Grace and Grit

So I am in the middle of the longest break I've ever taken from the shelter. Nine consecutive days off feels very strange! I find myself thinking about the moms and kids several times a day and wondering what is happening while I am gone. Has there been conflict? Sickness? Growth? "Aha" moments? Will everyone still be there when I get back? Has anyone found a job? Started school? Has the baby started walking? Is the toddler finally talking? This "job" is so NOT a job to me. I love these people...really love them! It's overwhelming at times to realize just how much of my heart is wrapped up in the shelter. I remember the names and faces of the families who have left and I ache to know they are doing OK. I recently found out one of the moms who left us prematurely has gone back to her abuser along with her children. Ack!! It's so frustrating to hear things like this. The victim of domestic violence lives a complicated life and the process of moving on

So I couldn't get to sleep at a decent hour tonight. I had a persistent scratchy throat that resulted in a cough every few minutes which was just enough to keep me awake. I know, you're already asking yourself why I would bother with a post like this one. Especially considering it's still the middle of the night and I have to be up in less than 4 hours. Trust me, I have a point. Since I couldn't sleep I was keeping my mind occupied with a book (Desecration by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins). I was becoming frustrated because I was (am still) tired and I don't feel sick, just a scratchy throat. Around 1am I was still reading and coughing when the light on the bed stand went out. I tapped it and twisted it and it came back on so I finished reading my chapter, assuming there was a loose connection somewhere. Finally, I had enough and turned out the light to at least let my eyes rest. After a few minutes I remembered that there is a fantastic medicinal tea in the