God is so good!

It is amazing when I look back over the past month and reflect on everything that has happened with this ministry. We have had such an awesome response from so many people that were not only willing, but genuinely glad to help. Larissa and the kids are doing well. She has mentioned several times how blessed she is and how thankful she is to such a wide variety of people. She had a rather unexpected surprise today and it only confirmed that God has put her in the right place at the right time of her life. From her employers to "angels" who are working on her vehicle situation, to those who paid her gas bill and to everyone else; she is truly blessed with so many friends and family. We just wanted you to know that all of your contributions are so appreciated and are allowing Larissa to "catch her breath" while focusing on getting her future finances on track. Another governmental program kicked in 2 weeks ago and the biggest one is still in the works. We know that it will all come together and all the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. Eventually, we want to make sure that everyone involved gets a thank you, but that can only be done if we know who you are. Since most of the contributions go straight into a bank account, it's been a little tricky deciding who sent it. Nonetheless, it's all going to Larissa, but please bear with us as we work out some of the little "kinks". None of this would be possible without all of you and I know that great things are going to continue to happen with this ministry.

I had the opportunity to speak to one of the social clubs at LCU tonight and we are trying to involve them in some capacity too. One of our goals is to be able to bring another family into the ministry by the first of the year. The only thing that we are going to ask of anyone who financially benefits from this ministry (Larissa included) is that they enroll in the Dave Ramsey courses provided by many churches. We already have all the materials, so it wouldn't cost them anything. Dave Ramsey is a "financial planner" that focuses on managing money as God intended. We feel that this is a great way to help educate people and learn to be good stewards of money.

Thank you again for all your help and for honoring Larissa and her children in such a special way. Thank you for making a difference!!!
Blessings

Crushed

I'm a regular reader of this blog. I've never met Trey, but he has a really good blog. I read it this morning and, ouchhhhh...

I know my children aren't the only ones affected by divorce, and we certainly won't be the last. It's happened to you or someone you know, or it will happen to you. It's a world wide problem. When put like that though...that just hurts. There's nothing worse than a broken hearted child, especially as a parent when you can't do anything to fix it.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Even when we feel discouraged and overwhelmed – “crushed in spirit” – God loves us tenderly and is present with us in our pain.

Larissa

What to say...

I felt it was about time I wrote something on here. And to be honest, I don't really know where to start.

I first want to say Thank you for even taking the time to read this and most of all care. I can't express how hard this has been, because I'll be honest I feel very naked and vulnerable knowing this blog even exists and that people have read it.

My pride is something I've struggled with, because I want to be strong and I want to be seen that way. However, we all have moments of weakness, and maybe strength comes in asking for help? I don't really know...

The last several days I've just kind of been speechless. I've not really known how to react. I can't even say that I still know how to react. I still don't know what to say. Sometimes "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough.

I never ever wanted to be the "poster child" for something like this. I wanted to be the one to help others like me, single parent or not. I know that single parents aren't the only ones who struggle...we all do. But "single parent" is now one of my roles, and it's a role that I'm struggling with, but desperately trying to fill. Sometimes I'm good at that, sometimes I'm not.

For me right now the best thing I can do is take myself out of the picture. I know very little about who has read this, who has responded and I'm okay with that. My role right now is to focus on other things. What you might ask? Well as it states this is a non-profit organization to help single parent families. Yes, I am in need at this moment, but I won't always be. And there will be other men and women through death, divorce, and other various things that need help, support and encouragement. That is my focus.

I'm not really sure how to get that off the ground. I have a few ideas and I'm not going to re-invent the wheel here. I'm researching what works and what doesn't and trying to emulate those programs in place. If you have any ideas, suggests and insight...please let me know. If you would like to help...again, please let me know.

I might be more willing to put personal details on this blog than I normally wouldn't put on my own, because essentially this blog is private. If you received and email then you know about it. If you chose to forward the email on, then they know about it. If you chose to link it to your blog, then others have read it. I'm having to put away the fact that I'm still not quite comfortable and look at the bigger picture. And the bigger picture isn't me. The bigger picture is helping others. That's the only way I see it. I want to pay it forward. I want this blog and this ministry to pay it forward all for the glory of God. I want those people that are blessed by this ministry to pay it forward, because someone did something for them...and so on and so on.

Let me tell you about a few ways people have helped me over the last 2 years. My neighbor owns his own landscaping company...he's mowed my lawn free all summer long. He won't let me pay him. A married couple wanted me to go to counseling...I couldn't afford it. They paid for it. A family has kept one of my sons clothed all winter and summer from their sons hand me downs. My nephew keeps my other son dressed from his hand me downs. My Mary Kay lady, who also happens to be my mother, gives me make up for free. I had a family buy me a new computer and fax machine so that I could work from home last year. I had someone else anonymously give me money to pay for me to take my loan officer's license test. There have been so many things that people have done for me...it just blows me away!!!

I say all of that, because giving isn't just about money. Yes, there is always that need. But I'm trying to think outside of the box here, and think about how I/we can start ministering to others. And you know if this is something that God really blesses, it could completely blow up in our faces. If done correctly though, I don't see that as such a bad thing. Needing more storage, because I don't have enough room for clothes that have been donated isn't such a problem. I welcome those kinds of problems.

So I'm doing a little brainstorming...I welcome you to as well. Think about things that you have that you don't need or want anymore, and think about things that are important to you. Every personality is different in the way they want to give.

One other really big thing I need is connections. I need connections with single parents. We may have a product to sell, but without the audience it means nothing. I have a few ideas there as well...but I welcome all input!

And most of all...pray. Pray, pray, pray.

If you read my blog you've heard me mention this quote before. "Trouble is temporary. Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube." My reaction to my situation is my choice. I will chose to be the victor. I am not and was not victimized. My situation is temporary and I know it. Do I face some difficulties? Yes, I do...but God and I together are getting through it, and I want to show the world that. Am I weak sometimes? Yes, but in my weakness, HE shows me strength. God is good, y'all. And I can't wait to pay it forward.

Larissa