It was the perfect recipe for a cold, dark night after a cold, busy day:

Make a fire, light some candles and fairy lights.
Pile couch cushions on the floor between the chairs, and have blankets handy.
Heat milk and have mugs, chocolate mix and marshmallows nearby.
Pile a plate full of biscuits (cookies).
Invite your friend and her 2 young daughters to come over.
Put the complete Chronicles of Narnia beside the rocking chair where your friend will sit.
When they come, everyone gets a turn to request their favourite part to be read by your dramatic reader friend while everyone sips hot cocoa and wraps blankets around them and relaxes.

This is what I was longing for, and my friends happily complied, and we had a mostly lovely time last night!

Yesterday afternoon I was at home for a couple hours, and my landlord and his plumber came to fix some leaking radiators and toilet valves. I had to leave for work at the store while they were still here. A couple hours later, the landlord came to the store to drop off the key. They had finished their job, locked the door behind them, and gave me the key.

My German friend was with me, and I explained to her what happened, and why. Her eyes got big. "In Germany, I would NEVER leave people in my house while I went away."

I would be cautious too, under normal circumstances. However, for the last 10+ years I have served these men at our store, and sold them countless ice cream cones and tins of pet food. I know their wives and children by name. I know where they live. I trust them and they trust me. This is a benefit of long-term local employment.

Today there was news of another tiger kidnapping up the country. This is when criminals kidnap the family of bank workers and hold them for ransom. It's becoming more rampant around here. A month ago or so, a lady down the road was robbed in the middle of the day. Working in a store and living alone, I hear these things, and reiterate my motto: trust God but lock your doors. I try to be sensible and not take chances. Even if I leave the house for a walk down the road, I lock the door. I leave lights on after dark. But I don't live in paranoia. And I feel extremely blest to be able to leave my landlord and plumber in the house and the only disturbed thing I see when I return is the wet rag and bowl in the sink that they used to drain the pipes.

I'm not a mom, and don't spend any time on mommy forums. And yet, I feel terribly protective and, I don't know, mother-bearish about my girls. My Bible school girls from CBS and SMBI.

I can't stay in touch with all of them, but there are strings stretching from my heart to them wherever they are on the globe. And now and then one will write me to say they're dating or getting married, or tell me of their latest heartbreak, or latest gladness. And I shake my head at these little girls being brides, and smile, and wish I could hug them tight. Or I cry with their sadness, and ask the Shepherd to carry them gently. And I'm soooo proud of them, making wise decisions about their varied life assignments.

Oh, I do love my girls. They have no idea how much I love them and how big I dream for them. I don't know if I'll ever be a mommy. But I know Isaiah 54 is true, that I have more children than the mother with children. For this, I'm rich beyond measure, though unworthy, and thankful beyond words for the breath-taking privileges I've had. For some reason, He chose this bumbling, passionate girl, myself in need of mentors and shepherds, and helped me to be shepherdess and mentor to others, and I am so grateful.