Ice-Cream on a Cold Day

Since Jarrod no longer attends S.A.Y. Yes! (read about it in the following blog) I am now able to tutor Mary at the church. God answered my prayer in a way I did not expect. Even though this transition has been painful and hard at times I am thankful for it. S.A.Y. Yes! is a place where Mary needs to be. God is at work in her life.

Mary has started to bloom. Her smile radiates in the couple of hours she is at the church. I hear laughter and I watch her play with the other girls. I saw confidence in her body language as a boy told her she looked beautiful. This is an encouraging place for her to grow socially and academically.

One cold afternoon as I was walking Mary home from S.A.Y Yes! Mary asked me out of the blue if I liked ice-cream. Of course! We started to talk about our favorite flavors and how we would have to go out for ice-cream sometime soon. Mary invited me into her apartment with a huge smile on her face. We walked into her small kitchen and Mary went straight to the freezer and gave me an ice-cream bar. She was so excited and giddy about this gesture of generosity. I gladly received the ice-cream and was richly blessed by Mary's love.

As I write this post it is a Sunday afternoon. Normally each Sunday I walk down to Mary's apartment and pick her up for church. Today I wasn't feeling well so I called Mary to tell her I wouldn't be able to pick her up. I went back to bed and later I woke up to a letter a housemate slid under my door. It was from Mary and it said:

Ms. Katheren,

I do not know how to spell your name but I hope you feel better and we can go to church next Sunday. Ok and see you tomorrow at say yes. :) Love you!!!

Oh my, my relationship with Mary means so much to me. I am so thankful for this year where I have been able to mentor and build a relationship with such a sweet girl.