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.

Week in Review

2016 started off with me facing my fear of the stomach flu.  It hit hard.  My co-captain was out of commission and it was only by the grace of God I managed through it.  God had mercy on me and no one else has been infected, but 3 of the 6 meant the odds were against me.  It was bad.   On Ernie's third day off from work, we squeezed in a breakfast date.  All is well that ends well.

 We've been able to squeeze in some cousin time with our newest favorite.

Volleyball season is in full swing.  Layla and Lene are on the same team which is fun.  Their team name is Set to Kill.

 Marriage ministry continues to be a favorite date night.

We hired some twice a month help at home.  Her name is Lupe and she she has freed up some time for me to do fun stuff while she is deep cleaning. This particular day, Janessa and I did some grocery shopping and then had a late lunch in the park.  I am so very thankful that Ernie encouraged me to have someone help out with the deep cleaning.  There's this misconception that because I stay home, I have to do it all.  I believe it's important to look at your skill set, and make adjustments accordingly. We have adjusted and I'm so very grateful!

Also, I started writing at another blog:  An Invitation
I'm not one hundred percent sure where I will go with it, but I think it will be more my musings of life from a forty year old female's perspective.  I will continue to blog here with our family happenings to document our memories.  However, I am noticing a decrease in pictures since I'm trying to be more hands-free.  Embracing life in the moment means capturing pictures in my mind. It's a new way to live but a necessary one.  I am tired of being a slave to my phone, besides little eyes are watching me. They emulate what they see, so I'd like to give them more of me, at their level, living well.