Alone but not Lonely

     I was just discussing this over email--how when you have the option of being with people, but chose not to, you aren't lonely.  Sometimes I really like being alone.  Its probably that selfish part of me--I like to do whatever I want when I want and that feels like an extravagance after being married for 28 years and being a parent for 24 years.
     Scott left for Georgia with his soccer team early Thursday morning.  Of course, Thursday and Friday I did my regular routine--get up and ready, go to work, come home and nap with the pups, watch Ellen, go work out, come home, eat, then read and go to bed.  Well, Friday I had my nap after work then Jon and his friend Cesar came by and spent about an hour with me.  I enjoyed that--they are fun, sweet young men.  Then I went to my step class which feels a bit like a family, and when I got out to the car, I saw Joel had called.  I called and chatted with him for almost an hour sitting in the car with a lovely breeze blowing through the car.  We laughed a lot.  I was looking forward to my traditional Friday night Chipoltle, which I also don't mind doing alone, but decided after my bath to run out to the football game to see if Adelle won the car for perfect attendance.  I walked up at the perfect time--3 minutes left in the first half, and they were doing the giveaway right at that end of the stadium!  I stood by the fence and Rose waited with me and I was able to talk to Adelle both before and after the giveaway.  She didn't win.  She was disappointed but we talked about it briefly and then she cheered right up when I said I was coming to get her Saturday and we'd spend the whole afternoon. That was an amazing feeling, to know I am that important to someone. Blesses me deeply.  I then thoroughly enjoyed my Chipotle which I ate sitting outside the coffee shop reading my book.  I topped it off with a sugar free vanilla steamer then hurried home to my puppies who aren't used to being alone so much.  I spent the rest of the evening reading on the back deck.  Wonderful!
     Then this morning I got up and had a text from my friend at work, LouAnn, to see if I wanted some apples and pears.  She came right over and delivered them and took a quick tour of the house!  I LOVE the people I work with.  The new counselor, Angela is a ton of fun as is the new psychologist, Nathan, and the new nurse, Erica.  I like the new resource teachers, too.  A bunch of people have stepped up to help with FCA this year, too.  I just feel sooooo blessed to have these people along with my sweet Mary, and Greg and Marvin to spend time with.  I actually missed them this summer!  What a true blessing.
    Also this week, met with the Homestead gal again and felt so blessed and honored to be a part of her recovery.  She is so open to our love and to God's love, neither of which has she ever experienced.  She is absolutely soaking it all up.  She is MAJORLY struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, and huge loss, having given up absolutely all that seemed "normal" to her and changing everything in her life to come here and make a new start.  She is EXACTLY the person we designed Homestead for and is carving the way for more girls to come.  Pray for her complete restoration--she has a heart's desire to help girls get out of the industry.   I just know God is going to heal and restore her and use her for this purpose.
    God is sooooo good!