WELCOME NEIGHBORS

Welcome neighbors! One by one they came bearing gifts of delicious food; homemade empanadas, appetizers, salads, sweet and sour meatballs, pasta, veg & dips, and of course pumpkin cupcakes and a few other desserts! With twenty gathered together ( some were not in the pic) on a patio that was meant for half of that amount, we sat and ate and laughed and some even shed a tear. Though many of us were meeting for the first time, It was as if we were longtime friends that had finally come back home. Conversations were easy, and JOY was found all around us. As I sat back and watched all the interactions and listened to the lively conversations I smiled and even got a little bit choked up. God had given us new friends, or rather, a new family right in our own backyard. This became even more apparant when I asked for their advise and help with a project close to my heart; the homeless that we serve at the Andre House in Phoenix. We are trying to raise 1,000 Christmas gift bags filled with warm items and Christmas cookies. Without any hesitation they took the flyers and started planning what we can do. The answer? A drive by, stop by, stay awhile, outside on our driveway Christmas party!!! We even chose a Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause to pass out cookies and hot chocolate! With future plans beginning it was time to leave. With hugs and “ I’ll talk to you soon” , we said our goodbyes. It was quiet now on the patio. I bowed my head and thanked Jesus for answering my prayers. What have you been praying for? Does it seem like it will never be answered? Or maybe not in the way you would have wanted? Don’t give up. God is FAITHFUL, abounding in LOVE, and will give you the desires of your heart ( we might just have to have our “desires” tweaked a bit) Reach out to others and you might just find that the JOY you were looking for is right in your own backyard. We did…..