After Church service, myself and my two daughters did the delightful usual of going into the back room for a coffee and a chat with various Church brothers and sisters. While sitting around a table we entered into discussion around plans for my eldest daughters wedding. Plans for her hen do, for next year. A trip to Portugal, the Algarve', we decided. Between the three of us, it was agreed.
Matthew 18:19
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
I had visited the Algarve' Albufeira about 4 years ago, stayed at the Bayside Salgados Hotel. Everyday I would walk the whole length of the beach and every evening I would sit on the beach and watch the sunset, before retiring to my room. What an amazing place. I have always desired to go back there. When I think about the Algarve' I get kinda homesick. So this was a holiday definitely worth looking forward to, and we had just under a year to plan and save.
Monday 16th June 2014
As I entered into work on Monday morning, my daughter greeted me excitedly. Showing me a picture on her phone...
The ‘Gateway to the Algarve’
Albufeira is a charming coastal region full of golden beaches, breathtaking cliffs and historical flair.
If you're looking for a summer destination that guarantees clear skies, golden sands and pure unfiltered holiday ambience then head to the 3* Bayside Salgados where you’ll find all three in abundance!
We stared at each other in shock, surprise, and amazement. We just stood there grinning from cheek to cheek. What an amazing deal. But the most amazing thing of all was the fact that we were talking about this in Church the day before. The fact that it was in the exact area I had visited before, in the exact hotel, and there it was , right in front of our eyes.
Did I mention that I was feeling homesick?... Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
My daughter said “OK”. “So what do we do?” I said casually and calmly “Book it of course”. She looked at me in awe. The only hiccup was that the deal was for this year, so we would have to go this year, and not next... Oh well, I'm sure we'll get over it, who knows, maybe well do both.
I went straight on-line, and without thinking twice, booked 4 vouchers, for myself, my 2 daughters and my sister. It's a good job I still had a bit of redundancy money left over to be able to jump at this amazing offer. My daughter looked on in amazement as I, without hesitation, pressed the buy button. Done... Thank you Jesus, God is So Good.
Redundancy
You see the project I work for got decommissioned last year, meaning that I was in the position of losing my job. I guess I kind of asked for it in a way, as I felt I needed the break and maybe a change.
On remembering the feelings of last year after being saved, and giving my life to Christ. Remembering the frustrations of not wanting to be there and the desires of doing more for Christ, but not knowing exactly what. I guess I did ask for it, all of it. Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Matthew 7:7-12 - Ask, and It Will Be Given
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
It was planned that the money I received would help me out for a few months while I decide what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The Holiday
I was contemplating on using some of the money to go on holiday, and I did look into it but it was so expensive, and now with my money running low, l couldn't see it happening, but there I was on a Monday morning, a day that I don't usually work, but working to reduce my workload, which did not reduce with my hours, booking and paying for a holiday for four people. Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
My daughter and I looked at the dates available and decided on Monday 6th - Saturday 11th October, as this is out of high season and the temperature is still very hot there for that time of the year. My daughter contacted the others and the date between all was agreed.
I printed off the vouchers and proceeded in following the instructions of emailing the company to redeem this amazing holiday.
By the end of the day I still had no response, so I decided to call them instead, as I feared that the dates we agreed on would be taken up by someone else.
I spoke to a polite young man, called Jonathan, and told him what dates I wanted as that's all there was to do really... HA HA... REALLY!!!
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I was asked nicely to change the date as it was too expensive to fly back on the Saturday. What a cheek I thought, giving my daughter, who sat by side, a gruesome look. I decided to read out the deal to him, and the dates available, just in case it had slipped his mind, and told him that this is what I paid for, so this is what I want, I told him that the extra cost is his companies problem, not mine.
He asked me nicely to go away and talk to the rest of the party, regarding a change of dates, and told me that he would call me back in 20 minutes. I put the phone down in shock and disbelief that this man was trying to steer me away from what I was asking for.
With my working day complete and on route home, I was kinda glad he hadn't called me back yet, as I was now thinking of being patient, and just wait for my email reply.
I got home at approximately 5.30. Just as I put my bag on my bed my mobile rang. Jonathan!!! He asked if it was OK to change the dates and I said no. He proceeded in telling me that if I don't want to change my dates, he would do me an early flight out instead of a late one, and a late flight on Saturday. I told him that will be fine and thought to myself, at last he's giving me what I want.
He then told me that the hotel for these dates would be an extra 15 pounds per person. Again I calmly reminded him of the deal and told him what I paid for. He asked if I could hold while he looks for the best deals for the hotel. He came back after what seemed to be 10 minutes.
He said “right madam are you ready to book”, I thought at last. He read the holiday details to me, yes just what I paid for then he ask me for my credit card details???
“For what?” I asked. "I've already paid for 4 vouchers"
“You need to pay extra for the flights and the rooms” he said.
James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
At which stage I asked calmly if I could speak to someone else, his manager of someone above him, as I could not believe what this man was blatantly doing to me. Again I calmly said my piece. I want what I paid for. He asked if I would consider another hotel, and maybe consider flying out on Sunday 5th instead of Monday 6th, a date not on the deal. I agreed to the day change as that was minor. I became inquisitive and decided to ask him what was wrong with the Bayside Salgados, as to me it sounded like he was desperately trying to steer me away from it, he said “nothing is wrong with the hotel, madam. It's just too expensive for that time of year”.
He proceeded to give me the names of 3 other hotels and said he would call me back in 20 minutes.
Still stunned and shocked and not really understanding what on earth was going on, I looked at his suggestions, but I didn't like any of them. I WANT BAYSIDE!!! He rang back. He give me three more hotel names to look up, I looked I didn't like. I WANT BAYSIDE!!! He gave me 3 more, by this time I was tired, my arm was aching from holding the phone, and I was feeling worn out and drained. I could not believe the cheek of this man. This time I gave in. I looked, and picked the best one out of the last 3, because by now I was losing my peace and calm, besides 3 hours had now past and my arm was really starting to ache. For some unknown reason my hands free didn't want to work for me during this call.
He asked, “Is this the hotel you want madam”
“Yes”, I said.
He asked, “are you sure madam”
“Yes” I said.
“OK” he said, “I shall book that for you now”. hallelujah I thought.
Then just as I thought is was all sorted. He jumps in with...
“Madam don't have that hotel, it's not that good anyway”, I thought what the... it was one of them candid camera/Jeremy Beagle moments... Stay calm Celia...
He said, “I have a better one for you”, I thought Celia why are you doing this? why are you putting up with this? are you crazy? There was a slight whisper in my ear... “Silence, breathe, composure”,
Psalm 27:14
He said, “One minute madam”... “Silence, breathe, composure”.
“Yes I got it” he said “You'll love this one”... “Silence, breathe, composure”.
“Do you want to look at it Madam” he asked, “It is called The Eden Resort”... “Silence, close eyes, deep breathe, slowly shake head, open eyes, glance up at the ceiling, a quick word with God to ask Him, what is going on here? Glowing grin of acceptance appearing on my face.
“Madam don't have that hotel, it's not that good anyway”, I thought what the... it was one of them candid camera/Jeremy Beagle moments... Stay calm Celia...
John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
He said, “I have a better one for you”, I thought Celia why are you doing this? why are you putting up with this? are you crazy? There was a slight whisper in my ear... “Silence, breathe, composure”,
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
He said, “One minute madam”... “Silence, breathe, composure”.
“Yes I got it” he said “You'll love this one”... “Silence, breathe, composure”.
“Do you want to look at it Madam” he asked, “It is called The Eden Resort”... “Silence, close eyes, deep breathe, slowly shake head, open eyes, glance up at the ceiling, a quick word with God to ask Him, what is going on here? Glowing grin of acceptance appearing on my face.
“Madam are you still there?”, came the voice over the phone.
“Would you like me to book this resort for you?”, “Madame?”, “We have to be quick”, “We have to act now before the deal ends”, “Do you want to check it out on line first madame?”.
“Would you like me to book this resort for you?”, “Madame?”, “We have to be quick”, “We have to act now before the deal ends”, “Do you want to check it out on line first madame?”.
At that moment this amazing calm came over me and I said “No Jonathan, that sounds just fine. Thank you”.
He continued with, “Its a lovely resort madame, very popular”.
I replied peacefully, still in awe and wonder “That's fine Jonathan, just fine”,
“Shall we go ahead and book it madam?”
“Yes please Jonathan”.
Jonathan then went into panic mode, trying to get all the details of the travelling party, to send them to me in an email, to confirm that the all the details were all correct, and to confirm that I was happy with the outcome. Well, I opened my email to respond, and there was the response to the email I sent earlier, a man called Andy, asking me to call him to sort out my booking. At that moment every word that came out of Jonathan's mouth stopped computing with my brain. My thoughts were on hanging up the phone and contacting Andy, because maybe Andy might be able to give me what I paid for, what was written in ink. Oh, that's when it really started. The battle of spirit and flesh.
Galatians 5:17
£149 per person, 5 nights in a beautiful hot country, that I fell in love with the first time I visited, and here I am moaning about what I bought, what is on the paper. Although reluctance crept in at that moment, besides I hadn't even checked out this Eden Resort to see what I was getting for my money, I confirmed Jonathan's emails and sent them back to him. After doing so, I stared at the other email in my inbox, the email from Andy, as if I was waiting for it to talk to me, to tell me whether or not I have just made a big mistake, from my hastiness.
All done, holiday booked. Last minutes details received for the sending off of passport numbers etc. Goodbye Jonathan.
I sat there for a while thinking about the last 3 hours, arm still aching, still staring at the email from Andy. The email I was waiting for all day. Battle still in full swing. I decide to reply to it.
“Sorry Andy” I wrote.
“I decided to call the number, instead. The holiday is now booked. Its not what I paid for, but its booked”. “I will have to contact the on-line agent about this, as I think this deal is quite deceiving”.
He continued with, “Its a lovely resort madame, very popular”.
I replied peacefully, still in awe and wonder “That's fine Jonathan, just fine”,
“Shall we go ahead and book it madam?”
“Yes please Jonathan”.
Jonathan then went into panic mode, trying to get all the details of the travelling party, to send them to me in an email, to confirm that the all the details were all correct, and to confirm that I was happy with the outcome. Well, I opened my email to respond, and there was the response to the email I sent earlier, a man called Andy, asking me to call him to sort out my booking. At that moment every word that came out of Jonathan's mouth stopped computing with my brain. My thoughts were on hanging up the phone and contacting Andy, because maybe Andy might be able to give me what I paid for, what was written in ink. Oh, that's when it really started. The battle of spirit and flesh.
Galatians 5:17
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
£149 per person, 5 nights in a beautiful hot country, that I fell in love with the first time I visited, and here I am moaning about what I bought, what is on the paper. Although reluctance crept in at that moment, besides I hadn't even checked out this Eden Resort to see what I was getting for my money, I confirmed Jonathan's emails and sent them back to him. After doing so, I stared at the other email in my inbox, the email from Andy, as if I was waiting for it to talk to me, to tell me whether or not I have just made a big mistake, from my hastiness.
All done, holiday booked. Last minutes details received for the sending off of passport numbers etc. Goodbye Jonathan.
I sat there for a while thinking about the last 3 hours, arm still aching, still staring at the email from Andy. The email I was waiting for all day. Battle still in full swing. I decide to reply to it.
“Sorry Andy” I wrote.
“I decided to call the number, instead. The holiday is now booked. Its not what I paid for, but its booked”. “I will have to contact the on-line agent about this, as I think this deal is quite deceiving”.
Regards
Celia
£149 per person, 5 nights in a beautiful hot country, that I fell in love with the first time I visited, and I'm moaning about what I bought, what is on the paper. The Eden resort, as in the Garden of Eden, I know it could never compare, but surely this is a gift from God, His miraculous work. Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
Regret
I sat there for a while longer and thought about what I had just, so hastily, written, and I was overcome with such guilt, so I hastily wrote another email.
“Sorry Andy”.
“Actually, it might have turned out in my favour...:-). everything is cool”.
Regards
Celia
I hadn't yet gone on-line to look at The Eden Resort but my Spirit knew that this was meant to be, this was the place to be. Nothing close to the real thing, but its not so much as the place, but the name. Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good. God Is Amazingly Good
Gods goodness doesn't stop there.
I felt that this holiday was for me to organise, it was my job to complete, and there was this urgency to do so. Referring it to a maid of honour carrying out the requests of the bride. It all has to be done now, move now to receive the blessing. But with finances low I would have to wait for everyone to pay me back for their vouchers, and that could take weeks.
Things to do list:
Holiday Hotel & Flights - booked.
Travel to and from London Gatwick x4
Transfers from Faro to The Eden Resort - return x4 (to pay cash on arrival)
Hotel rooms on return to London x2, as our flight arrives back at Gatwick for 12.20am Saturday morning. Coaches and trains don't start running until 4.20am.
Booking in advance is much cheaper but you have to have the money.
My focus was then shifted to the letters I received that morning. In the pile was a letter from my credit card company, which I knew was at its limit, due to me having to work 16 hours for 6 months in order to care for my grandson, when he was born. The financial strain, at that time, was so great, and I had no other form of income, that credit card was my only life line. I know I had already run up the limit back then and hadn't paid a penny back as yet. So why was my focus fixed on my credit card statement. I opened it as if I was expecting a miracle... Thank you Jesus, God is absolutely amazing, its as if half of my bill had been paid. There was money on my card. I really can't explain this but, Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
Holiday Hotel & Flights - booked.
Travel to and from London Gatwick - booked
Transfers from Faro to The Eden Resort - return x4 (to pay cash on arrival)
Hotel rooms on return to London - booked
Holiday Booked. Thank you Jesus, God Is So Good.
My lesson from this experience.
I bought a voucher and expected to receive what was on paper, ink and all. God wanted to bless me with more, much more.
In life its hard to let go of the things that we think are right for us, the desires of the flesh. We are so reluctant to let go, but there are times, that in order for us to receive the blessings that God has in store for us, we have to become submissive, in the hands of the Lord, give up our own desires, admit defeat and let go. Sometimes we have to be brought to our knees in order to receive a blessing. Gods plans are much better than ours.
The pain of letting go can be so severe, heart breaking, but we have to let go to move on. We do not know what is around the corner unless we take steps to walk around the corner. We do not know what is behind the closed door unless we open it and walk through to the other side. It is rare to receive unless we ask. We have to have faith that God has our lives under control, no matter what the circumstance. We might not receive our blessing straight away, and believe me sometimes it takes years. Have patience, wait out the storm praying continuously. Leaning on The Lord in times of need and despair. Strengthening ourselves with the Word of God in our hour of weakness
We have to jump over hurdles, tumble jump through fiery hoops, and climb the steepest of mountains. Through all this, have faith that God is preparing you for an amazing blessing. God is in control and the more we fight against Him and His Will, the more we lose out on what is on offer. Surrender to the Will of God
Job 22:21
“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.
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Email Sent to Jonathan
“Hi Jonathan”
“I just want to say a big thank you for your service the other day”.
“I not going to lie. I was frustrated because I wanted what was written on paper, but God is good, and I believe everything worked out just the way it should. Me talking to you, me not getting Bayside, but Eden, Heaven on earth...wow... His will be done, looks like He planned it all from the start”..:-)
“God bless you and your family, may His grace and loving kindness be with you always”.
Celia....x
