Monday, March 26, 2012

Four Turns...

Woke up this morning to an orchestra of  multiple kinds of birds singing into my open window. Ha wouldn't have minded it so much if it wasn't 6:30! My fault for leaving my window open - wont make that same mistake again!

Jacs and I decided to go on an adventure today up the mountain to the Belfast Zoo. About a 3.5 mile uphill climb. Gorgeous day outside so walking wasn't that bad. On our way we stopped by Mr. McCrae's house (we didn't get to see him on Saturday). He wasn't feeling too good so our visit didn't last long. He had thought he was going into the hospital this morning but there was confusion with the nursing staff and nothing was for sure yet. I was so glad he hadn't gone in yet! I saw it as the Lord giving us another opportunity to minister to him. He agreed to let us pray for him again. Jacs prayed for him to have peace and for his healing. I then took the next opportunity to talk to him about Jesus and how much He loves him. I really hope we get to see him again! Wednesday Jacs and I are gonna find a wheelchair and take him down to Lough Shore (the weather is still supposed to be nice and he never leaves his house because a stroke he had back in August messed up his legs) However, if we don't get another chance to speak to him I have a peace knowing God can water the seed planted.

After stopping for lunch at a Pizza Hut nearby we finally arrived at the zoo (around 1:30pm). I immediately set off with the map (and Jacs) determined to get to every exhibit before the zoo closed at 4pm! Unfortunately, reading the map proved to be a bit difficult and in the first half hour we found ourselves walking in circles (which wasn't good cause we were constantly going up hills and down them and back up again.) I finally figured out the map! (Uhhh just go from the exhibit marked "1" to the exhibit marked "2" and so forth. . . how embarrassing!) We saw all kinds of animals! Because it was a clear day with the sun shining brightly (about 60 degrees with a small breeze) all of the animals were out and sun bathing! I also got to see Penguins for the first time in real life! They are HILARIOUS!

Entrance to the Zoo

The African Exhibit. . . Giraffes, Ostriches, & Zebras

The Elephants were SO friendly today!

I wanted to take one of these guys home!


RANDOM SIDE NOTE: So while we were looking at the animals I couldn't help but notice the different animals that Disney used. . . Warthog-Pumbaa / Meerkat-Timon / Monkey-Abu / Parrot-Iago / etc. . .and thought how fun it would be if Disney opened a zoo and put only "Disney" animals in it and instead of putting "Bear" "Mouse" "Lion" - they put. . . "Baloo" Ms Bianca" "Simba" - - - It would be two things I love combined - how perfect!

We took a slight detour on our walk home. We were suppose to go around the round-a-bout but due to heavy traffic I (being impatient) suggested we continue walking in the same direction and cut across further down. Bad idea. The next street that cut through wasn't for quite awhile and brought us into Rathcoole Estate (one of the largest estates out here) After walking down several streets we passed two elderly gentlemen out in their garden. We struck up a conversation about the gorgeous weather and then asked if they could direct us to our missing street. One of them, Jimmy, offered to drop us off and we agreed (we just finished walking 8 miles - most uphill). He ran off to tell his wife where he was headed and Jacs and I walked to the car.

Ok - yes, yes. . . I know he was a stranger. And I am the most cautious person when it comes to getting rides with strangers (this actually might have been the first) But there are those few Christian's out there where in a matter of seconds you know they are a Christian. It's in their eyes. . . something that radiates Christ. That was Jimmy. Most fascinating man. . . told us that he trains dogs (and owners) for dog shows. Talked about God, his wife, growing up in Northern Ireland. . . all kinds of stories! One thing he said that will stick with me forever was; "I do four good turns a month, if I get opportunities to do more, I do them. But always four. One per week." By turns he meant deeds. Kinda like paying it forward (though he isn't returning a favor. . . just passing them out) It wasn't a religious "good works" type of thing. No, Jimmy was legit. I have no doubt this was one of the reasons he exuded so much authentic joy. So, giving Jacs and I a lift was his "good turn" for the week. I am going to apply this to my life. So often I get caught up in the busy. In me. In my schedule. I forget to notice the world around me. Why not go out of my way to put a smile on a strangers face?

Finished the night watching Once Upon A Time. This episode was about the Mad Hatter. . . how I wish the writers would give me some answers! Jacs was making fun of me cause I kept freaking out. (sigh) I know once she watches it she'll do the same :)

Night world!
-J

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