In sixteen short days, will be the Blessing Bag Bonanza where we love on Farrell and Sharon and spread God's hope.
The history behind Jubilee was that every fifty years, a year of freedom was declared. Everything was freed...the land, the people. The debts were cancelled.
I feel that is what God wants us to share. That right now, as we prepare for the new year, that we stop and claim the freedom that salvation offers. Freedom from condemnation. For some of the people we meet, it could freedom from despair, drugs, hopelessness.
I ask that you join me in spreading the year of Jubilee to Farrell and Sharon.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Jubilee Tour 12.26.13
Good
morning, I want to announce that today we are launching the 2013 campaign
for Sarah’s Toybox. Last week, in church, we sang the song, “Days of Elijah.” The
line…”this is the year of Jubilee” hit me hard. That is what I want us to give the recipients of
the Blessing Bags. I want to provide freedom from discouragement and hopelessness.
At a dinner meeting this week, a donor asked how much it cost to make a blessing
bag. The cost of making a Blessing Bag is roughly $6.
We are heading to new places and ministering to new individuals. As you saw in an earlier post, we now have established a foundation which allows us to accept monetary donations. Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible as are a 501c3 charitable organization.
We are going to Farrell and Sharon on December 26, 2013. Come join us on the Jubilee Tour 12.26.13.
for Sarah’s Toybox. Last week, in church, we sang the song, “Days of Elijah.” The
line…”this is the year of Jubilee” hit me hard. That is what I want us to give the recipients of
the Blessing Bags. I want to provide freedom from discouragement and hopelessness.
At a dinner meeting this week, a donor asked how much it cost to make a blessing
bag. The cost of making a Blessing Bag is roughly $6.
We are heading to new places and ministering to new individuals. As you saw in an earlier post, we now have established a foundation which allows us to accept monetary donations. Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible as are a 501c3 charitable organization.
We are going to Farrell and Sharon on December 26, 2013. Come join us on the Jubilee Tour 12.26.13.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
God's timing and direction
God controls all of the events in the world. I say that because over the last three years, Sarah's Toybox has grown by leaps and bounds. Three years ago, Sarah's Toybox distributed stuff to 38 families. Two years, it was 100 bags and last year was nearly 300 blessing bags. Our goal this year, 1,200 blessing bags.
As for God's direction-I truly believe God has led us to where we could spread hope the most. Two years ago, we traveled around Farrell and Sharon and Bruce delivered some to places we ran out of time to see. Last year, we began our day on Ravine Place in the projects. We went to three different housing projects. This year, if we have enough stuff, we will be going to two more places that we have not been able to go to in order to bless those in need.
Also, God has guided some new individuals to become involved. He has used dreams as of old to guide a new believer to help us. He has also brought a man who is a minister in Farrell to become involved. Lee has experience with Spanish-speakers so we can maybe expand to there or they can help us spread hope.
As for God's direction-I truly believe God has led us to where we could spread hope the most. Two years ago, we traveled around Farrell and Sharon and Bruce delivered some to places we ran out of time to see. Last year, we began our day on Ravine Place in the projects. We went to three different housing projects. This year, if we have enough stuff, we will be going to two more places that we have not been able to go to in order to bless those in need.
Also, God has guided some new individuals to become involved. He has used dreams as of old to guide a new believer to help us. He has also brought a man who is a minister in Farrell to become involved. Lee has experience with Spanish-speakers so we can maybe expand to there or they can help us spread hope.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Paperwork in hand
I received an email from an employee of the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio that contained the necessary paperwork for establishing Sarah's Butterflies Foundation.
I have to say that four years ago when Sarah died, I never thought I would ever be able to do this foundation. I had been reticent to do this because I thought it would be too hard and too expensive. Neither is a real problem at this point. If anything I think that God has orchestrated all that has transpired the last month.
In my possession I have a five-page document that will be sent on Monday to the Foundation board for them to process. This will enable us to be legally able to accept donations.
Our mission statement is Sarah's Butterflies Foundation is a non-profit organization that is motivated by God's love to share hope with those who are discouraged. We respect their dignity and seek to aid children in need through our love for Sarah Elisabeth by making a difference in the world for Jesus. This foundation is in memory of Sarah Elisabeth Richardson.
I have to say that four years ago when Sarah died, I never thought I would ever be able to do this foundation. I had been reticent to do this because I thought it would be too hard and too expensive. Neither is a real problem at this point. If anything I think that God has orchestrated all that has transpired the last month.
In my possession I have a five-page document that will be sent on Monday to the Foundation board for them to process. This will enable us to be legally able to accept donations.
Our mission statement is Sarah's Butterflies Foundation is a non-profit organization that is motivated by God's love to share hope with those who are discouraged. We respect their dignity and seek to aid children in need through our love for Sarah Elisabeth by making a difference in the world for Jesus. This foundation is in memory of Sarah Elisabeth Richardson.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Sarah's Butterflies Foundation
Early in the week last week, Jim and I found ourselves meeting with the chairman of the Shenango Valley Foundation about starting a foundation in Sarah's memory. The process I will admit was a lot easier than I expected.
I have to write a mission statement/purpose. I have researched some mission statements for organizations and looked at how to write one.
Our goal is to make spreading hope a lot easier. The ministry is growing as I hoped it would. Three years ago, my mother approached me about taking Sarah's Toybox to Farrell. I was onboard immediately.
If you want to know why I get so excited about what we do with Sarah's Toybox, come with us in December.
In the next few months, the way to donate to the foundation will be made available. Be praying for how you can be involved in spreading hope.
I have to write a mission statement/purpose. I have researched some mission statements for organizations and looked at how to write one.
Our goal is to make spreading hope a lot easier. The ministry is growing as I hoped it would. Three years ago, my mother approached me about taking Sarah's Toybox to Farrell. I was onboard immediately.
If you want to know why I get so excited about what we do with Sarah's Toybox, come with us in December.
In the next few months, the way to donate to the foundation will be made available. Be praying for how you can be involved in spreading hope.
Perfect Peace
Yesterday I was reading a chapter in a book I was given after Sarah died. The author stated, "Your baby is in perfect peace with God." Well if you know me at all, you know that Isaiah 26:3 is a verse I have clung to many times before and since Sarah's death., "He will hold in perfect peace those whose mind is steadfast on you." I have claimed this promise of perfect peace for myself and yet to realize that Sarah is being held in perfect peace comforted me.
Sarah Elisabeth does not know hurt. She is not afraid. There are no monsters to rob her of rest. She is in perfect eternal peace. I think God had to give me time to work through my grief before He could allow me to realize this amazing reality.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect peace. Thank You for holding me in Your perfect peace and thank You for holding Sarah Elisabeth in perfect peace with you in Heaven. I am so glad that she is in the arms of You, Dear Jesus safe and secure from all alarm. Thank You that I can rest there as well. Amen.
Sarah Elisabeth does not know hurt. She is not afraid. There are no monsters to rob her of rest. She is in perfect eternal peace. I think God had to give me time to work through my grief before He could allow me to realize this amazing reality.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect peace. Thank You for holding me in Your perfect peace and thank You for holding Sarah Elisabeth in perfect peace with you in Heaven. I am so glad that she is in the arms of You, Dear Jesus safe and secure from all alarm. Thank You that I can rest there as well. Amen.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Christmas Blessings and other thoughts
On December 28 and 29th, we went to Farrell and Sharon to deliver Christmas Blessing bags to those in need. We delivered 250 snack bags and roughly 50 school supply bags.
The snow delayed us by two days.
I want to thank everyone who bought supplies or came with us to deliver Christmas.
Each bag contained a note that said:
The snow delayed us by two days.
I want to thank everyone who bought supplies or came with us to deliver Christmas.
Each bag contained a note that said:
Sarah's Toybox
Our family wants to let you know that Jesus loves you and
that He has the gift of salvation for all who ask. This bag is a gift too. It is a gift of hope that we came to possess
after Sarah’s death.
Another thought going through my head are that over the weekend a young man living where we deliver blessing bags was shot to death. He was a basketball player and he was a man full of potential according to his basketball coach. I am a substitute teacher in the district and cannot say I remember him. Which saddens me because I never got to know this child of God. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
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