We set out for our summer family vacation in Laguna Beach, California! Beautiful weather. Beautiful scenery. Beautiful time with family! I was intentional about my time away and soaking up every moment together! There were many delights and surprises along the way, including a much needed massage gifted by my husband! More vacations please!

Our travels continued as we adventured RV style across state lines to Sedona, Arizona! We did make a few stops in between with one overnighter in Lake Havasu City. It was HOT but it was also very cool 😉 to witness the world famous London bridge given to what is described as a remote desert city. I did not know at the time but I had a divine appointment waiting for me there. Our family enjoyed ice cream and Italian ice while I took in the heat and the history of the bridge as I gazed at its architecture. I laid my hands upon the bridge base to pray, touching in faith its history and praying forward on behalf of the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 The night was done. As we proceeded back to the hotel my husband gladly shared his booking of another massage for me and pointed to its location as we walked onward with the London bridge just behind us. I had my reservations, it was a touristy area but I was grateful for another massage!

Morning arrives, boys are prepared for swim and time with the grands while I sneak off before my now very active toddler girl finds out mom is not “home,” as in mom has left the hotel room! There again, the London bridge before me. I thought, this time a quick picture to capture this unique stop as I scramble through my purse to find my phone.

“Are you here for the massage?” “Oh yes!” I reply as I turn back a bit startled. “Do you want me to take a picture of you with the bridge?” “Oh, no that’s ok.” I replied. (I mean I was dressed for a massage and didn’t consider myself picture worthy. Y’all know what I mean)! I quickly snapped a photo and proceeded inside. Every massage is different. Sometimes I chat it up and other times intermittently while I drift into quiet and intentional relaxation. This time was a bit of both. Her hands were skilled and masterful in deep tissue. I was receiving perfect pressure as my muscles were maneuvered and stretched. We got to talking about her work and the busy season of “snow birds” who come down from the north to this resort town to escape winter as she went on to describe. She in her own words captured what she coined the changing of the license plates! I shared about our travels and learned of her headed off to Laguna beach that very day, just where I had come from! She spoke of her mother traveling with her to visit her daughters, one who has had a heart condition since birth. My mama heart was immediately drawn in as she shared the open heart procedures and care her daughter received and needed to sustain life. I immediately began meditating on Psalm 91 and shared, with long life He will satisfy you. I declare, your daughter will live a long life! There was a pause. Her open hands received.

The massage time soon concluded. We proceeded to check out where she laid paper for me to write down the verses she believed and explained her daughter probably already knew but would still share with her. I smiled looking up, “she may know it but today she will know it as her own personally from God!” as I continued on writing including within the scriptures her daughter’s name specifically. I asked if I could pray for her and her daughter. With open hands we held each other and did just that right outside the door of the London bridge. “In Jesus name!” I concluded as her coworker walked in perfectly adding, “Amen!” We hugged and shed some tears. I checked out prepared to leave my tip. She insisted “no,” sharing our prayer was the tip. I tried a few more times finally accepting her request though I did lightly banter, “you know I can both tip you in prayer and for your work?” We had a chuckle and off I went. I proceeded out the open door and there stood before me the London bridge once again. Now the photo captured of this historic site held an even deeper meaning. As I began walking to leave, I looked over upon her oversized large and bright yellow business advertisement sign flowing off the side rails of her second story business railing realizing her phone number ended in the numbers, 1119. My heart was even more encouraged, I knew God was speaking and winking! I quickly turned around, went back inside through the open door grinning and said with delight, “you know your number is 911 backwards!?” She was still wiping her eyes and smiled, responding intrigued. “I never noticed that.” “I guess Psalm 91 was your scripture after all” and with a wink I too set off with open hands and open heart!

I love to tell the story, Open hands. Open heart. Ashley Shuell, Journalist for Jesus 💕

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