I was in the kitchen - it was 5:40 PM Thursday evening - and I was expecting Irene to arrive any minute and then I got the word - she was in the Fellowship Hall.  I hadn't seen her in months but we had stayed in touch and I was so excited to see her.  I'm not sure what the strong tie is but perhaps it is the feeling of her being our only "success story" knowing full well that we had very little to do with her success.

You know, these women are so "normal".  They laugh, they cry, they have children, they have problems, they have dreams; they are so like us.   And they are so not like us.  Or maybe it is that we are so not like them.

Anyway, Irene looks absolutely wonderful.  Big hugs all around, pictures taken.  You know, she looks confident.  I think that's the right word - confident that she is in control and can handle life.  Her daughter had to work and couldn't join her.   We were disappointed but proud that she was still working with the same employer one year later.

It wasn't very long after our greetings that I noticed Irene gravitating over to the round table where three of our residents were sitting quietly having noticed our excitement to see this stranger.  She wasn't a stranger long but seemed to dig right in with the purpose she had in mind when she agreed to come.  The conversation  started immediately and you could see the interest on everyone's faces as they listened to her responses.

On into dinner and Irene sat with a table of residents and again you could see the interest and the camaraderie that began to develop.  Irene's caring attitude and matter of fact delivery impressed the residents that this was someone they could talk to and trust.  After dinner, I went looking for Irene to say good night before I left for choir and found her in one of the bedrooms with another group of women.  I am so glad I thought to ask her to join us.  Not only was it so good to see her but it was so important to our women and I pray that her example gives them the inspiration they need to understand that homelessness does not have to be their life forever; there is hope.

We're real pleased at the number of women who have decided to stay for the weekend - nine on Saturday and seven on Sunday.   Nancy went to choir practice with me and Paulette and did quite well with new music.  She is excited  about Sunday and being fitted for a choir robe.  It's such a good feeling to see these women becoming more and more a part of our church family and already I am beginning to realize that once again when they leave there will be a big gap in my heart.