‘Like It Should Be'

If you would like to enjoy shopping in a store that will lift your spirits up, then Odessa has a place for you. And that is at the W.O.W. Store, on Grandview Avenue and Eighth Street. Many of us already know of W.O.W.'s beginnings - started by Jamie and Renda Berryhill and the women from Mission Messiah. We've seen them grow from a place in which we could donate our clothes and items, to a great store full of a wide variety of new items to buy. My husband and I went there to finish up a little Christmas shopping. The store was already bustling with shoppers. But what struck us was the atmosphere of peacefulness and genuine helpfulness by the women who work there. As we strolled through the store looking at all the unique items, we would come across small biographies of these women. After seeing the "before and after" pictures and reading their stories, we could only shake our heads in awe and amazement at what depths of hell each one had gone through - to become truly Women of Worth. We were fortunate to be able to talk with one of these wonderful ladies, hearing even more of how God has worked in her life. And it's not just the ladies that are hard at work. Jamie was there, as well, not only helping with customers, but also fixing things up with his hands and tools. What really topped the experience, though, was that when we were in line to pay for our items (yes, a double line of people waiting to check out!), everyone, both customers and the sales ladies, were pleasant and calm - not in the typical hurried, anxious state. We could just feel God's presence in this place. It was like shopping used to be 50 years ago, when people were truly nice and helpful to each other, and they genuinely cared about you. What a lesson we all could take from this blessed group of people. Our hats off to the Berryhills for continuing their mission with these women all these years - never giving up on them. And to the women - our profound respect and happiness to you as walk in your new God-filled lives.