Sam's Club, Where are You?

So, I've learned a bit about grocery shopping as of yesterday. Have you ever bought more than you could get home? That just doesn't happen in Rochester, MN, with a mini van!

I walked to the State Department Store. This is the big store (four or five stories) which is less than half a mile from our apartment. It was started in the days of the Soviets and was quite the place (still is a great place to shop). There's neon lights on the outside and it looks like a building you might find in Las Vegas. Inside, there's escalators to each floor and there's a grocery store within the store. So, the grocery store is on the main floor after all the make up counters (there's even an Avon counter!), then the floors above resemble everything from Younkers/Dillards/Macys to a section that's sort of like the Mongolian Walmart where you can get containers and toilet bowl brushes. There's not a store like this in the U.S. Anyway, you can come with quite a shopping list, as you might imagine. So, yesterday, I went by myself (first big mistake!) to shoooooooop! You know, the kind of shopping where you're hoping to not go again for awhile? But, remember, I WALKED there!

First off, they only have tiny carts. That's for a reason. It's to remind you that you've probably got to stick with a quantity within that cart. My cart was full. After all, they give quantity discounts (ironic!). For example, I bought three packages of oatmeal to save 900T. 900T will buy 3 1/2 eggs (but, yes, you must buy full eggs!). After checking out my groceries and paying 60,000T (doesn't that sound like A LOT?! Don't worry...it's only a bit over $40 US), I was bagging my groceries and stuffing some of the items in my side satchel I always carry. I was beginning to realize that I was not going to be able to carry all of my items home...it was physically impossible. Fortunately, the grocery store has a free locker system where other purchases, bags, and satchels must be stored before shopping. I had already retrieved my satchel to fill it, but decided I'd have to leave one large bag back in a locker and send one of my men for it! I smiled at the locker lady and pointed to a locker and asked to put the bag in there. I wonder what she thought? "Oh, how cute...the American was buying in bulk today and can't lug it all home. She'll learn." She was sweet and nice, but I felt a bit silly.

By the time I got home, my arm muscles were screaming. And I wondered how I'd get exercise in this new environment?!

I wonder if this is how the Momma Israelites felt when they were gathering manna? I was thinking about this whole life illustration, and how our Father wants us to come to Him every day...He doesn't want us to stock up. We just can't carry that much encouragement with us before it gets wormy. Now, I'm not saying that I still won't stock up on groceries and toilet paper. I'm just saying that I NEED to be with Him on a daily basis to keep my encouragement up...to keep my focus right...to nestle into His arms.

Oh, and my dear, sweet husband went to go get the last bag of groceries. It was a bit further than helping unload the van in the garage, but it was similar, right?!