-Temple House

I'm in St. Louis now. This town is amazing. It is huge, lots of good food, music, buildings are old and interesting. It's bustling with life. I have been working with the Salvation Army's St Louis Temple Corps since I got here. I have signed on to help at the corps for the next year in exchange for housing which is across the street from the corps building. I can see the door of the corps from my front windows. Growing up as an officer kid I never would have expected I'd be doing this by choice, and I'm actually excited about it. Add it to the list of examples of the funny ways God works.

Envoys Steve and Ketsia are the officers at Temple Corps. Steve has disheveled hair and a twinkle in his eye kind of smile. Ketsia is calm, quiet, very kind and sings softly throughout the day. Today the three of us visited a single elderly lady named Betty. Steve told me we would be getting furniture to use in my new apartment as well as helping Betty as she transitions into a senior apartment. We arrived at Betty's home at around three in the afternoon. The sun had heated up the city such that any amount of movement sent beads of sweat flooding my head and eyes. The neighborhood was very nice with mostly brick houses and wide yards lining the street. We walked up to Betty's porch and rang the bell. After a few minutes the sound of releasing locks sounded her arrival to the door. Betty opened the door revealing her white hair, black rimmed glasses and charming, sweet smile.

Betty is 84 years old and lives alone in a three story house. Her house is empty except for a few essential items she needs, a bed, couch, some food... As we started talking with Betty she shared some bad

news. The lady who was going to buy her house would not be able to get a loan from the bank. This was the first time I had ever met Betty. If we had left then I would have been fooled into thinking this news did not shake her one bit. We spent the next hour visiting with her and taking the few last items she would not be needing. I quickly began to sense the loneliness that she was experiencing. Before we left we prayed together. Tears came to her eyes but she did not cry. She quickly shuffled us out the door as we promised to visit and bring food next week.