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I first heard of Julia Quillen from my friend Karen. I drove from central Arkansas to northern Virginia with a couple of teens to visit Karen and her family. When it was time to go home, it was snowing heavily. Karen picked up her phone, and in a few minutes we were headed off to stay with strangers (to us) who lived about half way. Matthew 25: 35 says, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Indeed, we were hungry, thirsty, and strangers. We arrived late at night, weary from the trip. The next morning, we had breakfast with a whole lot of younger Quillens who welcomed us as warmly as their parents. The Lord brought bright sunshine, higher temperatures, and the many Quillen smiles to warm our hearts as we left. I left encouraged to be a person who also exhibits the love of the Lord to strangers and friends. Since then, I have been reading her blog (admittedly off and on). Her blog Hospitality is Not Always Convenient obviously struck a major chord with me. I’m sure our need for shelter in her home on short notice was not convenient, but I saw grace in this family who took in literal strangers. She lives out her calling. She is good at relationships whether for a snowy night or as she teaches others to build lasting ones by the grace of God. Julia truly lives scripture as the Lord intends.