faith-acres_katie

A Forgotten / Unknown Insurance Policy

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:07:38 GMT

Life is hard enough, but I couldn’t imagine trying to live it without Jesus. One of my favorite songs is “Give Me Jesus” by Jeremy Camp, and this morning when I got up to write some Faith Walk stories, I clicked on Pandora (internet radio) and what a gift to hear my favorite song play first. It’s these little “GOD THINGS” along life’s journey that gives us the encouragement to keeps on the right path.

Yesterday, I was working with the girls in the office on our very first 5k Run/ 3k Walk for Hunger fundraiser and I was thinking that Jeff and I being the leaders need to start raising our personal pledges. Our goal for FAF is $50,000, and I thought if 50 dedicated people raised $1,000 then it’s very doable. We have 6 weeks (one by the time you get this story) until the event on September 8th, and I needed to get moving on this. However, with all our other responsibilities, I just had to lift up a prayer and ask our Heavenly Father for help.

Later that afternoon one of the girls volunteering in the office says, “Hey, I have a donation for you and Jeff, for Faith Acres!” I looked at her and said, “Great because we have the walk!” I also know she is without a job, and things are tight for her and her family right now. In fact, the finances and family issues have been so heavy on her heart that the stress has developed into panic attacks.

Panic attacks are a very real issue with some of the individuals who come to FAF. The stress of life can grow into very serious medical conditions, adding even more to the mountain of difficulties they are facing. It is the “FEAR” of the “WHAT IF’S”. This fear can consume people to the point of becoming immobile if not dealt with quickly.

This was a SACRIFICIAL GIFT from my friend, who has been out of work all summer. I looked at her with a puzzled smile and she told me such a funny “GOD STORY” about where the money came from. She has graciously allowed me to share this story so everyone who hears it will know that no matter how hard life may get, we have hope! God has not forgotten about us and brings laughter right in the middle of difficult days.

Read how God uses a forgotten/unknown insurance policy to bring provision at just the right time.

Knowing that I would be without income starting early June, I had calculated my expenses and tried to plan for all anticipated outstanding bills that would be coming due over the next few months. This was the first summer that I would be without an income stream in over seven years. One thing that I’ve experienced in God’s timing in my life is that he is seldom early, but never late to answer my prayers. It’s the pause between the prayers and the answers that is helping to shape my faith and absolute reliance upon his grace and provision in my life.

A week before my last day of work I received a letter in the mail from an insurance company. They were trying to locate the next of kin for my parents. I contacted the company and learned that they had conducted a random audit of their books and noticed that a policy had not been paid out upon the death of the last member on the policy. (It had been over two years since my mother passed away.) I was told that my parents had taken out casket insurance back in 1966 and that a check would be issued to me if I submitted proper verification documentation.

This check came at a time when I had other unexpected bills to pay and had provided me with a sense of peace during a potentially extremely stressful time. While it is my nature to look everywhere I can physically see for answers to my problems, this experience has taught me what is written in Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I would encourage you to read the rest of the chapter and find blessing in God’s presence in your life both now and forevermore.

Each time I’m brought to a new circumstance God presents an opportunity for me to grow in relationship with him, sometimes I waste that chance with fear and anxiety. When I get through my challenges, I can see that God has been there all along and feel foolish for not fully trusting HIM. These have been hard lessons for me to learn. I am still a student in this.

We can speak of God’s love forever; it’s not just a coincidence that my very favorite song was first up on the internet radio this morning, it’s not just luck that my friend’s parents in 1966 took out casket insurance to be delivered to their daughter the very summer she is without a job and needs the finances desperately. COME ON....CASKET INSURANCE? It’s not just coincidence that I was thinking and praying about getting our pledges for the Run/Walk for Hunger, and a few hours later we get our first $300 pledge from a person who has no job!

THIS IS ABOUT GODS LOVE; THIS IS ABOUT A REAL GOD WHO CARES ABOUT US! We, who are mere people, get so fearful and worry about the “WHAT IF’S”, that don’t happen 90% of the time, because we have a real Heavenly Father who cares about the little details of our lives and get’s us through the “WHAT IF’S. “

I Know My Ultimate Reward Isn't of This World

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:58:07 GMT

So, it’s one week before my scheduled repeat c-section with number 8 child and I get a phone call about 8:30 p.m. from my landlord’s realtor stating, “We have to move by the end of the month—which is 3 weeks away by the way—and he's very sorry, but he was given a dirt cheap price to renovate the house and can't pass up this opportunity.” It was not up for negotiation, nor was there a chance even for extension.

Maybe one year ago I would have completely freaked out and start worrying, thinking about 101 million things and what were we going to do! God had just reconciled my marriage about two months prior to this phone call and I just knew hard times were on pause for a little bit—WRONG—it was just the beginning of a new storm. I had that full week to search for houses and use every resource possible, and I did. However, there was nothing for the size or area in which we were looking. Time was ticking and patience, faith, and hope began to grow weary and soon aggravation and anger started, considering there was only one day left until I was to go into the hospital. We had begun packing and getting rid of a lot of things we knew had to go ASAP—even though it hurt badly. We donated about half the furniture we have now, but had to sacrifice just in-case we didn't find a place by the end of the month.

Our baby boy was born and healthy as ever—praise God—and I'm OK! I was kept in the hospital for five days and went to what was our old home. I had packed my laptop in my to-go bag, since I knew I still had a house to find in less than two weeks. Still nothing ! When we arrived home, I refused to give up on my hunt for our new home. With a newborn—they eat every hour or two, and then every two to four hours, so I would feed him and once he went back to sleep—regardless of the time—I would look online for a home. I was praying to God daily, asking him what was going on and why, but I knew the why really didn't matter, as He is always working it out for us behind closed doors. I just wanted to knock on that door and take a peek at this point just so I wouldn't lose faith / hope. That never happened because I had my husband to reassure me that everything was going to be OK, and not to worry, and try to get some rest!

Now—three days before we have to move, and still nothing ! At this point, I didn't know what to do. I didn't even want to look at a laptop or a phone anymore. I was exhausted and was throwing in the towel! With a prayer at 4 a.m., I found not one, but two houses and quickly e-mailed both of them. They were able to show us the homes the same day. I was praising God like no other! HOW AWESOME IS HE!

The home we picked would not be ready until one month later, so we made arrangements to live with a family until our new home was ready. In the meantime, we began looking for furniture, as we had gotten rid of almost all we had. Wow how God has provided for us—we had almost everything we needed before we moved in.

My four-year-old was the only one who did not have a bed yet and she was just so sad and heartbroken because all her brothers and sisters did. I had told her, “Don't worry, God will give her one too—we just don't know when, but just please be patient.” It didn't really sit well with our four-year-old. We ended up going to Faith Acres for food and ended up leaving with not just food and clothing, but with the happiest little four-year-old girl who had been blessed with her very own beautiful pink and white bed, with drawers that go under the bed. It was perfect and made just for her. On top of the beautiful bed frame, we got the mattress and a little Mermaid bedding sets of sheets and a comforter. What a blessing! Thank you GOD!

So now, we are at our new home and the kids are getting ready to start school, but they have no backpacks or school supplies. My husband had taken off three weeks FMLA with no pay. It was really hard times for us. I received a phone call saying our prayers have been answered and to come pick up the kids’ new backpacks filled with school supplies! I wanted to cry and I did when I told my husband after he arrived home from work. So off to Faith Acres we go again to receive yet more blessings. There we were living in a basement for a month with seven of our eight kids, waiting to move into our new home with everything we need and so grateful to God, as He was working it all out, even when I was questioning Him. Some nerve, I tell you.

We have been in our new home for almost a month and just amazed at how generous God is to us! Just to know we were homeless three days before July 31st and had gotten rid of almost all our furniture. And then, to have better furniture given back to us by wonderful agencies like Love Inc., Faith Acres, and people who have truly blessed my family. How can I ever turn my back on such a wonderful heavenly Father who has provided EVERYTHING including a baby boy I had been praying for nine years, and a husband I thought I had lost!

I'm not worthy of any of this as the sinner I am, yet His love is unconditional, regardless of my flaws! I thirst to be more like Jesus and it's hard, but I know He lives in me. There is no denying that, and He has saved me from drugs, cigarettes, drinking, gangs, complete disorder, and chaos in my life! I believe these blessings came from my obedience to ask Him for help and draw near to Him even when I am freaking out and my faith is small! I want more, but I know my ultimate reward isn't of this world or from here—it's eternal life—and that's what I'm aiming for with all eight kiddos and my husband.

Thank you all and we love you so very much for the beautiful smiles on my kids’ faces. May God bless you!

"What will I put my hands to work at today, that will change the life or destiny of another human being?"

Learning to Receive & Walk by Faith!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:57:01 GMT

Our family has been going to Faith Acres on and off for about 4 years now. It always amazes me when I see the generosity displayed there by everyone you encounter. No matter what your circumstance, everyone is treated with love. You can truly feel the presence of God there.

One day recently, we were there dropping off some clothes and one of the volunteers asked me if there was anything we needed. Even though there are plenty of things we need, I never really think that it could come from another source (like God?). I always think that it is something we have to try to get on our own, and wonder where the money will come from. Oh me of little faith.

It took my 7-year-old daughter to remind me that yes, there was something we needed. You see her dresser was falling apart, and it was getting dangerous as drawers were broken and ready to fall on her every time she opened them. She piped up and said, "I need a new dresser!" The gal asked her what color she wanted and she answered "blue or pink." I told her white would really be fine. Right then and there they asked God for the dresser and then thanked him for her new dresser, believing that dresser would be coming!

Each time this volunteer saw my daughter at church she would say, "Are you still thanking God for your new dresser?" Well, about two months later, I got a call from Faith Acres telling me they had our dresser! It wasn't blue or pink, but it was white, and it was perfect! I was still a bit worried that it wouldn't work in her room, but again, I need to have more faith. It's even better than we could have imagined.

Just yesterday, as my husband was painting our bathroom, I was wishing I had a little table to put near the toilet and a mirror for the back of the door. I was sitting at the kitchen table at Faith Acres and saw the perfect table (the perfect color of teal) and a full length mirror sitting across from me. I thought "Oh my goodness! Those would be perfect!" But I figured they were for someone else. Again, my 7-year-old said, "Mom! That table would match our bathroom!" That very morning I had told her that a little table in here (the bathroom) would be great and right before us is the little table, in our bathroom color and the mirror...together!

I asked a volunteer if they were taken, she said they had just came in and set them aside knowing they would be perfect for someone, but they didn't know who yet. They didn’t want to put it out in the main area because it was such a unique colored table, they wanted it to go to the “S omeone” it was meant for? Well, I guess that someone was us!

Going to Faith Acres has not only blessed our family with food and needed items, but has taught me that I need to have more faith in my walk with God. He does care about the big and the little things in our lives. He does always provide for our needs, and sometimes our wants as well.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

I Didn’t Even Ask for One or Let Anyone Know

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:55:57 GMT

God Bless you Faith Acres! I stopped by to drop off a fondue machine for a birthday celebration and was just thinking to myself, “How could I have forgotten a tarp for a lawn job I needed to do today?” So as I am dropping off the machine I go back to my car and on the hood, was 10 yard waste bags. I just began to cry because I realized even in the small things God knows I didn’t tell anyone about needing a tarp or bags!

A few days later I was back at Faith Acres and God had another surprise gift for my family. For years my husband has been nagging me for a kerosene heater for the garage, to be exact 9 years, 4 days to the date. I just kept telling him we don't need one or change the subject, but today at Faith Acres he got a new one. A volunteer walked up to me and asked me if my husband needed a kerosene heater? Something small I know, but it makes a world of difference, I didn’t even ask for one or let anyone know about my husband’s request!

Then a few weeks later I was at Faith Acres to work on the farm. I was discussing the plans for the day and a different volunteer walked up to me and asked me if my son needed shoes because these beautiful brand name high tops came in and before they put them out in the clothing area, they wanted to know if my son could use them. Okay, you have to understand, I get all my kids shoes at the Goodwill or on a really great sales. My High School son has been asking me over and over for high tops and here I am handed a new pair that are my son’s size to the T…to the T! My son is a size 12, is hard to find large shoes on sale. What a blessing, once again I never told anyone about my son wanting high tops or needing shoes!

God provides regularly for our large family, I can only pray that God continues to bless Faith Acres, the Founders and their families, as well as all the volunteers, anyone who comes and those who give, so they may continue to see and feel Gods love for all who come.

Since times are hard, I feed a lot of family members besides my own immediate family and I send other families to Faith Acres as well. Everyone I send comes back with similar stories; it’s amazing, talk about hilarious giving! The sharing center has a wide variety of foods and the organized uniqueness, of not having to wait in a long line for food is an even greater blessing; it’s a wonderful blessing!

God bless you immensely!!! I would just like to say Thank you from the bottom of our heart, we praise God for you!!!

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:16

For God’s Glory in Someone Else’s Possession

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:55:18 GMT

~ A Donors Faith-Walk Story~ Thank you so much for sharing the Faith-Walk story , “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle,” with us —that whole story brought tears to my eyes! We were attending our church service the morning that Faith Acres Foundation was interviewed regarding their work. Both my husband and I thought at the time, we have a few special items in our home that could be used for God’s glory in someone else’s possession. For whatever reason (God’s timing most certainly), we didn’t get our act together for some time before delivering these instruments to Faith Acres. Our prayer was that these instruments might be used in praise worship, maybe in a church worship band. That prayer has been answered in so many ways! We are so blessed to hear how God has touched lives through Faith Acres and our small part in their work for God’s Kingdom. Praise God for all His blessings from above! Thanks again! God bless you and all you do!

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Cor. 9:6-15

These donated instruments are written about in the Faith-Walk stories “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle,” “Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised,” and “ It was Truly a Blessed Christmas.”

Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:53:41 GMT

~ A Pastor’s Faith-Walk story ~

As only our God would arrange it, I went to Faith Acres on a Friday, not a day I normally would visit, and I happen to meet a single mom and heard about her dilemma and it was the precise time she was mentioning the need for musical instruments for her kids. We both where invited upstairs with another volunteer to see some instruments that were recently donated to Faith Acres and there were enough guitars to meet the needs of both families. The guitar went to my son who has been self-teaching himself and he used this for the sole purpose of praising God because we have so many reasons to give praise to Him. As a father, I’ve been feeling so helpless to provide many of my family’s needs, but when I received this guitar I felt God’s love immensely. My son painted the biggest smile when I took it home and told him it was for him.

You see, December 1, 2011, I was sitting at the table with my wife talking over the fact that we didn’t have a penny to pay our rent and no open opportunities to make money. We called the kids to the table to pray. After we prayed, one of our kids went to get the mail. In the bundle of advertising was an envelope from Florida and inside were four checks whose sums totaled ¾ of our rent. About an hour later I received a call from a local charity telling me a couple was looking to bless someone financially and the staff at this charity thought of me. The next day, the couple came to visit me and they provided the remaining amount of what I needed for the rent, to the dollar. Within one week, someone else came to visit me and I received enough money for next month’s rent too! I don’t have the words to express the overwhelming sensation of experiencing God’s care and provisions just as He promised.

Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Ps. 150:3-5

“Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised” is a part of “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle” Faith-Walk story.

It Was Truly a Blessed Christmas

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:51:51 GMT

~ A mother’s Faith-Walk story ~I am a single mother of five children. My husband left me and my children last year. He cleaned out our bank accounts, transferred all of the bills into my name and took my baby girl with him. Words cannot describe how incredibly painful it has been to have my baby taken from me. For over a year now, every day I have felt horrible dread deep in the pit of my gut and hopelessness, like a car door had slowly closed on my soul. He had been planning this for some time and I had no idea. I had been a stay-at-home mom for some time and did not have any financial means to defend myself. The effect this has had on all of my children was just devastating. Our lives were instantly transformed into a very hard and bleak existence. They missed their baby sister terribly and not knowing when or if they would see her had been terrifying. Also, things like not having good food to eat and having our electricity turned off so that I could pay a hefty court fee has been scary and unsettling for them. I have spent every moment of every day trying to find ways to get my daughter back and to make ends meet financially for my other children. Court costs and attorney fees have been dreadful. Each month that I have been able to make ends meet has been like a miracle.

A few months ago, while at a church sifting through tables of used clothing for my children, I met a woman who told me about Faith Acres. She told me I could get fresh fruit and vegetables and information on other resources from Faith Acres. I made an appointment with Faith Acres and brought my son along for the orientation. It was a nice, laid back atmosphere and we left with a box full of fresh produce.

Less than a week later, my son was to be in a talent show. He wrote a great song, but did not have a guitar to play it on at the talent show, as his old beat up guitar had completely fallen apart. Fortunately he was able to borrow an old 12-string from an acquaintance. It was cracked and had a broken string, but he was able to make it work for his gig. He played beautifully and sounded fantastic. As I was watching him on stage, I felt sad that I couldn't afford to buy him his own nice guitar and day-dreamed throughout the other acts about my circumstances changing and how cool it would be to be able to buy him one. Then there was an act where a boy had an African drum and I thought how I really need to try to get my other son one of those and wondered how much a drum like that would cost. I knew they were expensive. I know he would be an amazing drummer, as I had heard him play many times before on pans and buckets since he was very young. I remember sitting there feeling apprehensive as if my time to cultivate my children's talents was running out and what a shame it was, since they are all so musically talented. I felt angry that I had been robbed of all of my resources (financially and emotionally) to help my children develop their talents and really be able to be there for them as I would like to, due to the devastating situation my husband has put us all in. I went to bed that night thinking about all of this and fantasized being able to afford to buy instruments and lessons for my children and envisioning my son playing an African drum.

The next day I received a call from Faith Acres. One of the volunteers told me she had been thinking about me and wanted to learn more about how they could help me and my family. She invited me out to Faith Acres again to pick up some more food. While I was there she asked me if I had gifts for my children for Christmas. I told her that I had very little. She asked me what kinds of things they liked. I explained that they are into music. She asked me what kind of instruments they play. I told her both of my boy’s play the guitar, that my eldest’s acoustic / electric guitar broke and how I really wished I could get my younger son an African drum because I just think he would be great at it.

She took me to a separate part of her house with two other people and showed me an acoustic electric guitar and the most gorgeous African drum I had ever seen. I couldn't believe it. Hope filled my heart. I had to fight back tears. It was much more than getting instruments for my children. It was that God heard me! It felt like a sign that all this time that I have been praying and pleading for help to get through this, He has heard me and I am not alone.

I had no tree or ornaments and very few Christmas decorations. They gave me a Christmas tree to take home, and a whole car full of indoor and outdoor decorations. My van was packed full! My children's faces lit up when I came home carrying in boxes of Christmas decor and food. They happily put up all of the decorations just as fast as they could pull them out of the boxes.

I had to go back to Faith Acres to pick up the instruments. We went to the barn and gathered tons of items that made perfect gifts for my children, and then went into the house to get the instruments. This time they brought in a lamp and asked if I could use it, which I certainly could as one of the bedrooms in my house was without a light fixture. They had a flute, recorder, and an accordion for my three other children, so they each had their own instruments! I was also given other gifts to give to my children for Christmas, such as a sled, dolls, a fluffy dog, clothing, and shoes, etc. On my way out, I asked if they had any lettuce and just then a volunteer hauling an entire car load of produce pulled up and I was given all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.

On Christmas morning my children were dumbfounded when they opened their gifts. They could not believe their eyes. It was truly a blessed Christmas!

One of the volunteers at Faith Acres showed me how to submit a prayer request to a strong praying church out of state so that my family would stay anonymous in our area, but have prayer coverage from this church and Faith Acres. This is a perfect example of how, over the last several months, people I have met have prayed for me and helped guide me. I have experienced a series of events in which I have met people who have played a role—each like a piece in a large puzzle—to lead me one more step closer to getting the help that I needed to make it through this mess.

I now have an attorney who is willing to take my case for extremely reasonable fees. I have friends who are emotionally supportive, my family has food to eat, and I now feel hopeful that there is a way out of the darkness and hopelessness that had consumed my life. The fear that has gripped my heart relentlessly every day for many, many months has dissipated. I have personally witnessed miracles in my life—far too strategically intricate to be coincidental—that simply could not have happened without God's hand. Faith Acres is one of the conduits God has used to touch my life and I feel so grateful and blessed.

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing" Zephaniah 3:17

“It was Truly a Blessed Christmas” is part of “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle” Faith-Walk story.

It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:47:24 GMT

God is so faithful! Tonight I took a guitar in to get restrung for this new family who just started coming to Faith Acres. The workers at OFFBEAT music store were excited to help when they heard the story of how instruments were donated to Faith Acres and how this mother who had hardly any Christmas gifts for her children was going to give this guitar to her son, along with other instruments that were donated.

All week I kept thinking about this woman who came to Faith Acres for the first time the week before. She came with her high-school age son and they sat in our 45-minute Welcome Class. I looked at her and I could see she was tired, but there was something else, she was glazed over—a woman with so much on her mind. This is a look we have seen many times before. They had to get to a doctor’s appointment so we let them get food first, before the Welcome Class. After I finished the class, I rushed through the paperwork with everyone else, and then I ran to see if they were still here.

“Hi…um, do you need some pants?” Duh…the kid has great jeans on, but I had to make conversation quick before they left. I had to talk to this woman—something was not right—she needs help! I found out a few hard things about this family and could understand why the glazed, tired look. I had asked this young man if he had needed jeans, it was just the first thing that came to my mind. They said he could use some jeans, so now I didn’t feel so bad holding them up from their doctor’s appointment. This was a divine appointment and in the next few weeks I would understand the urgency to not let them just walk out without being loved on, with Christ’s love—the love that intoxicates anyone who has been in survival mode and lost hope.

We went out to the barn where the girls were sorting clothing, but we didn’t find the jeans. They gave me his sizes and left, as I walked back into the barn one of the volunteers said, “The pants for him are here somewhere; I know they are—I saw them!” I looked down and right on top of a box was a size 2x Chicago Bears jersey. Guys, this is it, the kid’s a sports fan, and sure enough, brand new size 40 jeans—really, really nice stuff. This kid, who was a large football-type kid, reminded me of William “Refrigerator” Perry from the 1990 Chicago Bears. When he had told me he had size 16 shoes and I looked at him, and again, Refrigerator Perry came to mind immediately, so the Chicago Bears jersey on top of the box was the giveaway. “Thank you Lord for the clues you give us along the way, you make us look so much better than we are!” This family was coming back because we had a box that had this young man’s name on it! It was as if we were all blinded from the box, so this family would have to come back for it!

The next week flew by, and on Thursday, this mother just kept coming to mind, so I went to the garage to get the box of clothing with the Bears jersey in it. The woman had told me that she would love to get her kids fresh veggies and fruit, but she just couldn’t because of the finances. I had to call her, we had just gotten in lots of fruit and veggies, plus this box of new clothing was for her son. I called her and quickly into our conversation I asked her some hard questions. CLICK and I heard the phone hang up. YIKES—I told my daughter, who was on the computer across from me—I think the questions I asked this woman were too personal and painful. Maybe she hung up on me, but I am calling her back—I know we are supposed to talk—there was something about this family. God doesn’t just burden people to pray for no reason; the urgency to hear what this woman was faced with just consumed my mind. This always happens when God Things start to happen in a big way at Faith Acres, and phone problems happen here when the evil one doesn’t want us to connect with someone he wants left in hopelessness.

I have tons of stories about phone and computer problems, while trying to help people. We just pray and ask God to work it out and he does. People would laugh if they could see us praying over phones and computers, asking God to put them back to work. It’s at these times when we get to see how real the battle between GOOD vs. EVIL is. The battle over the human heart is one that is a vicious fight, but one very much worth fighting for. Our job is to love God and love others. Something magical happens in this love—Jesus shows up and transforms lives before our very eyes. From sorrow, to joy, from pain to wellness, from lowliness to renewed strength, from death to life! It never gets old, the joy over one person who turns to the Living God because someone loved them the way Christ loves us and gave his life for us. The Bible is truth, without love we are nothing! God Things happen when we love God and love others—and this is what the Bible is all about, real people, with real problems, without any hope, turn to God and their lives change forever.

As I dialed her back, she was calling me, praise God she didn’t hang up on me, just phone problems! We talked and I heard some hard stories, but through her story I could hear how she kept making it through—in supernatural ways. I told her, “God is totally covering you. These things you’re saying, God is taking care of you!” Hands down, this woman has the ear of the Living Lord and she was led right to Faith Acres for the next phase of her journey. Our job is to pray, share, serve, give, and just love on this family with all we have so that she understands the God of heaven is here for her.

Faith…God…church, was all new to her in just the last few months—she was heartbroken when her husband left her and took her youngest child with him. You see, she was in the middle of adopting her sisters’ kids, because her sister had died, when this man came into her life. He lasted three years following his health challenges, brain surgery, and then after his trip to a psychic, he was never the same. “I know it sounds crazy she said, but after the psychic he went to visit, it was like he was someone else—like someone else was inside him talking” she said.

This didn’t surprise me at all, so I think she had some relief just knowing I didn’t think she was crazy or on drugs for knowing something changed when her husband visited a psychic. At Faith Acres, we have worked with many families that bring more than just their hard lives with them; we continue to deal with people who are coming that are dealing with darkness. This is why communication with the Living God is so vital to Faith Acres’ survival—prayer is the key to helping these people break free from the bondage that keeps them in these dark chains. And, there is power in the name of Jesus that we were clueless about in our early years of helping families. Once again, we were going to watch God break through doors that were locked tight before this family. How great is our God for what he was about to do.

I asked her to come on Friday. We were supposed to be closed, but it was time to see how we could really be of help to this family and she had to get the special deliveries God had given us before she ever stepped one foot onto Faith Acres. She ended up staying for about 5 hours, sharing more of her story—her broken family in her younger years, the tragedies her sister and her children faced. We were down in our 4-foot crawl basement surrounded by Christmas decorations and I asked her if she ever remembered in her life a stable home? She couldn’t. Her family’s life always seemed to be in a continual unrest, just a mess, and she had learned how to live in survival mode. Both of us, eyes full of tears, but somehow no tears on our cheeks, just a moment of silence, woman to woman—how many families are faced with lives in continual chaos and need a resting place, a home?

What does a secure, loving home look like, one with love, mercy, forgiveness and grace; one where moms and dads love God more than themselves; one where moms and dads unite to love God, where dads lay down their lives for their wives—not just for their countries, but for their wives—like Christ laid down his life for us? Homes in brokenness, like the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Alabama and Joplin, Missouri earlier this year. Without the Living God—just brokenness—the family is in such utter destruction without these two wise commandments as their family guide—love God and love others like you love yourself!

In that moment, I was grasping for answers and wisdom from God who brought this woman right before me. This strong woman has tasted such pain, and in her pain she was led to a church—and now led to our home, Faith Acres. And here in the basement is where the rubber meets the road—remember, the Sharing Center was closed—love is hard, fear is easy. The pantry may be closed, but our home—is it ever to be closed? It was time to go deeper with Jesus so that this family would understand, meet, and learn how to get connected with the Prince of Peace—not just on Sundays, but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To have a constant guide, a helper that will direct them, blow open doors before them, and provide everything that is needed to accomplish the job He created them for.

Hold on tight because right here is where lives get totally changed in an instant! Jesus Christ (God in man-flesh) changes it all, from darkness to light, from life to real living! It’s not easy and not all our problems just go away, but in an instant we are being led, carried—walking through fires, but not being burned, sitting in lion dens and not being eaten, walking on water and not drowning, as long as our eyes are on the Living God. Take our eyes off God and we sink, drown, get burned, and eaten alive!

God is the lifter of our heads that helps us keep focused on him! It all starts with the first and greatest Commandment: Love God with your heart, soul, mind; and the second Commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. We can’t hold back this information, we have to share it—like the food, the clothing, the household gifts, God changes lives—Jesus is a gift we have to share!

Before we had gone to look through the Christmas decorations, this woman had given me more background on the last year of her life:

I am a single mother of five children. My husband left me and my children last year. He cleaned out our bank accounts, transferred all of the bills into my name and took my baby girl with him. Words cannot describe how incredibly painful it has been to have my baby taken from me. For over a year now, every day I have felt horrible dread deep in the pit of my gut and hopelessness, like a car door had slowly closed on my soul. He had been planning this for some time and I had no idea. I had been a stay-at-home mom for some time and did not have any financial means to defend myself. The effect this has had on all of my children was just devastating. Our lives were instantly transformed into a very hard and bleak existence. They missed their baby sister terribly and not knowing when or if they would see her had been terrifying. Also, things like not having good food to eat and having our electricity turned off so that I could pay a hefty court fee has been scary and unsettling for them. I have spent every moment of every day trying to find ways to get my daughter back and to make ends meet financially for my other children. Court costs and attorney fees have been dreadful. Each month that I have been able to make ends meet has been like a miracle.

A few months ago, while at a church sifting through tables of used clothing for my children, I met a woman who told me about Faith Acres. She told me I could get fresh fruit and vegetables and information on other resources from Faith Acres. I made an appointment with Faith Acres and brought my son along for the orientation. It was a nice, laid-back atmosphere and we left with a box full of fresh produce.

The next day I received a call from Faith Acres. One of the volunteers told me she had been thinking about me and wanted to learn more about how they could help me and my family. She invited me out to Faith Acres again to pick up some more food. While I was there she asked me if I had gifts for my children for Christmas. I told her that I had very little. She asked me what kinds of things they liked. I explained that they are into music. She asked me what kind of instruments they play. I told her both of my boys’ play the guitar, that my eldest’s acoustic / electric guitar broke and how I really wished I could get my younger son an African drum because I just think he would be great at it.

So much more of her story to come, but little does she know that her children’s instruments where donated two days before her very first visit to Faith Acres. TWO DAYS before she came to Faith Acres, her children’s instruments were delivered! I had put them in special place waiting for the right person to come. These where special, it took me five trips through the house and up a special flight of stairs to get these interments to the storage room. The African drum was so stinkin’ heavy going up those stairs. I just knew they had to be moved and not be taken. We had prayed, asked God to show us who these interments were to go to because they were beautiful, perfect, no scratches, just amazing. Little did we know that it would lead to a family who had very little to celebrate Christmas—to a mother who was losing hope that anything would change—to a musical Christmas miracle!

I couldn’t just give these interments to anyone, they where special from the moment they came to Faith Acres. I told the donor to pray with us that God would bring the families who were in need of them. The donor said he would love to see them in a worship service at church some day. I told him he just may visit a different church soon, because these instruments are special !

Words can’t describe why, but from the time this man brought these interments, it was clear we were to guard them— these were treasured gifts, for the one God sent to get them. It was getting closer to Christmas and we still didn’t have anyone for the instruments, so when two of the churches called, I hinted at instruments, but they asked what kind of instruments did we have? That wasn’t the deal; whoever got these instruments would need to be looking for these exact instruments. No one else said a word about instruments until our new guest had arrived and shared what she really wanted to provide for her kids. I about flipped in my chair as she described her dream for her kids. I didn’t know what to do first, show her the instruments or call the donor who donated them?

This donor who gave these instruments was special. He was older and spoke about how his wife just loves music and has the most beautiful voice he has ever heard. He said she is really busy so she doesn’t get to play these interments and sing like she once did. This man spoke so highly of his wife, her beautiful voice; it was like he was talking about an angel. This was no ordinary man, he valued his wife; and these special gifts where no ordinary donations, these where a sacrificial gift from his wife, she was willing to share nevertheless. We have seen things come into Faith Acres, but when it is a sacrifice and a hard decision for the person to give that donation because they value it, you can bet, we are going to have a Faith-Walk story to write about.

By this time, one of our volunteers and a local pastor had shown up at Faith Acres. I asked them if they wanted to see something really fun. You see, living here, we get to see this day after day. It never gets old; it’s just as exciting each time around. When other people get to see it, it’s even more fun, so I had to invite them along. We gave them a recap of what we were discussing and said we are going to look at the instruments right now—come on! Our new guest was the only one who described the exact instruments that had been donated; they are for her to give to her children Christmas morning. God answered our prayers, the perfect home for some of the instruments!

We all walked up the stairs together to the storage room and showed this single mother the gifts God had delivered for her family. She was shocked, really shocked, kind of a like snap a finger, are you okay shocked ! She said these are more than just instruments, this is a message…this is a message! Yes, it’s a message from God that He loves you like crazy and hears your cries for help with your children…He is taking care of you, the kids! I cannot find the words to describe the expression on her face—puzzled, excited, questioning, crying how this was happening. I just told her straight up, “Welcome to Faith Acres…it’s a God Thing !” We pray for God to bring the people who need what is donated and that He would also bring things to Faith Acres that people need before they get here so they know how much He really loves them, and that he hasn’t forgotten about them. This woman needed to know that she was loved by God and that He was watching over her—she is not alone in the journey!

I know nothing about instruments, but the local pastor who had just stopped by, out of the blue to drop off a bag of clothing, he knew everything about the instruments. Not only that, his family plays instruments in the worship band at church. So I asked him, “Pastor, do you need a guitar because there are two guitars to give and the donor of the instruments thought it would be great to see them in a church worship service?” “As a matter of fact we have been looking for one,” he says. IS NOT GOD A MIGHTY SWEETHEART? Two different guitars and God brings the families that need them together at the same time, and neither of them needed the same one—the one left was the one the pastor needed…amazing!

This opened up a beautiful discussion about Jesus, where the pastor was able to share how much God loves her. It was perfect, beautiful, surreal—the perfect Christmas story, the kind you gather as a family to watch on TV around the Holidays. The kind where you feel tingly inside, you’re crying and overjoyed at the same time because you just watched something that reached into your very soul.

This pastor wasn’t just any pastor, he was the perfect pastor who has been walking down a difficult path himself, only to arrive at Faith Acres to give and receive a gift that would encourage his heart to keep going. Hear his heart:

I am a father of five teens who has been experiencing a very prolonged period of unemployment. I have been a bi-vocational minister for over 15 years and completed an assignment which resulted in the closing of a church. Needless to say, I am still unable to find an income to support my family. While in this holding pattern period of our lives, our kids, all of whom are musically inclined, have decided they wanted to begin worship as a group and as a family at home. We were short of the needed instruments such as a base and a guitar. As only our God would arrange it, I went to Faith Acres on a Friday, not a day I normally would visit, and I happen to meet a single mom and heard about her dilemma and it was at the precise time she was mentioning the need for musical instruments for her kids. We both where invited upstairs with another volunteer to see some instruments that were recently donated to Faith Acres and there were enough guitars to meet the needs of both families.

The guitar went to my son who has been self-teaching himself and he used this for the sole purpose of praising God because we have so many reasons to give praise to Him. As a father, I’ve been feeling so helpless to provide many of my family’s needs, but when I received this guitar I felt God’s love immensely. My son painted the biggest smile when I took it home and told him it was for him.

You see, December 1, 2011, I was sitting at the table with my wife talking over the fact that we didn’t have a penny to pay our rent and no open opportunities to make money. We called the kids to the table to pray. After we prayed, one of our kids went to get the mail. In the bundle of advertising was an envelope from Florida and inside were four checks whose sums totaled ¾ of our rent. About an hour later I received a call from one of the local charities telling me a couple was looking to bless someone financially and the staff thought of me. The next day, the couple came to visit me and they provided the remaining amount of what I needed for the rent, to the dollar. Within one week, someone else came to visit me and I received enough money for next month’s rent too! I don’t have the words to express the overwhelming sensation of experiencing God’s care and provisions just as He promised.

God not only provided perfect donations, but perfect people who could relate and care for each other, each faced with hardships, but walking by faith forward, to care and encourage our new guest to keep going, to keep her eyes fixed on God no matter how hard it seemed.

After we had gathered all the Christmas decorations I told our new guest that I would call the music store to get the interments looked at so the kids could get them in perfect shape for Christmas morning. The guitar was in perfect shape, just a broken string. OFFBEAT music shop told us to bring it in so they could fix it; they were so kind from the very beginning. It took me a week and a half to get it to the shop, which brings me to tonight December 19, 2011. One of the volunteers had tried a few days back to get the guitar string fixed, but the store didn’t open till 1:00 and he couldn't wait around for 2 hours, so he left to do a food pick up. So, finally tonight I walked into the store just after 7:00 p.m. Behind the counter stood the man I told the story to on the phone. He whipped around the counter to see this guitar with the broken string. He was excited to help us out, no hesitation. He was determined to serve, what a blessing!

As soon as I handed the man the guitar, I heard someone call my name. I turn to see a woman who was a guest and volunteer at Faith Acres about 2 years back. She is such a sweetie! She would come to Faith Acres get food and make food boxes for other families, then deliver them. She just loves to help other! She had gone through some hard times being a single mom, and even in her hard times; she was caring for others and giving thanks. We hugged and she asked me if we are still running Faith Acres? “Yes, we are!” I answered. She says this is a God Thing that you are here , I have to give to you…I need to give you this! As we talked about the guitar she was pulling out her wallet and writing a check to Faith Acres. We were giddy like little girls; she folds the check and hands it to me.

Behind us her sons were getting their musical supplies and the cashier said, “Are you ready to hear the damages, it’s a lot?” She was there with her two sons and at the perfect moment God led me in to get a gift taken care of and receive one as well. She gave to Faith Acres, but what stood out was when she got the total on her order, she looked at her son and said, “Do you need all this right now, this is your Christmas gift, your birthday gift, and your next year’s gift, can’t some of this wait for a while?” Her son said, “It’s up to you?” It was a large bill, she could have skipped giving to Faith Acres and got her son all he wanted, but she chose to give. This was a true sacrificial gift and her giving to Faith Acres affected her family. Giving always cost us something.

I walked to my car praising God, thanking him and asking him to bless OFFBEAT music store and this family who gave. When I sat in the van, I opened the folded check, it was a $200.00 gift, praise the Lord! I had to stop and give thanks to God once more and ask him to bring a drum symbol to this family who had just chosen not to buy it, but to give to Faith Acres. I know God will bless them for their gift and I can’t wait to hear how this young man gets the symbol for his drum set. I pray he reads this story and understands what a blessing his mother is. The sales people at the store watched as this story unfolded before them. I told them we tried to get the guitar in earlier, but it’s just like God to have other plans for us in his timing—what perfection!

The one thing we’ve learned over the years is when you’re truly busy about taking care of the jobs God gives us to do; God steps in and takes care of all the other things going on in such amazing ways. God is so faithful; Christmas 2011 had come and gone, so we were able to gather all the facts surrounding this Musical Christmas Miracle to give you a beautiful Christmas story. The fact is we have so many more stories being written we can’t keep up with the writing of them. Each day brings another great story of God’s faithfulness.

The day that our new guest at Faith Acres saw the instruments, we also found out they had very little Christmas gifts or decorations, but because of people who donated Christmas decorations all year round, we had so many to share. Listen to this mother share more of her story:

I had to go back to Faith Acres to pick up the instruments. We went to the barn and gathered tons of items that made perfect gifts for my children, and then went into the house to get the instruments. This time they brought in a lamp and asked if I could use it, which I certainly could as one of the bedrooms in my house was without a light fixture. They had a flute, recorder, and an accordion for my three other children so they each had their own instruments! I was also given other gifts to give to my children for Christmas, such as a sled, dolls, a fluffy dog, clothing, and shoes, etc. On my way out, I asked if they had any lettuce and just then a volunteer hauling an entire car load of produce pulled up and I was given all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.

On Christmas morning, my children were dumbfounded when they opened their gifts. They could not believe their eyes. It was truly a blessed Christmas!

One of the volunteers at Faith Acres showed me how to submit a prayer request to a strong praying church out of state so my family would stay anonymous in our area; but have prayer coverage from this church and Faith Acres. This is a perfect example of how, over the last several months, people I have met have prayed for me and helped guide me. I have experienced a series of events in which I have met people who have played a role—each like a piece in a large puzzle—to lead me one more step closer to getting the help that I need to make it through this mess.

These stories just never get old. We are drawn down to our knees before a Living God each day and continue to ask Him to show us who He is, so we can get to know, believe, and understand Him more each day. Something happens when we love God and strive to love others as we do ourselves. Miracles happen when we add sharing to the mix! We have a heavenly father who delights in his kids loving and sharing with each other. One day, we at Faith Acres, along with these families, will sit down together in a cozy living room, beside a crackling fireplace and watch this story come to life on TV, because this story, along with others, will make it to the hearts of those who can share them with the world. Share this story, so that others can find healing through Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us! Can any of us deny that It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle ?

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

A message from the family who donated the instruments:

Thank you so much for sharing the Faith-Walk story “It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle” with us —that whole story brought tears to my eyes! We were attending our church service the morning that Faith Acres Foundation was interviewed regarding their work. Both my husband and I thought at the time, we have a few special items in our home that could be used for God’s glory in someone else’s possession. For whatever reason (God’s timing most certainly), we didn’t get our act together for some time before delivering these instruments to Faith Acres. Our prayer was that these instruments might be used in praise worship, maybe in a church worship band. That prayer has been answered in so many ways! We are so blessed to hear how God has touched lives through Faith Acres and our small part in their work for God’s Kingdom. Praise God for all His blessings from above! Thanks again! God bless you and all you do!

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM FAITH ACRES FOUNDATION

Our prayer is that this story of sharing brings a smile to our Father God in heaven this Christmas. Remember to keep Christ in Christmas. Immanuel — God with us, what a GIFT!

Thank you to God who gives us AMAZING stories to write about! To Iris, who shared Faith Acres with this beautiful mother, for the families who donated all the instruments, your sacrificial gifts truly changed lives. To all the stores who donate the food, so we can share with so many families each week. To OFFBEAT Music shop who fixed the broken string with smiles and joy, you guys ROCK! To the family at the music store who gave the financial donation. For all the families who gave the clothing, the 2x Bears jersey, the beautiful new jeans, toys, and gifts at Christmas time. To the families who gave all the Christmas decorations throughout the year to make a whole home beautiful for Christmas! Thank you to all of you who share your prayers, your financial gifts, and your time with us. God Bless you all!

It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle is the full story of “ It was Truly a Blessed Christmas,” “ Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised,” and “For God’s Glory in Someone Else’s Possession” Faith-Walk stories.

Oh, No Lord, NOT the Marathon!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:46:04 GMT

In the past couple of years, my husband and I have fallen on some difficult times; the loss of our primary job, a full year without 100% income, and no insurance. The economy hit our finances and our savings hard. Frustrations surmounted, arguments increased, and my husband felt it better if we split apart. I believe in a God that is far bigger than our circumstances though.

I went to many hours of counseling over this past year and have learned so much about myself and God's unconditional love for me! Faith Acres has walked alongside me many times; to help with food, love, and support for my family. Sometimes the hug I received from the volunteers and the prayers they offered or the conversation we had, was just what I needed to know God was near!

I led a sedentary life for many years. I have been out of shape and severely overweight; however, over this past year—while I have learned so much from God—my health has begun to align as well. I lost a significant amount of my weight and I did it in very healthy ways (thanks to the ability to receive fresh produce from Faith Acres!) One Sunday, I was sitting in church and a guy got up in front and asked, "Who is going to run the marathon with me?" I immediately started sobbing. I thought, "Oh no Lord…NOT the marathon!" I found myself registering to run Chicago's Bank of America Marathon.

I have two daughters and not many options for babysitters. So what do I do, when I need to go out for a run and my daughters are too young to run with me? I was given a regular double-stroller; but it was so hard to turn it while running. I was grateful though. I had something that I could run with! I talked about the difficulties; however, again I was so grateful that I could get outside with my girls. I looked at double-jogger strollers on the internet—the cost was just too high. What I had would have to work.

And then one day, one of the volunteers from Faith Acres called me and asked me if I was still training for the marathon. I told them I was. They asked if I was taking the girls with me in a double-stroller—and I was! They told me that they had just received a brand new, double-jogger stroller and wanted to know if I wanted it. I started to cry—just days earlier I was trying to figure out with my sister how to get a double-jogger stroller, but it was just way out of my budget to even think about it. By the time I got to Faith Acres, volunteers had put together my brand new jogger stroller for my girls.

The amazing thing… I am running for Team World Vision, whose color is orange. Would you like to guess what color my jogger stroller was? Yep -ORANGE! Only God could provide a brand new stroller, and even in my team color! On top of that, I was able to donate three strollers (two singles and the one double I was using) for other families in need.

As a friend and I began training weekly, I used the jogger. It allowed me to take both girls with me. It even had enough room that they could bring along their breakfast, a bottle or sippy cup, and even a “lovey” to hold onto. Blessed beyond anything I could ever imagine!

As if God would stop right there—I saw Him in every detail of my training too. Have you ever been to Starbucks and had one of their protein plates? It has egg, fruit, cheese, a little multi-grain piece of bread, and peanut butter. It is so yummy—and out of my budget! I had been given a gift certificate recently and used it after one of my long runs. What a treat!

I remember the next time (truly within a couple days) I walked into Faith Acres. I was gathering food for me and my girls and there it was—like it was there just for me—a full box of the organic peanut butter packets from the protein plate. I could take them along on my run, or keep them in the car. God was thinking just of me right then, and He used Faith Acres to show me he cared.

Wow, October 7th was a chilly morning (so very grateful it wasn't 90 degrees). I headed down to the race at 4:00 a.m. At 7:30, I was off with 26.2 miles before me, winding around through all the beautiful neighborhoods of Chicago, from the north side to the south, from Chinatown to Lake Shore Drive—simply gorgeous!

It was the hardest day of my life (for my body), yet as I ran, I kept remembering the reason I was running—Team World Vision. Their marketing phrase is "I care and so I run." I care, that people in Africa don’t have access to clean water and food. I care and so I run. And as I ran through the streets of Chicago—through luxury and poverty—I was thankful that I had my own Team World Vision that cares for me and my family. Their name is Faith Acres. They care whether we have fruits and vegetables, whether we have proteins and dairy, whether we have costs and shoes, and yes, even a double-jogger stroller…Only God!

Oh, and by the way, yes, I finished! Again, only God!

You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified... 1 Cor. 9:24-27

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other! John 15:16-17

Really, Really… REALLY God?

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:42:04 GMT

It’s always fun to see God provide for families, in such unexpected ways. We have a family who volunteers at Faith Acres each week during the summer months to help keep the gardens and lawn beautiful, then in the fall and winter months, they help with the inside work of sorting foods and clothing. They are a true blessing to Faith Acres and its fun to hear their weekly stories of how God is providing for them.

One summer morning we had an over-abundance of breads and really needed to call another organization that could help us get the food distributed to families quickly. As I was walking in the house to make the phone call, this faithful working family walked into the garage and asked if they could take some food to one of the local churches who could really use extra food for their hurting families. God was so faithful to work out the details before I even had to make the phone call.

As we were packing up the food, they were talking about needing suitcases, a projector, and a keyboard because their parents are pastoring a church in Mexico and these things would be a blessing for them. I went to look for the suitcases and sure enough we had two beautiful bags from different makers, but they matched perfectly. I also grabbed two travel bag purses and a long black zipper bag. By the time I got back to the garage the next load of food was being delivered. We opened the trailer door and we had twice the amount of breads that we just packed up for them to take over to the church, along with a large hefty mountain bike in great condition.

This bike was oversized—oversized seat, oversized wheels—just a strong, solid mountain bike. “Umm, you guys need a bike? Does your hubby need a bike?” From their facial expressions, I could see the bike was for them and right on time, as she just shook her head and said, “Really, really, are you serious? Really, this always happens here…really God, really, really…really God? Okay, I am crying here…because over the last few weeks and then last night—just last night my husband told me he was going to go buy a new bike because the one he was given from his cousin is way too small and my husband is a large, husky line-backer kind of guy and this bike—this bike right here—is his favorite color. It has the double-wide wheels, the large seat, this is his bike, it is, this is his bike…really God, really , this always happens! Seriously, this is one of the reasons my husband is even serious about God now, he has seen so many amazing things happen for our family and items provided for us, that it just blows us all away. It’s kind of scary how this keeps happening…really, really God, this is amazing !”

God is amazing—HE IS SO SWEET—He provides! We found out that the bike was given to our driver out of the blue that very day from one of his friends. God’s timing is perfect!

As the family was leaving and I handed them the rest of the bags, we all kind of laughed at the long bag that was delivered to Faith Acres a few days before without the tent in it. Yep, an empty new tent bag from one of the local stores! “It’s here, just take it, maybe, maybe, hey maybe it’s for the keyboard you’re looking for, maybe God is going to provide you with a keyboard that fits in this bag?” We all just giggled because the chances of getting the perfect keyboard to fit this new empty bag would just be another amazing story.

Before they left, we all stopped to thank God for the fun, laughter, the abundance of food, bags, and a perfect mountain bike for her hefty husband, as well as adding a request for a projector and a key board so their parents could take it back to Mexico with them in a few weeks. We may not have the other items here at Faith Acres, but God—God is faithful and will bring it all together for them.

A few days later this family called and told us that God provided the projector and a keyboard—a beautiful keyboard that was made perfectly to fit in the tent bag. It was as if the tent bag was made for the keyboard—ONLY GOD!

How fun to report such fun stories of answered prayers. The tent bag matched the other two pieces of luggage and the two matching carryon bags as well. How kind of God to color-coordinate five different bags, from four different manufactures and three different donors—just for this family. We do have a God of excellence that is into details, no doubt about it!

Psalms. 36:7

How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings

I Would Have Lost My Faith and Felt All Alone!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:41:16 GMT

WHAT A BLESSING IT IS TO SERVE WITH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE HERE AT FAITH ACRES FOUNDATION!!!
When people came face to face with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, lives change in an instant! Many people, families and children all around us, are discouraged and have lost HOPE! When the struggles and issues of life are too heavy on people hearts and minds, it can lead to depression. These issues maybe due to health challenges, job loss, financial struggles, family break-ups…You name it, it’s all around us. If a person believes "IT'S HOPELESS", then the human heart gets sick.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.-Proverbs 16:12
I’ll never forget a young mom who showed up with her own mother to get food at Faith Acres about three years ago. Her mother had lived with her boyfriend for many years, shared a home together and built a life. Due to circumstances, they just never got married. When the love of her life died, every one of her possessions was taken away from her by her boyfriend’s brother. He never got along with them. Life changed in an instant! Hopelessness, depression, discouragement and sickness just encompassed this family in pain. What are we to do; can we fix all these problems? No, but we offer what we have, and point them to GOD!
Because...WE HAVE A HUGE GOD!! He has love, He has mercy, He has forgiveness, He has grace and HE GIVES HOPE!! He loves all people with an EVERLASTING LOVE and He draws us to himself, every minute of every day!!
This young mom is now a faithful volunteer here at Faith Acres and this is a little "thank you" she sent to us last week.
"I really, really appreciate all your help. You have been a blessing in my life and keep me strong. Every time I go to Faith Acres I feel like I have so much support. You guys are the true support for the community of Illinois. I only wish people can have what you guys do in every town. I thank Gigi and Nick for always being there and being kind even though they have so much going on as all the families come through for food. You guys help me fight every day, keeping strong for my kids. Without the whole Faith Acres crew I would have lost my faith and felt all alone! Thank you so much for believing in me!"

When Fall Weather Started Peeking It's Head!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:40:00 GMT

We've had a really hard year with thousands in unexpected expenses. When fall weather started peeking its head, I knew I needed to do something to buy clothes for my kids, especially my oldest that doesn't get hand-me-downs. So I have been selling stuff around the house to pay for my kids clothes for the winter. It's been really neat to see God not only allow me to sell a lot, but to buy things I love for really cheap. I had about everything my family needed, with a few holes I was hoping to fill at some point when I had the money.

Well, Saturday our family volunteered at Faith Acres and I was asked to sort and organize the clothes. I was told that 60 families had gone through and pulled the things they needed so the racks needed organizing. As I started to work on the task, I kept stumbling across things that we needed. At one point I almost had to laugh, as I sensed God put me on this task to not only bless Faith Acres, but our family as well.

I have been really hoping to get my oldest a few more pairs of pants and another shirt. I found exactly that…two pairs of pants in his size and a star wars long-sleeved shirt (my son's favorite). My daughter needed tights to go with her Christmas dress and I found tights in her size. Probably the most special gift for me was that I've been really wanting a new sweater for Christmas. Not something I need, but a photographer friend of ours offered to do a family picture for us for free and I was hoping to have something new for that picture... and as I was sorting through all the clothes, there was a beautiful red sweater, perfect condition, and in my size. And to think, all these items were there after 60 families went through the Sharing Center the two days before!! It felt like a gift from God! A reminder that He hasn't forgotten us in the midst of this hard financial time!

I realized today that if money wasn't tight I wouldn't be needing or looking for these blessings. My heart has been so full of gratitude for the hard times because I'm getting to see God provide in some amazing ways. All praise to God for the blessings HE provides. His provisions are so loving and personal!

…My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Phil. 4:19-20

Yes, Yes, I Need That Duck Fat

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:38:57 GMT

For quite a while, I had wanted to make a bean recipe that my friend had made and shared with me. When I tasted it I couldn’t believe how good it was. From that very moment, it became my absolute favorite bean dish. It’s a French cassoulet with four different meats, beans, vegetables and spices. I love to cook and this was not going to be an easy dish to shop for, especially at a food pantries. I am a single mom with two special needs children, so my food shopping takes place at local pantries, unless I can find a super deal at a grocery store where I can use the little I get on my Link Card. When I went shopping, I couldn’t find all the ingredients or (like the lamb) they were just too expensive. I had to pass on purchasing some items.

I went to Faith Acres and found lamb in their freezer. I was excited! After I found the lamb, all I needed was duck fat. Yes, I know, duck fat. I went to a few places—Jewel, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Joe Caputo’s—and could not find it. Maybe they were just out on the days I was there. I did find some whole frozen ducks but not the duck fat. Unfortunately, the whole duck was just too expensive and something I could not afford.

It was a typical Thursday and I was back at Faith Acres volunteering. I was helping sort through the deliveries that had just been dropped off, still hoping for my duck fat, but I did not see any. I went the next day and another delivery had just arrived. Someone asked, “Does anybody need duck fat?” I yelled, “Yes, yes, I need that duck fat for a recipe I want to make!” I could not believe that Faith Acres got duck fat in. It was such an odd thing for them to get. I was so happy that they did get it, now that I have the duck fat, it won’t be long before I make the best bean dish ever!

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. Ps. 34:8

We here at Faith Acres are always excited when that perfect gift comes in for an individual, even duck fat! The joke to all guests and volunteers that Friday was, “WHAT IN THE WORLD DO YOU DO WITH DUCK FAT?”

I asked again at the end of that day, “Does anybody, ANYONE, need duck fat?” With great excitement, raising her hands, and jumping up and down, as if she had just won a marathon race this woman said, “I need that duck fat.” You would have thought she won a million dollars. We all stopped and looked at her, “It’s for you, we should have known.” (God brings this cook some of the craziest foods) We all just giggled at the faithfulness of God to bring in something as unique as duck fat for this mother who works so hard to gather weekly groceries for her children. Not only does she cook for herself, but she is always cooking for others and taking food boxes to other families facing hard times.

Thank you LORD for being such a personal and loving God who cares about the smallest details in our lives, even down to providing duck fat for a special recipe for this beautiful family!

Awe STINK, They’re All Up Working Together Again!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:36:19 GMT

We've been working on some great “Faith Walk” stories and we are really excited to share them with you in the weeks to come. I love stories, but a few things have been heavy on my heart over the last few months and I wanted to take some time to share the challenges we face every day here at Faith Acres Foundation as a non-profit organization.

During Hunger Action Month in September, I began to ask myself some hard questions. People don’t find themselves at one of the Faith Acres established Sharing Centers because their lives are perfect. The woman standing before me found herself jobless, because of a back injury at work. She, a single mom of three and a caregiver to her aged parents, struggles as the primary income earner for a family of six. Even after a few surgeries she is no closer to being able to work. Fighting with workman’s comp and the disability benefits office is a daily nightmare. Coming home still does not allow her to relax, as the home they rent is being foreclosed on in just a few days.

This is just one story from the hundreds of people that we see on a weekly basis, and it can be so draining. Many times I find myself up through the night, like tonight praying for families who find themselves in hopeless situations due to medical injuries, illnesses, unemployment, broken homes or financial crises. These are people who are struggling just to put food on the table here in America! This is why we take the whole month of September to educate people about Hunger and the steps that can be taken to help this nationally growing problem.

The hard questions I asked myself weren't pretty, “Do I care, and am I as passionate as I was when we first started the Foundation?” I mean think about it, it can wear you out emotionally, physically and spiritually day after day hearing repetitive heartbreaking stories. Once again, I find my relief dumping all these burdens from the day onto the lap of God. Writing the stories and choosing to dwell on how the exact food, clothing, household items were just donated minutes or hours before a guest arrived, at that particular Sharing Center. This is what gave them a smile and a ray of HOPE to not give up! I strive to dwell on the lives that look very different now because they walked into a Sharing Center and were loved on, during some of their most difficult days.

Are the Sharing Centers valuable, are they worth raising funds for? This was another one of my hard questions. I mean, come on, we are this tiny non-profit, in this world of the “bombard your donors with emails, donation envelopes every week,” fundraising model. The hardships of being a young, underfunded non-profit is extremely difficult. If we lined up every non-profit and asked them “What is your greatest need?” I believe it would be 1st funding and 2nd volunteers. We are excited to say that we have volunteers at each site, with more being added every day. Our greatest need is the funding as we continue to grow at a rapid rate.

Faith Acres is not going to bombard you with donation letters each week, emails or beg for donation dollars. You’ll get a few envelopes a year; we’ll have a couple of fundraisers. We’ll continue to run with very little financial donations if we have to, because we are driven with a passion that is God driven. We see “God Things” day in and day out! For those who want to be a part, it will cost you! Can you believe I said that, “IT WILL COST YOU!” Things that cost us something are valuable investments, investing into the lives of others is a “Priceless Investment” and an "Eternal Investment".

If we look at the work of Faith Acres over the last eight years, with thousands of devoted volunteer hours and the changed lives we have witnessed, people would be shocked that it was accomplished with such small financial giving. We tell people all the time, Faith Acres, the volunteers and our family are here only because the hands of God are upon this project.

95% of our current volunteer staff came to Faith Acres for help when they needed it and now serve regularly. They got to experience the "Miracle of Sharing” at some of the hardest, darkest times of their lives and they now use their time to help other families. These beautiful families/individuals serve and are some of the greatest volunteers any non- profit could ever have, because they "GET IT", and have tasted of the humiliation of not being able to cover the basic needs of their families.

With the help of God and many of you, we have helped establish three full Sharing Centers and seven mobile sites in Lake, Cook and McHenry counties, (with three of these mobile sites becoming full Sharing Centers very soon). I wish that you who pray, give, serve could sit down with some of these families and hear how your donations have changed their lives.

The “Faith Walk Stories” we write have gone around the world through social media and we get emails of how a "story" of a changed life here, has encouraged and restored hope in readers lives across the world. With the success of the Sharing Centers; we can’t just stop because it’s hard, underfunded and has a cost involved. Think about it, if and when you, your family or friend falls on hard times; wouldn't you want a “Sharing Center” available in your community? Now that’s an easy question to answer.

My prayer is that our team (all of you who pray, give and serve…) will impact this world for the better, and when we all get out of bed each morning the devil says, “Awe STINK, They’re All Up Working Together Again!” We are people of purpose and passion, who understand that human life is valuable and to love as God loves the world, takes sacrifice.

Get ready to hear new stories that will tickle your heart, make you cry and just leave you in awe of the GREATNESS of GOD in our day. Thank you for investing in changed lives! You are loved, valued and are just priceless!!!

"… let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…” Gal. 6:9-10a

“Wow Mom, We Have Lots of Food in Our Fridge. Our Fridge is Full, Thank God!"

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:35:35 GMT

I’m happy to say I’m married with three children. I would be lying if I said being a wife and mother has been a breeze. Our family situation got so bad three years back that we had to make some serious changes; otherwise our family wouldn't survive much longer. One of our last hopes to stay together was to turn to God and ask for help. But what does that look like? Where do you start? We didn't grow up putting God first in anything. We were clueless! My now husband and I weren't even married, but we had 3 beautiful children (ranging from 18 months old to 8 years old) over our 13 years together.

Through a series of events, we found ourselves at a church in Lake Zurich, IL. To our surprise, an acquaintance of my husbands was there on that very same day. It shocked my husband, because this former “Gang Banger, Drug Lord” was not the “CHURCH GOING” type when he had known him. From that very first day, I felt so loved but the kids father walked out and said, “This doesn't change anything, we are still separating!” However since the apartment he was going to move into was given to someone else and his car broke down. He came with me to church the next week and then by the third week he broke, he didn't want to leave.

Most of our lives we had done everything backwards. Our huge issues didn't seem to matter to the people that surrounded us weekly in church. The church became our family, our home away from home. Through our struggles with addictions, adultery, anger, brokenness…we could walk into our church and there was a peace that filled our hearts. In the midst of living in “survival mode” emotions, hopes, and dreams we had pushed away for so long began to surface. We would have lived in a tent outside of the church if they had let us, because we didn't want to go home. Home was where our issues seemed “TOO BIG” for us to tackle!

After receiving counseling from the pastors, we knew we wanted to stay together as a family and live out some of those hopes and dreams. We agreed that we would be married, and to us, that meant we would be in a binding agreement with God and each other. Through it all, in sickness, in health, till death do us part; we would stay together as a family! I would love to say that when we said our “I do’s” it was just “Happily Ever After”, but life is hard and we are still digging the trash out of our closets. We spent our whole lives living selfishly and without a life manual called the Bible! Even through the trash, there is a hope we never had before and we know God will continue the good work He started in us.

One of the things our family has struggled with is an empty fridge. Not having enough financial means to feed your kids is heart breaking! It’s one thing to have an empty fridge because you haven’t had the time to go to the grocery store, but when you don’t have the money to go get the food and you have three hungry kids; that adds to the frustration of living life. Please know this, we are not lazy people. My husband has a job and I was striving to work a full time job between giving birth and raising children. We live in a small apartment in Palatine, IL, with our 3 children. The majority of our finances go to housing and gas, for my husband to get to work.

One of the first things we learned at church was that God will provide. Yet, the first time I was given bread from someone at church, I was shocked. Then I was told that I could go get meat from the freezer! We didn't tell anyone about our financial/food needs and God was providing for us through them. People would come up to us and say “I had this and when I saw it, you came to my mind; here, it’s for you!” We couldn't believe it and because we never said anything, we wondered how they knew we needed it. It just proved to us that God sees, knows and will take care of His children.

We also found out about a place called Faith Acres in McHenry. They were helping feed families through the church. A contractor friend of ours was having a slow time at work, Faith Acres had given them boxes of food, and they got so much, they gave two boxes to us. We were being taken care of, just the bread, meat and these extras helped feed my family. The love behind the gifts drew us deeper and deeper into thanking God and learning more about Him.

Through all these times, God has taught us to trust in Him in a personal way. He knew when we were out of diapers and wet ones. He knew when I wanted to make a roast, and He provided each item as I needed them! God knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and who we need in our lives at just the right times. One day, my 9 year old son opened the fridge and said, "Wow, Mom, we have lots of food in our fridge! Our fridge is full! Thank God!" I told him, “Yes, Praise God! He has provided for our family!” I wish I could write the emotions I felt that day. I just can’t think of the words. Our fridge was full, we had food to share with others in our apartment complex, and we weren't surviving on an empty fridge anymore. My mother and my sister even mentioned it; “You have meat in the freezer!”

My family and I have volunteered at Faith Acres twice a week for over a year now. I am not the only family with these kinds of stories. I have personally witnessed 100’s of stories of watching God take care of families through Faith Acres’ sharing program, which includes food, clothing, and household goods.

Our kids love it! During the summer months, while other kids are at camp and sport programs, our kids are loving life at Faith Acres! They are learning how to run a Sharing Center, work on a farm, plant and harvest foods, break down boxes, unload food trucks, and just plain old “Hard Work!” Mr. Jeff reads them stories and always makes sure they have lots of yummy snacks! They also get to play with other children who don’t have the opportunity to go to camp because of financial reasons. Our kids have seen God provide the food, soccer shoes, furniture, and the perfect size clothing, in the right colors, at the right time; not only for our family, but for so many other families who pass through on a weekly basis.

I am now being trained to be part of the team of volunteers that will start a future Sharing Center in Lake Zurich, IL. It’s a privilege to serve at Faith Acres. I have made so many friends and we are all work together, doing it for the Glory of God. We have all learned that helping others is not just a good thing, it’s a GREAT thing! We have also learned to receive, which is very hard for a middle class family here in America.

We were shocked to meet so many other “Working Class Poor” facing the same problem! I was shocked to find out that the government has even named us “The Working Poor”. Families who make a too much to be on government help, but live pay check to pay check and have to put basics needs like foods, toiletries… on credit cards. Yet, we are so grateful for the Sharing Center; for helping lift our financial burdens by providing needed foods and goods. They have been a huge blessing to our family; both my mom and sister are now weekly volunteers as well!

Psalm 56:3-4 is a perfect verse for my story and my life. It says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid..."

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 1

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:34:28 GMT

How Can These Children Function?

Part 1

I answered the Faith Acres phone line yesterday and on the other end was a homeless woman living out of her car with her three children right here in McHenry! The kids spend about 4 nights a week in the car, and then go to a relative’s house to shower before they go to school. The other nights they manage to sneak by their relative's landlord and sleep in a bed. But, Mom, she is in the car at “Aunt” Jewels or “Uncle” Meijer for the night; those being the local grocery stores with lit up parking lots. After I gathered more details from this mother, I set her up to come to our 45 minute welcome class, so she could get food, clothing, and anything else we had that could make her and the kids life a little bit more comfortable.
After finding out more details about her life story, I quickly ended the phone call, but only because I did not want to cause her more pain by hearing me cry on the other end. I have a tendency to ask people lots of questions and the answers coming from this soft voice got worse and worse. When the phone hit the charging dock, I broke down. I couldn't hold it back! We have worked with many families with many different situations. Families with lots of brokenness, hopelessness and just plain crazy circumstances, but this one just tugged at my heart differently than the others. Especially as I thought about these children trying to function in school as they're wondering if tonight would be a night in the car or in a home. Would they have something to eat? Are they scared? Do their teachers and friends even know? How can these children function?

What would it be like to be struggling with cancer, going through treatments, pregnant with your third child, and then finding out that your husband has died in Afghanistan while serving his country? The military doesn't tell you much about his death because of the sensitive technology position he held at the front lines. You have a mile high stack of paper work to fill out so you can receive military death benefits to help provide for your children. You lose your home and then your job - you can't keep the kids in the car alone when you go to work! To make matters worse, the very car that has become your home is going to be taken from you as the repo company is hunting you down!

What if you fell into a glitch with the military because you lived with each other for thirteen years and just 12 days before your husband's death, you were married at the Military Base? You signed all the paper work - even updated the old paper work, including life benefits, so just in case the unthinkable happened, your family would be taken care of. You handed it all over to the Chaplain, thinking, "We are official! We sealed the deal and are truly a family in the sight of God and country. We can relax, our family is complete!" Yet, almost four years later you’re still fighting to get your husband's military benefits. You feel like a pest each time you call the veterans office, only to be given more paperwork!

Needing a fresh start, you move to a new state. You've beaten the cancers - the cancers you never told your hubby about because you didn’t want him to worry while he was on the front lines. The ovarian cancer seemed under control, but now cervical cancer after the birth of your new son has just beaten you up. Your parents have already passed away and you really didn’t know your extended relatives too well because you were a foster kid growing up in a system, in and out of different homes.

You move close to your father’s family, because some of your husband's family members are in and out of jail and that's not what you want your kids to grow up around. Your in-laws stopped talking to you about 2 weeks after the funeral - maybe because of the depression from the loss of their son. The one relative on your father's side, who is willing to help, is also a struggling single mom with a few kids. She lives in small place up in McHenry, IL. and would let you stay full time, but can't because of certain rules and regulations that even the landlord has to abide by. So, in the car this little family found themselves.

All seemed hopeless, until the day they were given our name from one of the other local food pantries. "We don't help with housing, but there is this place, Faith Acres, they may be able to help you. Call them!"

To be continued....

What a Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 2

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:33:09 GMT

Overflowing With PINEAPPLE

Part 2

This was just one of the 75 families that came though the Sharing Center here at the McHenry location in the last 48 hours. Real people, with real children, with real life stories, right here in our own community! What do you do when life seems hopeless? If we try to do this thing called life by ourselves, there is a lot of hopelessness! But, we have a God who is bigger than hopelessness!

All week we have received huge amounts of frozen, canned, and fresh pineapple from Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fresh Market, Jewel and NIFB. We had more pineapple here at Faith Acres then we have ever had on any given day. It's like we had our own personal plantation. The air even smelled like pineapple!

The young, homeless mother was the last person to be packing her boxes of food that Friday. We still had plenty to share and we were excited to hear that she had access to a fridge, even while living in her car. She had taken a container of pineapple, but then she was handed a whole pineapple. As she held it in her hands, I saw her eyes sparkle and her whole face light up. I asked, “you like pineapple, don’t you?” She responded, “I love pineapple, I love it! It was the only thing I could eat when I was going through the cancer treatments. It was the only food I could keep down. I LOVE PINEAPPLE!” We couldn't stop there, so we gave her a bag of frozen pineapple as well. She was the last guest of the day, yet the Lord made sure there was plenty of pineapple left for her!

Later that evening, after all the volunteers had left, we just had to make sure our new little family was not sleeping in their car. The soft voice on the other end of the phone and the noise of lots of children laughing and playing confirmed they were safe tonight.

We encouraged her to talk to her relative's landlord and try to work something out, even if she was scared to. We told her we would call him if we needed to. She agreed and talked to him and he said the kids could stay in the house while she found a place, but for her, she had a week! He didn't know they were sleeping in their car. As I hung up the phone, I prayed, "God please give her rest tonight, please just give her peace. She is safe tonight. Pineapple, pineapple! I saw what you did - the pineapple! What a sweetheart you are God! Pineapple!"

I went to close everything down for the night, feeling very fulfilled that God had once again made a way and provided for each of our guests in a personal way. In my heart I knew I would never look at a pineapple the same ever again, nor would I take for granted that our veterans are being taken care of, just because they are veterans.

All weekend this little family kept coming to mind. Sunday night I pulled their file and scanned over their application. This family was special and God had special plans for them. He even inundated us with pineapple that screamed out to this mother that she is not forgotten by Him! I called her and left a message and about 15 minutes later, she returned my call. It was so good to hear her voice. "Hey, how are you doing, how are the kids?" I asked. "I'm in the hospital. Can you call McHenry Hospital? I'm in room..." click. The call ended.

To be continued....

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple Part 3

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:31:01 GMT

All I Heard Was Thankfulness

Part 3

“She’s in the hospital!” I yelled. As I called McHenry hospital my mind flashed back to images of her on Friday. She was so distraught, pale, tired, her lips were almost white. I soon found out that after we had talked Friday night, she finally relaxed. She knew it was going to be okay, because she was finally getting help. Her heart has not only had the stress from her life situation, but from the cancer treatments! She had finally relaxed, and when she goes from high stress to relaxation her heart skips beats. This time her heart skipped to many beats and she fell down the stairs, to wake up in the hospital. Not remembering anything but being at the top of the stairs and her heart feeling wired! Her heart had had enough and was finally getting some needed medical attention.

Thank God she was not in the car that night, thank God that her kids were not forced to deal with this situation in a parking lot all alone. Through our whole conversation, all I heard was thankfulness from her. Thankfulness that the kids were safe, that they had food, and that they could stay in the house until she found a place. This was one strong mommy, but my heart was crushed that this could happen to one of our military families.

On Monday morning I got right to work trying to find this family a home they could stay in together. I called some of the local charities that deal with housing, hoping to find her something, but by late Tuesday afternoon I was beyond upset. “So ma'am, you're telling me that we have to make this little family completely homeless just to get them on a list for government housing?! Forgive me, ma'am, but this system STINKS and isn't right!” I was so upset!

The very next day was Wednesday, September 11th. I was still so discouraged about this housing situation. I had to call this mother and tell her that in order to get her family a permanent home through the government, she would have to pack up her kids and get to an overnight shelter each night, 25 minutes away and sleep with the kids. We had to prove them homeless and they had to “check in” each night at the shelter, which was government funded.

Faith Acres would need to get gas cards, just to get this family over to the shelter and then get the kids back to school in the morning, FOR HOW LONG? The waiting list is 6 months! “Okay, ma'am, don't take this wrong, but let’s cut through the crap and the red tape. If we put this family through a speedy process for housing, because we know they are homeless, how long could we cut this down to?” I asked in a very nice, but, 'you have got to be kidding me' voice. “Three months!” was her response. This woman agreed with me, the process “STINKS!”

I laid my head in my hands and cried. Talk about casting your anxiety on the Lord! I have a great home they could stay in for a month or so, but to get anything permanent we had to make them completely homeless! They had to "CHECK IN" and sleep at the shelter for 92 days or more to prove they are really homeless, and go through the process! This is NUTS! Crying relieved some of my stress, as soon as I asked God for help, I was given a plan. First, I needed to ask this mother if I could make her story public.

We talked and both decided that going to the shelter for three months wouldn't be healthy for the kids. She had already taken the baby with her to try out the shelter and it was awful. She felt that it would scare her two older children. With great kindness she spoke, “Please don’t take this wrong, I am thankful for the shelters, but I am not addicted to drugs or alcohol. When I spent the night, I saw that the majority of the people there are dealing with addictions. The shelter is not where we belong; I feel safer in the car with my kids. We need a home!”

I had also asked her about putting her kids in a safe home until she was back on her feet. She was scared of this because she was in and out of foster homes herself down in Kentucky. My heart was sick hearing about the number of homes this gal had to live in during her childhood. Nothing against Kentucky, but the images in my mind of a little foster girl in and out of homes in the back woods of Kentucky made my stomach queasy. As she spoke, you could hear the fear in her voice over that happening to her kids. She was going to do whatever it took to make sure her kids stayed with her. She gave me the permission I needed to make her story public.

To be continued....

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 4

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:25:27 GMT

The Beauty of Answered Prayers & Social Media

Part 4

Once I got permission to share our little family's story, things began to move like wildfire!

Clips from our Facebook post September 11, 2013:

"Does anyone have any connections to the veteran’s main hub in Chicago? We have a homeless mother with three children who lost her husband in the Afghanistan war and is still waiting for his pension benefits. First she was denied, and then they had her reapply and they continue to have her submit papers. It’s now been three and a half years of waiting for the benefits. She calls them daily, and is told it’s not passed yet. We need some people from the inside that can help this young mother ASAP!

…Over the last year we have heard some other stories about how the funding cuts to the veterans has brought quite a few to Homelessness. SOOOOOOO let’s see how we can help this little family out. We all have connections and this Mother doesn't want her children to end up in the foster care system she had to grow up in. Pray that her husband’s pension goes through quick, for a perfect home, job, and extra health and rest as this has been a hard 4 years for her and the kids. Thank you sooo much for taking the time to read, pray and help!"

As soon as people read the post, they began to pray and make it their mission to help. Phone calls were made and within hours, this young mother was getting answers. She began to see every prayer request we had posted online getting answered! This was before I was able to get back to the powers that be, the U.S. Military, who called to apologize about one of their own falling through the cracks. This excited mother spoke with a huge smile, “I don’t know who you have called, but they are answering my questions. It’s as if I am a different person they are dealing with! Thank you so much, and please tell your Facebook friends thank you, too!!"

I laughed because I hadn't even released her name to any of the people I was talking to in the government! The story went way up the chain of command, but the greatest Commander of All, GOD, was making things happen before anyone even knew her name! We were witnessing the beauty of answered prayers and "social media"! As this mother's hope was restored, my spirit was lifted. The very plan God put on my heart, making her story public, sent an army of Angels to work on her behalf. Angels from the heavens and on earth!

Various U.S. Military offices were contacting me right and left. They apologized and were just as upset. Everyone had one major question - “Who got the death benefits?” Because her husband was on active duty when he died, death benefits would have been paid out within weeks after his death. One of the Officers even asked if this solder was married before, because he was sure death benefits had been paid out already. When I asked our mother, she had no information about any death benefits being paid out at all.

Interestingly, a lost government letter showed up!! It is hard to get mail when you have moved to a different state, are living in your car and don’t have a permanent address. But, the letter stated that monthly benefits were going to start soon. Praise the Lord! Her first check is coming, almost 4 years late, but still coming! She was one excited mother!

The right paper work got filed and they could finally release information to her. The military personnel were kind and answered all her questions. But, she broke down crying when she was told the death benefits were already paid out and to whom they were paid. She was stunned and shocked. She couldn't believe it! She also misunderstood the military and thought the same people that took the death benefits were also going to receive the monthly benefits, which would leave her and the children with nothing. BUT, the office assured her that despite this new information, she would start getting the monthly benefits ($1,500.00) because she was legally married at the time of her husband's death! She would also get a large check to cover all the months that she should have been getting that check.

When she told me all the details of her phone conversations, I was shocked and angry! Not just me, but everyone at Faith Acres reacted the same way. This mother was being so kind. She was so happy just to get anything. I, on the other hand, was so upset. I said, “WHAAAAT, you have got to be kidding! Your husband signed the papers,. He wanted YOU to have the death benefits to take care of the kids. How could this happen? He signed the papers 12 days before he died, right when you got married. This is wrong! We have to pray, we need divine intervention! We all just want justice for you and the kids and you need this money for a home, car, and schooling for the kids. You need this money so you don’t have to work so hard. Your body is tired and your heart is weak!”

To be continued....

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 5

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 19:23:38 GMT

We All Wanted Justice for This Family

Part 5

When a family finds themselves at Faith Acres and they are homeless, we ask them a series of questions to assess the situation. I remembered asking her questions about her in-laws and why they hadn't helped her, especially knowing their grand-kids were living in a car. Her answer was strange to me. She had said they had stopped talking to her about 10 days after her husband, their son’s, death. I asked, “Do they understand you're living in the car?” She told me, “Yes, I have called them three times and they just tell me I need to work harder!” So, in the beginning, I thought that maybe this mother might just be lazy. But, I quickly realized that was untrue! We saw the complete opposite. She is one of the hardest working homeless persons that has ever come to Faith Acres! She isn't lazy at all. And, she isn't addicted to anything.

This mother was crushed to hear that the death benefits had gone to her in-laws. Is that why they stopped talking to her? They knew their grandchildren were living in a car and didn't reach out to help, even when given the death benefits. Was it really over the $400,000.00? She didn't want to believe it! It never occurred to her that money was even paid out. All these years she was trying to rationalize that they must be in depression over their son's death and grieving. Could this be why they wouldn't talk to her?

Okay, hold us back! We were ready to put this on national news. Some of our volunteers wanted to get it on one of the many major talk shows. Yet, this mother was being so kind about it. She was so thankful that she would soon get $1,500.00 a month. And, she was still trying to believe the best about her in-laws. Although, out of all the things this young mother had dealt with, I think this broke her heart the most. It wasn't that the money was gone, but that she lost family members over it! Her eyes were so lost as she spoke, "I don't want to believe it. I can't! You don't understand, I went to bible study with my mother-in-law every Wednesday night! We were friends! This couldn't be over money. I can't think about this, I get too upset. It can't be over money!"

This mother is working around the clock, sick, and living in her car with the kids. All because of financial reasons; reasons that came through a processing mistake and greedy in-laws. We were all learning from this mother and her pain. It drew me closer to God and challenged me to seek Him for more help with this situation before us. We all wanted justice for this family NOW! Not tomorrow, NOW!!!

Suddenly, things began to move fast. Our young mother moved up to Wisconsin because she found a job and a place to stay! She was able to live with another family until she could get a place for the kids to come and join her. Her car did get repossessed, but she continued to work and before you knew it, she got another car, it wasn't as nice as what she had, but it got them from point A to point B. She then was also able to get her own place to live. And, finally she got the first military benefit check! She even took in another homeless couple that was living at a local hotel because she felt so bad for them.

This whole time I'm thinking to myself, "She is not a lazy person. She is working herself to death and she should have gotten those death benefits! Three of the four times she has come to Faith Acres we had crazy amounts of pineapple! Lord, strengthen her heart and keep her alive for these kids. Please Lord, she needs your help!

Christmas was just two weeks away and we wanted to see what our little family across the Wisconsin border really needed, now that she was renting a little home. We sent a volunteer to check on them and the report we got back was heartbreaking. "They have nothing. It's really bad; they have NOTHING! One pot, almost no furniture..they need warm blankets, a heater...!!!"

To be continued....

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 6

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 18:52:11 GMT

It Made the Kid’s Eyes Sparkle on Christmas

Part 6

From their time living in the car, this family had learned to live on very little. They really didn’t want to take anything from Faith Acres, because they didn’t want to take it from anyone else who really needed it. We learned early on that this mother was more about giving than receiving, which made us want to help her even more! We all wanted to bless this family on Christmas. It would take at least 20 full pages to document all the “God Things” that took place in just two weeks that gave this family a Christmas that made the kid’s eyes sparkle on Christmas morning!

Many hands came together to make this magical Christmas possible. A teacher from one of the local schools contacted us and told us that two of the classrooms wanted a family to shop for; a family that really needed help for Christmas. The teachers opted out of getting gifts from their students and had the children put that money into purchasing gifts for a special family. We were thrilled about this and knew our little family was perfect for this opportunity! The kids in the classes loved shopping for them.

Faith Presbyterian Church does an Angel Tree for Faith Acres each year to help many of our families, so they also got gifts for this beautiful family. One of the big club stores had donated beautiful furniture that just happened to fit the exact measurement of the rooms in the new rented home. The colors of the new furniture matched pieces of furniture donated from our lawyer’s family. We had everything we needed to make up a little home because of generous donors. We had new cutting boards, cast-iron cookware, wooden utensils and everything for a little country kitchen from the Columbian Home Products donation we had received. Cast-iron just happened to be this mother’s favorite cookware!

There was a “Willow Tree Welcoming Angel” that sat on the shelf in our kitchen. It’s a wooden angel holding a pineapple. All week as I passed by it and saw that little pineapple in the angel’s hand, I knew that it was given to us two years before to pass on to this mother. So, the angel was packed up and put on the last load of items to be given as a gift to this mother. Five of our volunteer families packed cars, vans, and trailers and hauled furniture, cookware, Christmas gifts, and the angel up to Wisconsin just in time for Christmas.

“Christmas morning is one I will never forget. The kids looked at all the gifts, and then looked at me, then back at the tree. Their eyes reminded me of what you see on the movies or cartoons when you see a star, a sparkle, which twinkles in the corner of their eyes. I had hidden the gifts and didn’t tell them they would even have gifts. I will never forget my kid’s eyes and smiles that Christmas. It’s a look I will never see again. It made me cry!” Joy filled this mother’s words as she gave us a glimpse into that Christmas morning of 2013.

We talked a few more times and she would come to mind on and off throughout the following year. It’s hard to believe so many months had passed. I often thought about how they were doing. I thought about the kids, the mother, her heart, her health. I also wondered if their car was still running, if they got the back pay from the military, if the military investigated the death benefit issue. I emailed her, but didn’t hear anything back.

I walked into the food pantry area about three weeks before this Christmas 2014. It was a Friday and everyone had left for the day. On the same shelf I had grabbed the pineapple a year back for this mother was an entire box of pineapples. Even after the busy day of guests, we still had quite a few pineapples! I grabbed one and thought, “I’ve done this before!” I went into the house and walked by the shelf where the “Welcome Angel” used to sit. Pineapple seemed to be coming to mind left and right. Up until the last two days, we haven’t had as much pineapple at Faith Acres since we worked with our little homeless military family almost a year ago. I kept waking up thinking about this family and the details of their story were flooding my mind through the night!

I got out of bed determined to track down this family before the house was busy with volunteers. It was eight days before Christmas and Faith Acres was crazy busy. I felt a sense of urgency to find out how they were doing. Since email didn’t seem to work, I tried Facebook, but couldn’t find much information on there either. I grabbed her file; maybe she still had the same phone number. I called it and to my surprise, she answered!

To be continued….

What A Sweetheart You Are God! Pineapple! Part 7

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:54:10 GMT

Prayer is the Most Powerful Weapon We Have!

Part 7

What a blessing to hear her voice! As we spoke, she gave me an update on her and the kids. Soon after the previous Christmas, she began to gain lots of weight, she developed thyroid cancer. This makes three different cancers this mother has fought. Her hair had just grown back after three and a half months of treatments. She couldn’t work, take care of the kids and go to school at the same time. So, in April she quit her job and enrolled in college for Medical Administration, with a minor in Business. She was able to do this because of the $1500.00/month military benefits she is still receiving. She and the kids had to move from the house they were in to a more affordable two bedroom apartment, but were still thankful to have a roof over their heads! She was offered an internship at one of the VA’s in Tennessee. Because it’s an internship, she wouldn’t get paid at first, but after a certain time period, she would start getting benefits. They would also give her $500.00 for the security deposit for a new apartment in January. A dream of hers is to live in TN. with the kids!

She still hadn’t received any back pay from the military. The government launched an investigation into why she didn’t get the death benefits and have initiated a lawsuit against her in-laws to recover the money they received. The back pay owed to our mother is wrapped up in that lawsuit. This is not a personal lawsuit that our mother had to file; the government is fighting this battle for her. This is another answer to prayer!

She contacted her in-laws and talked to them a few times, but they stopped talking to her again. When they received the lawsuit from the government, they called her and told her the government is suing them for their assets. They have obtained a lawyer and are sticking to the story that they didn’t know the kids were homeless. She explained to them that this was out of her hands and was not a personal lawsuit from her against them. This was the governments doing! She continued to be kind and is trying to believe that they were just having a “me” moment in life when they took the money. We are glad it’s not a battle she has to fight. Let the government work on it and may justice take place. Please pray for true justice to take place!

“So, Christmas is next week. What are you doing for Christmas? Anything special”, I asked in my teasing voice. She had already given the kids their one Christmas gift. On Black Friday, she had found $39.00 knock off I-Pads. They were the kid’s first electronics. “Can you come visit us when the kids get off school next week, before Christmas? We have some gifts for you. Besides, isn’t it time you came shopping at Faith Acres?” I asked her. I was very thankful she couldn’t see the tears streaming down my cheeks; tears of joy and sorrow. I wished she had called and let us know about the cancer treatments. This is the kind of person she is, she did not like to have things done for her. This family was together, but it was a tough year. God had put them on our hearts because they still didn’t have the means to get any extras for Christmas. She still needs help and encouragement!

We had just had a raffle and our first prize winner wanted us to take their $500.00 in gift card winnings and give them to other families who needed them. We knew exactly who we were giving half of them to! And one of the families that helped this mother and her kids last year wanted to help them again! Our little family was heavy on their hearts too.

On Monday, this beautiful family showed up at Faith Acres and the Lord had once again given us lots of PINEAPPLE!!! Jeff had to pick up from extra stores because the food bank was down some drivers. From those emergency pickups came pineapple and many others food items for this family. Seriously, what a sweetheart God is!! The kids played on their little electronics while we went to shop for Christmas gifts in the gift area we set up every year. In one of the boxes there were two vintage pineapple welcome prints set in a beautiful black picture frame. I had been in that room over a 100 times that week with other families and never saw those pictures. I slipped away to get them wrapped. When our mother went shopping in the food area, the kids went shopping for her! The kids loved shopping and looking through all the Christmas decorations and ornaments that were donated by From Dee To You Gift Boutique.

One of our volunteers was sitting in the office talking with Mary Ann, when our mother walked in. She told us all about her year and said her favorite gift from last year was the Willow Tree Welcoming Angel. When we left the room to shop, the volunteer realized who this woman was and said she had $200.00 on her that she needed to give to a family for Christmas. She had prayed and asked God who she was supposed to give it to; she even thought about giving it to the pastor at church the day before, maybe he knew a family. And now, here she was, 4 days before Christmas with this cash on her, and our mother shows up. She knew immediately that her money was for this family! This volunteer was called in to help unload the emergency food deliveries. Otherwise she wouldn’t have been in the Faith Acres office on a Monday morning. Come to think about it, Mary Ann isn’t usually in the office on Mondays either! So into her Christmas present bag an envelope with the money went, along with the wrapped pictures of the pineapples.

We packed the car, hugged and said our goodbye’s and they were off to visit their relatives in McHenry. Thanks to the Lord’s provisions, divine appointments and generous friends of Faith Acres, they had once again a great Christmas filled with many extra blessings!!!

The pineapple has served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome throughout the history of America. The pineapple has become a familiar symbolic image of welcome, good cheer, warmth, and affection between all who dwell inside the home. Our prayer for this beautiful mother is that she can have a new home of her own in TN. to raise her children, a good running car to keep her and the kids’ safe, for God to heal her heart and body and that all the military funding that is owed to her goes through quickly. Whenever we look at a pineapple, let’s remember this story and pray over all our military families who sacrifice so much for each of us, day in and day out. We can’t be an America that looks the other way. God will bless America if we do what we know is right to do.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 (ESV)

Closing

I asked our mother to answer some questions for us just to get some insight into how she is dealing with all she and the kids have faced. Here are her answers!

Now that you have lived through this, how do you feel about the government? I don’t feel bad towards the government. We are only human. They are helping me now, that’s all that counts.
What do you want your in-laws to understand about everything you have experienced? Our hardship was a result of your greed. I pray that you never have to know what your grandchildren had to go through. I pray you get right with the Lord.
What message do you have for other military families struggling? Keep faith that help will come! Keep calling, writing, and telling anyone who will listen. The effort will pay off. And most importantly, pray. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have!
What message do you have for everyone who makes Faith Acres possible (those who volunteer, give food, money, things…)? To all the volunteers, givers, and anyone associated with Faith Acres, if it was not for your faith and big hearts, people like me would not know where to turn. You all are doing very important work. Your volunteers pray and help out however they can. That’s an awesome superpower to me. Thank you for all that you do and for having such warm hearts!

“To the world you may be one person, but to me you are the world!”

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:45:55 GMT

About a year ago, I was introduced to Faith Acres by a close friend of mine. At the time, I never thought my life and faith would change by simply meeting these people. Their generous love and kindness to everyone they meet is, I feel, a rare find in today’s world. They truly live out the love of Jesus each and every day and represent the testimony of God’s love, grace, and abundant blessings!

As a mom, belly casts are something I’ve always treasured. They are similar to molding casts that you put your child’s foot or hand into – except it’s a mold of your pregnant belly it’s a way to show my kids that we loved them, even before we held them in our arms for the first time. It also shows my children the form of my belly and how big I got with them growing inside of me. The casts can be decorated, painted, and even used as a cradle to take babies first pictures in. I had a belly cast done for both of my sons. On my first cast it says “To the world you may be one person, but to me you are the world!” We hang it in our bedroom and when my kids see it they are always fascinated by it!

On one of my visits to Faith Acres, I was asked how I met the gal who told me about Faith Acres. “This is a funny story – through a Belly Cast,” I said! My friend is an artist and runs a craft store/boutique shop on Main Street in Wauconda. She was advertising these belly casts and my husband knew I wanted it done, so he called her and made an appointment as a surprise. That was in 2010. I got hooked and knew I wanted to do it with every pregnancy I could! When I got pregnant a year later, we were given a DIY cast “kit” as a gift, so my husband did it for me. As I was telling all of this to one of the staff members, she looked at me with the silliest face and said “We have a belly cast upstairs!” I was excited to hear she had one, thinking she got one when she was pregnant too.

About ten minutes later, she comes back to the clothing room where I was organizing, with this paint can in her hands and says, “We’ve had this here now for over a year, maybe even two years and every time I see it, I think, who needs or wants a Belly Cast? I wanted to throw it out a few times, because of the picture on the side of the can, but I couldn’t, I knew that it was a special donation from someone and just couldn’t pitch it. YOU’RE SO FUNNY, IT’S FOR YOU, AND YOU’RE THE ONE WHO GETS THE BELLY CAST KIT!”

At the time, I was currently pregnant with my 5th child, finances were tight and I had been thinking about wanting/getting another one done, but didn’t think we’d be able to afford it. Just a few days before I even mentioned my desire to get one to my husband! And then, the paint store gave us the paint to decorate it for FREE!

“Isn’t it great how God cares about the ‘silly/ little’ things in this life? What a challenge and reminder to know that if He cares about something like a belly cast, how much more He cares about the ‘big’ stuff in our lives. We serve a great God!”

Thank you to all the staff at Faith Acres for loving us like we are your own family. It’s such a blessing to see the excitement in my kids’ faces when Thursday rolls around and they know we are going to Faith Acres. Keep it up!!!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

I didn't know I was going to a party!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:39:58 GMT

Looking back on this crazy year, one forever memory is my daughter’s third birthday. I love to do up birthdays, but this year it needed to be on a budget! My daughter wanted a tea party birthday, I decided to do a surprise breakfast tea party, with the table set out beautifully with all kinds of delicious treats, when she woke up in the morning. I already had pretty plates and cups from the thrift store. I thought scones, deviled eggs, tea sandwiches, and lots of fruit would make the perfect breakfast spread. The only other thing I was missing was pink roses.

Generally, I never prayed for anything specific to come in to Faith Acres but simply prayed for a content and thankful heart no matter what. This day though was the first day I asked God to give me something specific. I prayed for pink roses: specifically ones that weren’t squished. I also prayed for anything else that would make for a memorable tea party. Four dozen light pink roses came in that day to Faith Acres! I only took one dozen but I was awed that God had so abundantly answered my prayer.

There were so many other things that came that day that I didn’t ask for, but were perfect for our plan: pre-made deviled eggs, pre-cut citrus fruits, pre-cut melons, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cucumbers (for tea sandwiches), organic pink yogurts (which I used for parfaits with strawberries and blueberries), and tiny little cupcakes. These made the party amazing!

A big birthday cake also came in, but the volunteers had been waiting on one for someone else. They were at first sad for me, but I assured them the tiny cupcakes were exactly what I had been hoping for.

On the big day, the kids woke up to a beautiful spread. They were all smiling from ear to ear. My daughter was in heaven and one of my little boys in the sweetest way said, “I didn’t know I was going to a PARTY!”

That day will forever stand out as the day that God showed me that He cares not just about providing for my needs, which He does, and He cares not just about me being content with His provisions, but he also knows and cares about me specifically and He loves to spoil His children just like I love to spoil mine.

As my children grow, the pictures from that day will always give us opportunity to remember and retell of God’s goodness to us in that season and always.

“And Joshua said to them, ‘Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God in to the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” Joshua 4:5-7

On The Lookout For Kool-Aid!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:37:51 GMT

Several weeks ago, a little girl visiting us at Faith Acres asked me if we had any Kool-Aid packets she could have. I told her she could check the food area to see if we had any. She checked but didn’t find any. During her next visit she asked again, “Did any Kool-Aid packets come in yet? I want to use them to dye my hair. You can even color the tips of your hair by dipping it into a cup with a special Kool-Aid recipe!” An unusual request!

Needless to say, I do not like kids drinking Kool-Aid, so the first time she asked I was almost glad we didn’t have the little packets. But now that I understood why she was on the lookout for Kool-Aid, it changed everything! I told her, “I haven’t seen any, but keep praying for them sweetie!” I could tell that this persistent little lady really wanted to try this Kool-Aid recipe to dye her hair. I walked away asking the Lord to provide this child with her Kool-Aid, soon!

On Tuesday, November 3, at 7:40 am, I received this email from the little girl’s mom, “Can I volunteer tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 pm?” At 9:16 am I responded back, “Yes, we are going to be working outside, so the kids can help….see you tomorrow!” At 2:30 pm that same day, I walked out to the food area where the guys had just unloaded some boxes and right on top was a box packed with KOOL-AID containers and packets. We have never gotten this much Kool-Aid in at one time before, it was the mother lode!

GOD, YOU ARE SUCH A SWEETHEART!!! I looked at the gal helping me in the garage and told her the whole story of this little girl asking for Kool-Aid. I told her that I had just responded to her mother’s email and she would be coming tomorrow and look – look – look at all this Kool-Aid that God has brought her!!!

I put the box to the side. I was so excited for this little girl to see that God had answered her prayers. Not only was there enough for her to take multiple colors packs, but enough for her to share with her sisters. There was still enough Kool-Aid to hand out to all the other families coming for food.

Later that same day I received another email from her mother saying that it was this little girl’s birthday this week. She sent me a list of items she was hoping we had that could help with the party planning. I thought, “It’s her birthday this week – are you serious God? You held back this gift to arrive at just the right time. What a perfect activity for her to do on her BIRTHDAY and she gets to see the gift of persistent prayer answered!”

“God has listened. He has heard my prayer. Praise God. He did not ignore my prayers. He did not hold back his love from me.” Psalms 66:18-20

Here is information for the brave people who would like to color their hair with Kool-Aid that washes out: http://www.wikihow.com/Dip-Dye-Hair-with-Kool-Aid

I Don’t Pay For These Jars

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:36:42 GMT

A Happy Christmas Faith Walk Story for you!

One day at Faith Acres we gave one of our “guests” some extra fruit. The fruit was going to go bad if we did not get it used up right away. She came back a week later with jams for us. Her jam tasted amazing! We enjoyed the fact that it had a lot less sugar then most store bought jams.

Two weeks later we gave this same woman some more fruit that was soft and ready to be eaten right away. She came back the next week with more jams for us.

I was so impressed by her initiative; I asked her if she wanted to be one of our volunteers here at Faith Acres. She could come each week and get any of the fruit that was over ripe and ready to be made into jams. She would still be one of our “guests” and get food for her family while helping us help more people by just doing what she loved to do cook and make jams!

I even told her Faith Acres would purchase the jars for her. She said, “No, I don’t pay for these jars, I play a game each day online and earn points from a large chain store. I earn points for products and have been able to get birthday and Christmas gifts for my children. The brand new pants I donated here last week, I got those for free too!”

This mother is disabled and has really strived to take good care of her family over the years. She is a hard worker but is limited because of her health.

Her efforts have paid off for them in many ways. They just got their first home form Habitat for Humanity a few weeks ago. For more than two years, her older son would go each Saturday to help work on other homes that Habitat was building. Her daughter would work in the Habitat Restore when she could. All their efforts contributed to them now having their own home for Christmas. With lots of hard work this mother and her children are creatively working together to make a better life for themselves.

So this jam is not just any old jam, this jam has been made with love, left overs and the precious gift of time. If you have been given one of these jars of jam, or fruit spreads, enjoy each spoonful! As you eat it, thank God for all the Faith Acres volunteer families, as they are a beautiful part of the Faith Acres continuing story.

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:11-12

This story is dedicated to our Faith Acres Volunteers, without all of you Faith Acres Foundation wouldn’t be what it is today, Thank You and Merry Christmas!!

Life is Goofy. Life is Hard.

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:35:19 GMT

Almost a year ago, I was feeling pretty broken. I had gotten two DUI’s in four months and I was finally admitting to myself that I didn’t just have a problem with alcohol, I was a depressed alcoholic. To start taking care of myself and to get my life straightened out, I moved from Chicago back to my hometown of McHenry. Besides lots of legal bills and a revoked license, the court ordered me to do several hundred hours of community service. Upon the suggestion of my therapist, I headed to Faith Acres to complete my hours.

As soon as I met the staff members, I knew that we would get along. They sat down with me on my first day and asked me about my story and wanted to know about my strengths. This was so amazing! And confusing. I thought I’d be cleaning up trash along the side of the road, but they asked me what I was good at and how I could make the most of my time at Faith Acres. How awesome is that?! They also talked to me a lot about God and how He was an important part of their life and family’s ongoing mission. This talk about God seemed to be popping up everywhere … at community service, at AA, and from close friends and family. I doubt this was an accident. At a time when I needed a higher power and a support system more than ever before … there it was. In every part of my life!

I’ve had the amazing opportunity to help out at Faith Acres for the last 6 months. I’ve spent a lot of time gardening and learning about different plants and flowers. I’ve learned what herbs thrive in the Midwestern sun. I’ve discovered the joy you can feel when you put a seed in the ground and then watch it turn into food that can be harvested to help feed someone. I’ve been able to tap into my artistic creativity and paint and craft things for Faith Acres. Every week, I get the chance to organize food for pickup so that families in the area don’t have to go hungry. To be honest, most of my time at community service doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels like I’m making a difference in others’ lives at a time when my alcoholism was telling me I was worthless.

I’m not saying I’m a hugely religious person who goes to church week after week. But I know that God has been with me this past year. His presence has been there at Faith Acres and at all of my court appearances and His strength has carried me as I’ve transitioned into a life of sobriety. He has shown me His love through families andhe’s surrounded me with the people I need to help get me back on track.

It’s been nearly nine months since my last drink. I’m getting to a place where I feel like I can go job hunting again. I’ve made so many new friends in a town I grew up in – where I thought I already knew everyone. My confidence is creeping back into my life. I smile more than I did a year ago. Instead of uncertain and bleak, the future holds more light than before. I know the road ahead isn’t going to be easy. I have to clear away the wreckage of my past. But I’m ready to do that. And I might have a gazillion hours of community service to work … but I couldn’t have found a better place to do them. Faith Acres encourages volunteers to use their talents to help the community while also finding and helping themselves.

I might not be exactly where I thought I’d be in life, but I’m getting there. Life is goofy. Life is hard. But this year has been a reminder that there’s always hope.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I Was Touched By Love!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:12:26 GMT

I am a single mom with numerous children and Faith Acres has helped my family in so many ways over the years. Recently, I was on my way home to Lake Zurich from McHenry when I decided not to stop at Faith Acres because I was running late getting home. I suddenly changed my mind as I was about to pass the road leading to Faith Acres. I love going because of the help and support I receive from the volunteers and also to feel the stronger spiritual connection I so often experience when I am there.

One of the volunteers recently referred me for a job at a gymnastics center that’s right near the neighborhood where I live. The job turned out to be a perfect fit for me and my schedule. I am now able to get my children involved in gymnastics because of it, a dream of my daughters’ for a very long time. I was touched when the volunteer brought me a box of gymnastics leotards, all in my daughters’ sizes.

Towards the end of my visit, the volunteer asked if it was anyone’s birthday and if I needed a birthday cake? That very day was my son’s 21st birthday and I needed a cake for his birthday dinner this very evening. Which was the reason I almost didn’t stop at Faith Acres in the first place as I was needing to figure out what to do about a cake.

Then, when I walked with my daughter through the breezeway, she squealed and picked up a polka-dotted pink towel with a hood that perfectly matched the two bath towels I had just bought her for Christmas. The towels were a big deal to her since I haven’t been able to buy new towels for many years. To see this matching piece to the set did not feel coincidental and I was touched with love!

I opened the freezer and saw it was filled with the one, hard to find “soul food” ingredient that I had just gone to several stores trying to find (and even was racially insulted the day before over my request for by a meat department employee). To think this entire time God had it already provided for my family and I wasn’t even going to stop at Faith Acres that night!

The following week, that would be two days ago on 2/11/16, my son wanted me to take him shopping for t-shirts and pants. We just don’t have the finances to go shopping and I told him so.

Valentines weekend is upon me and I wasn’t going to be able to make it out for my food appointment and I didn’t want to change it and bother anyone. However, I get this email later that evening that went something like this, “WE HAVE FOOD, WHEN CAN YOU GET HERE IN THE MORNING? We also have Valentines things too!”

My previous engagement got cancelled, so I was available to go. The Valentine stuff was all over, and in the living room, new t-shirts of all different sizes and colors were being sorted. My older son is a HUGE KID, like a huge football player, they had his size and my other son’s size and one for my daughter too.

Then I was shown a Valentine-decorated, stuffed wiener dog that looks just like my daughter’s dog that she will just love. Also picked two other adorable stuffed Valentine toys for my two other daughters, a box of chocolates, candies, and cards…everything to make a special Valentine’s Day for my children.

Each of these items only God would know their meaning to me and I felt touched and loved once again by the experience I encountered. Praise God for his work through Faith Acres over the years, Happy Valentine’s Day!!

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Prov. 143:8

A HUGE thank you to all our Families, Volunteers, Northern Illinois Food Band (NIFB), Jewel, Walgreen’s, Costco, Target, Our Gymnastics Friends, Gary Kurzeja and all of you who partner with us at Faith Acres Foundation.

And above all, thank GOD who provides and times everything PERFECTLY!

Abundant Grace

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:09:25 GMT

Our family has gone through more than three years of literally being fed from the hand of God. When my husband’s “normal job with a reliable income” was no more, we began to seek the Lord for his guidance and provision for our family of 7. It has not been easy. There have been many dark days. However, I can tell you this; He is a good, good Father.

I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think your like

But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night

You tell me that your pleased and that I’m never alone

You’re a good, good Father

It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are

And I’m loved by you

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

When they asked me at Faith Acres what kind of patio table I would dream of having, I kind of thought they were crazy. I mean, of all the basic necessities that our family needs, a patio table was not on the list! However, despite the difficult financial season, God had provided a spacious home for our family with a back porch that sat empty. He has always placed in my heart a desire for hospitality and the simple act of having my own family sitting around a table together is very important to me.

I told them I would love to have something big enough to fit my family and room for others. But, that’s a tall order! Patio tables that size cost thousands dollars! Besides, we didn’t need it!

I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide

But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide

Because You know just what we need before we say a word

You’re a good, good Father

It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are

And I’m loved by you

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

You are perfect in all of your ways

You are perfect in all of your ways to us

I missed a call on April 8th, 2016. In the voicemail message they said, “YOUR TABLE CAME IN!” Of course I was shocked! It had been almost a year since the conversation about the table. And if I’m honest, I never really believed that God was going to just give us a patio set! When there are people starving all over the world, why does He care about a patio table?

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak

Peace so Unexplainable I can hardly think

As you call me deeper still

Into love

As we unwrapped the table and chairs, I was overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord. Not because He gave us “stuff” but because He lavished His kindness on us! The patio set not only fits the space perfectly, but it is one that I would have picked out myself! One that I would have seen in the store and only imagined having!

God has used a patio set to grow my faith! Because it’s excess. It’s more than I needed. It’s more than I could have even asked for. It’s lavish kindness. It’s abundant grace!

In the times of excess, and the times of want… He is a good, good Father.