LIfestyles

What a beautiful sight to wake up to on the first day of 2021! Photos by Will Sadler

In 1955, when I was about to be married, my mother wanted to know what I would like for a wedding gift. There were several things that I chose that she bought for my new kitchen. I don’t remember exactly what things, but I do remember asking for a little nut grinder. It probably cost 50 cents! It wasn’t the price that was important. It was the desire for the small gadget.

Oh, what a morning it was! Gifts under the tree, full stockings lined the wall, the residents awoke to a wonderful Christmas at House of Mercy Enterprises. Some were hesitant, some giggled like school children, some stared in awe, none expected the sight they saw. One resident commented “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had!” Spending Christmas in a shelter, even a family-oriented Christian home like House of Mercy, can be difficult. Away from family, oftentimes having burned our own bridges with our biological families, we try to adapt to the God-given family in this body of Christ. The community of Olney has been very generous to the residents here this year, and we would like to thank you. Knowing that 2020 has been a difficult year for so many people, makes our gratefulness even more profound. There are far too many donors to list each one here, but we know each one of you and we are so thankful. Moreover, God knows who you are. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… Matthew 6:19-20a