The Gift of Friendship

There isn't a week or two that goes by without someone asking me "Does Amalija still live with you?" When I reply, "Yes." I receive a comment like, "That is so nice of you to host her." Or there is the classic, "she sure is lucky to have you and your family."

Quite frankly, I just don't see it that way. 

Deciding to ask Amalija to come live with us was MUTUALLY beneficial.  We knew we wanted to extend our home to some one (whom ever God had in mind) and that Amalija would introduce us to another culture.  Not only has she broadened our world view, but she also does very mundane and helpful things like cleaning kitchens and bathrooms!

Now that she's been here for over a year, when I reflect on what having her with us is like on a daily basis-it is simply this:  I get to live with one of my best friends.   In this context, it doesn't feel like she's "lucky" to have us, it is just a fact that she is part of our family now and I relate to her more as a friend, sister or cousin, rather that a "host." 

We are the lucky ones. I thank God for bringing her here, for keeping her here, and for the gift of friendship.