Buckets of Hope

"Buckets of Hope" - Feeding the People of Haiti one Family at a Time

Our North American Mission Board has come up with a way for us to be able to minister to the Haitian community. Fill a bucket with food and they will ship it to Haiti! If you live near us, the Clear Creek Association is receiving these buckets. If you live away, check with your local Southern Baptist Church or check out the website here. It's a great way to serve and show the love of Christ!

From the NAMB website: The “Buckets of Hope” ministry is just one means by which Baptists can fulfill the mandate of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry in the name of Jesus. As we are reminded in Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells us, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'" (KJV)

A “Bucket of Hope” consists of a plastic five-gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. For approximately $30 anyone can purchase the materials and assemble a "Bucket of Hope." The food contained in a single bucket will feed a Haitian family for a week. You are also requested to include a $10 cash contribution, placed in an envelope and attached to the lid of the bucket, to offset the cost of transporting the relief buckets to Haiti.

Buckets must be packed with a specific list of food items inside. Please follow the detailed instructions carefully. This will ensure that every bucket quickly passes through customs and into the hands of the Haitian people.

Contact your Baptist State Convention office for delivery dates and instructions. Then put a bucket together and you can be a part in touching the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians.

Happy Birthday Roger!

Wonderful, loving, kind, godly, wacky, love of my life!

Happy Birthday Sam!

I now have two teenagers! Sam turns 13 today! How to describe Sam
Musician, artist, funny, sweet, smart, quirky, godly, Sam!!

Tiny feet and life!

Last night at church, we were treated to a talk by a man who has made life his cause. The life of innocent babies that is. As the anniversary of Roe Vs. Wade just passed, we have been more aware of the issues surrounding the issue of abortion. Not to mention the fact that we just had a new baby. All of that makes the issue more personal. This gentleman invited us to make our presence known at an abortion clinic here in IL. Our kids asked if we can go one Saturday- yay, we will make plans for that.

The bad news is that this one clinic has been responsible for over 430,000 deaths since the mid 70's! Can you believe that? I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that number. EVIL!

The good news is that because of the prayer and protests of a few, over 200o babies have been saved. The clinic that used to be open 6 days a week, is now only open 3 days a week. Those who go to pray at the clinic regularly see women change their mind. These warriors for life even have an ultrasound machine in a van in the parking lot that they offer free to anyone who wants to look. Wow!

The ladies mission group at our church is collecting items for the crisis pregnancy center that serves our small community. They are in desperate need. They cut packs of diapers in half because they don't have enough to give a full pack to a new mom. Take a minute and find out about the crisis pregnancy centers in your area and how you can help.

We can't only denounce the evil that is done. For those who choose wrongly, it brings to mind 2 Timothy 25-26^:
25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

We must love- we must give hope, and we must serve those that choose life.

So, so 'cited...

That's what Bennett used to say when he was excited- Mom, I am so so 'cited. Well, so are we! We have a super weekend ahead. Two birthdays to celebrate- Sam will be 13 on Saturday, and Roger will be (drum roll) 39 on Monday! Yay! AND on top of that our very good, dear friends, the Dyess family, are on their way as we speak from Georgia. They should blow in with the Winter Storm we are awaiting!
Sledding, cocoa, games, music, birthdays, good friends- what more could we ask for!!
Have a great weekend!

Baby Boy

Take my picture now? I haven't combed my hair!

Oh Mother- I adore you! Wait!

Wait! There's my ceiling fan! I love my ceiling fan!

Does he grant his adoring mother a smile? NO! It's all about the ceiling fan!!!

A funny...

So yesterday, the whole crew went to church with Roger. We don't always go with him- he is in a different church every week. This church asked that we come with him, so we did. Anyway, this is a tiny church and I immediately ask the all important questions so that I can find out where I can go if Isaiah gets hungry. How about the basement? Sure, but we have turned the men's bathroom at the back of the sanctuary into a sort of office, and you are welcome to go in there. Great! So, about half-way through the sermon, Isaiah starts to fuss and I know that he is hungry, so we head out to the men's room. All is well-- for a while. I did have the foresight to lock the door. Soon I hear a little rattle and then more and then whispers "there's someone in the mens' room". I am not in a position to just jump up and leave- if you get my meaning. Babies don't like it when you abruptly end their meal! No problem, I think. They will just use the girl's room. It's empty and just across the 3 foot wide hallway. NO!! More rattles, more whispering, and giggles. I am getting jumpy and thinking about what I will do if the door bursts open. Maybe they will get someone to pick the lock? Talk about being caught at your finest hour! Finally, Isaiah finishes, and we open the door to two boys hanging out in the hallway (which is really the back of the sanctuary). "Are you kidding me?" I ask them. "Couldn't you use the bathroom across the hall?" (did I mention that it is 3 FEET AWAY!!) Sheepish looks and more giggles. Now- that's one way to get out of sitting in church!