We made it to The Inn yesterday. This place is completely amazing. I am not sure what I was expecting but I definitely was not expecting what I saw. I have been to crisis pregnancy centers before and have found most to be a bit disorganized, cramped and sometimes even a bit on the not so clean side. This is one of the things that has turned me off in the past; the fact that they had the same feel as many of the health clinics on the poorer sides of town. I guess, I have always felt if you are going to do something to benefit someone else, then do it the way you would want it done for you. Sorry, I think I am slipping closer to one of my tirades.
Anyway, The Inn is like a wonderful vintage bed and breakfast from the moment you pull into their driveway. In existence for the last twenty-one years, the directors, volunteers and community have really poured themselves into this place and it shows. The gardens are lovely with flowers, trees and welcoming benches. There is a screened wrap-around porch that is absolutely inviting. The house itself is more than likely an old farmhouse that now finds itself surrounded by the city and city life. The Inn is truly an oasis in the midst of the storm of life.
Once inside, what a young, pregnant woman will find are rooms tastefully decorated like a real home. There is a fireplace in the parlor and comfortable furniture. Comfortable meaning clean, newer and pleasing to the eye. I found no mismatched discards anywhere in the house. The wood floors shine as does the entire house and what greets your olfactory senses as you enter this home is just that … the smell of home. There are three bedrooms upstairs and a very large bathroom plus a sitting room. Each bedroom is set up for two women plus their babies. The cribs and bedding are beautiful and new.
The employee that took us on our tour of The Inn answered all our questions and was very eager to have Amy on board as a volunteer. She told us that they are usually full with their capacity for only six and are thrilled to have volunteers who are willing to house a girl. She also handed Amy paperwork detailing the expectations of the home. Having done this for so many years, they have seen it all and understand what works but just as importantly, what doesn’t work. Amy is ready and I can’t wait to see what God does because of her faithfulness to these young women.
Visiting The Inn got me to thinking, which usually means trouble for poor Bob. We have a big, old farmhouse. It has been rented out for the last five years however it sits empty at the moment. We are getting ready to list it for sale. Maybe. When I told Bob about The Inn and how incredible it would be to do something similar out at the farm, I am pretty sure I heard him whimper just a bit. I promised I would not do anything crazy and would let the whole idea go … and yet, here I am blogging about it. Hopefully, Bobbity is in meetings all day and won’t have time to read my silly drivel.
Just for fun … what IF we could keep the farm and use it for pregnant, homeless girls? Where would we get the money? Are there grants available and how do you write a grant, anyway? What kind of licensing would be needed? Would the community see the benefit to society from this kind of project? I have always wanted to turn the farm into a bed and breakfast someday. I love people and cooking and nurturing … all that mommy/grandma kind of stuff. I am also no fool and understand people are complex and life is not easy. Just some of my wonderings.
A final thought. If you are a man standing in line with me at Wal Mart and you feel the need to comment on pregnant women while looking at my tummy … DON’T! Yes, yesterday, was quite the eventful day.
