About a month ago now I participated in the 2020 Uplift Gathering by Loved + Blessed. Though I didn’t join in the breakout sessions I was definitely “meant” to be there for the speakers (aka encouragers) and will take some of what I learned over the two days with me for life! I ended up pinning down 11 pages of notes and wanted to say a huge **THANK YOU** to all of the presenters and people involved in this effort (though they may never read this, and that is OK, may the Spirit send the gratitude on for me). 😊

Sooooo here are my notes. The theme was JOY, but more specifically "How To Choose Joy Even When ..."  To be noted, did not write down when Jamila spoke, since she was the main moderator/host and dropping nuggets of joy gold here and there, but seriously, I so appreciate her listening to God’s prompting and doing what she is doing 24/7.

           

          

           

            

            

                                            

Peeps featured in the above photos are: 

Jamila Jackson
Maeglin
Hannah Barefoot 
Rachael Gilbert
Melanie Ezechi (Social Worker Superstar)
Julie Landreth
Paula Bryant-Ellis
Ralonda Dittmar
Christol (Retired Track & Field Athlete, Current Minister & Faith/Fitness Coach)

What did I take away most from the gathering? There really isn't just one thing. There are many littles and many bigs, that I hope you take away yourself from the notes above. 😉

Peace, love, and blessings to you, through our Savior, Jesus Christ! 💙

It doesn't take a Catholic to realize that Mother Teresa is/was the BOMB DIGGITY! I admire her faith and her service. So in honor of the legendary lady, here are some of my favorite quotes from her. 

• If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
  
• I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
  
• I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.
  
• Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
  
• It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.
  
• Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
• I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.
• I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
  
• The fruit of faith is love, and the fruit of love is service.
  
• The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
  

First off, THANK YOU for everyone who helped with this effort, either by praying, donating time, donating money, donating goods or a combination of those items listed. I have heard back from Kellie and she said the kids had a BLAST, said that it was their “best meal ever” and they are still talking about how good it was! As likewise said that evening, thanks be to God for making it all possible.

Due to the amazing generosity of all who helped we were able to do the following:

Southern Buffett Dinner
(for 31 kids/6 staff)
Fried Chicken + Yams + Mashed Potatoes + Gravy + Mac n’ Cheese + Green Beans + Corn + Rolls + Fudge + Sugar Cookies + Sweet Tea + Pink Lemonade

Christmas Eve Gifts
(for 31 kids/6 staff, staff got surprised with gift cards =D)

Sweaters, shirts, wallets, purses, group games, and various miscellaneous items for opening on Christmas Morning (or newcomer gifts)

Outfitted 8 beds (4 boys / 4 girls) with all new bedding and pillows

The evening of CP:12 was more magical than I could ever have imagined. While I was pretty much running around like a chicken with my head cut off I can say that the youth there were just splendid! It was truly a delight when a few of the youth sang for us, and when I heard one of the volunteers ask, “Do you paint” to one of the youth who had received one of the acrylic kits for their “surprise gift” said, “Not yet, but now that I have this I will learn”, I melted!

Aside from just serving the youth and the staff at the Covenant House, one of my joys was seeing all of the volunteers come together. Not to mention, we had a family who donated their time and efforts that was made up of three generations. You can truly see their lights for the Lord beaming from miles away! 

However, you don’t have to take my word for it, here is some additional notes from some of the lovely volunteers that night:

“My experience at the homeless shelter was great because I got to help people. I know that I need to be grateful for what I get and have. It was nice to share with people who have less than I. I know that I am blessed.” – Ameira (age 10)

“I am fortunate to know an amazing young lady that shares herself so openly with others and organized CP:12.  I’ve done different volunteer work in the past but nothing like this event.  Experiencing the joy that this event brought to the many young adults who attended was a precious gift to my husband and me.   I had many of them come up to me and thank me for their gifts or hug me and tell me how much they appreciated the meal.  What a wonderful feeling knowing you made a difference in their Christmas.  One young man loved the Christmas cookies I’d baked so much that he asked for a takeout container so that he could take the rest of them home with him.   He left two just in case someone else still wanted one. =D  To think that these young adults may never have had such a treat really brings home how lucky we are to have loving family and friends.” – Lisa

The following companies also helped out with the efforts, so MANY thanks to Canvas By U (who did a painting party, presents and supplied 50 new mattresses), Publix (gift card aka chicken masters), Fifth Group Restaurants (gift card), LegalSea Foods (gift card) and Rack Room Shoes (gift card). 

God is good, ALL THE TIME! 

So you could be saying to yourself right now, really Hollie – don’t you think you have posted enough musically reference blogs in the past few months? Nope, I say. This year has been a GREAT YEAR of music to me, with favorite bands coming out with terrific new albums to all the bands I am just discovering. For me, music is a very key part of not only my life, but my worship to God. Considering I drive like 30% of my life and while driving I am ALWAYS listening to tunes, not to mention, the handy headphones that are plugged in perhaps half of my work day, I’d say it’s pretty important that the right stuff is going in (so in turn the right stuff can come out).

So with all of that being written, HOW ON EARTH DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT ABANDON UNTIL NOW? Yes, all caps – I am doing the pseudo computer scream, because serious – they are awesome.

I just got their album “Control-Expanded Edition” and over the past week it has been played on repeat almost nonstop, with two stand-out favorites being the ones listed below. What about their music draws me in? Well aside from the super melodic cords of awesome, the lyrics belt out truth and a calling for reformation and transformation of this generation (in time). “Live ItOut” has what will surely end up being in the top favorite 20 verses of all time for me.

We are lost and broken people
Turned our crosses into steeples
Let’s take them down and put them on our backs now

Keep your love on track now

How truthful is this folks? Seriously! I will leave the personal conviction part up to the Holy Spirit, but you cannot deny that it rings true to this generation. Likewise the overall message of the song in which is to share the truth (salvation, love, grace) that which we know. In “YourLove Goes On” and the following section comes around I cannot help but to belt it out, I mean admittedly both of this songs give me chills (not to mention to other tracks), it is hymns of old – you can feel what was meant when it was written, it applies to your life and instinctively know it applies to everyone else as well, so it has that family of believers effect, which I like.

And you would follow me a million miles

And a million times you saved my life

Whew. However, don’t take my word for it – listen to them yourself and have an experience all your own.

In conclusion, here are the most 100 searched bible verse in 2009 on BibleGateway (seriously great resource), in case you were just curious – or wanted a list perchance to start remembering (Bible Drill anyone?)

Dear Heavenly Father – We come to you today simply thankful for ALL things that you have given - from each new day, to the clothes on our back, the people in our lives, to the ability to call you Abba and call Your Son, Savior and Spirit, Helper. We look around and see a world in need, we see people that are suffering and crying out for change, yet they seem to be looking in all the wrong places. May believers be aligned to You Father and may those who do not believe come to Your saving truth. We know the sad truth that not everyone will call upon You as Messiah, and that is very disheartening, but we pray for all people one in the same. As none of us want anyone to perish and spend eternity away from Your love and grace. May we cling to You dear Lord, in the same way that You hold onto us – with an everlasting, unshakable, immeasurable love. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

“The battlefield is in the mind”, commonly heard quoted from Charles Stanley and Joyce Meyer.

It has come to my realization that there are only two main categories of people, but then we all get jumbled back together again. What are those two main categories? That would be those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and those who haven’t. Sure when one turns their life over to Christ things about them change (or should), but likewise aren’t there nonbelievers who are kind, compassionate, extremely thoughtful of others and seek to do good? Sure. For as it is noted in Romans “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and though you may try to be perfect in your daily thoughts and actions, at sometime you will fall again. However, the act of imperfection is not that the topic at hand; it is rather the mental trick that is used against us when we fall that is.  

What would that trick be? I am reminded of the phrase that Luna Lovegood spoke to Harry Potter about Voldemort in The Order of The Phoenix , “Well if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it's just you alone you're not as much of a threat.”

Simple stated it is that nagging notion that when we think, do or feel something “bad”/imperfect that we are an isolated – weird failure, that no one will understand, and henceforth are alone in this life.

#1 As children of God, once you have accepted Jesus as your personal savior, the Spirit of God (for reals) comes and resides in Your being. Henceforth, right off the bat, you are not alone. You can ALWAYS talk to God (and He understands you more than you understand yourself, trust).

#2 There is an estimated 7 billion people in the world, you mean to tell me that you are the only person who has ever thought this thought, done this action or felt this feeling? Highly not likely (ok let’s just say impossible really), so know that you are not alone on a large human-network scale.

#3 Everyone should (and if you don’t then feel free to reach out to me) have someone they can speak to, in a safe, nonjudgmental fashion. No, not everyone is going to agree, but that is where common respect comes in – sometimes people just need to be heard and not talked to.

So rebuke the lie, YOU ARE NOT ALONE regardless of WHAT you are going through (as this lie doesn’t just extend to behavioral fallings).  

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the truths You have given us and the wisdom You allow us to reach, in Your time on Your accord. May we not get caught up in past, current or future failings, but ever remembering that forgiveness is REAL and that we are NEVER alone. May we be not a stumbling-block for others, but lead, guide and uplift them towards/to You, for we wish no one to be forever “lost” and suffer damnation. Strengthen us dear Lord, as trying times are ahead of us all. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ we pray ><>

SiC <3

So you know if you have already baked 233 chicken wings by 9am it is going to be a good day right?
Right!

      

I would like to start off by saying many – many thanks to the Father for keeping Pat safe (shown right in picture below, standing). On the way to service last Sunday, he was knifed in the neck over a few little cents (booface + grrface maximus). Seems due to the rain, he took a cross street and couldn't hear the footsteps behind him. However, the assailant has been picked up and will be prosecuted.  I am just super happy he is safe, because he shows up each and every Sunday, in rain or shine, to help me pass out things, even if only just donuts and bottled water. He is a real blessing in my life, as well as those that are in need around the L5P area, as when he is not working his FT job (RN), he is constantly devoted to helping out others! 

Today, as the weather was divine, a few new faces came about, which is always a delight. It was really great to see two guys (who live out of their truck), help out others in need by handing out some of the extra items they have collected through-out the week. If only more of the “world community” could help out each other regardless of social casts/classes, we would be doing better even more so (global speaking). There really is a world out there in need and we each need to do our part. Perhaps you have something “against” those who are homeless, what about helping victims of sex trafficking or helping out foster children, what about helping out families who cannot pay their medical bills or habit for humanity, everyone just needs to have something they contribute to (I feel). Kind of taken a page from “pay it forward” all of the time, because you have been given it ... and you probably have extra (of something) whether it be time, money, resources, etc, so why not turn it back around for the good of our world?

In the next few months, I will share an initiative for *LoveIs* (in regards to becoming a 501-C), so I appreciate your prayers on this now, just for guidance of how to go about it all.

As an update for Brother Dewey, doctors have said it is progressing nicely and should be able to return in around a month.

For Little Jimmy (who had colon surgery), he is not doing so well, so please keep him in your prayers. He is under constant watch at the moment, so … ♥♥♥


Special note just goes out to anyone who has recently lost a loved one, may you mourn their passing for only a short time, as we know we have the hope in Christ, that we will be able to see them again! 


Tune today by ReHab, but if it just doesn't happen to be your taste of music, at least check out the lyrics here. 

SiC <3