The Lemonade Stand

I'm going to call my new book The Lemonade Stand.  I cannot believe how many interesting people I have met through this little business my kids have set up at the end of our driveway.  Not only is it extremely successful (they made probably over a hundred dollars in the last few weeks), but it is making friendships as well.

There was the lady we met who was born and raised in the same town as my dad...what a bizarre coincidence!

Then there was this older couple who stopped last week and turns out his grandfather was once the treasurer for the mission my son is going with to Africa!  We couldn't believe it when we found that out.  I immediately invited them to my son's fundraiser and unbelievably, they came!  What a great time!  They ended up meeting my parents and having a great chat!

On Sunday, another lady stopped as she was somewhat lost and looking for a road nearby.  She was a lovely Christian lady who just needed to chat.  She ended up giving me her whole family's history as well as the history of the area.  She wanted to be best friends when she left and get all connected on social media.  She must have hung out for 15 minutes or more....Hilarious!

On another occasion another older man stopped and I ran over to see who it was.  He wondered why I came over, maybe because I didn't trust my kids to do the proper lemonade math?  I said, "No, I just love meeting the people they sell lemonade to!"  We got into a conversation about where he lived and who he was and within a few seconds he was all choked up.  His wife had died a couple years earlier and he said he drives back and forth all the time to go visit his daughter who lives nearby.  He could barely talk he was getting so emotional.  I was so touched to see how he must have missed her so much.  He told me a story about how the town had asked him if the Bruce Trail could go behind his house.  I assumed he said yes so that he could see people.  He said, "No, it's because of the interaction."  He's just like me.  He loves to interact with people, not just "see" them.  It's a way to deal with his loneliness.  He drove away almost immediately because he couldn't talk more.....so sad!

Another time, a couple drove by and stopped and bought some drinks.  We got to talking and it turns out they drive by all the time, too.  The husband said, "I love seeing your kids playing outside.  It warms my heart."  You never know when you are being watched!!!  They got out of their car and we kept talking.  Turns out they homeschooled all their kids, too, and are also Christians.  Now that their kids are mostly grown they enjoy their drives in the country and we happen to be on their route!  By the time they left we had shook hands and introduced ourselves formally...new friends!

One guy drove by in a huge contractor truck.  He didn't even get a drink.  He just gave the kids $40 for no good reason!  If he only knew that went right into the Africa fund.  He contributed probably just because God told him to!  It made no sense!  We couldn't believe it and like that he was gone.  We figure he was a contractor angel!  My kids' mouths were open as they ran over, "HE JUST GAVE US $40!!!!"  Wow.  Why?!  What made him do that?!

One time, a young family pulled over, all riding bikes together.  I had noticed them earlier as the mom drove a tandem bike with her down syndrome daughter on the back.  I had thought to myself, "How adorable!"  When they pulled in, the husband suddenly said to me, "Did you go to Lorne Park?"  Uh yeah.....that was my high school.  Then he introduced himself....we had hung out years ago when I was in my final years of school.  I immediately recognized him and we had a great laugh.  Now we were all grown up with kids, wives and husbands.  We introduced our families and had a great chat.  It is so funny.  Of all the people, all the places.  I couldn't believe it.

We have "regular" customers now.  When we aren't open we hear the cyclists lament, "You're closed?!"  We'll have to hire full time staff eventually.  So funny.

Now, when someone pulls up, I honestly feel it is because God has told them to stop.  They often comment, "We just felt like we had to turn around and come back!"  One of the older couples told me after they left our stand that they just looked at each other and said, "What just happened?!"  The experience seems to be surreal even to those who come.

When we counted how much we had made between the lemonade stand and the kitten money, it came to around $600!!!!  What an amazing blessing for my kids to see how God is using such small things to make such a difference in my son's fundraising.

My son who's been fundraising all summer is now nearly fully there....just a little left to go.  Though there have been times of discouragement, for the most part it has been an amazing time of seeing God work.  He continues to use the "little by little" way which seems to be the most powerful.  People always apologize if they aren't giving large numbers.  I always stop them.  It is the little gifts that I believe are making the difference.  My kids sell lemonade for 50 cents for a small cup...how does that add up so quickly?!  God has truly multiplied their money and more often than not, people are often giving beyond what the kids charge.....so amazing.

So, The Lemonade Stand....will it be a best-seller?!  Probably not!  All I know is that I love this little business that happens at the end of our driveway.  It has become one of my favourite things about this summer.  I have met so many amazing people, neighbours and new friends and I have seen miracles happen and connections made that would never normally happen.  I have seen money raised that I never expected.  All we do is sit there and then watch and wait.....