Dr. Allen's in the house and helping, as usual!

Our friend and supporter, Dr. Allen, graces us with his presence – sometimes once a month -- whenever we reach out with requests for help with kitty dog and squirrel food. Bird food, we can usually cover, as there is such volume when you order some. It lasts for months!

So last month he knocked on the door and I fortunately had my rambunctious lil doggo on the end of a super long indoor-outdoor leash when we welcomed Allen. I tried to pull the dog in but hadn't yet learned the wrapping-the-leash around-the-waist trick. I end up pushing my inguinal hernia out but have since, praise God, learned to manage it.

That day Allen came in to greet us all -- and to give me an envelope with $26, which he had just taken out of his bank. That money came in handy the very next day for I went to our local grocery store and purchased Reveal wet cat and baby food as well as apples and carrots and oats and a can of mackerel.

As Allen was leaving he mentioned that he and his family were going on vacation for the couple's 34th wedding anniversary. "I'm ancient!" he said as he swung into the drier's seat. Well let me be the first to tell you that you are not! Allen, you look like you're still 34 yourself and I attribute that to your loving way of connecting with the world. When we first met, you went with me to a nursing home to tend to a patient there! Keep up the good work, Dr. Allen. Lots of thank yous, meows, woofs and chirps (from heaven) from this corner.

Addendum: Today, a month or so later, once again he responded to our plea and early this morning dropped off a bag of canned goods, bananas and dog food and a crisp $20 bill!

At Publix, I saw a bearded man on the ground propped up against the storefront. I'd bought him Chicken wings once before (at his request) but this time, upon exiting the store, laden with bags I told him that I had had to ask the clerk to return a few items to their places on the shelves for my eyes were bigger than my wallet - and that I had a large family to shop for. "I'm short". I said. He kept his eyes leveled on me. "Did you eat today?" I asked.

When I first entered, having greeted him as he lay on the concrete outside, I had seen him, a few minutes later, slowly walk into the store, shoe laces untied, with a small basket but there was nothing in it.

"I have no money," he answered, shrugging and shaking his head.

I asked if he had a fork. “Spoon,” he said.

He was waiting for the bus. His belongings were propped up against the store's entryway. He was not going to be here when I got back with the cans Dr. Allen had gifted us with, so we settled on my getting the cans to him tomorrow.

Allen, you should know how many mouths you helped. If I hadn't decided to give these cans to this man there is a family with lots of kids that welcomes food donations.

"Do you actually go to the store and buy these things for us?" the young boy in that family asked me once, obviously very touched, when I turned over a bag of food to him.

Sometimes I do. But sometimes there are people like Dr. Allen who following Spirit's prompting and bless us with aid.

May God always allow hm to be "in the house"! and to be of such service! “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”