Whatt’da ya mean, you’ve nevah had wudder ice, they asked in disbelief? Wide-eyed and curious, they looked at this California girl as if I was from Mars. Surrounded by roughly 20 pre-teen girls, they laughed and told me I had to go to Rita’s for water ice (or, as they say, wudder ice).
The next day on my way to the airport, my gracious hosts learned about my apparent Philadelphia sin–You’ve never been to Rita’s?! At this point I think Rita must be everyone’s grandmother because everyone knows her and is offended I haven’t visited her.
We pulled into obscure an Philly lot and saw the Rita’s banner hanging from the brown, weathered roof. I’m expecting an old woman with a sweet voice who calls me Sugar to come out and hug me. But no, Rita is no where to be found. In fact, I don’t think Rita lives there. The windows aren’t open and the shades are drawn closed.
With sad, disappointed voices my hosts, Gabrielle and Angelica, inform me Rita’s was closed. So I did what any ambitious girl would do. I knocked on the window. Hard. They looked at me in one of the She’s-not-from-Philly ways and waited for us to get rejected. A tall, thin but burly guy peeks out of the door with a brisk, We open at noon.
As he was shutting the door I yelled out, I’mFromCaliforniaAndI’veNeverHadRita’sBeforeAndICan’tGoHomeWithoutEverTryingIt! (exhale) There is a slight pause from my tall but burly friend. Hang on, he said.
He returns with not one but THREE Rita’s ice waters! Gab and Annie look at me in complete shock. I turned it into a Come-To-Jesus moment and I pepper our experience with, You have not because you ask not! We laughed, but it resonated deep within. Like a pebble tossed into a lake, the words spoken by Jesus reverberated in my mind, You have not because you ask not.*
We sometimes look at ‘CLOSED’ signs and walk away. But what if we have to fight for it? What if we have to ask to get it? What if the miraculous is answered simply when we ask? So–what are you asking for? What’s your small miracle? Maybe we just need to ask…
I LOVE it!
When you come to duesseldorf, you have to try the icecream from Pia, the cheapest and best ice ever here…
M. 😉
So true….often we wait for signs or divine intervention when sometimes all we have to do is be pro-active and ASK! Great post!
I must be small town, I’ve never heard of water ice either 🙁
I’ve never heard of water ice. But, then again, I am in south, south GA. All we have here is sweet tea… and coke. 🙂
You did have a cheesesteak while you were there, right?
Laughing so hard reading this. I live in the Philly suburbs and when I started reading your posting, I was surprised at the accent you quoted. I knew you were in CA and I was surprised that people in CA talk just like people in Philly. And then I read that you were actually in Philly and THEN I started laughing. I guess a Philly accent is like no other.
@Thanks, Lori Jo! I’m not sure if you love the post or Rita’s, but It’s good either way 🙂 Hahahaha!
@Mac: For sure! I’d love to. PS I’ve always wanted to bike around Berlin. I heard they have tours and I really want go!
@Christa: Yes. But now I need to employ my OWN words when it comes to the big things 🙂
@Lydia: It’s an East Coast thing, I think. It’s like a slushee, but really, really soft. I’m sure it has as many calories as a sweet tea, too 🙁
@Jason: *Shame, shame* I didn’t have a cheesesteak 🙁 I know, I know, but I saw CheeseWhiz in a can and buns out of a bag and I thought, “This is not what I was expecting.” I had one from Gino’s and I would rather eat Rita’s ANY day 🙂 Uh oh! Are you from Philly?
@Rachel: Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!! You totally made me laugh. I’m SO glad I got the accent right 😉
I said it yesterday, but I’ll say it again, you look so cute in that photo! 🙂
I’m ALL about this post!!! I am so inspired to JUST ASK!!!!
THANK YOU BIANCA…And Jasmine, I’m with you about the pic. LOVE IT!
You look AMAZING in this image! All those early morning workouts are WORKING for Ya! 😉
We would not have survived our first summer here had it not been for Rita and her wonderful ice! Personally I am a fan of Tony Luke’s, and we don’t get whiz we do provolone, it’s good. I’d take In-n-out over a cheesesteak-tear tear 🙂 When I talk to people here, they totally know I’m a California girl (Orange County girl)!!!!!
<3
I loved this post…i wish i were as bold as you were…i am the shyer type so yeah I would have walked away disappointed:)
I’ve had that on my heart lately too…i tell myself how can you whine about something when you don’t even take the time to ask…which then lets me know that I need to spend more time in prayer! Thanks for the post!
I like the pic you tweeted with the SCL button…i can’t wait to get my book…should be arriving anyday now:)
I’m with Jasmine. I thought that when you tweeted it the other day 🙂 And I LOVE that you found a lesson in that. Girl you have a gift! xoxo
My small miracle may be happening today!! Yippie!! I’m just praying that I am courageous and ask for what is needed!!! =) Many blessings to you!!
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@Jas and @Cora and @Michelle: Thanks for the affirmation 🙂 But here’s the truth: My iPhone takes complimentary pictures. Truth.
@Mrs.Montgomery: I feel you!!! I miss In-n-Out so much!!! I haven’t had it in two months since I started the Biggest Loser contest. If I win, I’ll eat a burger for both of us! ;0
@Christy: I LOVE the book. I got a pre-release copy and will be posting a review tomorrow. I LOVE Job Acuff! If he ran for President, I’d vote for him. Truth.
@Diandra: If I win the Biggest Loser competition, will you take pictures of Matt and I? But only if I win..
@Dana: GIRLLLLLL, spill the beans!! How can we celebrate in this miracle? Keep us posted 🙂
Um… can I do it YESTERDAY??? Seriously. No joke. PLEASE??? 🙂
So, what is it??? How do they taste? Ha!
ahhh, man… now I need to decide if I want to work out more or buy an iPhone. Thanks a lot, BB. ;0)
what is water ice? is it like shave ice? italian ice? popsicles?? I’m so very curious!!!!
and once again, thanks for the great blog post on this fine monday morning!!
I’ve been asking and asking and asking. I’ve been reading how God wants this for me – and yet I have not. It’s frustrating. Yet I keep asking.
*Le sigh* Yet another great post. Thanks B! I told someone that what I was wanted was too big, selfish, personal, and kinda unnecessary for me to bother God with. This wise person simply stated
If it matters to you, then it matters to God. Why? Because YOU matter to God.
No matter how big or small; I’m still askin’.
Awesome and amazing and great post. Speaks volumes. You’re kinda good at this. 😉
Great story … and correlation.
We are still asking/begging/praying for our house to sell IN THE NEXT 3 WEEKS so that we don’t have to split up our family (1/2 moving back to old house 1/2 living in camping trailer on our new little island).
We are ASKING!!!
Mama D.
i think maybe you have no idea what you just did for iphone sales. now if they would say THAT in an ad . . . who cares what else it can do! 🙂
This is SO TRUE! I’m in Barcelona, Spain now for a short holiday before my next semester in Sweden starts (hmm, what’s with me and countries starting with the letter “s”!) and my BF who’s studying in the US came down to spend his spring break with me, and we were hoping for some awesome weather, but the weather forecast said it was going to rainnn! And I though, noooooo, I spent so much money to escape the cold in Sweden, and now it’s going to RAIN?! So I was really bummed as I walked around Barcelona, and the rain got heavier and heavier, until I was really upset, and I just said, Dear Daddy God, please make the rain go awaaaayyyy, I came aaaaall the way here for sun and warmth! The next thing I knew, it stopped raining, and less cloudy! Not only that, God let me bump into a friend of mine from Singapore, HERE IN BARCELONA (like, what are the odds!), and he gave us great recommendations for sightseeing and food! God really loves answering our prayers, we just really need to ask, and I never really understood it (I mean, we don’t take Him for granted and always come to Him like, with a shopping list of things and demand them), but to ask of God, and see how He delights to answer us, it’s really so amazing and beautiful, and really strengthened my faith today!
Mmmmm I LOVE Rita’s – it’s the best! I feel like everyone outside of the Rita’s area is missing out!
love that God cares about even our “small things”.
AND that you’re going to be visiting “my” africa… makes me smile.
Thank you for reminding me of this.
I need to ask, seek, knock!
Ok, so I applied at CCYL Preschool for a teaching position… I think I want it… well, I want God’s will but per your request… I want it and I’m asking! 🙂
I am so glad u had fun in Philly, not Kenya!! Ha Ha Love you Bi!! 🙂
just to clarify, i love your post, it was fun, and i liked the application at the end! 😀 never been to philly, haha!
oh friend! I’ve asked so much, I think Jesus is tired of me 🙂
oh yes. I too love the photo 🙂
Ohhh, love it! I’m from Maine and had the same, “You’ve never had a water ice?” reaction when I moved here! And I can understand why because it’s the most wonderful, delicious stuff ever! Haha, glad some Pennsylvanians were nice to you and you got to try some Rita’s!
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