When Much is Given. . .Give Back

 The very next day after Disneyland, we braved the rain to go and put together lunches for the Homeless Shelter our church would be hosting over the next two weeks.  We worked in an assembly line while some of the kids walked the bags to boxes and others wrote bible verses on lunch bags.

From Luke 12:48. . ."From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Serving alongside Marriage Ministry with our children was a blessing on this day, especially after the gifts that had been given us just the day before.  Teaching our kids to serve, to use their gifts and bless others is a goal of Ernie and I, this year especially.  

Just a week later it would be my turn to serve on the kitchen crew with my Mom Ministry to cook a meal for about 250 people.

 Father Rich stopped by to check in on us.

 This beautiful group of eight women (my mom and Anna included) got it together to serve a meal of chips and salsa, hamburger picadillo, rice, beans, and Mexican cookies for dessert.  When we left that night, some of the guests were outside in the smoking section, and they applauded us.  It was the sweetest thing.

Friends, family, and church members gave up their Friday night to serve our guests with graciousness and smiles.  This act of service was something unlike anything I've ever been a part of.  From start to finish, it was quite the moving experience to remind yourself that our job here on earth is to serve. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and go, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Notice it says GO. . don' keep what you kn ow to be true within the walls of your own family:  GO out and make His truths known.  We give to live.  He is calling us to go.

I had the honor of giving the blessing before our meal.  I was nervous--I asked my kitchen crew to go out there with me because let me brutally honest, the sick scare me.  Some of these people looked sick, were sick, are sick and that makes me nervous.  The homeless in and of themselves doesn't do that to me, but serving the sick has never been one of my gifts--not even in my own home, I'm afraid.  With hands held, and one particular mom whispering a blessing into my ear first, and a hand on my shoulder showing her support. . .I closed my eyes and asked the Lord to fill me with the right words.  I said something like. . . "In the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit.  I thank you Lord for the gift of today.  For the gift of preparing food for our guests.  I thank you for the hands about to serve and for the opportunity to feast together. . .and another sentence. Amen."

I was relieved to be finished because that is way out of my comfort zone.  Later in the evening Deacon Marv found me and told me my prayer was perfect.  I really got what it meant to be non-denominational.  Hmmm, God got it because that prayer was all Him!  Overall, serving with the shelter has been a wonderful opportunity.  Super Bowl Sunday found Anthony ready and willing to serve along side the rest of the high school teens. We must do for others while we still can.  Part of our purpose on this earth is to make disciples and the best way to do that is to spread love through the way we  serve others.  I think my kids are getting it.  That makes me feel like we are moving in the right direction. . .one step at a time.

Valentine"s Perfection

Valentine's weekend wasn't all it was cracked up to be initially.  We had a family emergency we needed to get out to Las Vegas for, which meant a long car ride.  Fortunately, thanks to grandma and grandpa we were able to go solo which made for great talk time and no pit stops to pee.  We had our fancy meal on the road, surrounded by desert for as far as the eye could see.

Late that evening we headed home.  We wanted the comfort of our own bed and had really been looking forward to a fellowship event that our new marriage ministry was hosting.  I'm so glad we did because it was all kinds of perfect.  The weather was perfect, the kids were entertained and well behaved the entire time, the food and fellowship were perfect, and the blessing by our pastor was just perfect.  The resolutions we read aloud, face to face were just beautiful reminders of what we should be working towards on a daily basis in our loving each other whole heartedly.  It was one of the most perfect Valentine's ever. . .even a day late!  (My diamond cross, Ernie bought me was pretty perfect too!)

"It's not the length of years. . .it's the depth of love."--Fr. Rich

THE

RESOLUTION

(men)

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibility.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. 

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

___________________________________                        ____________________________________

SIGNATURE                                                DATE                              WITNESS                                                   DATE

THE

RESOLUTION

(women)

I DO SOLEMNLY RESOLVE to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it. I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey but will live with a spirit of contentment.

I WILL ACCEPT and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem and encourage the distinctions I admire in others.

I WILL LIVE as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His Word.

I WILL SEEK to devote the best of myself, my time, and my talents to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in this phase of my life.

I WILL BE a woman who is quick to listen and slow to speak. I will care about the concerns of others and esteem them more highly than myself.

I WILL FORGIVE those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. 

I WILL NOT TOLERATE evil influences even in the most justifiable form, in myself or my home, but will embrace and encourage a life of purity.

I WILL PURSUE justice, love mercy, and extend compassion toward others.

I WILL BE FAITHFULL to my husband and honor him in my conduct and conversation in order to bring glory to the name of the Lord. I will aspire to be a suitable partner for him to help him reach his God-given potential

I WILL DEMONSTRATE to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.

I WILL CULTIVATE a peaceful home where everyone can sense God’s presence not only through acts of love and service but also through the pleasant and grateful attitude with which I perform them.

___________________________________                        ____________________________________

SIGNATURE                                                DATE                              WITNESS                                                   DATE

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

JOSHUA 24:15