I am hitting the "Publish Post" at the strike of midnight and I will turn another year older at the same time! Only by the grace of God, I have made it to see this ripe ol' age!
In celebration of turning 51, my goal is to do the same number of random acts of kindness in the next 51 days. Please give me suggestions as to what I can do!
It has been 2 years since I have posted last. Can I tell you how much I miss writing down my simple life and sharing my ramblings with those of you who are interested in reading? It saddens me when I reread my old posts. In some ways, I don't know that person any longer. That lady used to focus on being used by God. It saddens me because I feel like my life has gotten too busy to be that available to Him. My New Years Resolution, just decided on!
Gotten hit that button...it is 11:59!
Peace, Love and Sunshine,
Heidi
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Why we do what we do each Sunday in the park
Below is an email I received from an amazing 16 year old who has experienced homelessness first hand. You see, we have served his father many times on Sundays.
By the grace of God, his father is now off the streets and is rebuilding his life, one sober day at a time. Praise be to God!
Please take a minute to read his paper. I promise it will bless your day.
Heidi
Heidi,
This is a paper that I had to write for my language arts class! It was a persuasive speech expressing whether or not higher-class society is responsible for the "poor" population!
I got a 100 on the paper and the teacher plans to publish it.
I hope you enjoy!
---A Poor Country with a Lot of Money---
People in the United States will argue for hours and tell others that our country is “bankrupt.” Even if our economy is struggling, is it really fair for people living in a nice home, with nice cars and a nice job to say that we don’t have “enough” money to support the poor people living on the streets with no home, no car and no job? I strongly believe that it is the higher-class society’s responsibility to support and help the poor people in our nation! Through sacrificing our time and money we can build support groups for less-fortunate people, and we can be an essential building block in turning their lives around.
Time is a very precious gift to every American. If you were to survey ten poor people in Georgia and ask them what they want most, I guarantee nine out of ten of those people would tell you they simply want people to interact with. Just taking a couple hours out of a weekend to care for other people could dramatically change someone’s life. Living life in poverty is based half off of the mindset that people have of themselves. If they live their lives thinking no one cares about them, they will most likely not care about what they do and where they go in life. When you spend time with people, they begin to believe that their life really matters. This belief will cause poor people to have a mindset towards changing their life, for the better. Time is a precious gift to all Americans, but we have to be careful with the way we spend it.
The biggest discussion between people these days is about where their money is going. We worry so much about how we spend our money, yet we never seem to worry about the people in our neighborhood who just lost their job or their only source of income. People who do not have money cannot really make a change in their life if they have no way of paying for certain necessities. Sponsoring a poor child, who lives in Kenya, only costs thirty eight dollars a month. These children have absolutely nothing. Now think about what just five dollars each month could do for the lower-class people in America. There are poor people in America who also need our help. Just a little bit of money can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
When I take time to think about a solution to our unequal country, the word people continually pops up. People can make a difference. People are the solution to our problem. Not just any kind of people; we need dedicated, hard working people, who are willing to give what is necessary in order to make a difference in someone’s life. When these people step forward and show that they want to help people change, lives will be altered. Poor people will have new lifestyles. We are the solution!
Though this economic problem may continue for many years, we have the ability to change the fate of our country. Our time and money are so valuable to others, and our commitment of these two resources will be what changes people’s lives. We need to stop thinking about how “poor” we are, and start thinking about the rich opportunity we have to help those who are truly in suffering. This country will change. Will you be a part of the change?
By the grace of God, his father is now off the streets and is rebuilding his life, one sober day at a time. Praise be to God!
Please take a minute to read his paper. I promise it will bless your day.
Heidi
Heidi,
This is a paper that I had to write for my language arts class! It was a persuasive speech expressing whether or not higher-class society is responsible for the "poor" population!
I got a 100 on the paper and the teacher plans to publish it.
I hope you enjoy!
---A Poor Country with a Lot of Money---
People in the United States will argue for hours and tell others that our country is “bankrupt.” Even if our economy is struggling, is it really fair for people living in a nice home, with nice cars and a nice job to say that we don’t have “enough” money to support the poor people living on the streets with no home, no car and no job? I strongly believe that it is the higher-class society’s responsibility to support and help the poor people in our nation! Through sacrificing our time and money we can build support groups for less-fortunate people, and we can be an essential building block in turning their lives around.
Time is a very precious gift to every American. If you were to survey ten poor people in Georgia and ask them what they want most, I guarantee nine out of ten of those people would tell you they simply want people to interact with. Just taking a couple hours out of a weekend to care for other people could dramatically change someone’s life. Living life in poverty is based half off of the mindset that people have of themselves. If they live their lives thinking no one cares about them, they will most likely not care about what they do and where they go in life. When you spend time with people, they begin to believe that their life really matters. This belief will cause poor people to have a mindset towards changing their life, for the better. Time is a precious gift to all Americans, but we have to be careful with the way we spend it.
The biggest discussion between people these days is about where their money is going. We worry so much about how we spend our money, yet we never seem to worry about the people in our neighborhood who just lost their job or their only source of income. People who do not have money cannot really make a change in their life if they have no way of paying for certain necessities. Sponsoring a poor child, who lives in Kenya, only costs thirty eight dollars a month. These children have absolutely nothing. Now think about what just five dollars each month could do for the lower-class people in America. There are poor people in America who also need our help. Just a little bit of money can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
When I take time to think about a solution to our unequal country, the word people continually pops up. People can make a difference. People are the solution to our problem. Not just any kind of people; we need dedicated, hard working people, who are willing to give what is necessary in order to make a difference in someone’s life. When these people step forward and show that they want to help people change, lives will be altered. Poor people will have new lifestyles. We are the solution!
Though this economic problem may continue for many years, we have the ability to change the fate of our country. Our time and money are so valuable to others, and our commitment of these two resources will be what changes people’s lives. We need to stop thinking about how “poor” we are, and start thinking about the rich opportunity we have to help those who are truly in suffering. This country will change. Will you be a part of the change?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Exciting news to share!
Sooo much has happened since my last blog! I just have to write.....
16 days ago, I put out a plea to my friends to step up and out in serving God by helping out with the ministry I volunteer in each week. Every Sunday, I serve along side of some amazing people by feeding the needy. The number of people showing up to eat is growing every Sunday. We are up to approximately 300 people each week. Since that plea went out, God has moved many people. With the check the mail lady (I love that lady!) brought me today, a total of $550.00 has been given back to Jesus! I am BLOWN AWAY by the love so many have showered this incredible ministry with. You humble me.
Our youngest, Halton, came home with big news last week. He has decided he no longer wants to be a high school math teacher. God has been pulling at his heart strings to go to bible college! How cool is that? With our blessings, he withdrew from AASU and is currently getting all the admission paperwork together to start school next month, pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. You can just imagine how we are beaming with pride for him being obedient to God's calling.
I am starting a new job next Monday! I will be working at my church, Savannah Christian, as Ministry Assistant to Local Outreach! How exciting to have a job that is right in line with my passion in life!
God does speak to us. He spoke to everyone who donated money to the park ministry. He spoke to Halton with direction He has for his life. He spoke to me when He gave me a job I was not even looking for, but I am sure I will love.
What is God trying to speak to you about, and are you listening for His voice?
Serving Him while I am waiting,
Heidi
16 days ago, I put out a plea to my friends to step up and out in serving God by helping out with the ministry I volunteer in each week. Every Sunday, I serve along side of some amazing people by feeding the needy. The number of people showing up to eat is growing every Sunday. We are up to approximately 300 people each week. Since that plea went out, God has moved many people. With the check the mail lady (I love that lady!) brought me today, a total of $550.00 has been given back to Jesus! I am BLOWN AWAY by the love so many have showered this incredible ministry with. You humble me.
Our youngest, Halton, came home with big news last week. He has decided he no longer wants to be a high school math teacher. God has been pulling at his heart strings to go to bible college! How cool is that? With our blessings, he withdrew from AASU and is currently getting all the admission paperwork together to start school next month, pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. You can just imagine how we are beaming with pride for him being obedient to God's calling.
I am starting a new job next Monday! I will be working at my church, Savannah Christian, as Ministry Assistant to Local Outreach! How exciting to have a job that is right in line with my passion in life!
God does speak to us. He spoke to everyone who donated money to the park ministry. He spoke to Halton with direction He has for his life. He spoke to me when He gave me a job I was not even looking for, but I am sure I will love.
What is God trying to speak to you about, and are you listening for His voice?
Serving Him while I am waiting,
Heidi
Friday, September 4, 2009
Jesus in envelopes Part II
Back in July, I blogged about Jesus appearing in my mailbox. I had better polish up my mailbox because He seems to like the inside of it!
The number of people we are feeding in the park each Sunday has groooooown. The number of people I have cooking, has not. Last Sunday, we fed right around 300 hungry children of God. On one had, the increasing number excites me because that is a huge crowd to hear The Word. On the other hand, it concerns me that we will not have enough food to feed everyone. The past 2 weeks, we have run out before all were fed.
God spoke loudly to my heart on Monday:
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And He did!
I posted a plea on my Facebook Monday asking for help in making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for this Sunday. Before the sun went down, I was contacted by four people in Ohio that I have not seen in years! Two of the people, I went to high school with thirty, (ouch!) years ago. The other two are cousins I have not seen in forever! How good is God? Since they are all out of town, they decided to send Walmart gift cards to help with this week's menu of PB&J, fruit, dessert and water. I was also contacted by a sweet eighty eight year old lady who had seen the article in the newspaper about the ministry. She said she was too old to come out and help, but that she wanted to send me a check to help out! What? How cool is that? She told me that she is going to ask all her Bingo ladies to write a check also! Too funny!
We will have more food than we need this week. Not only have long distance brothers and sister in Christ responded to the need, new local volunteers will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us this Sunday!
Jesus promises the desires out our hearts. His promises are always true. His truth brought $200 to my mailbox in the past two days!
I think I am going to kiss my mail lady tomorrow!
The number of people we are feeding in the park each Sunday has groooooown. The number of people I have cooking, has not. Last Sunday, we fed right around 300 hungry children of God. On one had, the increasing number excites me because that is a huge crowd to hear The Word. On the other hand, it concerns me that we will not have enough food to feed everyone. The past 2 weeks, we have run out before all were fed.
God spoke loudly to my heart on Monday:
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And He did!
I posted a plea on my Facebook Monday asking for help in making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for this Sunday. Before the sun went down, I was contacted by four people in Ohio that I have not seen in years! Two of the people, I went to high school with thirty, (ouch!) years ago. The other two are cousins I have not seen in forever! How good is God? Since they are all out of town, they decided to send Walmart gift cards to help with this week's menu of PB&J, fruit, dessert and water. I was also contacted by a sweet eighty eight year old lady who had seen the article in the newspaper about the ministry. She said she was too old to come out and help, but that she wanted to send me a check to help out! What? How cool is that? She told me that she is going to ask all her Bingo ladies to write a check also! Too funny!
We will have more food than we need this week. Not only have long distance brothers and sister in Christ responded to the need, new local volunteers will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us this Sunday!
Jesus promises the desires out our hearts. His promises are always true. His truth brought $200 to my mailbox in the past two days!
I think I am going to kiss my mail lady tomorrow!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Letters, pictures and shoes!
Here are a few pictures from the park last night.
J.R. reading cards and looking at precious pictures of his two children. My friend was touched beyond words.
Johnny with his new shoes! He only had a pair of flips flops and they had fallen apart yesterday morning. He called me before I left for the park, I sent out a plea to my friends and blam, he received a pair of Timerland Boots!
Ask, and ye shall receive. Mathew 7:7
Wishing you a great week of looking for opportunities He puts before you to serve Him.
J.R. reading cards and looking at precious pictures of his two children. My friend was touched beyond words.
Johnny with his new shoes! He only had a pair of flips flops and they had fallen apart yesterday morning. He called me before I left for the park, I sent out a plea to my friends and blam, he received a pair of Timerland Boots!
Ask, and ye shall receive. Mathew 7:7
Wishing you a great week of looking for opportunities He puts before you to serve Him.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Jesus in an envelope and Jesus in a tent!
Yesterday I received an envelope in the mail. I had no idea who the return address was, so I was not expecting to be blown away one more time by Jesus this week. Why would He not continue to rock my world?
In the envelope there was a letter from J.R.'s ex-wife, Sherrie. It was the sweetest letter to basically thank me for contacting her about J.R. earlier this week.
Now here is where this blog gets good...
Also in the envelope were cards written to J.R. from his two children (19 and 16). Sherrie also sent him numerous cards. There were current pictures of his son and daughter (great looking kids!) included, and the last picture taken with J.R. and his children.
How valuable are the contents of the envelope going to be to J.R.? Can you even imagine how emotional this is going to be for him? God is so good.
Friday nights at my church, Savannah Christian Church, there is a 12 step, Christ based, recovery program. I try to invite everyone at the park to attend. So when Kristin and I were giving out bananas this past Tuesday, I invited those we spoke to, to come. I promised I would be there to meet anyone who decided to take me up on my offer to buy them a bus pass back to their camp, if they showed up. Well, late afternoon yesterday (Friday) I was belly aching about not wanting to go to Celebrate Recovery and how no one would probably show up from downtown anyways. Awe, I was wrong! My cell phone rang with the receptionist at my church on the other end telling me there was a lady waiting for me at church! Ye, of little faith, I said to myself!
A sweet older lady named, Patricia, got up yesterday and prepared all day to come to the recovery program. You see, it takes all day to bathe and wash your hair when you live in a tent and have to wash out of a bucket of water that I am sure is not clean.
It then took her a few different buses to reach the church.
This has been a week of more blessings than I deserve.
God moved mountains so Richard's family could be found and notified of his death.
I received a beautiful email from his daughter.
I got to spend the day with one of the most special people in my life, loving on His children in downtown Savannah. Who knew what would come out of that case of bananas? Jesus arrived in an envelope. His love will continue to bless the man I have the privilege of delivering memories of his children to tomorrow.
Last but not least, a dear lady who sleeps in a tent all by herself, listened to the sweet sound of Jesus calling her name to meet Him at church.
I am hanging on to my skirt, cuz I don't know how Jesus is going to breeze through my life next week, but I am expecting Him! To be continued.....
In the envelope there was a letter from J.R.'s ex-wife, Sherrie. It was the sweetest letter to basically thank me for contacting her about J.R. earlier this week.
Now here is where this blog gets good...
Also in the envelope were cards written to J.R. from his two children (19 and 16). Sherrie also sent him numerous cards. There were current pictures of his son and daughter (great looking kids!) included, and the last picture taken with J.R. and his children.
How valuable are the contents of the envelope going to be to J.R.? Can you even imagine how emotional this is going to be for him? God is so good.
Friday nights at my church, Savannah Christian Church, there is a 12 step, Christ based, recovery program. I try to invite everyone at the park to attend. So when Kristin and I were giving out bananas this past Tuesday, I invited those we spoke to, to come. I promised I would be there to meet anyone who decided to take me up on my offer to buy them a bus pass back to their camp, if they showed up. Well, late afternoon yesterday (Friday) I was belly aching about not wanting to go to Celebrate Recovery and how no one would probably show up from downtown anyways. Awe, I was wrong! My cell phone rang with the receptionist at my church on the other end telling me there was a lady waiting for me at church! Ye, of little faith, I said to myself!
A sweet older lady named, Patricia, got up yesterday and prepared all day to come to the recovery program. You see, it takes all day to bathe and wash your hair when you live in a tent and have to wash out of a bucket of water that I am sure is not clean.
It then took her a few different buses to reach the church.
This has been a week of more blessings than I deserve.
God moved mountains so Richard's family could be found and notified of his death.
I received a beautiful email from his daughter.
I got to spend the day with one of the most special people in my life, loving on His children in downtown Savannah. Who knew what would come out of that case of bananas? Jesus arrived in an envelope. His love will continue to bless the man I have the privilege of delivering memories of his children to tomorrow.
Last but not least, a dear lady who sleeps in a tent all by herself, listened to the sweet sound of Jesus calling her name to meet Him at church.
I am hanging on to my skirt, cuz I don't know how Jesus is going to breeze through my life next week, but I am expecting Him! To be continued.....
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Blown away by Jesus!
Richard, one of my homeless friends died over 2 weeks ago. We have diligently trying to find family members to notify them...road block after road block. Yesterday i did some serious praying for breakthroughs. After many hours on the phone yesterday and continuous prayer over each call, God gave me the name and phone number for Richard's brother in NJ. I spoke with him last night and all Richard's siblings know their brother died. No one deserves to lie in a morgue for over two weeks.
Today I received a phone call from one of Richard's children. She was so appreciative that there was a memorial service for her father at Old Savannah City Mission. A pastor from my church did the service, along with some of Richard's friends sharing memories. She cried when I told her that her father accepted Jesus a few years ago.
How comforting to know her father had a family in Savannah, ever it be, a family made up of homeless people. Wouldn't we want someone to memorialize our loved one, should they die without family around?
Anyway, that was ONE cool way I encountered Jesus today.
Here is a copy of the email I received from Richard's daughter tonight. She also emailed some pictures of her father when he was younger. He looked like he could belong in anyone of our families.
Hi Heidi,
I wanted to e-mail you sooner, however I have been trying to see about having my father cremated , and Asking for some assistance from his family in order to do so.
I would like to thank you for everything you have done for my father, and let you know how much I truly appreciate it! I'm planning a trip for Savannah for the 6th, 7th and 8th . I was wondering what your schedule looked like for any of those day's? However do keep in mind I won't really be there till later on the 6th due to the 16 hour drive! But any of the other day's would be fine! My Plans are paying my respects to you , the church and his friend's who were there for him!
I really loved my father with all my heart, and had only wished he would allow for me to help him, but since he wouldn't allow me to do so, I'm extremely grateful that he was surrounded by people who loved and cared about him, that puts my mind at ease!
I thank you , again for everything. And Look forward to meeting you and my father's friends!
if you could send me 6 of his memorial services this way I can give them to my brother's and sisters , that would be so very kind of you!
The second way, also came about in the form of a phone call.
Today my dear, dear friend, Kristin, and I went downtown with a case of bananas to give away. Banana by banana, we shared God's love, prayer and hugs.
One of my friends, JR, asked me if I would call his ex wife and let her know he is still alive and going to church and hanging around "church people". He asked with such conviction and big crocodile tears,
that I knew he really wanted me to call her.
So, I called and left a message. Hmmm, would she be happy to hear his name, or was there a lot of destruction in her life being married to an addict. Well, I got a phone call back from her and she was so happy to have gotten my phone call. She thanked me a million times for passing on JR's message. One of her prayers is that he will seek God and get his life straightened out. And, that is the only way he will beat his demons. JR's children will be happy to hear their father is alive and thriving. Thank you, Jesus! She asked me if I would give her my address so she could mail this things. Even though there is probably a lot of mud under the bridge of their marriage, he is still the father of her children. She also told me if I ever knew of anything he is in need of, she will send it to me to give to him.
The third way was also a phone call! Can I tell you how much I am loving my phone?
Another homeless man called me to tell me that he is sober today (cocaine addiction) and tomorrow he is checking back into a rehab center!
He just wanted to let me know that prayers were working and to thank me for not giving up on him.
God NEVER gives up on us. Never, ever, ever.
So tonight, my friend (who looks just like one of us, you would never know he is a crack addict) is sober and tomorrow is a new day in his life.
Thanks for listening to my amazing couple of days! I am blown away and continuing to stand in awe of Him.
Today I received a phone call from one of Richard's children. She was so appreciative that there was a memorial service for her father at Old Savannah City Mission. A pastor from my church did the service, along with some of Richard's friends sharing memories. She cried when I told her that her father accepted Jesus a few years ago.
How comforting to know her father had a family in Savannah, ever it be, a family made up of homeless people. Wouldn't we want someone to memorialize our loved one, should they die without family around?
Anyway, that was ONE cool way I encountered Jesus today.
Here is a copy of the email I received from Richard's daughter tonight. She also emailed some pictures of her father when he was younger. He looked like he could belong in anyone of our families.
Hi Heidi,
I wanted to e-mail you sooner, however I have been trying to see about having my father cremated , and Asking for some assistance from his family in order to do so.
I would like to thank you for everything you have done for my father, and let you know how much I truly appreciate it! I'm planning a trip for Savannah for the 6th, 7th and 8th . I was wondering what your schedule looked like for any of those day's? However do keep in mind I won't really be there till later on the 6th due to the 16 hour drive! But any of the other day's would be fine! My Plans are paying my respects to you , the church and his friend's who were there for him!
I really loved my father with all my heart, and had only wished he would allow for me to help him, but since he wouldn't allow me to do so, I'm extremely grateful that he was surrounded by people who loved and cared about him, that puts my mind at ease!
I thank you , again for everything. And Look forward to meeting you and my father's friends!
if you could send me 6 of his memorial services this way I can give them to my brother's and sisters , that would be so very kind of you!
The second way, also came about in the form of a phone call.
Today my dear, dear friend, Kristin, and I went downtown with a case of bananas to give away. Banana by banana, we shared God's love, prayer and hugs.
One of my friends, JR, asked me if I would call his ex wife and let her know he is still alive and going to church and hanging around "church people". He asked with such conviction and big crocodile tears,
that I knew he really wanted me to call her.
So, I called and left a message. Hmmm, would she be happy to hear his name, or was there a lot of destruction in her life being married to an addict. Well, I got a phone call back from her and she was so happy to have gotten my phone call. She thanked me a million times for passing on JR's message. One of her prayers is that he will seek God and get his life straightened out. And, that is the only way he will beat his demons. JR's children will be happy to hear their father is alive and thriving. Thank you, Jesus! She asked me if I would give her my address so she could mail this things. Even though there is probably a lot of mud under the bridge of their marriage, he is still the father of her children. She also told me if I ever knew of anything he is in need of, she will send it to me to give to him.
The third way was also a phone call! Can I tell you how much I am loving my phone?
Another homeless man called me to tell me that he is sober today (cocaine addiction) and tomorrow he is checking back into a rehab center!
He just wanted to let me know that prayers were working and to thank me for not giving up on him.
God NEVER gives up on us. Never, ever, ever.
So tonight, my friend (who looks just like one of us, you would never know he is a crack addict) is sober and tomorrow is a new day in his life.
Thanks for listening to my amazing couple of days! I am blown away and continuing to stand in awe of Him.
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