Walk Down Memory Lane

Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k14, Frank, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Since moving to Southern Barton Heights, I have more anniversaries than I ever thought I could.  So many memories. So many reasons to PRAISE GOD!

So many reminders that…

  • God protects us.
  • God is in control.
  • there’s power in the name of Jesus.
  • there’s healing in the name of Jesus.
  • God cares for every. living. soul.
  • obedience is key.
  • Jesus is the Word that became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14 MSG) and…
  • as Jesus Followers, Louis and I are called to our neighborhood.
  • being a Jesus Follower isn’t the safest place to be on earth and IS absolutely the safest place to be…all at the same time!
  • and…it’s totally worth it!

This week is another ‘anniversary’ that I will never forget! This time 6 years ago, Louis and I had been out like maybe 5 times in 4 weeks. So, we barely knew each other, and I wasn’t quite sure that I liked him…until January 26th – the date when I met Louis’ friends. That’s the night I decided I liked him.  It was following weeks that I learned I really needed to consider him seriously.  The next night, Frank got shot 9 times outside my back door and a bullet came in the house.  Much to the surprise of everyone, Louis came back!  Never hear this story? or want to hear it again, keep reading and check out the links below.   If you are wondering where we got the name of our ministry Into The Neighborhood, read these links for that story, too!

Side note:

This is the first song I heard this morning, while I was busy cooking breakfast for Louis and me.  I was reminded again, that Frank is only alive today because he called on the GREAT NAME OF JESUS. As tears rolled down and dripped in the bacon, I praised God for his goodness, his healing, his tender loving care.  It took me back to that night…. January 27, 2008 at 8:30pm when Frank was shot 9 times – right chest, left shoulder, left thigh, right hand and 5 times to the gut. The night that Louis and I met Frank we also gave him first aid.  By the time the paramedics arrived that night, Frank was only breathing once a minute and had no pulse. I assured him that we weren’t leaving him.  I prayed with him and shared that there was power in the name of Jesus. And if he called on Jesus’ name, he would be healed. Frank couldn’t talk at that point, but he did grab my thigh.  I knew he was all good.  Just as the lyrics say….”Sick are healed, and the dead are raised. At the sound of Your Great Name”  (Rest of the lyrics are at the bottom of this post.)

 

This is what Louis and I were doing 6 years ago this week.  Happy Reading!

Change of Heart…Just in Time

MGV – Barton and Roberts

The Word Became Flesh…

The Next Day Part 1

The Next Day Part 2

The Next Day Part 3

____________________________________________

Your Great Name Lyrics
Performed by Natalie Grant

Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of Your Great Name
All condemned; feel no shame; at the sound of Your Great Name
Every fear; has no place; at the sound of Your Great Name
The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of Your Great Name

Chorus
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man you are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise Your Great Name

Verse 2
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of Your Great Name
Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of Your Great Name
The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of Your Great Name
Sick are healed, and the dead are raised. At the sound of Your Great Name

Chorus
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb; that was slain for us
Son of God and man; you are high and lifted up
that all the world will praise Your Great Name.
Your Great Name.

Redeemer, my Healer; Lord Almighty
My Savior; Defender; you are my King
Redeemer; my Healer; Lord Almighty
My Savior; Defender; you are my King

11 Things I Have Learned by Living Where I Do

Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k14 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on 11 Things I Have Learned by Living Where I Do

Over the last few years, you have read about Louis, me, Southern Barton Heights and so much more!  I recently spoke to a group of 50 women (and a few men, too) at WOVEN’s Hour to Empower Luncheon, and I felt led to share the impact the community has had on me.  Here are 11 things I have learned! These are in no particular order, nor is it an all-inclusive list. My learning is ongoing….nonstop….like a firehose.

  1. I wouldn’t trade my life, my community for any other community in the world. I love my neighbors. I love the way my paradigms are being challenged and shifted.  After Frank was shot, he asked me if I was moving. I went on to tell him – that people asked me that same question when the windows were shot out of my car and my car was stolen. “If I had moved, who would be there for you the night you were shot 9 times? All your friends ran. But, God loves you so much!”  As a matter of fact, I recently told a friend – after driving south on 76 during 5pm traffic, “I’d rather have that bullet come through my front window every 6 years than deal with this traffic every night!” And…I meant it. Crazy, maybe. Honest though.
  2. It’s painful, but necessary, to learn the difficulties of the materially poor. Although I didn’t grow up in the ‘rich’ part of the West End, I have been made aware of how my privilege of education, race, and network provides me. The fact that Louis and I have 2 cars, when 60% of the city population has 1 or no car per household.
  3. I am reminded at any point, that if I have a tire blow out – I have money in savings. Even if I didn’t, I have multiple friends I can call that could loan me money. For many of my neighbors, everyone they know is also in the same situation. Generational poverty is impactful.
  4. I take for granted that I had a father and mother in my home. Now, my home life was far from perfect. None-the-less, my father was at home and provided for the family. Kids today are growing up in a fatherless society. So, girls and moms don’t even know what to look for and expect. Respect often has never been modeled.
  5. I have learned that it is not as simple as ‘pull yourselves up by your bootstraps’, but I’ve also learned that handouts create entitlement. (That statement should offend the Republicans and the Democrats equally. LOL)
  6. I have learned that the church – as an institution and a body of believers, in many cases, have left ‘loving your neighbor’ up to the government. And we can see that that’s not working out well for us right now.  The church has outsourced ‘neighbor loving’ to the government and non-profits.
  7. I have learned that the materially poor inner-city people want the same things I do…that I would dare say most of us want.  Safe, affordable shelter. Good schools. Reliable transportation. Steady employment with a living wage. We aren’t all that different. We are all have sinned. All have fallen short. And we all are made in God’s image. And that being materially poor takes great faith!
  8. As a bit of a type A personality, I have also learned to leave capacity in my schedule. I need to leave time in my calendar to say Yes to God. Louis and I are praying over our calendar more than ever before.
  9. As a group of women, I can also share that I have learned that having my house clean and in order is no longer a top priority. I would be exhausted if it were! With the sheer number of neighbors we have coming by along with 2 aging labs, Bella and Wesley, it’s impossible.
  10. I have learned that I don’t have the answers. Nothing is that simple. It’s actually quite complex. It’s vastly important to ask questions and to listen more than we talk.  It’s more important to do things WITH the community not FOR or TO the community. Even though it will probably take much longer, it will be much longer lasting and sustainable.
  11. Prayer has become an integral part of my life.  My passionate pursuit of God has become my #1 priority….well, most of the time. I try to anyway.

Why do you live where you live? What have you learned about yourself, God or your community recently?

Challenge By Choice

Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k14 | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Louis and I have been walking along side a mom and her children as they try to navigate the complex, arduous processes of the government and non-profit systems for ‘helping’ the homeless. (You may have read some of it in my last post…  If you missed it, check this out….  Help Even the Unrighteous Poor.) Some time in the near future, I’m going to write at length all the steps, phone calls, emails, etc. that we have made to city council, DSS, RRHA, Commonwealth Catholic Charities – Central Intake, and countless non-profits. Yet, this family is still living in a hotel with no access to a kitchen.  She’s currently on unemployment, because her seasonal position ended….a whopping $100.  Since she’s on unemployment her food stamps have decreased to $400….to feed a family consisting of herself plus 4 children under the age of 18.  And…remember….food stamps doesn’t cover prepared foods. So, without a kitchen food choices are limited. And, her food stamps haven’t lasted the whole month.  Thankfully she does have a car to get to a decent grocery store, but gas is running low – as she now has to transport her children to 3 different schools…not to mention all the running around…trips to DSS, RRHA, Central Intake, etc.  

Did you know that shelter space for families has a few week waiting list???  Where are all of those families living???? In this families’ case, they could be with a family member – exposing their children to drugs/alcohol addictions and all that comes with it and worse.

Oh yeah…and RRHA has 3-4 bedroom apartments available.  Yet, she can’t have one, because she hasn’t taken the required budgeting class, orientation, etc which aren’t scheduled for weeks.

So, she remains in a hotel…funded by who????  Oh….take a guess.  Let’s just say – it’s NOT any of those organizations, although she did get a week from DSS.

And today I learn…Mom has a job orientation tomorrow AND got a phone call for a housing opportunity at the same time. Which do you choose when you can’t do both???

Getting the idea????

Church… what are we doing about that???  what CAN we do?

There’s another family who we are doing life with… food stamps cut to $400 for a family of mom and 5 children under the age of 18….3 of which are growing boys. Car is working, but needs new tags. She can’t get to her job.

How could that be?

Did I mention that the schools are closed? Therefore children who usually receive breakfast and lunch are now hungry…really hungry.

Church… what are we doing about that?  what CAN we do?

I’m not just talking about handing out free food, although we could use some for both families! (Let me know if you are interested!) I’m talking about relationships…mentoring…loving. When I read the Bible, I don’t read that Jesus said – “oh…go on down to the Food Bank, DSS, RRHA, RBHA or any other organization.”  When I read about the Good Samaritan, this is what I read…

Luke 10:25-37  (NLT)

The Most Important Commandment

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Church – who is your neighbor???

Parable of the Good Samaritan

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Let’s take a look at that again…

‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

When you look at our current system of taking care of the least of these, does ‘neighbor loving’ look like the way Jesus described it in verses 33 and 34???

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 

In modern times, what does compassion look like???

34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them.

  • How can we treat the wounds of abuse, addiction, family fragmentation, limited education, lack of financial skills, job restrictions?
  • What is modern day ‘olive oil and wine”? We can’t just bandage them without the treatment.
  • So what does it look like to sooth the wounds in today’s time??

34 (cont) Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 

  •  OK…so then, he carried him to the inn on his donkey.  That means he had to walk! They both couldn’t ride on the donkey. Which really means he WALKED BESIDE HIM while guiding the donkey to a place of healing. An inn. Where he took care of the battered and broken.  
  • What does it look like to WALK ALONG SIDE of a beat up, tired, frustrated, hopeless family who has no place to lay their head?

So, I am left wondering…where was this Samaritan Man going? Where was he walking when he happened along the beat up man??  How could he afford the time to stop what he was doing?  We don’t know that part of the story. But, what we do know….is that he stopped. He put his plans on hold. And he walked alongside a beat up, naked man.  He gave of his OWN money and he STAYED in the process with him until he could take of himself.

What would that look like today? For a unsuspecting person or family to walk along side a broken, beat-up, naked, hungry, possibly homeless family until they could take care of themselves?  Anyone willing to try?

That is your challenge….by choice because it IS a choice…a conscious decision. What choice will you make?

Help Even the Unrighteous Poor

Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k14 | 3 Comments

————————— MY COMMENTS ———————————————-

‘But the prophet Ezekiel tells us otherwise. Ezekiel 16:49 says, “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” Sodom was judged for pride, living a life of ease, and neglecting the poor and needy—not simply for sexual sin….’

  • For the last 2 weeks, we have been walking along side a homeless family. I have learned so much about our broken government and non-profit systems. Just one quick example…. how in the world can we have open 3-4 bedroom apartments in public housing yet a 5-6 week long waiting list for shelter with Central Intake for Homeless families???? All because a budgeting class (required for residents) isn’t available until the end of the month????
  • While snow falls and we sit in our warm homes with our fireplaces cracklin’, our crock pots of soup piping hot, cookies baking, hot chocolate steaming, and popcorn popping, there are families who are sleeping in their cars. In our families’ case, we (along with some loving generous friends) have paid for a hotel (for double what the government pays on their contracted rate). In addition, there’s no school today because of the ***HUGE*** snowstorm (insert sarcastic emoticon here), so no breakfast or lunch available. Oh yeah….and no kitchen in the hotel, yet there is a little fridge. So, today, the family came over for dinner and a chance to get out of the 4 walls that are closing in on a family of 5 (mom and 4 children).
  • Imagine – what would it look like if every church in RVA ‘adopted’ a homeless family or individual? Walked along side them – through medical care, through tough times, through a job search, through financial skills training, through  – until they got on their feet again.
  • This family has become part of ours, and for that…. I’m abundantly grateful for their friendship!
  • How does someone who has no boot straps pick themselves up by them without some help? Church, we need to spend more time BEING the church. It is time, Church. The time is now.

If you would like to be a part of helping this family or another family – let us know! We can prepare you, connect you, support you while you do!

More to come…

multiplymovement's avatarmultiply

Note from the editor: This blog post by Joel Brooks originally appeared here at The Gospel Coalition January 16, 2011.

*************************************************************

My office is located in one of the poorer areas in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Even as I am writing this, outside my window I can see two prostitutes standing across the street outside a hotel and a homeless man pushing a grocery cart full of cans. Confronted with scenes like this on a daily basis has made me think a lot about Jesus’ call to serve the least of these. What should this look like in my life? Over the years, I have far more failures than successes when it comes reaching out to these people.

It might not be easy, but our call to help the poor is a scriptural mandate that few would argue against. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says:

If among you, one of your brothers…

View original post 1,030 more words

Real. Talk. Goodness.

Posted: Wednesday, January 8, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k14 | 2 Comments

I have been reviewing the last 3 days of my life, and I am so blessed to have had some of the most encouraging, loving, ridiculously unbelievable conversations with some of the best, most sage, crazy-good people.

I am grateful for friends who encourage me. love me. correct me. listen to me. pray with and for me. make me giggle and LOL. You know who you are…

Monday – wow. Lunch convo was insane! So good. So encouraging. So fun.  Dinner that was at the appointed and anointed time with long time friends. Couldn’t have planned it if I tried.

Tuesday – conversations over a bagel, lunch with a dear friend, and a 4+ hour dinner with an amazing woman ‘in the bubble’….throw in a quick phone call request for prayer.  What a great day! Even though one of them made me cry…because she knows me well…and called me out in love.

Wednesday – breakfast filled with encouragement and lunch filled with…gosh….I don’t even know what to call it.  I mean seriously.

And then…there were just solid reminders in the form of texts, emails, phone calls and visits that I in no way planned….that reminded me of God’s goodness, His faithfulness, His tender loving care for me.

Prayers are being answered. Goodness all around. It’s amazing what is happening when you stop and make yourself consciously aware of what God is doing in and among you and yours. I am waking up expecting God to show up…and don’t you know it…HE DOES!  And…He’s been there all along…I just don’t always pay attention. He’s really got my attention. He’s with me every stinkin’ moment of every stinkin’ day. Always has been. I just have make myself consciously aware of what He’s doing….how He’s working.

And all you people…you know who you are…and I am abundantly grateful for you! There’s nothing better than friendships based in genuine and authentic love for one another. I wouldn’t trade my relationship with you for the world. Honest.

TwentyThirteen – A Year in Review

Posted: Thursday, January 2, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off on TwentyThirteen – A Year in Review

2013 held so many ups and downs for Louis and me. There are a few things I still don’t understand….and may never. Hurts that run super deep. I’m the kinda girl who thinks….if I know the ‘WHY?” – I can deal with it better. Nearly a year later, I still don’t know the complete “why”, but one day I will.  But, through these challenges, I am continually reminded that God is in control. And, I am ABUNDANTLY grateful for that. On New Year’s Eve, some friends and I closed the year in prayer – sharing our personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness, talking about forgiveness and confession, and looking toward the future.  I was reminded that we should embrace challenging times, because it gives God an opportunity to shine even brighter. This was never more true than 2013.

Here are just a few of the highlights of some of the 2013 AWESOMENESS in mostly chronological order. God is in the midst of every moment of our lives, and here are some milestone God moments for us this year…

We started off the year (again!) with one of our favorite gatherings – Annual New Year’s Community Brunch. Be sure to mark your calendar for 1.1.2015, so you won’t miss it! It’s a beautiful day for good food and fellowship!

IMG_9658

We also had a wonderful visit from our dear friend, Richard. Louis has known him for 30+ years. They bought a house together and served the oldest housing complex in Charlotte for 5 years together before Louis went off to California to Fuller Seminary.While Richard was in town, he modeled how to love my community and love her deeply.  We love this man!

IMG_1921

I just love these kids – and the daily lives we live together.

IMG_1975

When Louis and I went through challenging times that spanned from February to December, we continued in our faith-building journey…pressing more intimately into God arms, guidance and direction. Grateful for our friends who prayed with us and for us and…stayed close. Not only is God in control, but He’s making all things new… (Rev 21:5) Most of all – He’s making me new again, and again through the refining fire!

God has everything under control

YES HE DOES!

Attended TEDxRVA with old and new friends. What a super fun inaugural event!

IMG_0246

Made our annual trek to Florida to visit ‘family’ in Miami and Orlando for a conference.

IMG_9870

Our Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt.  Thanks to the Easter Bunny for making a special appearance! Check out more here >> Candy, Bunny and Eggs…Oh My!

523405_4509229488143_580990785_n

Our Annual Community Memorial Day Cookout. Here >> Memorial Day Festivities

IMG_9935

And…I turned 50!!!  I have the best girlfriends and husband (and his friends) ever! Louis and some of his guy friends hosted a homemade dinner and served about 25 of my girlfriends. It was a sweet gathering and you can see more here >> How Much Love Inside a Friend? – Shel Silverstein

IMG_1327

Another favorite event and partnership with our friends at Hope Church – 2nd Annual Camp Splash! Nothing better than a bunch of water games with a group of kids and teaching the Redemption Story! For tons of pictures and summary check here >> Camp Splash 2013 In Review.

IMG_0184

The newest member of the family…Marques, who stayed with us for about 6 months when he relocated here to marry his ‘boo’ on 12.28.2013. As he was busy settling in to the rhythms of living in RVA, teaching and coaching football at Highland Springs, we grew close to him and love him as our own.  Here’s his obligatory First Day of School picture!  Blessings, Marques and Lori! 🙂

marques b2s

Louis survived 2 knee replacements and 1 hip replacement.  Me? I had emergency gall bladder removal – just a little over a week before his first knee! Check out this progress!!! God has equipped an amazing medical team who does awesome work!  I’m so looking forward to getting active again!

BEFORE!!!

BEFORE!!!

AFTER!!!

AFTER!!!

One of the funnest (is that even a word???) evenings of the year because it was full of spontaneity, good friends….and a modern day miracle! A night I was reminded to say YES! Here >>  Just Say ‘YES’

IMG_0892

And then, there was that unforgetable night…when a bullet came through our front window, between us and the TV, and into the back wall.  This post received more hits than any other post I have written.  If you missed it, check it out >> A Night Unlike Most Other Nights and a follow-up post here >> New. Every. Morning.

IMG_2480

Halloween is one of the nights we intentionally stay at home and sit on our front porch – meeting our neighbors and having fun! If you don’t have a front porch, you don’t know what you are missing!  🙂  More Fun Here >>  Hallo-BOO-ween 2013

67040_10200671454288089_481248438_n

A big goal achieved!  A Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Nonprofit Learning Point. Here >> SOOO Excited!

IMG_1771

Louis and I love sharing time with others, especially hosting them in our home over a meal and conversation. This is one way we support one of our favorite nonprofits – RCLI — Richmond Christian Leadership Institute. Students sign up for one of 5 or 6 dinners at our home, where we continue to get to know one another and resume conversations on topics from the most recent sessions.  To check out more on RCLI >> RCLI Website (Note: Interviews for the next class are coming up this spring! Let me know if you want to know more about this program. I’m a graduate of RCLI’s 2nd year – 2009.)

IMG_1808

This Christmas has been full of JOY! What a blessing to go caroling with a team from Church in Restoration! More here >> Fa La La La La

IMG_2159

In addition, we had a Birthday Party for Jesus where friends from the community and from a number of churches partnered together to throw Jesus a birthday party! Not only did Santa come, but we had craft time making angels, ate lots of goodies, heard the Christmas story, and so much more!  I haven’t posted this yet, but soon will! Be sure to subscribe for updates!  Sneak peak:

santa, louis and me

Lastly, Louis and I announced that we started Into The Neighborhood, our new nonprofit. Much more to come on that, but you can read our latest update by clicking the photo below or you can Click Here For Update.

I’m excited for all that TwentyFourteen holds!

Isaiah 43:18-19
Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

click here for update

Jesus Came…

Posted: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: , , , | Comments Off on Jesus Came…

…to give us life, a rich and satisfying life, an abundant life, better than we could have ever dreamed, to the full, till it overflows, and have it abundantly…in ALL its fullness.

What if we actually lived our lives like we really and truly believed that?  As followers of Jesus, do we live life like someone literally came to earth, died to save us, and then rose from the dead?

That’s the question that I have been wrestling with the last week or so.

Do I live life like Someone actually was born for the sole purpose to ‘take a bullet’ for me, just so that I could live an outrageously, ridiculously abundant life?

What does that even look like???

Scripture Basis…

John 10:10

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  (NLT)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  (NRSV)

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).  (AMP)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.  (TLB)

10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.  (MSG)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  (KJV)

Fa La La La La

Posted: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Thanks to Church in Restoration out of Hanover County, VA. What a great group of friends!

It all started in Christmas 2012 when this same group stopped by our home to sing some carols and eat some Krispy Kreme Donuts. And this flexible, spontaneous group willingly stopped by 2 neighbors’ homes, too.  This year they agreed to make SBH their only stop; and we were able to sing carols at about 12 homes in less than an hour.  There were so many more houses we could have blessed, but the kids still had homework to do and much needed sleep to get. We really appreciate their sacrifice! What a fantastic time of singing Joy to the World, Away in a Manger, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and more! Spreading JOY about a baby born in a manger who later sacrificed his life for us. That’s worth singing about!

And we will be doing it again next year! Woo Hoo!!!  🙂

Caroling at Miss Marti’s House
Caroling AfterParty
Best Neighbors EVER!
Love the Lighting!
I love this family!
Best Neighbors, too!
Joy to the World!
Away in a Manger!
Sassy girls!
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
And a Happy New Year!

YAY! YIPEE! WOO HOOOO! CHEERS! CLAPPING HANDS! SMILES! JIG DANCING!

Posted: Saturday, December 14, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

There are some days where I am overwhelmed by just how much God cares for us.  Like in this scripture…

Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus says in Luke…God has forgotten not even one sparrow. And…he says not to be afraid or to worry. I am worth….YOU are worth more than MANY sparrows.  That makes you and me pretty important to God! He cares about the littlest things about us. He even knows how many hairs I have on my head. For some of us, He knows how many we lost…how many we USED to have.

OK. Now, let’s join that with this scripture where Jesus also says…

Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

Effective Prayer

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

So. Jesus also says that we should ask and we will receive what we ask for. And, He says to keep looking for it and we will find it. Pretty simple stuff. Now, I’m not saying that we will get what we ask for it when we want it. And we won’t find everything we are looking for when we want to find it. We were on God’s timing. And I’m OK with that most of the time.

I firmly believe that God wants us to consult with him about even the little things in life. So, I find myself talking to God all day long. Asking him what I should do, how I should handle something, even where something is. That happened this week. On Tuesday, as I was packing for a short trip (which never came to pass), and Louis asked me to leave him the checkbook on his desk. Well, I couldn’t find the checkbook ANY where. I looked in the 2 places it normally is.  I checked the last place I remembered using it.  I checked under the cushions of the furniture, under the bed, under the Christmas tree.  I prayed a lot…asking God to show me where it was..for 4 days.  Nada.

Then, this afternoon, Louis and I were meeting with a friend, Cherie. We were praying together, and I asked her to pray with me to find the checkbook. Without a second thought, she added it to her prayer list which she keeps on her phone.  No judgment. No ‘that’s silly’. Just a ‘Sure. No problem.’ LOVE THAT!

This evening was one of those fun evenings at Miss Marti’s House. 2 neighborhood teenagers were eating dinner with us. One decided to bake cookies. The other was using dry erase markers to color on the downstairs bathroom mirror. I sat at my desk (usually home of my checkbook) and prayed again. That’s when I opened the bottom drawer to look and it sounded funny. And seemed to get caught a little. Unfortunately the drawer doesn’t come out easily. So, one of the teenagers helped me use the pick-up stick to get papers and other items that had fallen out the back of the drawers down to the bottom when he said:  “And…what could thiiiiis be? Black. Looks like a wallet.  Could it be? Hmmmm. Could it be a checkbook????”  And we rejoiced when my checkbook was revealed from the bottom of the desk where it fell from 3 drawers above!!! YAY!!! YIPEE!!! WOO HOOOO!  CHEERS!!! CLAPPING HANDS! SMILES! JIG DANCING!

Which then reminded me of the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (all found in Luke 15). Just as the search continued for the valued items…and longing for the young son. God won’t stop looking for someone that is important to him. During this Christmas season when we are looking for Christmas to come. We are looking toward the birth of Jesus Christ. We also need to know that He’s looking for us, too.  And He will keep looking. He’s not brutal or pushy or demanding. He’s a gentle gentleman in his pursuit of us.

And when we find Him, the angels all rejoice! YAY!!! YIPEE!!! WOO HOOOO!  CHEERS!!! CLAPPING HANDS! SMILES! JIG DANCING!  Check it out here…

Luke 15:7 (NIV)

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…

and here…

Luke 15:10 (NIV)

10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

So, I am excited and rejoicing that it took 4 days to find my checkbook. Let’s think about what we would have missed out on. If I had found it on Tuesday…

  1. this post would not exist and YOU wouldn’t be encouraged by this story of God faithfulness.
  2. I wouldn’t be reflecting on God’s pursuit of us, His love of us, His faithfulness, His goodness, His answers to my prayers.
  3. I wouldn’t be praising Him the same.
  4. My faith was made stronger.
  5. Terence and Bishop were able to witness God’s faithfulness in person.
  6. Cherie and Louis’s faith is strengthened.
  7. I am reminded of soooo much.

Last thing… check out the handiwork of my two friends…

IMG_2561

Lemon Crinkle Cookies – One of Terence’s Faves

IMG_2553

Bishop’s Artwork – Who needs a fridge to post it on???

IMG_2555

Bishop Love…. My Version of a Selfie

Happy Birthday, Jesus! Christmas Party

Posted: Saturday, December 14, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday, Jesus! Christmas Party

In 2010, we held a Birthday Party for Jesus at a local church. Check it out here >>2010 Birthday Party  This year, we decided to host another one…at home. We are grateful that Santa has already provided a YES to our invitation!

For an update from me and Louis, check this out too>> 2013 Louis and Marti Update

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →