Can you guess how many footprints are in the sand right here? Not pairs but actual footprints. I have no idea of the number, and I’m not going to count them.
As I looked at this picture from our vacation, I had different thoughts:
· What direction are these people traveling in?
· Are they going to or returning from the beach?
· Is this a group or individuals walking the same path?
· Have they ever been to the beach before or is this their first time ever seeing the ocean?
How many people have traveled along the same path as us? How many have we engaged in conversation? If you met these people along this beach walkway, would you engage them in conversation as you both traveled the same direction? I’ll bet you will agree with me that everybody has stories to tell. Some may be exaggerated; some may be historical; some may be from recent experiences; some may simply be from living life! But everyone has stories to tell.
When Mike and I were on vacation in Nags Head, NC, we didn’t have the best weather for the first 4 days – nor’easter winds/gusts up to 50 mph, rain, cold. So we all know that this means “shopping and eating out” time! From Nags Head north on the island, there are many shops, but we like the unique, locally owned shops with distinctive, interesting gifts/clothes/accessories/foods. What we didn’t expect was to learn the stories of some of these store owners on the Outer Banks.
Our first stop was the Kill Devil Grill for lunch. It was a very popular place on a Tuesday. Our food was delicious, and our waitress was outstanding. Actually, the entire staff was outstanding. Several different staff came by to pick up plates, bring more napkins, answer questions, etc. Our waitress, Leah, was genuinely friendly and attentive to our needs.
Mike is much better at engaging with strangers than I am, but once the conversation starts, I’ll jump in. While in Duck, NC the next day, we saw the “Donut on a Stick” store and had to try that. Yum! Chocolate with peanut butter for me and white chocolate with sprinkles for Mike. The owner, originally from Charleston, SC, told us his story of living with his family on the west coast and places in between before landing in Duck, NC about 12 years ago. They have 3 stores – Duck, Nags Head, and Virginia Beach. One of his sons was working there with him that day. The other son was working with his mother in Virginia Beach. They take turns working at the various stores. Over the past 9 years, they have eaten out once a week in order to try different restaurants on the island. Needless to say, we asked for recommendations, and he obliged! What hard workers they are to make these stores a success!
In the shop next door called “Love Duck”, the owner’s dog, named Fred, greeted us with lots of sniffing. Once we passed his test, we wandered around the store which included jewelry, the long rectangular signs with various sayings on them, mugs, candles, games for kids, etc. Mike began the conservation with the owner whose husband is a pastor and working in prison ministries. Mike shared his story as she shared theirs. We talked about our children, the world today, and our ministries. Powerful!
In this same strip of stores was one named “Untucked”. As we entered, I saw mostly men’s clothing and accessories and thought we wouldn’t be in this store very long. Wrong! A nice young man named Matt spoke to us, and Mike began talking with him about the weather, which was the first topic of conversation in every store! Then Mike began asking about some of the products there. We came to learn that this young man grew up and went to college in Wisconsin. His parents moved to Duck, and now Matt works with the owner and manager of this store. They really need more help but that is everyone’s story! He began to tell us of the fragrances he creates using his chemistry background, and he hopes to expand to include soaps, lotions, etc. His father stopped by to bring him some pizza, but this was before we began talking with him so unfortunately we did not get to meet him.
Another day we spent in Manteo, NC where Mike went to high school. He and his family lived in Nags Head during his high school years. We walked to several shops, ate lunch, and stopped in the Wanchese Pottery shop. It is owned by Bonnie, and she is a one-person potter with her husband Bob helping to trim and finish the glazing. They moved to NC from Massachusetts about 40 years ago because of her (then) new love of pottery. After taking classes and “shadowing” a teacher in the western part of the state for 2 years, they moved to Wanchese, NC, and the rest is history. She could have brought in more artists but didn’t want to. She loves the interactions with buyers and lookers and getting to know their stories. She was very excited when she learned that Mike had lived in Nags Head. We shared our current stories in ministry – Mike called into the ministry and God calling me to write. She kept saying that we were supposed to meet today. We thanked God for that time together.
You simply can’t leave the beach without playing miniature golf! Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf course in Nags Head was lots of fun. The couple who operated the course were very pleasant. They were excited to have us and sold us tickets which would let us play all day! Mike loved playing among the pirates and pirate ships!
Mike and I have never had this kind of vacation before – one in which we learned more about the people in the area rather than the attractions. We felt that God was leading us in every direction. I even brought some books along and shared a few with these people as God prompted me. We selected restaurants, stores and attractions based on God's nudgings, weather and our interests. But how about God directing us to spend time with each of these people (and others) in order to learn their stories! We are richer for it!
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel
Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV)
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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