Missed Opportunity

A couple of nights ago, Michael and I were at WalMart late in the evening. We were buying a lot of frozen foods and Michael had already expressed concern about our food melting. We attempted to choose the best line to check-out from. We got in a short line, behind a man and his teenage daughter. When they got to the cashier and tried to pay, it didn't work. He was trying to pay with food stamps and his card was not working. We stood there for at least 10 minutes. The thoughts going through my mind were: man, I'm blessed...our food is melting...we chose the wrong line...poor guy...there's about a dozen people in line now. Never did I think to pay for this man's food. Michael was there as well and it didn't hit him that we should have paid until we were in the car. We felt horrible! Michael and I are so blessed and I just stood there with credit card in hand while this man and his daughter were turned away. In Matthew 25, we are told to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. Am I so caught up in myself that I can't have my heart moved to help someone in need? Michael and I have been touched and we are actively seeking those strangers that are in need. Maybe we can make up our missed opportunity one day soon.

WORK CAMP

Where do I begin? We did a lot in three days! I'm so proud of the youth at Richardson East!
The youth group would occasionally split up and go to different locations. My little car transported teenagers all over the metroplex and we had so much fun! My first stop was to the Boys and Girls Club in Plano. We spent time playing games, reading, making crafts, and watching Veggie Tales with these kiddos. I hope they had fun with us there. Next, I went to the Achievement Center in Garland. This is where people with special needs are taken care of. I spent my day with two girls, Kiesha and Crystal. I remembered Kiesha from 2 years earlier when we were able to go swimming. I think she remembered that special day too. I never found out Kiesha's age, but she graduated high school in 2002. Crytal is 24. I can't imagine if my life were like their lives. Be grateful for the abilities that you have.

Later, we went to Central Dallas Ministries to work with their food pantry. Here, we stocked the shelves with food and took "neighbors" around to load their grocery carts. Falling on hard times occurs to males and females, young and old, and to all races. CDM has people that volunteer on a weekly basis and they are the true saints on this Earth. Also on this day, some teens helped clean out rooms at the church...the transformation was simply amazing. (We got free slurpees at 7-11 too!)
Today, we went to the North Texas Food Bank. Here, we packed boxes with food. Some boxes contained nothing but cereal, and others - nothing but drinks. Most of the boxes we filled with a variety of food. You name it, I packed it! Later in the day, we went to a nursing home in Richardson. We talked with the people there and sang to them. Mrs. Green claimed to be 106! (I'm not so sure!)
All in all, it was a great time to serve and have fun. These kids are great and know how to act everywhere they go. They must have some great parents!

Life Events

Michael and I spent the Fourth of July in Houston with Michael's sister. Little Matthew is growing up quickly and is nice and tan for the summer. He is 18 months old and super cute. I hope to be sent pictures soon to post on here.

Wednesday was my brother, Blake, and his daughter, Maddie's, birthdays! Blake turned the big 30 and Maddie is now 2! We celebrated with a party on Saturday. Pictures below:






Michael and I have been married 10 months now. It seems just like yesterday in one sense, but it also feels as if we've known each other our whole lives. God has blessed me so much with him as my husband and my best friend. He's been working really hard lately and deserves vacation time. He SHOULD be on vacation this time next week. Yay!



A great, godly man passed away on Tuesday. Alan Bryan was a traveling evangelist for a while, but I only knew him as the encouraging and wise man at church. His words were always uplifting and he brought smiles to every member of the congregation - young and old. They were handing out one of his books at the funeral home and Michael and I can't wait to read it. Praise God for the lives he touched.

This coming weekend will be the first weekend in a LONG while that we don't have a wedding to attend. So, hopefully Blake's family can join us for dinner Saturday. It is so wonderful to see so many of our friends committing themselves to God-centered marriages. Many of our friends have been wise in choosing their mate, or wise in choosing to stay single. I do rejoice that my single friends are remaining firm in their faith and not settling for someone unworthy.

I'll be involved with Work Camp this week. I ask for prayers that lives our touched and for safety. Have a blessed week!

God Bless America

Rick Monday saves the American Flag from being burnt. Chokes me up everytime.



Visit Joel's blog to read an article about it.