This is our church's week to participate in Family Promise, which we do four times a year. Check out the link for details on this practical, faith-based outreach to homeless families. When our church has guests, the Scientist and I usually serve as overnight hosts on Friday night. This week we are hosting a hardworking single mom (who had to get up by 6:00 this morning to go to her job), her sweet teenage daughter, and her lively, happy five-year-old son.
Violent storms were in the forecast for last night (part of the same system that sent President and Mrs. Bush fleeing to the storm shelter on their ranch earlier in the day). Our precious old dog is terrified of thunder, and we hated to leave her alone overnight with a bad storm approaching. So, since Amie is gentle and well-behaved...we did what you might expect us to do...we decided that Amie would help us host last night. She's gone to church before, but not overnight!
I was touched by how thrilled five-year-old Lee was to have the chance to pet and play with a dog. Our sweet girl was, of course, very patient and tolerant (I only had to admonish him once that she was too small for him to ride), and, to his delight, decided they were friends and gave him several kisses. There was a lot to sniff and explore, but after everyone went to bed Amie settled down on her familiar bed next to our pallets, and was content.
The storms never came, or if they did we never heard them. But we were glad we brought Amie with us, just the same. And I know Lee was glad, too.
5 comments:
Wow! Amie spending the night at church AND making new friends! Sounds great!
The storms did come through here last night, but thankfully neither Cub nor Angus is going through a storm-fear phase lately. Nevertheless, we changed our RSVP to an event and stayed home with them.
What a sweet story! Amie will have to become a regular host.
Good for Amie! F would be busy herding kids, sniffing, and chasing, although I suppose he would eventually get tired and settle down.
Loved this story, Zorra!
Thanks so much for your visit and kind comment at "my place." A blessed Christmastide and New Year to you also!
Amie the welcome-er! Lovely.
love this story.
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