Day 3 North Minneapolis Tornado Relief

Our final day of ministry we worked long and hard on an Urban Homeworks home getting it "move in" ready for a family that has been affected by the most recent devastation due to the May 22 tornadoes.

The day started at Hopebridge as Holly led us in prayer. We traveled to South Minneapolis by van as a team. When we arrived we were met by Jon and given directions for the day. My day consisted mostly of painting. With other team members by my side I was able to get one room completely painted with two coats of paint and another room primed and ready for paint.

As you can see by the pictures other members on the team worked at peeling paint, laying floors, cutting and installing baseboards and trim. It was a great day of ministry and much was accomplished.

Our day ended as Jon thanked each one of us and sent us off with prayer!

Day 2 North Minneapolis Tornado Relief

It's really hard to know just what pictures to post from 75 pictures but I am going to try hard to post and tell the stories of what God did yesterday through the team from Urban Homeworks, North side Community Relief Team and NHC. We started at the office of Urban Homeworks where Jon gave us the big picture of Urban Homeworks and there mission which in a nut shell is stated below ...

Since 1995, Urban Homeworks has been working to perpetuate the hope of Jesus Christ by creating affordable housing. And as a result of the tornado, almost 60 organizations in North Minneapolis have banded together to create the North side Community Response Team. This team is dedicated to rebuilding the city in a way that helps in the short-term, as well as addressing long-term needs.

Husband and wife team Laurie and Ken serve together on their wedding anniversary

Yep, That's a piece of metal wrapped around that tree


Our next stop was for lunch while the other teams
took the chain saw's to work and
cut down some of this ....

Finally our day ended at Mark's home. A bit about Mark ... he is a young man who happens to be disabled and is married to Carol. When he came home today we were taking down his garage. While we were visiting he received a phone call from his wife who was at work. I overheard him say, "yep they are taking the garage down as we speak."

Mark's dad, Don and his mom, Ruth were at the house as well. When we asked how we might pray for the family Mark asked that we pray for his sister Jean and her two adopted children. It seems that Mark's parents were in town because Jean's husband had died suddenly of a heart attack while vacationing in Colorado. Mark asked that we pray for the family as they walk through the visitation and funeral today and tomorrow here in Minneapolis. We had a good time of prayer! The team was blessed as Mark served us by bringing Holly a cup of cold water, and then we saw Mark "roll up his sleaves so to speak, and  help the clean-up efforts. He was so grateful for all the work we did and the team was blessed to be able to meet Mark and his parents and show the love of Jesus to them through good deeds.

Mark and Laurie, What's going to work? Team Work!

One final highlight of the day, for me was when I was able to pull my Bible out of my bag and spend some time with Brandon from Urban Homeworks around the word. Brandon will be attending  North Central University this fall. We talked abit about the word and the importance of being in it daily. When he spoke about wanting to learn more about God but having a hard time understanding the word, I pointed him to John 16:12-15 and suggested that he pray that portion of scripture before reading the word and God would be faithful to honor the desire of his heart for wisdom and knowledge as he continued to read and study the word. Overall an amazingly productive day both physically and spiritually! Yea God!

Always remaining In His Arms, B

Wordless Wednesday Part Two

"Oreo Cookie anyone"?

"Sure, I'd like an Oreo Cookie"!

Wordless Wednesday

Back to School

This spiral notebook, with its inspirational message and modern design, is great for school, the office, church or to keep in your vehicle for last minute notes or reminders. It also provides an outstanding opportunity to share your faith!

What do you think of when you hear back to school? Do you think, school supplies? Target sale on notebooks paper and pencils, gotta check it out?

When I hear back to school I think that it is time for me to check out the new things in the school supply aisle.

You see, pens, pencils, different notebooks can be a financial shopping downfall for me 'cause I love school supplies, office supplies, and new sayings on notebooks. You can imagine how excited I was to receive Daysprings new line of school supplies in exchange for my thoughts on the product.

I don’t actually have any children at home any more to take school shopping but since I am a teacher, I still find a need to know what’s new and current. And I love these products that allow me to take a stand for Christ by the written word on the 3 ring binders, folders and notebooks.

You may want to go here: http://www.incourage.me/category/deals yourself ...

...  and check it out. Dayspring has new folders, notebooks, and 3 ring binders with a message.  A message of faith that will tell your classmates, teachers, and co-workers just who is important to you.

OK you may be saying, but I don't need a school supplies. That's OK because whatever gift you may need or want that sends the message of faith to those you love you will want to get at Dayspring. And if you are a reader and love good books you will find them at (in)courage as well.

I love their products so much you can find my link to therm by hitting the

great gifts tab on my blog anytime, day or night.

(*disclaimer* I was given this products at no cost from Dayspring in exchange for my honest

opinion about their product. All opinions are mine and mine alone!)

       Check out even more deals here ,,,         

A Girfriend

I found these words on a small gift I gave a friend today .... I wanted to savor them, remember them, and pass them on to others, so I am posting them here in honor of one particular girlfriend. You may have a girlfriend that needs to hear these words today so if you do, please forward this on but please know that the words are copyrighted with Blue Mountain Arts and were written by Vickie Worsham

"A girlfriend is a sister you choose
A girlfriend is the one person on this earth you feel whole with.
She knows where you're coming from and everything you're dreaming about.
she is the one you tell anything to, ask anything of, and do anything for.
Just spending a moment with her chases your cares away and puts a smile on you face.
She understand what you hope for, what you believe in, and what you are committed to.
A girlfriend is a sister you choose".

In God's Heart ,,, I Am Forgiven

Oh my gosh,

I saw this today

How powerful

Knowing Who I am in Christ

Don't Miss this and please feel free to leave a comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnQvp8_41Uo&feature=player_embedded

In His Arms, B.

What I Wore Wednesday on our 38th wedding anniversary!

Today I am wearing a Kohl's Vera Wang sleeveless top along with

my favorite pair of Levi Jeans also from Kohl's

 finally finishing off my outfit with

my well worn, well loved, flip flops from REI .

I am also sporting a handbag that I had my eyes on 3 weeks ago

while on a day trip to Stillwater with the golfer.

Today when I woke up he asked if I wanted to go pick up the handbag I had my eyes on so ... off we went on another day trip to Stillwater.  He bought me this handbag and another smaller one for dressing up in the evenings

or when I just want to carry a smaller bag. 

As he paid the clerk he turned to me and said,

 "Happy Anniversary Hon!" 

The jewels ... pearl necklace with pearl dangler earrings.

Past Christmas gifts from the golfer.

Nana wanted Pru in the picture too 'cause it was "date night" and although it's hard to see in the picture Pru is sporting her purse (made out of gum wrapper's)

that she carries most days wherever she goes.

Above  ... since Nana is into kisses Bumpa took this

picture just as Pru was getting ready for a kiss!

thankful, thankful, and even more thankful

Gratitude pages

686. for the strength and courage of my oldest and the protection from harm from You, Lord

687. hearing the Lord call out my name, He knows me by name

688. Birthdays celebrated

689. vanilla soymilk, with chai no water

690. conversations with friends and building new relationships on the foundation of Christ

691. the expression on my granddaughter’s face of excitement and joy

692. high acceptance with high accountability with other women

693. a text sent from a friend “sleep in peace, God is awake!”

694. being tired physically but energized spiritually

695. the opportunity to walk beside a friend during the loss of her marriage

696. water days at kidstop

697. shared answers to prayers from the women in the book study A Praying Life

698. TX daughter with an amazing gift of home decorating … she helped at our townhome and now she decorates her own home

699. the golfer able to support may ministries and enjoying golf at the same time

700. taking the time to write down gratefulness for the next generation

O Glorious Day

…. I have been struggling with the listening part of prayer lately (maybe too distracted) so I turned on the radio in my car the other day and I heard the song O Glorious Day. When I got home later in the day I looked up the song by Casting Crowns on YouTube and I wrote this prayer:

Father you are so worthy of praise

You are Almighty and Powerful and yet you are my Father who is in Heaven

 Hallowed be your name

I am grateful to be yours

I am grateful that you were born of a virgin and that you are the word that became flesh

I am so sorry for our sins this past week and even today.

I am sorry for times I have been distracted and have even despised and rejected you

Yet I am so grateful that

Living you loved me

Dying you saved me

And buried you carried my sins far away

And now Lord, I  know I have been adopted and justified

I  ask that as I open the scriptures and this book that you will continue to teach me to pray

I so desire to walk in the light and in the truth of your word

That living you loved me

Dying you saved me

Buried you carried me sins far away

Rising you justified freely forever and that

One day you are coming oh glorious day oh glorious day