Serendipity

I'm not talking about the movie Serendipity...although, that is BY FAR my favorite movie of all time. But I am talking about a book. A book that I am pretty sure I was meant to be with. Let me give you a little background...

On our way home from Africa, our team was fortunate enough to spend nearly two days in Paris to debrief, and have a lot of fun. More to come on Paris later. But one little tid bit I wanted to share with you, was this magical place we came across while we were downtown Paris. We were all walking around just taking it all in, when I came across this LOVELY "used" bookstore. It is called Shakespeare and Company. It was love at first sight, and as I stepped inside, there was even more love. This place had old chandeliers, old wooden book shelves, wooden floors, a huge bouquet of tulips, and thousands and thousands of used books...some looking very old, but gorgeous. I am pretty sure a few of us would have liked to stay in there for a day straight if we could have. It was just one of those places you just felt like you should be there. But of course the time came and where we had to leave... I wasn't sure when I would see it again.

But then...this weekend, a few of us were going to a movie, and found out that it was sold out. So we had to go to Indigo Bookstore to kill time until the next movie. One of my fave bookstores in Edmonton. Mainly because they have a music section, a million books, AND Starbucks! You can't go wrong with that. Anyways, I was sitting on the floor just looking through random books, in a random section, when I saw it. This book that made me want to pick it up. And after reading the title, I was in shock. "Time Was Soft There", subtitled "A memoir, a Paris sojourn at Shakespeare and Company." THIS IS THE STORE!!!! This is the bookstore, of all the places in Paris, that I went to and fell in love with. Of course we bought the book, and it was 20% off...even better! I have already read a few chapters, and so far so good. I don't know if I will recommend it just yet, because I haven't got that far into it, but it is so crazy to hear him talk about how he came across the store, and he describes everything just as I experienced it. It has been a nice read so far. Serendipity. I can hardly believe it.

A Book I Can't Put Down

I am reading this book right now. Thought you might like to know. Only because it is a truly inspiring and eye-opening book and you can buy it on sale at Chapters right now!! I can't put it down. It is a non-fiction book-so it is very real. This guy William Powers writes about his journey into instable and poverty-stricken Liberia, in West Africa as an aid worker. He went there to "fight poverty and save the rainforest", so he writes about all his adventures, and struggles, and of course the corrupt government, and issues that go along with that. The Liberian people themselves seem wonderful... but their world seems to be a different story. Besides the fact that there is often swearing in this book, and some things make me a little uncomfortable, I would recommend it if you would like a dose of reality. As I am reading it I find myself in shock of the reality that is the world we live in today. It makes you want to find out more so that you can do something about it. We are so fortunate here. It makes me really confused why sometimes I find myself wanting more. Danny and I have been SO blessed these first 6 months of our marriage. I wish I could cut off my desire for material possessions. We have more than enough. I am sure this will always be something I will be growing through. Maybe our trip to Africa in March will encourage a slap in the face (for me). Speaking of Africa...our team is getting a bunch of vaccines tomorrow! I am super scared, because I sometimes pass out. However, I would rather one needle than any of the diseases so I guess I'll have to go through the agony. One day I'll learn to like needles. Maybe...