Cafe Gratitude

We have recently discovered a place called Cafe Gratitude in Kansas City.  It's a little, hippie vegan place.  I'm not typically into that kind of cuisine, but there I have found the most delicious dairy-free milkshakes, smoothies, and desserts.  A welcomed discovery for the dairy-intolerant, such as myself.

One thing Matt and I are so grateful for in this life is having relationships with older, wiser people who have spoken into our lives and who have influenced us in Christ.

One set of "spiritual parents" (as we like to call them) actually offered to sponsor date nights for us while Matt is in medical school.  Each month, we get a little note from them in the mail along with a check that we are only allowed to use for dates.

We did our pre and post-marital counseling with them, and when they told us that they wanted to invest into our marriage in this new way, we were speechless and a little teary.  It meant a lot.  With a son and son-in-law who recently finished medical school, they have demonstrated a particular understanding and empathy for us in this stage of our journey.  We have never felt like a project or an obligation to them.  They just genuinely cheerfully and faithfully support us, and it warms my heart no end.

At the same time, I hesitated to share what they have done at the risk of possibly embarrassing them, or coming across as bragging, or worse still, seeming to dishonor our own parents (who have also been wonderfully supportive, loving, and generous).  But, in the end, I decided that it honors Christ to share how His love compels His people to love each other in word and deed.

People who have modeled cheerful generosity to us have given us more than money or opportunities or things, they have given us an EXAMPLE, a picture of how we want to be with whatever God gives us in this life - open-handed & sharing.

Here we are making good on our promise to use our date money for a date at Cafe Gratitude.

With our dairy-free hazelnut chocolate pie.
My cheeks hurt a little bit from smiling.

We are grateful for you, Vic and Lindy!  Thank you for modeling Christ's love to us and for your faithful support on our journey.  It means the world to us.

Vic and Lindy