July is here and the hot sun is shining. Family Promise is plenty busy, with four families including seven children ages 14 months, 18 months, 7 years, 9 years, 2 ten year olds and a 12 years old. We are full and have had to go to a waiting list. Mt. Ellis Academy and Seventh Day Adventist Church graciously hosted our families for an entire month. Families slept in the dorms and enjoyed the country setting.

Two of our four families have single dads as the parent. One has a child with special needs, and the other has 4 children. One dad talks to his kids about “team-building” and the other has the most positive attitude I’ve ever seen. They are amazing!! Their lives are hard, but they take time for praise and to find joy in everyday events. Life can be delightful.

The community helps so much. Xanterra, the concessionaire for Yellowstone National Park, is again bringing us sheets, blankets and pillows. Belton Chalets, in Glacier National Park, contributed bedspreads and mattress covers. Bozeman United Methodist Church just paid for eye exams and glasses for our guests, St. James Episcopal Church gave gas cards, the Museum of the Rockies gave us passes, and the City of Bozeman Recreation Dept. gave swim passes. Mike and Julie Phinney even donated a car to one of our guests. We are truly blessed!

With so many school-age children come a whole set of new challenges. Quality child care is expensive and hard to find in Bozeman, and essential when you’re a working single parent. Family Promise of Gallatin Valley could use more summer child care and recreation options for school-age children. If you have any ideas, just give us a call or email me.

ife may not be easy – but with everyone’s help, it can be delightful!

— Gloria Edwards

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