Unexpected Blessings

This past week I had the most amazing day with two of my stampin' sisters, Tisha and Laura.  On Tuesday, what started as an impromptu get together, turned into a day filled with unexpected blessings as we spent time with each other.

We had breakfast at Cinnamon's in Waikiki.  I'm so thankful for this new location.  It's at the Ilikai hotel, right by the Marina pictured below.

Ilikai Marina

There was lots of seating and the menu had plenty of good things to choose from.  They are famous for their Red Velvet Pancakes so we got one short stack to share.  It was basically because we all wanted just one bite!

Red Velvet Pancakes

Gosh, just seeing this photo makes me miss Laura so much!  She has already returned back to the mainland but I am hoping and praying it won't be long till we can be reunited again!  She is such a blessing!

Our brunch was delicious!  The service there was great.  We didn't feel rushed and we had a really enjoyable conversation with the sounds of this waterfall flowing behind us.  It was a beautiful day!

Laura at Cinnamon's

Being with them reminded me of why I feel so fortunate to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  When these ladies became a part of my life through Stampin' Up!, they became a part of my family.  Both Tisha and Laura have been friends for over 18 years and I feel so fortunate that we were joined together because of the love we had for ink, stamps, and paper which resulted in an amazing friendship and support system that has lasted all these years.

Brunch at Cinnamon's

I am truly grateful for this sisterhood and our friendship!  

After brunch we stopped by Pearl Ridge and discovered that a new store, The Blessed Life had just opened a few days prior.  I had been to the one at Windward Mall and was so happy that they had come to Pearl Ridge which is a lot closer for me to get to.  

When we stepped inside the store, we were greeted by the store owner, Junior and his wife.  They were so friendly and kind.  They made us feel so welcome as they excitedly showed us around their beautiful new store.

The Blessed Life is now at Pearl Ridge Mall

Junior shared an amazing testimony with us about how God had transformed His life.  He spoke to us about the power of prayer and he reminded us to remember to be thankful for all of God's blessings, especially the unexpected ones.

He used an example of finding money on the ground.  He said to us, "when you look down and find a small coin, you pick it up and think nothing of it, but how do you react when you look down and find a thousand dollars? It's usually only then that you say things like, 'Praise God' for this blessing!"  He reminded us that we can be thankful even for the little things and we should learn to live with a greater awareness that God is at work around us.  

When we left his store we weren't twenty steps away when Laura saw something on the ground!  It was a coin!!!  Laura reached down and picked it up with a smile.  We all just laughed as she smiled and looked up to heaven to say "thanks" for the unexpected blessing.  It wasn't just the value of the coin, but the reminder that someone was watching over her from above and showing her His love.

Next time you are at the mall at Pearl Ridge or Windward, be sure to check out The Blessed Life store.  You can buy shirts from all different Christian vendors, two of my favorites are Blessed and Faith, Hope, Aloha.

After we got back to Tisha's house she told me she had something for me.  Next thing you know she is coming out of her house carrying a cake!  It was a cake she made out of FLOWERS!  What an unexpected blessing!

Flower Cake

The cake stood on top of a cute red cake stand and had a black and white birthday balloon attached to the top as well as three gold candles.

Flower Cake and Balloon

I was so touched by her kind and thoughtful gift that I came home to stamp her a thank you card.  I set the cake and balloon on my stamp room table and began to pull Stampin' Up! products that were inspired by this beautiful gift.  

Petal Pair Thank You Card

This card was textured with one of our newest embossing folders called Petal Pair.  I used Real Red and Whisper White card stock with a touch of Gold Foil which represented the 3 gold candles.  I also added Petal Passion Designer Paper to the middle to pick up on the colors of the Black and White birthday balloon.

Birthday Flower Cake and Card

I am thankful for my kind friends and the amazing day we shared that was filled with unexpected blessings and lots of love.