I’ve done some research for some of my previous “novel ideas” on homes for children, and uncovered some hard-to-read stories of drug babies…poor little things. I can’t imagine what kind of precious souls it would take to dedicate their lives to these little ones rehabilitation. I’ve heard that the cocaine withdrawal for a newborn is horrendous, that they scream and cry constantly from migraine like headache pain. I can’t think about it w/o crying.

I’m so glad to hear the “progress report” on J&J!!! I do wonder about them every time you comment here! That is great news…and I understand your hopes! I can’t believe I’ll be going through the same things with my girls in just a very few years! Time flies…

I wish you were my neighbor too.

Jessica and Joel are still “dating.” They are doing well and staying the course. It would be awesome if they married, her first boyfriend.

Cena

Cena! Wow. I’m echoing my mom’s comment, that I was so blessed by reading your hospitality “memories”, and seeing how God used you guys AND protected you, b/c MIn’s comment about not being convinced that God can keep us safe really hit a chord in me. My dh and I have always resisted the idea of doing foster care, for instance, because of the possible negatives to our family. What a terrible excuse in light of this. We have family members like you, who in years past have opened their extremely rural home to people in need of hiding (from Satanists) or people w/o an income, and it always impacted me that a normal family would be willing to do that! Awesome. I can’t wait to share your comment with my husband. I know he’ll be extremely touched as well. Thank you for sharing this, sister, and I can’t WAIT to meet you in real life or Heaven, whichever comes first! ((hugs))

Mom, isn’t that the truth! Since Cena doesn’t blog, I’m sure glad she shares here from time to time, she’s taught me so much in the short time I’ve known her…about 8 months…

MIn, thanks for making me think by cutting straight to the heart…God is strong enough…what a way to develop our trust in Him! This would be a neat topic for Weekend Kindness, or maybe a challenge??? Yup, I know I’m way overdue in posting over there…you still my friend?

Kindness and love through Christ could change our world, if we practiced it. We’ve convinced ourselves, however, that God isn’t strong enough to keep us safe.

MInTheGap’s last blog post..What To Do With a Lame Duck

So, it was a little scary but I got married and thought I’d never have to do that again. Ha!

My dear husband brought home Marty one day. He was an emaciated homeless gentleman on a bike with a cart and a dog. He had unfortunately chosen a windy steep road to get across the hills between the SF Bay area and our Central Valley. His cart was not attached well enough to make it, And it was too steep, for my husband commutes on this busy road and knew it was going to get worse, so he offered Marty a ride, put his bike, belongings, and dog in the back of his truck. Well after visiting with Monty on the ride, my husband decided to invite him for dinner and a rest at our home. He didn’t call me on the way home…

Monty arrived and I was nervous. He had straggly hair, an eye that strayed, and he didn’t smell but needed a bath. Or his clothes did. Did I offer to do that? No. We visited a little and he finally asked for a cup of water. Humiliated at my fear and lack of hospitality, I got him one. I remembered the verse about offering a cup of water to the least of these… What if this was Jesus? Deep breath. Monty stayed. He was fighting bladder cancer and didn’t want to go through the procedures outlined to him by the doctors. He didn’t want to financially or otherwise burden his daughter, so he became homeless on purpose. He took everything he had, put $30,000 or so (his entire estate) in a savings account, and started traveling. He had been a year and a half on the road and had many adventures. He was a Christian, and didn’t look half bad when my husband gave him a haircut. When I asked him his preference he only ever requested fresh fruits and vegetables. I asked him about the cancer and he told me many things about alternative diets for healing. I had a juicer, so I juiced carrots and greens for him. I never saw someone so quietly grateful.

He camped on the end of our property for almost 3 months. He loved coming to church with us and he never harmed us or our place. He helped split many cord of wood with our teenage son. He was quiet.

Then, for me, the ultimate person needed a place to stay. My own older brother had abused his family, was in jail, and had no home to go to when he got out. He was an alcoholic, and had caused me no end of pain while growing up. I didn’t even like him. I had bitter memories of him and certainly didn’t want him day in and day out with my children. Another deep breath. My husband said to give it a try. He reminded me I didn’t have to have faith in my brother, but in God. So really long story (post) shortened, he lived with us for 2 years alcohol free and worked for my husband, and came to church with us. At the time we lived an hour out of town up a windy road on 80 acres with no neighbors we could see. He was basically stranded. A couple of weeks into the adventure I insisted that my husband take him to work and teach him some carpentry. Now every time I talk to my brother he reminds me to thank Dan (my husband) for giving him a skill. He got his own California contractors license last year and has his own business. He didn’t get saved, but he didn’t harm our children. And most of all he got to see how a decent family operates and works things out.

We also took care of my parents at their own home as they died of cancer within 9 months of each other. We just moved in and helped. We took care of my mother in law who had had Alzheimers for 11 years and spent her last year in our home bedridden until the moment she died. My husband had an unmarried Aunt who we rented a house down the street and cared for 2 to 3 times a day until she passed on too.

I’d really rather have friends over for dinner.

But God called us to take care of those who need it. Sometimes it’s easy, but most of the time it’s just doing what needs to be done. God has protected our family, and taught us a great deal along the way. Our children know how to give up their only bedroom for their grandma who they never knew healthy or in her right mind. For a year.

Our marriage was strengthened so much in the beginning years with all of this going on between having babies and burying all of our parents. Settling everyone’s estates was amazing but accomplished.

Long comment, but your post opened up memories for me.

Hospitality can be sweet in the memories.
Cena