Monday Mania - Socks and Such

I am starting a sock revolution.  Not many are adopting it though.  Some of you think I am crazy for wearing two different colors of socks with my Toms shoes.  Guess...what?  It's just what I do.  It's my personality emerging from my feet.  Really, it's just that I am too lazy to match my socks out of the dryer.  So most days, I grab the two socks on top of the sock stack and my world of socks is revolutionized.

The past two weekends The House FM has been collecting turkeys for the Salvation Army.  It's been hard work but rewarding.  One comment made was..."I have been in a place where I needed this help.  I want to give back as I had been given."  The lady said that as she put two turkeys into the shopping cart.  That warmed my heart to see her live compassion.  I love seeing God move through his people to take care of those who need a little extra help.  Thanks everyone who gave back to Turkey 4 Tunes.

There have been some significant changes that have blown through my life.  I have spent a lot of time praying and pondering God's word to me regarding those changes.  Isn't it wonderful the way God speaks to you just as you need to hear it?  

Not sure what Andy is looking at.

Hope you have had a chance to catch the new morning show on The House FM radio station:  Wake Up! with Andy & Janelle.  Andy and I post pins to Pinterest daily so you don't miss any important information that we talk about, including cats.  Yup, they make our show often.  The name of the show is not only for the time of day, but also a call to discipleship as the children of God to wake up and be the church as God has called us to be.  

A truth that I landed on again this past week is... we can't trust God in areas where we have our own plan or agenda in place.  He can and will direct your steps, your tomorrows, your next moves.  Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Some encouragement that I have received lately is through some dear friends who have sent me to my own words as encouragement.  I am amazed at how God can use this broken, desperate, and looking-for-answers writer to reach you.  

Thank you for reading today.  For fun...wear some socks that don't match.  :)

Monday Mania - Calling all Turkeys

It's the season of giving and being thankful.  But shouldn't that be a daily thing instead of a seasonal or calendar thing?

God been giving us awesome and beautiful sunsets, have you been catching those too?

And the trees...have been dropping their beauty at our feet, but first getting our attention with their stirring and striking colors!  You know the dry summer has helped make this season colored with more beautiful hues.  That's one good take away from the dryness we suffered all summer long.

We had our first Saturday of Turkey 4 Tunes, collecting turkeys for families in need with the Salvation Army.  Our listeners represented the spirit of giving well!  Almost 300 turkeys!  I am particularly proud that Stillwater residents represented with 115 turkeys!

But most impressive was little Earl.  Earl was a walk-in volunteer brought by his uncle Sean.  Earl had gotten in trouble at school and was suspended for two days.  His uncle wanted to teach him a community service lesson.  So Uncle Sean brought him to the Stillwater Turkey 4 Tunes event.  Earl was 8 I think.  He really didn't want to be there at first.  He was embarrassed to tell me why he got into trouble.  But it didn't matter to me.  I gave him a job right away to make him a part of the event.  Earl took up the challenge of giving a kid bracelet with a Jesus saying on it to the kids who went buy.  Earl did quite well at that.  But what was the most impressive and notable was his excitement at each turkey given.  I think he was surprised to see the love of Christ in action by the generosity of those bringing turkeys.  When he arrived he thought the "community service" gig was going to be boring and mundane.  When he left, he thanked me and gave me a hug.  He was so glad he came and was wishing he could do it again.  Oh little Earl, how sweet your spirit was.  Earl, you didn't know it, but you showed the love of Christ by serving without complaining.

As I think about the things I am thankful for today...and every day, I am especially thankful that when a disaster strikes, like Sandy, that God works through the mundane, and the chaos.  He brings together a community ready to serve with giving and generous spirits.  People are giving of their money, time, talents and love to help those who are in need.  And that's living compassion in Christ.  That's God's goodness at work when tragedy strikes.