Dear Friends,
The Pedicure Miracle
Last week, I had three unusual, but wonderfully impactful experiences that I have to share with all of you.
The first little miracle was at a nail salon.
I went to get a spontaneous pedicure while my daughter was at soccer practice. I was the last customer of the day, and there was only one nail technician left. After my service, I paid with my credit card, and then I rummaged through my "cash stash" to find $6 in one dollar bill increments for her tip. I gave the tip and walked out of the store to my car.
About 30 seconds later, the nail technician ran out of the store screaming, "Wait!"
I turned around and walked towards her in confusion. She said, "I think you gave me too much," and I looked down as she handed me a folded $100 bill that had accidentally been mixed into the one dollar bills. It was my emergency $100 that I always keep in my cash stash, and honestly, would have totally not noticed was gone until I needed it in the future.
How many people do you think would have done what she did and returned the $100 versus keeping it secretly? I'd like to believe everyone would, but we all know that is not true. My nail technician that day restored faith in me that there are indeed still actual, honest strangers in our world.
Lesson #1: Stay Honest.
The Apple Miracle
One of the requirements for my daughter's new high school next year is to have a laptop that is less than 3 years old. Of course, her current one just reached the 3 year mark, so we had to go through the process of resetting her old computer and trading it in to Apple to get a discount on a new computer.
The process of trading in your computer is fairly straightforward - either do it at the store or they mail you a special box to ship your computer in from home. We chose to do it ourselves from home. However, when our box was delivered, it was partially open and was missing the contents inside, including our return label.
So I decided to make an extra trip to the Apple store.
One employee started helping me, but as I was explaining my situation to him, I was interrupted by a more "senior" employee who said that the store could not handle my request because I had already started the trade-in from home. He told me to go home, call 1-800-My-Apple, ask them to resend a return label to my email, print it out, then return the box to the UPS store as originally planned.
Disappointed I made this extra trip and a little confused why they couldn't just handle it in store, I left Apple and started walking out of the mall.
To my surprise, the first employee I had initially talked with, came running out yelling, "Wait! I can help you do it here."
Standing outside of the Apple store, he explained secretly that the senior person did not help me because employees of the store usually just handle "larger" requests like purchasing new phones and computers. However, he said, "But since you made the effort to come here, I can absolutely take care of the trade-in for you now." Literally he tapped his screen a few times and moments later, a receipt printed out, he took the laptop from my hands, and all this time, I never even stepped back into the Apple store.
This employee is who we all need to be more like. Yes, it may be an inconvenience, yes it may take up your precious time, and yes, it is extra work for you, but when you can actually help others and make a difference, do it. This employee showed me the right and kind thing to do in that moment, and he showed the type of customer service I deeply appreciate and honor.
Lesson #2: Show Kindness.
The Brain Cancer Miracle
Every other Tuesday after Stop Drop and Dance class, we hold a prayer group from 11am-12pm for anyone who has an open heart to prayer and desires to join. At these prayer groups, we go around and simply share what is going on in our hearts, and at the end, we pray for one another. We also have a separate WhatsApp called "PWG Angels," where we follow-up on prayer requests and stay accountable with one another. Please join us if you feel called to!
On Tuesday, we had a wonderful group made up of Sandy, Karin, Jen Lee, Kathleen, Megan, and Grace. Sandy has been the center of these prayer groups and why it even exists, and she is always the one that opens and closes us in prayer. But this last week, she had terrible news to share with our group. In Sandy's words:
"Yesterday, I found out that my sister in law, my brother's wife, Marlene, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. It is a very aggressive and fast spreading cancer and on a scale 1-4 with 4 being the worse type of cancer, this one is a 4. They will have surgery on Friday and try to remove the tumor. Please pray that the surgery will go well. Please pray that God will perform a miracle and heal her and that my family will become closer to God during this difficult time."
Sandy had not only all of us praying for Marlene all week long for her surgery on Friday, but also her devoted small group at church, her family members, and her extended friends were praying too.
In Sandy's words, this is what she shared on our WhatsApp Saturday morning after the surgery:
"Praise God! God is so so good!!!
We received unbelievable news late last night - Marlene's tumor was completely benign! What an incredible miracle and answer to prayer! All glory belongs to God!
Just days ago, we were told it appeared to be glioblastoma - the most aggressive form of brain cancer and that it is terminal. Now, there is no cancer, no chemotherapy, no radiation. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for God's goodness.
When I spoke with my brother late last night, I asked him, "Do you realize how many people have been praying for Marlene? This is a miracle." His response was, "I guess I need to take another look at this God thing."
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every prayer, every encouraging word, and for being there for us. We are so thankful. God is amazing!"
A miracle like that is truly very, very rare. But when you get to witness an actual miracle happen, it leaves you speechless in the best way. Sandy, thank you for giving permission to share about Marlene with our community. You are the most faithful person and this experience was definitely a confirmation that prayer absolutely works.
Lesson #3: Have Faith.
MAN DOWN!
Stay Honest.
Show Kindness.
Have Faith.
It's been quite a special week with these three powerful experiences, and I am so grateful that you have taken the time to read this far. We finish up with a little laughter and a real-life moment from last Thursday's class!
Lisa Butcher had just returned 24 hours prior from a week-long water polo boat trip in Croatia, and it was her first class back! A little jet lag and sea legs is to blame for Lisa gracefully stumbling to the floor (!) during our Beyonce, "Get Me Bodied" song, but it didn’t stop Lisa from literally bouncing right back up and continuing the choreography! Thank goodness her ankle was fine! Click on the image above to watch her blooper and find out why Pam Flores has officially been named our “PWG Dance Reporter” for her excellent communication skills during this event.
Real.
Funny.
Messy.
Silly.
Kind.
Playful.
Vulnerable.
Loving.
Joyful.
Resilient.
You are all a miracle in this world and no matter how many bloopers we have, you are so loved!
Love,
Grace
