Mozzarella Sticks

This is Day 12 of 31 Days of Serving Others

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Matthew 25:42-43 "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me."

Once a week my son gets to have granny-bug time. He either gets to go to lunch with her or go to her house and play games. He is typically there for a couple of hours while I get stuff done. Such a blessing to have my mom so close! He loves my mom! They have a special bond.

Anyway, on our way home from granny-bugs a homeless man had a sign he was holding up on the side of the road. It simply read "hungry. please anything helps!" I quickly looked down at my half eaten mozzarella stick and thought I can't eat this in front of him! I dug in my lunch box to see if I had anything left over from lunch. There were 2 mozzarella sticks. The light starts to turn green! Oh great I am trying to do good here but God ya gotta give me a little help. I was nervous passing those sticks off for fear of honking car horns and that perhaps he would not see me to get them. I grabbed the sticks, rolled my window downed and shouted "this is all I have!" He was so grateful. He smiled at me "God bless you!"

I had a friend ask me once "how do you know they are really sincere?" I believe you have to really listen to the Holy Spirit. He will prompt you! Yes, I have passed by without giving every time because I truly believed it is not my help that they needed. Honestly, we really don't know if they are sincere at the end of the day. I just have to do what the Lord is guiding me to do and let him worry about the rest.

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*a tip, keep peanut butter crackers or fruit cups that don't require to be refrigerated in a half gallon baggie to pass out when you do want to help someone whom is hungry*

Scissors to Scissors

This is Day 11 in 31 Days of Serving Others

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Matthew 10:30 Indeed even the hairs on your head have all been counted!

I have been needing a haircut for some time now. Time hasn't been on my side or finding the right hair dresser. Plus, I am having a hard time swallowing the fact that a basic hair cut here cost anywhere between 50 to 80 dollars! EEKKK!!! Wouldn't it be nice when you moved to a new place someone gave you the book of KNOW? The book would tell you everything from which doctors to choose from to dentist to yes even hairdressers! Anyway, I made an appointment at one of the beauty schools here in Austin. One advantage I have over other people is I am a licensed Cosmetologist. Yes, it is true! I do not practice but long time ago I did. Practicing paid my way through college! Another advantage being in Austin is, it is the city where everyone comes to take the state boards. Therefore beauty schools here are at a much higher standard. The fact that it cost way under 25 for shampoo, conditioned, haircut, blow dry and style is so worth it! The instructor checks over everything that the students do so in a way sometimes better than a salon. I have found most licensed Cosmetologist can get lazy and well it seems you have to wait for a very long time to get your hair cut. Okay, enough rambling!

Her name Misty. She was so nervous. From observing her I would guess she was in week 4 of hair rotation. The students are typically in rotations. Color, cut, nail and style. I am sure there are more than that but you get the idea. Misty was very insecure and overly cautious. I totally understand. The head instructor comes over to walk her through the hair cut. This is to insure everyone is on the same page. It also gives the instructor opportunity to help without making the client feel as if she made a mistake choosing to come to a beauty school for service or another way to keep an eye on the student without making them feel more insecure than they already do! Ha! I never once told them I was licensed. I certainly did not want to make her feel worst or have her doubt her abilities. The head instructor was impressed that I knew my hair so well when she began to ask me certain questions(insert big grin). She left. Misty was still super nervous and then began to doubt her next steps. I looked up at her, "It's just hair. You honestly can't mess it up. Take a deep breathe and it will come to you." She smiled a big smile and I saw her face gain the confidence she needed to finish what she started. Plus, it is hard to do a 180 cut then a 90 cut on top and then combined them in the meet. All along using razor cutting to shape around the face. Did that sound foreign to you? Ha! Once I basically gave her permission to make a mistake she felt very comfortable. My particular haircut was the first time for her to implement. She did a great job! Not too much off! Actually, she could take more off next time. Yes, I will let her do it again! Words of encouragement could be the service here but letting a student use scissors on my head that was the real service.

The instructor thanked me for giving Misty a little breathing room and Misty asked me to come back so she could continue to practice.

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Invitation

This is Day 10 in 31 Days of Serving Others

As you know if you have been reading my posts we had a night of Bowling for Nineveh. While I was bowling our waitress would come by to chit chat a bit with me. She had no idea why we were really there. I told her about Nineveh Ministries and the church affiliated with it. We talked about church in general and what her "background" or "experience" has been with the church. We talked about things we loved and stuff we didn't. At this moment in her life she is not attending anywhere or committed to a place. So I invited her to come with us sometime. Maybe she will come maybe not. I did what the Holy Spirit was calling me to do for the moment. That is what matters. Listening to where he leads me. I pray for her. Pray that she will KNOW JESUS not just a building. Hopefully our conversation sparked an interest. Plus her witnessing a group coming together to bowl for a ministry is powerful. That evening alone could impact her. Isn't God so good in the way he works? I think I may need to go bowling again(wink wink).

A simple invitation is service. The next time you are having a conversation with someone whom is looking remember to invite them because you never know what kind if impact they may need in their life. You could be the person to connect them to KNOW LIFE WITH JESUS by giving a simple invite.

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An ear full of Strength

Day 9 in a series 31 Days of Serving Others

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She had strength like I had never seen before. I am not even sure how to begin today's post or even how to form the words. This service was not in its normal manner like buying a cup of coffee or feeding someone whom is hungry. This service was not tangible through my hands but by another way. This came in the form of listening, really listening to someones LIFE story. Have you ever walked away from listening to someones life story thinking you have absolutely no troubles what so ever? This particular service made we walk away thinking not only am I not as strong as I thought I was but I have no troubles. Especially when I ponder on what she has gone through, what she will go through and what she is going through.

listen to her story...

She has been married for more than 23 years. They waited to have kids. After 13 years they decided to have children. God blessed them with a beautiful baby boy. Fast forward to kindergarten. Teachers notice he is having trouble playing sports and seems to tire out quickly at recess. The teachers encourage the parents to see a doctor. They did. The diagnosis M.D. also known as Muscular Dystrophy. There are many different forms but he was diagnosed with Becker. Their son is now 11. It is their only child and the doctors predict he won't make it past high school. Her marriage is suffering. She has no idea if they as a couple will make it. She takes in every single moment and is grateful for the tough stuff. She even looks forward to where God will lead her spiritually.

I don't know about you but it took us 7 years to have a child. We have been married for over 11 years. We struggled to have our one so I can NOT imagine having someone tell me my son will die someday. Not only will your son suffer but the end results will be fatal.

I thought I knew strength and then I met her. I thought I understood patience and then I saw her face. I thought I knew trouble and then I heard her life story. Today I saw Jesus. He came in the form of a mother loving her son.

I don't know if what I did had any impact or even an inkling of one. I did listen. I did lend an ear. I do not walk her shoes. I do not pretend to walk in them. What we do have in common is we are both moms of sons. I am going to hug my son a little tighter tonight, kiss my husband a little longer and pray for one more day.

Bowling Nineveh

Day 8 of a series 31 Days of Serving Others

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Again this one may seem selfish but all FUN & FUNDS went to a great cause. Plus, who says you can't have fun while serving?

The serving involved was more about writing a check to bowl for the evening. Nineveh Ministries is an outreach to kids in Juvenile detention. They introduce the gospel, create relationships, initiate bible studies and incorporate the church to create life-long community. They raise funds through people buying a ticket to bowl and they have a silent auction. Hubby and I could have just written a check and never bowled for the night. What fun is it that? The goal of the night was to raise awareness for the ministry and FUNDS to support those involved. It was way more FUN to participate. Plus, we had the opportunity to meet a few of the teens whom have been forever changed by this wonderful ministry. It gave hubby and I a little time together so it served us as well! It made us laugh at ourselves trying to accomplish bowling straight down the middle of the lane. We learned that we both have a little spin in each of our technique(if ya wanna call it that) to bowl. Hubby after just a few bowls was scoring some high points. I might add his finger on his right hand was injured so he really was bowling the ball without inserting his fingers in the hole. You never realize how important those holes in the ball are for bowling until you can't use them. He got a couple of strikes during his game! ME? I bowled okay the first game and it took awhile to get a rhythm going in my game. Once I did I bowled much better the second game. We also learned bowling is kinda of fun for a date night. The food was good, atmosphere was great and the music was from the 80's & 90's. We really enjoyed getting to know other couples and learning about a wonderful ministry called Nineveh.

So have you been bowling lately for a good cause? If so, share here what your experience was like. I thought it was a clever way to get people involved and raise awareness! Especially when on a Sunday at this bowling ally they only charge $5 to bowl all night. Obviously, the Nineveh Ministry charged more than that so they could raise their funds for the ministry. Also, they had a drawing for a new IPAD! Nope we didn't win. Hubby was really bummed. Guys and their toys!

Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your Truth and Teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. ”

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Miles

This is Day 7 of a series Serving Others 31 Days.....

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Stranded. Hopeless. Frustrated. Broken Down. Alone.

These are typically the emotions you feel when your car us in repair land or broken down. What do you do when you are passing through a city alone? Whom do you call? You are not married. You are a career woman whom is independent. Luckily I know her and she is my friend. Of course I helped her. She actually called to meet up for lunch but in the end needed so much more than just a ride. She needed a friend to comfort her and support her. So I did! God really worked out the details. My mom was watching my son so I could be free to be with my friend and even help her. After a wonderful lunch of catching up we decided to do a little window shopping to pass the time while her car was being worked on. It was so much fun! Unfortunately, the car shop called to let her know they would not be done till the next day. She needed a rental so I took her to get one. By the time we waited for the phone call from the car shop and getting a rental it was dinner time. We really only wanted a snack and a drink just to finish off the night. We drove everywhere all over town but it was so rewarding on so many different levels. Our souls as friends was restored along with a need that was met. No matter how many miles I drove that day or even how many miles are between our cities, our hearts will always be bonded.

Romans 12:10 "be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor."

Ink & Pages

Equal Wholotta(real word, promise!) Fun!

This is Day 6 of a series called 31 Days of Serving Others. Go here for introduction.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. NKJV)

Okay, so nothing super profound here. Just a few gals wanting to get together and chit chat about a book. What book do you ask? Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman(who knew she had a blog). Now, I know what you are thinking. How is this service? I stepped up to the plate to lead a group of women that I honestly don't know. We do have the fact that we serve a mighty Lord in common but beyond that I couldn't tell ya! That is kinda of exciting to get to know people through the pages of a book. I have always ALWAYS wanted to start a book club. Timing was just never right. I move to a new city, new church and I become the brave girl. EEEEKKKKK! Friends who really know me know that I would've just waited for someone to start one. I would've felt unworthy or maybe that I didn't fit the typical "criteria" to lead a group. Whichever, here I am on the ledge taking a big step of FAITH. In a way the service is a little about me. Is that selfish? I hope not!

I did have gifts to give away to names that were drawn out of a bag. That was so fun to surprise people. The gifts were a necklace with the word JOY written on it and a fancy porcelain mug with fancy girly shoes on it. I found out the beautiful woman who won the mug does not drink coffee or tea but she collects mugs. How perfect is that? God is so good. It made me feel really good to give both gifts away! Just the pure excitement on their faces was enough for me.

The heart of the service that struck me the most to my core were the reason why they joined a book club. Now, not all of them joined for the same reasons so keep that mind. The reason needing to build friendships was just a beautiful authentic statement made by one of the women in the group. It just made my heart smile. Something so simple as words on pages in a book can bring people together and possibly build lasting friendships is just a powerful picture!

Sometimes we are scared to step out on Faith and do something that the Holy Spirit is calling us to do. I employ you to do it! I know it is hard. Especially that knot in your throat or stomach is enough to make anyone sick. Instead of it being about you, it could be about someone else. It usually is about something bigger than yourself.

So what are you holding back? What are you needing to do to step out on Faith and do it? Pray over it. See where he leads you. If your heart is still being pricked then take a step sister! Don't worry about time or money or you. God will equip the one whom is dreaming! He always does!

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*photo taken & borrowed from baker books*