Now I have to tell you a story about a little girl named Gladys. On Monday after the girls had come home from school and some of the neighboring kids had come over to play, little Gladys, who usually comes over to play, was standing in the doorway to the house. Katie saw her and picked her up. She loved on her and kissed her and she was telling us how she always does not smell well. I just thought to myself about how she not only needed to be loved on and hugged but truly cared for. Katie sat her on a mat on the floor and asked if she was hungry and she said yes. Katie gave her a hard-boiled egg and she gobbled it right up. After, she had egg all over her face and hands so I gave Katie a wet-wipe to clean her up a little. They Katie just said, "Do you want to bathe her?" I jumped out of my seat and picked her up and took her to the bath tub. Grace and Mallory came and helped me. We took her clothes off and placed her in the bathtub. She did not move unless I moved her and she was very cooperative in holding her head back and letting me scrub really well. I washed her twice just to make sure I got all of the dirt off of her. After washing her it was time to put on some clothes and Katie handed me a clean dress for her. I put lotion on her sweet little skin and put some lavender oil on her little hair. I put the dress on her and she was good as new. I knew that this was probably the only bath she would have for a while so I wanted to do it well. May I add that little Gladys does not really ever smile. After her bath Mallory had her while I was cleaning up and then I came over and took her. I held her and played with her in my lap and I got a smile. This was the most precious smile I had ever seen. Her little eyes are so precious and she giggled for me too. After  a little bit of playing I just held her close to me and put her head on my chest. We just sat there and before I knew it she was asleep. I dosed off a little while I was holding her and I just loved cuddling with her. She lives across the street from Katie, but I didn't know if I was ever going to see her again. Thinking back on it I am reminded of the verse:

While I was holding Gladys I truly felt the spirit of God. He gave me such peace and love that my heart was overflowing. At about 7:00 p.m. Katie goes outside and tells the kids that do not live here that it is time for them to go home. So, it was time for sweet Gladys to go home, but she was still asleep. I handed her over to her sister, Dorothy, and they went on their way. The next day, Tuesday, I saw her again and she still smelled good from the bath I gave her and she was so excited to see me and she did not want me to leave her sight. Then today, Thursday, I saw her on our way to school and we held hands the whole way. Katie said that Gladys loves school and loves to learn. Being able to bathe her was a gift from God; a gift that I will always treasure in my heart. My heart hurts for the other children like Gladys in this country and in this world and that is why I love and am thankful for someone like Katie Davis.

Love you all!!! See you on Saturday!!!

anna