Thank you for such a good year!

First off, we would like to express our immense gratitude and thankfulness for all of your generosity, support and prayers. Our immediate goal with this ministry was to take care of Larissa and her children. We weren't certain what that might entail, but knew that God would give us the answers. We initially asked for your financial support for 12 months; that gave her time to get a "plan of action" together. In the mean time, she was offered a management position with a company. She knew that it would take a few months, but her income would eventually increase and she is almost to the point where she will begin seeing the "fruits of her labor". If it weren't for all of you, this opportunity would have never been possible. Although she still hasn't received a penny in child support, day by day, she is closer to being self sufficient in supporting her family. Her goal is to be 100% there by this spring and so far, she is right on track. Currently, she is taking the Dave Ramsey course and that is helping her better understand her finances and how to prepare for her future without having to rely on anyone else. She has come a tremendous way since this ministry began, and so many of you are to thank for that.
Many of you have chosen to donate anonymously and we've had a difficult time keeping track of who has done what. If you would like a statement to claim as a tax deduction, please e-mail us @ faithhopeloveministries08@yahoo.com We will check this account every few days to ensure that everyone gets the information they need. If possible, please let us know by March 15th to ensure that we have time to get everyone their paperwork.
Again, thank you so much for a successful year and God bless you for all your help and support.

Life...

I was prompted to update, so I will. I guess most of you probably already read my personal blog so you know the updates in my life. Things are going good. I'm happy with my job and so thankful for the flexibility it has given me. It's been a rough couple of weeks with sickness and all, but it's just that time of year!

I still am continually blessed by so many people doing nice things for me. Some I know about, some I don't. I'm still not sure how comfortable I am in people knowing everything about my life, but as I've said before that if it helps someone someday to see how God has blessed me through others given the difficult situation, then it has served a good purpose. I just want all the glory to go back to God.

Sometimes I still wonder about my life. What it's purpose is, what will happen, where I will be in 5 years...all common things that everyone wonders about their own lives. While it is still very difficult sometimes and I often feel that I'm lacking in so many areas; God sees me through. I constantly have to remind myself that this is not about me. It's not about my kids. It's about what God is doing in me, through me and this is ultimately HIS story. I just have to have the faith to hold on and know that He means me well. He would never hurt His own children. That can be easier said than done, but I've been through enough to know just how AMAZING God really is. I have my times when I get down, discouraged, and depressed, and then God sends me a rainbow. The rainbows keep me holding on.

The holidays are hard for me. And not because they're the "holidays", but because there are many anniversaries for me that psychologically trip me up. I guess someday they won't, but right now they still do. I know that everyone looks at the holidays as the gift giving time of year, and while it is...I also say don't forget about what is most important. Love your families! Love your spouses or mates. Love your children. Don't take them for granted. They are gifts given to us by God and they will not be with us forever.

I hope this doesn't come across as a downer, I don't mean for it to be. I guess if ever there was anything I would people to do and remember this time of year, it would be that. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! Be blessed and thankful!

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

Larissa's story...

LARISSA:
Larissa is the loving mother of 3 precious children. She, like so many others, has come to terms with the harsh reality that she will have to provide 100% of the emotional, physical and financial needs for her children because the dad has chosen not to be in the picture. She is a strong, Christian woman who has devoted her life to raising her children in a Godly home. Larissa is teaching them to never give up and always trust that God will take care of them. She has become our inspiration for Faith, Hope, Love, Ministries. This is a non-profit organization that will benefit Larissa today, but with your help, it will benefit many single parent families in the future.

HER SITUATION:
Madi 6, Kyle 4, and Mason 1 have a mother who works full time as well as an at-home job. She, like so many other single parents, does not receive child support to help provide for essential monthly necessities such as rent, utilities, groceries, school supplies etc. Even with court appointed child support, the attorney generals process takes time and time is not a luxury that Larissa has right now. With 3 children, her monthly expenses are higher than her income and she has a very immediate need for help. Despite the access of governmental agencies and the God-send of help she had early on, she is financially stretched to the max.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The daily struggle of how to pay rent and other necessary bills is always looming for parents who are raising children “on their own”. By itself, $20 per month wouldn’t do a lot for Larissa’s family. However, several people donating $20 per month would help compensate for the lack of child support. Because of her immediate needs, we are asking everyone who reads this to consider making a monthly contribution to Larissa and her family. A monthly pledge of $20 over the next 12 months would allow her to get back on her feet, consistently plan and budget for the family and make appropriate preparations for the future. Funds above her monthly needs would go into a savings account for emergencies and then given to another parent who also needs assistance. The short-term goal is to help provide financial stability for Larissa. The long-term goal is to provide similar assistance to as many families as possible. Faith, Hope, Love, Ministries is geared towards providing resources and temporary financial assistance to single parents in need; the possibilities are endless.

In a recent entry to her blog, Larissa wrote:
“God looks at things so differently than I do. I see a mess; he see’s beauty. What I see as bad, he uses to make good. He never told me how long it would take, but he did ask me to trust him, that he is in control of it all”.

I hope you see the possibilities and impact that your contribution could have not only for Larissa, but for others as well. Who knows what God’s wisdom and power has in store for your $20? A non-profit bank account has been set up in the name of Faith, Hope, Love Ministries at American State Bank, 1800 West Division St, Slaton TX, 79364. All donations can be sent directly to the bank and should be made to Faith, Hope Love Ministries for Larissa Gordon. They would need to be posted by the 10th of each month. If God has placed it in your heart to help with this genuine need, please send an e-mail to faithhopeloveministries08@yahoo.com with the following information:
1. Can you commit to $20 for the next 12 months?
2. Can we list your name as someone who has chosen to participate, or would you rather remain anonymous?
3. Would you rather send a donation directly to Larissa?
If interested, there are other options available to help with her needs, such as direct payments to LP&L, landlord, phone company, etc. We believe with all of our hearts that this is God’s will and he will bless our efforts to help so many others in similar situations. Although this ministry is still in the initial stages, we believe that your generosity and Christ-like spirits will be rewarded greatly. If you plan to contribute, please e-mail us at the above address. That will allow us to answer any questions that you might have or help with any arrangements necessary. Also, feel free to forward this website to others and leave comments. It will be updated frequently so that everyone can see how God is working and the results that are being produced.

If you choose not to help with this particular cause, please find another one that is near to your heart. So many of us have been richly blessed and what a blessing to give back to others in need. Please keep Larissa, her family, and the other families like hers in your prayers. Thank you and God bless.

**Since this is officially a non-profit organization, records of your donations will be available for tax purposes.