Christmas Caroling at the Local Nursing Home

Today we gathered to create beautiful Christmas cards for the seniors at our local nursing home.  Then we headed over to sing carols, pass out cookies and the cards.  It was wonderful!

All Girls Allowed

Hannah came to me and said she wanted to raise funds for the organization All Girls Allowed http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/, whom she heard about on KSBJ.  We added this goal to her and Lauren's vision boards.  

A couple weeks later we called on some friends to help and were so blessed that they too wanted to contribute and give of their time and resources. 

  All Girls Allowed gave these children a great opportunity to embrace the training to be mission minded leaders, servants of God, who give of their time, energy, resources and emotions to serve others.

The girls set a goal of raising $240 for the shower gift program and they exceeded it by $50.00. They were so thrilled and overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Schulenburg, TX. 

We thank All Girls Allowed for all their efforts, love and time in helping to restore the God-given life, value and dignity to the mothers and girls in China. They set a wonderful  example for our children and myself.

Here are some of the girls working on posters to hang in community businesses.

 

Here is Lexi getting ready to do her favorite things taste and cook.

My wonderful friend Kim offered her awesome kitchen and stove.

The boys even jumped in to help.

Doesn't Jack look great in that apron???  

Flowers totally look good on him!

Oops!  We have a bit of a mess.  

Don't worry their dog, Sophie, cleaned it up.

Hannah and Becca making cookies.

Mrs. Sonia brought cookies that her daughters, 

Kaylee and Maddie, helped bake.

Lauren accomplishing one of her other goals with dad.  

They built the lemonade stand.

The day of the bake sale.

The girls worked so hard putting this all together and
 they accomplished it with only a little guidance from the moms.  

Be Warm and Well Fed

Our church collected boxes of food, coats, and blankets to help meet the needs of God's children for the coming winter. Tray and I had the opportunity to serve with our brothers and sisters in Christ, to go out into the community and be the hands and feet of Jesus. It was yet another reminder of how much my heart yearns for our family to


"...be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)


I can not begin to explain the joy that comes to my heart to be able to share with these people the love of Christ. My hands shake, tears flowing down my face as I write this, because to me there is no greater way to spend my life than serving God with my husband and children.

When I look back on the moments of our life, the times that are most treasured are when we are touching lives in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want the world to know that we serve a God who is mighty! We are a new creation in him, he gives us life and restoration, joy that has no limits, he never leaves us, doesn't give up on us, loves us no matter where we've been or what we've done. He accepts us right where we are as we are.

He has taken me from emptiness, destruction, loneliness and created in me a love I've never known. His love has power that transforms and brings to life what was once dead. My life has never had so much joy and love as it does now. To God be the glory!

A special thank you to Pastor John for all the hours and efforts that went into preparing and planning for this service opportunity. Thank you for reminding Tray and I what God has put into both our hearts, for us to have another treasured moment in life doing what we both love so much....sharing God's love together with others.

September Service Project

"Do not forget to do good and to share with others...."

(Hebrews 13:16)

(Maricar and her family)

(Lauren)

(Issac)

Many home school families came together to serve 250 sandwiches, pickles, crackers, popcicles, and water to the homeless of Downtown Houston.

"May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

August Service Project

This month we teamed up with some of our home school friends and collected art supplies for the children at Texas Children's Hospital.

The kids created cards filled with kindness, compassion, and love.

One of the moms was telling us that when they were at the store her little girl was informing everyone around her that they were buying supplies for the children at Texas Children's Hospital. The mom said, "I may need to work on her humility." I have to agree with the other mom in our group who said, "maybe she will inspire them."

God enables us to abound in every good work. II Cor. 9:8

Valenitines for Veterans

We teamed up with some other homeschoolers and made some fabulous Valentines for the Veterans. Thank you to all who serve our country!

Beautiful work kids.

Aren't they pretty!

Delivering the cards at the Micahel Debakey VA Med Center

He Put Gloves on Jesus Hands/Susan of KSBJ

http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/wp263/morningshow/?p=2286

Coming Together

I was telling my husband a few weeks back that I wanted to knit hats for the homeless this year and donate them. My goal being 150 hats. About a week after telling him this he saw an article in the paper about a ministry called 1000 Hills. They are a ministry that reaches the poor and homeless in Downtown Houston, the 5th Ward, expanding down the coast line to inner cities of Mexico and Latin America. They minister by sharing the gospel, supplying basic needs, and serving meals.

As I was driving home today from taking Hannah to rehearsals I thought it would be cool if I blogged about this and readers would be led to join in with me. I am praying that God will increase the number of hats by 10. So if you or your children are looking for a way to serve others, please join us in helping to keep the homeless warm for next year.

Spread the word and lets see what God does.

A Simple Act of Love

The faces of those in need



A simple act of love

The children stood in line to take turns filling cups and passing along to the men and women, whose home is the streets of downtown

The gang

The kids warming themselves with a cup of hot cocoa

I believe that on Friday our childrens act of love in something as simple as passing out hot cocoa warmed not only the bodies of the women and men living on the streets of downtown, but also warmed their hearts. Many commented on how wonderful it was to see the children and one would only accept the hot cocoa from the hands of a child.

My prayer is that through the love of the many organizations and volunteers that spend countless hours ministering and sharing the love of Christ to these men and woman, that they would be transformed spiritually and would be saved from the misery of life on the streets.

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas morning we gathered with some other New Hopers and took a drive downtown to pass out sack lunches and water to the homeless. I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas then to show Jesus's love to others with the ones you love. This was the best part of Christmas for me this year.

"Many Hands Make the Work Light" - 1SG Charles Young

For our November Service Project we helped at the PNC. The PNC helps the community in many ways and has an incredible staff. You can check out their website at http://www.pnctexas.com/ .
The children did a great job! After about 2 hours they were ready to fill their bellies with McDonalds. We unloaded a truck and organzied the shelves. Way to go kids!

Hannah, Chloe and Issac sorting.

Daddy and Micah team

Lauren and Chloe stocking the shelves.

No load was too much, the boys really worked hard.

Mother and daughter team,

Jennifer and Emma.

Here they were taking a break, watching the train go by.

Even little Lydia helped, isn't she cute?!

Nicole and her family organized the holiday and packaged section.

Working as a team, love it!