A couple of months ago I was scrolling down Facebook Marketplace when I came across a curbside pick up. I had been looking for large bins we could store containers in at the shop when I spotted the picture. Alongside a few large bins, I noticed a dollhouse. I figured since it was a curbside pick up, it wouldn’t be there by the time I got there, but I was more interested in the large plastic containers anyways.

To my surprise, the dollhouse was still sitting there when I pulled up. It was dusty and a little musty, but I got it into the back of the car. When I got it home, I brought it inside, and it has been waiting in a corner for me to get around to cleaning it. Today was finally that day. I wiped and scrubbed it down, washed the furniture that came with it, and made sure it was ready for the kids.

The kids, who have been eyeing it for weeks, couldn’t have been more excited to place it in the middle of the living room floor and play with it. It entertained them for hours and it brought a smile to my face.

Tonight we had the last of our “I Love You Food.”

“I Love You Food” is something that I implemented the last time we were in this situation. When I came home from the hospital last time, our church family and MOPS group surrounded us with love and showered us with meals. It was one of the things that made recovery a little bit easier, knowing I could focus on healing and not stress about getting meals prepared. I remember one of the first nights someone came over and brought food and the kids weren’t thrilled at what came. (Tim and I loved all the food, but the kids were picky.) I sat them down and we had a serious discussion about “I Love You Food” and I explained to them that the food was a gift, that it was an incredible blessing, and that we would eat anything that was brought over, because it was “I Love You Food.” After our talk, they sat down and ate their meal without complaint. During the following weeks, when the kids would suspiciously eye food, all I had to say was that it was “I Love You Food” and they would settle down and eat it. They were surprised to learn how much they enjoyed the new flavors and dishes.

This past week we were once again blessed, this time by our new church family, with an abundance of “I Love You Food.” As I set food in front of the children each evening, I reminded them where each meal came from, who brought it, and that it meant they cared and loved us. The kids would smile and get excited to learn what each new meal was and once again they were surprised to discover new foods that they enjoyed! It was all delicious!

I can’t express how thankful we are for the outpouring of love and support. It has helped to soften the edge of a truly horrible experience knowing that so many people have prayed and provided for us. It is always a beautiful thing to see the body of Christ in action, and our family has seen if first hand these past few weeks. Thank you again for your kindness. Thank you for your prayers. We love you.