Surrounded By Prayer and Oversized Dinners

Our friends are making our lives so much more livable.

Our pal, Nancy, has brought dinner two or three times. Catholic School Sister has worked her Italian magic and made us piles of sausage and stuffed shells ("manicot" as my Italian stepfather would say). My brother has helped us move boxes from this side of the mountain to the other in town. Nancy has also agreed to let our precious kitty (formerly her precious kitty) bunk with her family, because we cannot keep her anymore.

Our pal, Homeschool Jennifer, and her family, have agreed to let us rent their beautiful Victorian home from them. They are breaking their own rule of not doing business with pals, because we really need them and they are kind enough to understand that. They have also recommended us to some real estate investment acquaintances...we shall see what God allows.

Our friend, the Byzantine priest, has offered to bless our new home as soon as possible, and wonders of wonders...he is making time to hear my confession this week! True story!

Our pal, Lenya, has packed and cleaned and babysat for us. So has my sister who recently returned from her stately apartment in Europe to sleep in my parent's basement and look for new employment in this fledgling American economy. But she is a teacher, so she will find something soon, and we will help her as she has helped us.

Skinny Sarah called to suggest a mutual Latin Only friend who rents near the home where we are moving. "You could talk to her. I am sure she would help you as well." But we have not needed to do that. Still, she offered and is thinking of us and feeling our pain since she has faced her own financial crisis in the recent past.

My Pentecostal grandmother has prayed incessantly for us, insisting that the Holy Spirit has revealed to her that all will be fine in the near future. That this is all part of His grand plan. I absolutely agree.

Without our friends and all the oversized amazing dinners they have offered us, where would we be? Insane? Feeling completely downcast?

Even more than the dinners, and the cat-caring, and the house renting...prayers are the most coveted around here these days. And they are being offered for the Velez Family from all across the country and world. Even in Eastern Europe and in Africa, people are praying for God's will in our lives. We cannot lose.

And when our friends need us, we will be there. They can count on it.