woman of hospitality: amanda

Amanda with her son (my adorable nephew!), Gabe.

My sister has got the gift. Even when we were children, before going on an outside adventure, she would put together a picnic. She had a way of making things so special. Christmas together was such a joy! She made sure we had a fire in the fireplace and a full cup of eggnog. If this is her as a child and teenager, could you imagine what she is like now?

Visiting with her over the summer in the deep south showed me how she has grown in and cultivated that gift. Upon arriving to her home, she had a room beautifully prepared for me, with a gift basket of little necessities like toothpaste, deodorant, and even chocolate!

It wasn't so much the stuff that made me feel special, it was the fact that she prepared a place for me. Hospitality says,

-"There's a place for you."

-"You are welcome."

-"You are loved."

"Hospitality is not the art of entertaining (though one may do it well), but the genuine care for others' needs." -unknown

"When you give, give with joy, smiling." -Joubert

My family has gone through stages of wealth and poverty, but regardless of our financial situation, Amanda had a way of making things rosy (she got this from her mother). I've learned so much from her, but the biggest lesson that sticks out is that she is amazing at anticipating the needs of others. She noticed things that didn't even cross my thoughts and was always making things more comfortable and bright. Needless to say, I've been blessed by her example!