Bored Beyond Belief…

 Our world is shaped by moments, particular points in time… that seems simple, right? As I write this, I am in awe of the thought… moment after moment after moment… that can’t be taken back or called as a “do over” have shaped the world that we live in today… and the world is influenced by the moments that we choose in our individual lives… it is amazing and wondrous for me to grasp.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Harry, than are dreamt of N your philosophy” was quoted by a very wise freeway sign in the heart of Los Angeles. Oh, I should say it was also voiced in a slightly different manner by a certain man named Shakespeare… who could be noted as having the largest influence in shaping the English literary world and whose works are timeless pieces of pleasure today!

I guess I could say that the movie, L.A. Story, has been a movie of epic proportions in my lifetime. I have watched this movie since the ripe old age of highschool at least once a year, some years… once or more a month! I am now in my thirties and as I watch the genius, Steve Martin (LOVE HIM!), as a wacky weatherman, Harris K. Telemacher… whiz thru an art museum on roller skates and eloquently share his rendition of the creations of someone’s mind on the walls, OR I watch him write “Bored Beyond Belief” on his living room window with a dry erase marker backwards so it can be read from outside, OR I watch him heed the freeway sign’s many hints of advice… “you should have gotten her number” OR… hear him tell his love, Sara, as she is about to leave him to go home… “all I know is, on the day your plane was to leave, if I had the power, I would turn the winds around, I would roll in the fog, I would bring in storms, I would change the polarity of the earth so compasses couldn’t work, so your plane couldn’t take off” … I never tire of this story!

Sure, it is a love story. Sure, it is a tribute to the city of Los Angeles. Sure… it is about the personal changes experienced by Steve Martin’s character… Harris K. Telemacher.

For me, it is much more than that… the most powerful character is the freeway sign that Harris encounters along his life journey. These scenes suggest that we are watched over, cared for, in ways that we cannot always comprehend. The sign, again, “U will know what to do,” and its riddle, “How Daddy is doing?”… simple mysteries in life that we are encouraged to seek out and find the answer to or sometimes we are even given a key that unlocks a bit of the revelation that will one day be fully revealed!

Well, you will just have to watch the movie to experience it for yourself, however, I can say that the outcome of Harris K. Telemacher’s life is greater than he could have ever imagined and he ends up not really even being able to explain it all because as the wise freeway sign said… “there are more things in heaven and earth, Harry, than are dreamt of N your philosophy” and to that…

I raise a glass and all I can say is… “wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful… “

…to everything there is a season…

“Amy, you are going to biodynamic camp October 13^th – 15^th so block those dates off” is what I heard my boss, who I call “Coach Jack”, say to me a couple of months ago. I opened up my Microsoft Outlook calendar, typed in “Biodynamic camp” under subject and “Mendocino” as location, plugged in the dates and went onto my next task not thinking much about it after that. For a brief moment, I thought… “What does biodynamic mean?”… however, at the time I was preoccupied with other projects on my “to do” list that to research the term was not a priority for me.

This past week, I attended biodynamic camp in Ukiah, California which rests in Mendocino County. A group of us from Northern California & Arizona were to spend a few days with Paul Dolan, a creative leader in the wine industry who believes, “the future of business is to make the future its business.” Paul is a fourth generation farmer of Mendocino County who is rooted in the belief that we are all an intricate part of the fabric of the universe interwoven into the land we live in… the water, air, wine and food are part of who we are. A belief system that a sustainable business should consist of the holistic picture with a moral center, connected to its values and the world around them… a business that does what is right because… well… it’s just the right thing to do… an accountability and responsibility to take a creative step further into a larger realm of view…. a view that opens up and lets fresh air into the wine industry allowing an “out of the box” mentality to thrive and grow.

The fresh air being breathed in Mendocino is the word, “biodynamic”. Paul Dolan has pioneered and practiced this method of breathing for quite some time. I experienced firsthand the amazing energy and breath of fresh air that stimulates the creative approach to winemaking in this land. The peace I felt while standing in the vineyards affirmed that I was not in any ordinary vineyard, this place was ethereal.

This place is called Dark Horse Vineyards, Paul Dolan’s labor of love. It hugs the earth with 160 acres, 70 of which are grapevines…. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. Biodynamic agriculture recognizes that all life is interconnected. It takes into account a farmers intuition that tends to the land with a mixture of holistic practices and a farmers experiences and observations. It is aware of the rhythm of the sun and moon and uses nature’s resources to create energy to the space that imparts wisdom to organize the farm as a thriving unit that is spiritually and earthly sustaining.

Our first day, Paul spoke of the earth and heavens, how they connect with one another to bear the best fruit… the understanding that to create from an earthly perspective alone falls short and separates us from the full dynamic of the universe. Our homework that night was to observe our surroundings, reflect on what we see, and create an awareness of the space lived in.

We stayed at Vichy Springs in Ukiah, a 700 acre ranch, with gorgeous views from all “points of view” and a meditative place. I discovered that it was a place that offered mineral baths, the only naturally warm and carbonated Vichy mineral baths in North America. I figured this was a good place to start my homework! I released the natural water coming out of the earth into my bath and immersed myself. After a few minutes I appeared carbonated fizzing like a beautiful flute of bubbly! The carbonation dilated my body’s capillaries and I started to feel warm and peaceful. I received the tranquility setting in and began to look at the intensely bright and luminous stars gazing over me. I thought, “These stars are so far away and I can SEE them, they are shining bright”. I noticed the moon was “waxing” on its way to completion again. I observed the constellations and how the sky was bright even though it was a midnight black night. I listened to the trees whispering softly to each other, became aware of my skin, my organs, my heart, my mind. I started to talk with God… “Thank you for this creation I am experiencing, please help me to be more aware of my surroundings, to realize that I am a small speck of sand on this planet, that there is more to this universe than I can grasp in my understanding, to allow good thoughts and loving energy to circulate in and around me, deliver me from stress molecules that don’t serve me or the environment around me. Give me the clarity, courage, and wisdom to step “outside of the box” so I can be a thriving, balanced creation in you God that beams with color, brightness, and health!

God reminded me then that He is the true vine and we are the branches. I am growing in His vineyard. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit and He prunes every branch that does bear fruit so that I will be clean and bear more fruit. He “stresses” my vines so that I will drink deeper by stretching my roots farther into Him so I can produce the ripest fruit. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it can do so only if it remains in the vine. He said, ‘Remain in Me and I will remain in you. Remain in My love, you are growing fruit that endures for generations to come, for my children and grandchildren”. As Paul said, “the future of business is to make the future its business” The future of my family and the world around me is to make it my business right now. The choices made in the vineyard, the world, will be an outcome that will bear short-term satisfaction or long-term satisfaction. As we continue to shortchange nature to create short-term satisfaction by forcing high yields and injecting hormones in our food crops to sell more now, I believe that there is a better way, a balance that can be created to provide short-term satisfaction while preserving long-term satisfaction in ourselves, our world, our future…

 I will choose to be tended to by my organic gardener, God, who will create in me the best fruit for that season, in His timing, so that I can share the harvest with others for times to come! It will be fruit that will prosper and bear fruit for infinite seasons!

So… I raise a glass to God’s BIODYNAMIC SPIRIT and say… “To everything there is a season… and a time for every purpose under heaven! http://youtu.be/V6jxxagVEO4

Que Syrah, Syrah!

Almost a year ago, I dined in San Francisco’s Mission District at an Italian neighborhood joint… Delfina. It was an amazing culinary experience and the treasure for me was the taste of luscious, creamy butter beans on my palette. These were the first butter beans I had tasted outside of my Granddad’s garden. Butter beans are my all time favorite bean… which is an influence of my Granddad’s Alabama upbringing… they are a true Southern staple!

 I had just taken in a 49er’s game with my friends, Tom & Gustavo. We went to Delfina after our WIN to imbibe in great food, even better wine, and best of all… lots of laughter! During conversation, it came up that my mother’s wonderful friends, Amy Jo & Ab, were coming out to the wine country with their in-laws in tow… I couldn’t wait to see them! They both looked at each other, smiled, and made a deal that they were going to organize a day for me that my friends would never forget. Tom & Gustavo have been in the wine industry a long time… together they create magical wine in Napa. I was honored and delighted that they would take a day out of their week to do this for me. I will never forget the memories of that day.

We journeyed to special tastings … swirl, smell, sip & swirl, smell, sip… just like a well conducted waltz.  I was elated as we arrived at Tom & Gustavo’s winery where the wine was patiently waiting inside for our enjoyment. Empty wine glasses were placed in our hands as Tom led the way with his wine thief to the 300 or so barrels laden with wine!! First, we sipped on Sauvignon Blanc from stainless steel tanks, and then tasted same vintage Cabernet Sauvignon out of various barrels…  I learned about the amazing transformation of flavors and textures within the same vintage and varietal and how this was influenced by which barrel was used for aging. I was in wine geek heaven! Little did I know that I was about to be love struck at the most unpredictable hour.

The object of my affection manifested as I was standing in an aisle of wine barrels. Tom extracted my “first kiss” from the barrel. As the flavors of boldness, strength, charm, kindness, and chivalry hugged and kissed my palette, this wine inexplicably permeated my soul… I realized that I had never been romanced by a wine quite like this before and it startled me. My love affair had begun and I knew I would be back one day to taste this Syrah as it evolved over time.  I have tasted many wines over the years thru experiences enjoyed in wine school, during my wine career, sharing wine with family, friends, and loves… nothing compared to my love, my amor… “My Syrah!” At this point, you might be saying, “Wow, lady, take it easy… it is just a wine.” I couldn’t explain the spiritual experience I had with that wine that day, however, a year later… I totally get it!

Last Thursday, Tom and I had meetings in Napa. After the meetings ended, we decided to take the rest of the day off and play in Napa. We started out at Rutherford Grill with a local microbrew in hand & lots of conversation! Tom and I are like siblings and we were enjoying catching up on each others’ lives. My friend, Autumn, who lives in Napa eventually met up with us and off we went to Tom’s winery for tasting. I was like a teenager giggling in anticipation and with flushed cheeks that I was about to see my Syrah again!!  The Cabernets that I had tasted a year ago were bottled that same day and I was excited to taste the new Cabernet Sauvignon vintages in barrel.  I also knew that “my syrah” was waiting for me in the barrel and couldn’t wait to experience that rush again! Throughout the year, I would ask Tom…”How is my syrah?” He would smile and say… “Waiting for you”! We tasted thru the Cabernet Sauvignons which were ridiculously good and then… it was time to taste the syrah. I was standing in an aisle with barrels surrounding us from every side. I did not know how to explain what I was experiencing, I did know that my spirit was definitely in the forefront and all senses were heightened and aware. I was laughing with joy that I was reunited with “My syrah”… as I was kissed by this wine again; it was much more intense and overwhelmingly perfect.  I could sense God’s presence in me and “wine angels” surrounding me. I heard, “This is your wine.” I said to myself, “Am I going crazy or did God tell me that this is really “my wine”? I heard again, “This is YOUR wine” and I smiled as it sounded good to me!! Tom and Autumn were laughing at my love affair I was having in front of their eyes and Tom especially delighted in it because it was his creation.

As we were walking out… Tom turned to me and said… “This is your wine.” I looked at him in awe because I had been told this thru my spirit while tasting, and for Tom to tell me that without him knowing anything affirmed that this was my “soul wine”. I said, “Say that again”! He said… “This is your wine…  I just feel that this wine was supposed to be made for you.”  I laughed as Tom and I haven’t talked much about God openly together, just subtly. I laughed and said, “God told me that inside also and now straight from the wine maker’s mouth!” He laughed and said, “God has been doing that all day!” It opened a door for us to talk deeper about our relationships with God and we both affirmed that He was a major part of the atmosphere that day.

“My verse” in the Bible is … “New wine must be put into new wineskins.” I believe that God is symbolizing my love affair with Jesus and the growth I have experienced over the past year. It was about a year ago that transformation began in me… just around the time I first tasted the Syrah. Now, a year later, as I was delighting in the evolvement of that wine which had gone from really good to fantastic… I had a revelation that thru my planting and pruning the past year I am growing into a vine that produces good fruit. I am maturing and evolving into great wine… just as my syrah is still aging for another 6 months in the barrel… and will continue to mature and evolve in the bottle.  I believe there is deeper revelation to that understanding… for now… I will delight in the simple pleasure of knowing that my winemaker, God, is delighting in His creation of me and that I am delighting dwelling in Him!!

Now, as the grape harvest is near… I am a new wine that must be placed into new wineskins, fresh and new! That is a harvest to celebrate and with that…I dance with “My Syrah” in hand and say… “Que sera, sera… whatever will be, will be!!”

Love & Coconuts

The first time I enjoyed the taste of coconut water was in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2002. I had just arrived with my former husband, Wander, to spend the month of December with his family. It was summer in Brazil and I was stoked to enjoy two summers in one year! The first place we stopped at in Sao Paulo was… Wal-Mart! I laughed so hard as I didn’t expect Wal-Mart to be the first place I was going to explore in Brazil. We were there to run an errand and the difference about this Wal-Mart versus the USA Wal-Marts was that they presented an “agua de coco” at the entrance… a “copo” or cup was 1.50 reais & a “garaffa” or carafe was 3.00 reais. I took a “copo” and my first sip was delicious, refreshing, and satisfying. I was drinking my first freshly squeezed coconut and I was happy!

We traveled to Wander’s hometown, Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Mato Grosso do Sul is known for its natural beauty… waterfalls, rivers, the Pantanal, a beautiful region abundant with wildlife and wonderful landscapes. His family has a beautiful ranch that we stayed on a portion of the time. I felt like I was in the Garden of Eden. Coconut palm trees were overflowing with coconuts and parrots were free to fly from tree to tree. The help would pick bananas, fresh pineapples, various papayas… I would pick my mangoes fresh off the tree as well as star fruit (carambola). Passionfruit juice was freshly squeezed every morning, coffee bean plants were abundant, I rode horses on the land… drank out of my freshly picked coconut while relaxing by the pool or laying in the hammock, I was in heaven! I drank out of many coconuts that month & could see the changes in my skin, hair, and overall health. I was completely satiated by my environment.

This year, I vacationed in Maui, Hawaii where coconuts are also abundant. My tradition every morning involved the simple act of laying in a hammock by the ocean. I enjoyed reading & hanging out with God. I was completely satisfied and enjoyed all the coconut palm trees shading me as a peaceful smile shined from my face and intoxication overcame me by the sounds of the ocean.

Google “health benefits of the coconut” and you might think it is the cure-all for everything by looking at the list. Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It also provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil. In some cultures, the coconut palm is so highly valued as both a source of food and medicine that it is called “The Tree of Life.”

The recent revelation I have experienced is that I could live off of a “love & coconuts” outlook on life and be perfectly content! Why… do you ask? Well… love & coconuts have a lot of mirrored benefits…. they have many healing powers & carry many nutrients; they cure many ailments; make skin, hair, and overall appearance glow; increase the ability to smile & laugh, are filling and super satisfying!! They are also both very super natural!!

God is my “love & coconuts”. I have never been so healthy in my whole life as I am now. I have spent the past year drinking from His never-ending abundance of Love. This ”coconut water” has been intense, overwhelming in a joyous way, and deep. The love I experience now with Him has increased the love that I experience with family, friends, strangers, and my future husband will benefit as well! It is interesting to try to put into words as the experience is so natural that words almost take away from it.

I guess what I am trying to convey is that God fills me with His amazing healing powers, oils of fragrant love, consumes me with His nutrients of peace, love, and joy. All I have to do is drink and enjoy! There is a never-ending abundance & when all else fails in life, there are always enough love & coconuts to go around!

And to that, I raise a coconut and say… “To “love & coconuts!”

Stiletto Sabbatical

Ever since I can remember, shoes have been a very important part of my “getting ready” time every day. My first favorite pair of shoes (that I can recall) were the ones I wore as a 7 year old girl on the day of my First Communion. I will never forget that day and what a princess I felt like. I shined in a beautiful white dress and remember doting over my shoes to match… white patent leather with flowery detail, shiny and brand new. I couldn’t stop looking at them. I have many more memories of “shoe moments” and as I reflect on a few I am smiling as to the significance of those moments in my life.

I am known to pick out my shoes first and design what I will wear that day based on shoe choice. For me, shoes denote expression, creativity, mood, personality, besides being just plain fun to have a passion over! I have exuded strength and confidence in my favorite pair of heels knowing the day is mastered… whether I am walking or sitting with crossed legs… my shoes are talking!

Recently, I was with a colleague of mine at a “food and wine dinner rehearsal” at one of my regional account chains, Mikuni Sushi… some of the best sushi on the planet!! I have spoken at many food and wine dinners during my career; however, this one is much more enticing to me. The food courses are extraordinary and make it a fun task for me to be creative in the wine department. As the chef presented each course, my colleague and I tasted the various wines we had chosen for the experiment. The course that made fireworks appear were… pan seared scallops with a sweet miso reduction served with orange segments and ponzu sauce… a citrus based sauce with soy. We chose a Sonoma County Pinot Noir as well as a French Burgundy to experience the course with. The French Burgundy won me over… charmed my palette with all the flavors dancing together and the flattery didn’t stop for quite some time…  I can’t wait to experience that again!!

After we matched the “perfect pairs”, I thought of the drive home ahead of me that I assumed to be at least 2 hours AND it was peak traffic time. I decided some shopping was in store for me as an alternative to hanging out on the highway. So… shoe shopping it was! My first stop happened at the Macy’s one day sale and alas… I found nothing that stopped me silly with awe. My next stop was Nordstrom’s and again I was baffled that I couldn’t find anything at all in my favorite shoe department of all time… Nordstrom’s. The reason I wasn’t interested in much was because my cause for shoe shopping had changed. I was looking at flats or maybe shoes with a small wedge, very untraditional of the high heel shopping I normally invest in. The dialogue with me and the shoes in the spotlight can go like this… “Hi you… the heels with ankle straps, or perhaps you with the peep toe… or LOOK at you… a T-strap in bronze… yes, how pretty, I will take those! Oh my gosh… or maybe those…a sexy dark red patent leather… or… WOW… look at all the fabulous knee-high fall boots… I will take the chocolate-brown ones!” The dialogue that day with the shoes in the spotlight were, “oooh, aaaah”, followed by a long “sigh” as I passed by the beautiful shoes of stature. As I was processing all this, suddenly a VERY tall, handsome man approached and asked me, “Can I help you with finding anything?” The first thing I noticed about him was that he was larger than life with prayer beads around his wrist and a presence about him that was angelic like. A thought went thru my head… “Is he an angel?” I ask Femi (the name of my shoe concierge) “What do you have in flats?” Femi replies, “We have a large selection” as he proceeds to show me all the styles represented. He could tell by my face that I was struggling with the fashion of these… and I said, “I am healing from meniscus repair surgery and am advised to not wear heels for a while. My closet is pretty much stocked with high heels so I need a new shoe wardrobe.” He says… “Not to worry, I will show you that you can look fabulous in flats.” I was not as eager as he was in this new mode of thinking. As he was introducing me to new places never explored before in my history in the Nordstrom shoe department, he said, “My name is Femi if you need anything.” I said, “That is a neat name… what does it mean?” He said… “The Lord loves me.” I said, “Yes he does!” And for some reason at that very moment, I felt that this was not a chance encounter (they never are, are they?) I ended up buying a pair of Toms… every pair bought donates a pair to a child in need of shoes, a worthy cause! I felt good about my purchase and decided comprehensive shoe shopping would have to wait… I wasn’t in the mood.

I wore my Toms out of the store (Wow, are they comfy!) and started the drive home to Santa Rosa from Sacramento. I was tired, however, my mind was downloading what I am about to write next. I started thinking about my “shoe shift” and how I had tied my stiletto days to an “outside in” sort of status… not “inside out”. My Toms seemed to symbolize the real nature of me. They were comfortable, real, and fit me well just like my fairly recent shift in feeling comfortable in my own skin. I realized that I am still growing in my “inside out” nature as opposed to my “outside in” nature. I now find my peace inside first no matter what my outside circumstances are. I can wear my heels or my Toms with much more authenticity this way. I can see myself walking my life path in my Toms OR in heels… eventually!!  No matter what, I know my path is being walked in “my own shoes”… the ones that fit me at the time and that is a really good feeling.

To that … I raise a glass and say… “If the shoe fits… to all that is GOOD!”

From Chicago to California…

I am not a born and raised Chicago Cubs fan nor am I a born again Cubs fan. I am a TRUE Cubbies fan none the less!! The first game I ever attended was against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005. We won that day!! The first moment I laid eyes on Wrigley Field, with my newly purchased Cubbies hat enthusiastically on my head, I was captivated. The team… with its culture, tradition, superstitions…I was intrigued! It wasn’t just the beauty of the ballpark and its panoramic rooftop views, but the conviction and assumed responsibility of the fans to praise and boo their Cubbies! I had never been to a ballgame where the fans not only praised their beloved but critiqued openly as well. If a player did something “stupid” the boo’s were heard all around. As I was dining on my Chicago hot dog followed by a sip of Pabst Blue Ribbon, I was attracted to the honesty and genuineness of the fans… true, loyal, real. The awareness was invigorating!! I wanted more…

The second Cubs game I attended was Monday night versus the San Francisco Giants. My girlfriend, Lisa (who is a born and raised Cubs fan) and I rallied off to the game to experience the AT&T ballpark in San Francisco… which I do believe, along with Wrigley Field, is one of the most gorgeous ballparks in the USA. I received a warm feeling inside seeing all the Cubbies adorned fans intermingled with orange and black. We had club level seats left field and we were happy!! I ordered a Lagunitas IPA (I don’t always talk wine!) and Lisa sipped on a warm hot chocolate. We were so happy to be together watching our Cubbies and it was such a good game!! Tied 3-3 in the eleventh inning, Giants ended up at 4 and the game was a wrap! Even though we didn’t win, it was CLOSE!! I have learned that being a Cubs fan means perseverance, patience, and being secure in self!!

I am all about experiences in my life. I believe life is about “experiencing experiences.” I am a pretty philosophical person by nature… always looking to the meanings of events in my life and how they relate to my growth on the path that God created for me. As I was enjoying the game in San Francisco I was reminiscing about my time living in Chicago and how life brought me to California… and all God has taught me thru those experiences as well as taken care of me when I wasn’t even aware. In between Chicago & California, I did go back home to Texas for a while. I believe God launches me out to teach me things that I might not otherwise learn at home since it is a comfort zone of mine. He has visibly used Chicago and California life experiences to teach me… almost like a “connecting of the dots” on my life journey. When I look back, I can see the connections and for that I raise a glass and say… “Thank You God!!”

I guess the purpose of my writing tonight is to inspire and encourage you to reflect on experiences in your life and how they have been interconnected… and the goodness that has transpired from them. If you are thinking “what goodness?” at the time you are reading this…. I promise you there will be a day that brings to light that revelation… ask God for deeper revelation and He will provide it to you! I ask Him every day and in another blog I will reveal that!!

Until then… I raise a glass and say, “To all that is experienced in life!!”

Spiritual Wine Connoisseur

I love food and wine pairings…  it is one of my favorite joys in this world. I find delight in spontaneously experiencing “palette pleasure” as I taste and sip thru my life journey. I have experienced wonderful flavor revelation in everything from popcorn (preferably very buttery!) and champagne (all bubbles will do!) to a lavishly coursed meal where the chef creates and presents surprises at every turn. One of the reasons why I love food and wine pairing so much is because there are no limits except for me. If I don’t try it, how will I know?  My boldness in trying foods with wines that I would never in my mind put together has led me to some over the top experiences and for that I raise a glass and say… “To all that is yummy!”

My friend Sarah and I spent the weekend together in Redding and Chico. We share the love of God, food, and wine and make a point to spend at least once a week to partake in this passion together. One night we decided we were going to take us out on the road to experience God, food, and wine elsewhere so we chose Redding! Why Redding… you ask? We heard there were amazing things going on there and that the Holy Spirit was creating lavish courses of his own! He was preparing his feast at Bethel Church and as we were driving there I sensed there was much to be experienced ahead of us. As we walked in with great anticipation of what was to be that night, I walked into a presence I have never felt before to this intensity. Peace, love, and joy were everywhere and I was consumed by it. As we were listening to the guest speaker that night, he said, “I consider myself a spiritual wine connoisseur”. My eyes lit up as I felt that word spoken directly to me, I live in the wine country & in another blog I will share the significance of that!

After Redding, we spent time in Chico to have lunch with my boyfriend, Matt. Two beautiful girls in love with God who had just experienced the most delicious feast the night before… we were talking faster than we could think and Matt was the recipient… I could tell he was happy listening to our joy!

On the way back home to Santa Rosa, Sarah and I were still talking about all that had been spoken that weekend as so many symbolisms had been shown to us. I couldn’t get over the “spiritual wine connoisseur” quote because I had never heard that before or paired it together. It resonated with me and I told Sarah… “I want to write about this in my next blog, not sure how yet.” Sarah started imparting her wisdom (she has so much) and said … “You know… verses in the Bible are a lot like food and wine pairings. A verse in the Bible might pair with a person’s life experience at the time they read it and explode with meaning and flavor while someone else might read another verse that explodes with flavor for them.” As God did not make one palette the same on Earth, the same goes for our experience with Him. My experience with Him will never be the same as yours. I encourage you to try the Bible and see what He feeds you! I promise you every time will be different.

One of my favorite God, food, and wine pairings in the Bible that I always come back to is… “Take this bread and eat it, this is my body which will be given up for you”… paired with… “Take this wine and drink it, this is my blood which is my new covenant with you… do this to remember me.”

This is a spiritual meal… a love feast… and I am always satisfied.

And to that, I raise a glass and say, “To all that is good in the Spirit!!!!