Welcoming Winona

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 

About a year into my Fellowship Square experience I was called into a meeting with someone from corporate.  I don't recall the reason why, but I do remember a question he asked.  He asked me to list a strength about each one of my leadership peers.  When it came to Winona, I vividly recall mentioning how much I admired her straightforwardness and professionalism; her desire to always do the right thing and her strength.  At that time I didn't know much about her on a personal level--but lucky me, we got to know one another on a personal level.

As the years passed we had the opportunity to collaborate on departmental best practices, sit through countless manager meetings, serve the residents during events and pray together just the two of us or with a small group during our Tuesday morning prayer meetings.  We celebrated successes, shared sorrows and she was a tremendous source of encouragement when I decided to move. Over the last 8 months we've talked often and messaged as well--but nothing beats spending time together in person.  

Naysia and I sat in the Ross parking lot near the airport waiting for the touchdown phone call.  Seeing that her flight was delayed we cruised around a bit then went to the airport cell phone lot.  6:20pm "I'm here, we're just pulling up to the gate"  I smiled a wide smile and anticipated the next text letting us know she was at the curb. 

Airports have always been one of my favorite places for several reasons.  One of them being the opportunity to observe fellow mankind as they genuinely embrace a loved one upon arrival.  We pulled up to B10 and jumped out of the car, hugged Winona, put her luggage in the trunk and headed out for dinner.  We agreed on Chinese and found a buffet on San Pedro.  The food was good and the conversation was great.  

Guests always stay in my bedroom and I wing it on the couch or air mattress.  We showed Winona to her room where a birthday gift/mirror greeting awaited her.  And it wasn't long after that laughter took over! We wanted to take pictures; Naysia gave instruction on how to pose, lighting, make up and facial expressions.  And then there was Snapchat. The interpretation was quite comical. Winona had a long day of travel and I had to work the next day so we didn't stay up terribly late.  It was a great kick off to our weekend together

Naysia dropped me off early Friday morning and they picked me up after midday shopping at The Quarry.  We came home, picked up a rental car and headed to the Riverwalk at dusk.  Our first stop was the River Boat Tour.  This was the 100th time Naysia and I had been on :), but each time is a different experience.  We settled in comfortably;  I sat next to Winona with my arm behind her back and Naysia was across from us. As we passed the Arneson Theatre and approached the bridges, the tour guide warned us...bats were out and they had been flying into passengers heads.  Both Naysia and Winona are not fans of birds.  Just as he gave us the warning I moved my arm to prepare for battle--Winona thought my arm was a bird attacking her!  We laughed so hard!!!

We checked out the infamous Alamo, talked briefly to TJ and Sheniqua, and debated about dinner on the River.  The wait times were too long and we opted to eat at home.  Before leaving we watched some of the light show at the San Fernando cathedral and eyed those dancing as we passed by nightclubs.  I fell asleep on the couch as we watched a movie and eventually bid Winona a goodnight.  We had an early morning drive ahead of us. 

Our late start, cold coffee and lukewarm hash browns from McDonald's couldn't kill our joy.  Soon our toes would be in the sand.  We arrived safely in Port A about 230pm.  It was a beautiful day!  The weather was perfect and tons of people were taking advantage of it. For us it wasn't about swimming or fishing--it was about enjoying the majesty of the water and getting in more laughs.  We walked the shore, the pier, collected shells, battled fine sand in our teeth and those two shrieked at the sight of seagulls.  We took turns striking poses for the camera and decided that we'd return home a different way. 

Research about the ferry indicated it was free of charge and was another option to get from Port A back to Corpus.  The wait for the ferry was far longer than the ride itself.  It was less traffic than the usual way we return and might be my new favorite.  It was Tx2's first time on a ferry and we stood outside the car with others for the 5 minute jaunt.  Making it across safely our next stop was gas, snacks and then home where we stayed up hecka late and watched 2 low budget movies. 

Our last full day together put us back on the road again.  This time we headed west to the town of Fredericksburg in search of wildflowers and antiques.  This mornings caffeine fix came courtesy of Starbucks.  We didn't talk much on the way there; instead we sang along to worship music and admired the lush, green beauty of Texas Hill Country.  

Fredericksburg was booming with visitors.  As a result we chose to sightsee which proved to be beneficial.  Driving along, Naysia, in a low voice says, "there's a buffalo".  What? Where?  We turned around and made a sharp left turn.  To our surprise there was an 'exotic farm'.  We couldn't tell if it was a personal residence or open to tour--but there we stood looking at buffalo, camel, zebra, ostrich, deer, and donkeys.  

The last stop in Fredericksburg was at Wildseed Farms!  I hope to make it back there in the future.  The nursery was colorful and prices seemed reasonable.  But we weren't there to shop...we along with several others congregated in the back near the fields of poppies and bluebonnets.  The poppy fields were open for us to trample on, and did we!  I've never seen anything like it.  A red carpet before us we took several pictures together, alone and in pairs.  

We were pressed for time with a 4pm deadline to return the car.  And made it back to town with 3 minutes to spare.  After dropping off the car we shopped quickly for a dress Winona could wear to church.  That night we attended service at Cornerstone.  The music was amazing, the word heart warming and we spent our last evening together just like the first--enjoying Chinese food. 

Our night ended with more picture taking.  From the shower I could hear Naysia and Winona laughing and when I saw those photos I laughed until I cried!!  (sorry, for our eyes only lol) We didn't stay up terribly late since we had a very early morning before us. 

Monday morning came too soon.  Winona prayed for us all as we headed to the airport.  We got lost along the way--but that gave us a few more minutes together.   It was a reverse of the beginning...we unloaded her luggage, hugged Winona goodbye and she went on her way.  We are blessed to have spent the weekend with such an amazing woman.  God willing she'll visit again later this year.  

Thanks, Winona, for coming to see us.