Last week I got a glimpse into my future. I, along with one of my former second grade co-workers, had six of my former students over for a family-style Christmas celebration. We watched a Christmas movie, ate a home-cooked dinner, sang Christmas songs, went to see lights, roasted marshmallows, and just enjoyed being together. It was one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time!
As we were sitting on the floor around my coffee table eating dinner and laughing, one of my boys said to me, “Miss Smith this is really nice. This feels like a real family.” 
I realized that this is the kind of family I long to have for myself. I want a family that welcomes in people who need love, a warm meal, or a place to stay. I want a family who loves and pours into people’s lives simply because they should be loved.
This year 5520 (my apartment) has been a center of community living. At first I thought this was just one of the ways that the Lord was preparing me for the World Race, but I have come to realize that it is so much more than that. This is a big part of who I am created to be. I am created for community. I am created to spend myself loving those who most need love. I have never felt more alive than when I am creating a home for those who need one.
This Christmas dinner was a precious gift from my Jesus that blessed my heart and gave me a glimpse into the kind of life I am meant to live. Who wouldn’t dream of having a family like this?!
