Him

Trust in Him

The Bible refers to David as a man after God’s own heart. Still, David’s life was far from trouble free. Oh, how I can relate. Three years on my knees, my heart and soul offered to God. So much cleansing, so much redemption, yet, still, so many life issues unresolved.
David’s life was full of highs and lows, why shouldn’t mine as well?
We can’t control our ups and downs or life in general, but we can trust God every day. We can be certain that he will help us through our trials, just as he helped David.
In the end, God is faithful. He always honors His promises. In the end, He will reward us for our consistent faith. Even when deliverance of these earthly trials seems forever away. (According to 2 Samuel 16, NIV).
What more can I offer? My life, my heart, and my soul-all His. I sit and wait for Him to guide me and to lead me and to speak to me.
I am here, Lord, your faithful servant, waiting for your guidance. What more can I give?
What more do I have to offer? Nothing more. God wants nothing more.
I return to Him in prayer and countenance, in reverence and prayer.

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10).

Answers may not come, but peace settles over me like a warm blanket. I am restored. I am His.

God provides a wedding feast Italian style

January 2011
Eat, Love, Praise Him! This is the Eating part! Mangia!

Buongiorno!

Although I am Italian by heritage, I am feeling especially Italian today. Still reminiscing over a delightful meal I enjoyed in Savannah recently. I can still smell the Mediterranean spices wafting through the quaint trattoria. The young couple who turned their passion into pasta were quite the host and hostess for a small group which included myself and my friends, included in the group were a couple who recently celebrated their wedding vows. God brought a group of friends together to an unexpected spot and provided a beautiful wedding feast.
What a delightful surprise to plan an impromptu lunch at this quaint authentic Italian eatery (which the bride was personally acquainted with), and to kick off the lunch with a celebratory champagne toast. Shouldn’t all occasions and lunches and days be toasted in such a festive way? Of course, God knew exactly how we would celebrate this couples union. It was a perfectly delightful banquet.
Join me for lunch and soon you may be lunching in such an indulgent way as well. Just another way God shows His grace and delights in making us happy. He is full of surprises. Embrace each one fully. Cheers!
I am at once transported to Italy into a quaint little trattoria, Leoci’s. Situated on an unlikely block in the Abercorn walk, Leoci’s is like a little surprise waiting to be unwrapped by the eager patron, soon to be pleasantly surprised.
Located in the heart of the city on a street lined with boutique style shopping and hotels and inns, Leoci’s is an authentic style Italian trattoria with a variety of fare to please even the most discerning palate.
A quaint little venue before me could not give me indication of the familial lunch to come. I settle in at the bar and peruse the trendy spot, which according to owner and Executive Chef Roberto Leoci is so popular he must operate seven days a week to meet the customer demand.
I can see why; decorated in rich, dark tones, the restaurant is warm and inviting. The bar is just cozy enough that even the lone diner could walk up and feel comfortable. Though they are not yet serving alcoholic drinks, the wine list offers a good variety. The glass of Cesari Mara Ripasso, 2008, from Veneto Italy, offered by the matriarch of Leoci’s, Lacie Leoci, is smooth, creamy and warming-a perfect accompaniment to an Italian lunch. Named for the Italian winery’s matriarch, it is fitting the matriarch of Leoci’s would also offer it to me.
My party arrives and she offers us a tour of the newly extended deck with ample outdoor seating for up to 60 or so guests. We pass a cozy spot with couch seating and a fire pit, inviting us to sit with a drink and converse for a bit before the outdoor space opens up to a surprising space. Covered under a white sail tent with twinkling white lights and heated on this cold winter day, I immediately imagine the evenings of fun and celebrations yet to take place here.
What Italian would be disappointed with the newly installed bocce pit installed on the back grounds? Bocce is a truly Italian tradition and fun for all ages. It can be played with two players or two teams of four, up to eight people. It is great follow-up entertainment after an authentic Italian meal. And, a unique twist for your typical restaurant, which by now, I can see Leoci’s is not. Back inside, original art with splashes of bright colors adorn the walls. Lacie shares the stories behind the art and the décor and how the restaurant evolved. The television runs silently with black and white classics for a fun distraction.
The tour is over, but the meal has yet to begin. Chef Roberto, Sicilian by heritage and Cordon Bleu trained, generates course after course of inspired dishes. Beginning with saffron infused risotto and topped with charred shrimp, the taste buds are awakened and eager to taste what’s next.
In between ordering our selections, Chef Roberto works the room to greet every patron and ensure their experience is to their satisfaction. You can see his passion shine through as he taps each on the back and intermittently shakes hands warmly, literally beaming ear to ear. In between, he heads to the kitchen to order yet another course, this time of Papparadelle Bolonegse, made with veal, and delivers the beautifully styled dishes to our table. In one fluid motion, he follows up with a sweet kiss to his bride and complements her efforts in helping to make the restaurant run smoothly. It is a sweet picture, an inside look of both the rhythm of the restaurant and the heart of the chef, thus the heart of this delightful restaurant.
The wine is flowing; the food is in constant stream, from risotto and Bolognese to tender cheese purses with cream sauce and brick oven pizza topped with prosciutto. Everyone in the party is laughing and in complete bliss, as if we were all in Firenze enjoying a midday break. Meals like this are what good memories are made of.
As if we could tolerate one more bite, the dessert ensemble of creamy cannoli, tiramisu, cheesecake, and flourless Godiva chocolate torte is delivered. We groan, but willingly indulge in every last bite.
Perfectly stuffed, it was a perfect ending to a perfect meal. And, this being only lunch, I can simply imagine how Chef Roberto tops this at an evening meal. I think a repeat visit is definitely on the agenda. I look forward to dining outdoors, under the twinkle lights of the white tent and taking dessert on the conversation couch. Strategically, I think I’ll plan a game of Bocce before I eat, knowing it will be a gastronomic feast, reminiscent of my travels in Italy and of this beautiful first experience. Until then, I will delight in the memories made and possibly review the menu on their website periodically to dream about the feasts to come.
There are many good reasons they are listed as the number one Italian restaurant on Urban Spoon and in the Top Ten restaurants overall in Savannah. Leoci’s is reason enough for me to make Savannah a frequent travel spot. What a fabulous idea; I’ll call ahead to reserve a table by the wood burning fireplace. I think if I leave now, I can still make it by lunch. Shall I make it a table for two?
Ciao, bella!