It's a Vivas Thing!

You are here: Home / Archives for Faith

Making a Difference

Have you ever noticed how when you're focused on how much your life is…well…not going so well, God shows you someone's whose is worse?

Last night, as we were cleaning up after youth, I felt an urge to take the last six homeless ministry bags with me. But I ignored the urge, thinking I still had one in the van and that I'd grab some more next weekend. These bags have juice/water, snacks, hygiene items (like soap and mouthwash), and a personal note of encouragement in them. The idea is to carry them in your vehicle, and then when you pass a homeless person on the street, you can hand them a bag of encouragement. I knew I had one bag left, so I ignored that urge.

Fast forward to today. I had to run a couple of errands. Today didn't start out too great and I've had a lot on my mind. One of which is trying really hard to know what God is trying to say to me and listening when He says it. I was waiting in the deli line with an older gentleman. We waited for quite a while, and finally someone noticed and came over and asked who was first in line. I replied that the gentleman was.

He replies, "And the first will come last and the last will come first."

I simply smiled, yet was reminded of this scripture:

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but
few chosen."

Matthew 20:16

As I was pulling out of the store parking lot, I had to stop at the light. Next to me was a homeless woman, with a sign that said,

"I have no home or food. Please help."

I rolled down my window and handed her the bag as she quickly said "thank you."

And then I noticed several other homeless people all around me. I had no more bags to give and instantly thought of last night, when I had the *urge* to take the remaining bags with me. But I didn't. I wish I had listened to that still, small voice.

Lately, God has been speaking to me about something in particular. It's not something I'm comfortable with, but I'm trying hard to listen. I think today was a little reminder; perhaps a test. I didn't do so well.

What I can say is this. I would urge all of my readers to make up their own bags to pass out. If you're local and you attend our church, I'd encourage you to bring in items so that we can make up more bags as we are getting low. We fill the bags with juice or water, snacks (like granola bars), small bottles of hygiene items (such as mouthwash, tooth paste, body soap). We place a note card inside, with a note of encouragement from our youth. And we keep them in our vehicles for those street corners, when we wish we'd had something but didn't. Now you can.

And if you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself today, I'd suggest you open up your eyes and take a look around. Make a difference. You might just find yourself feeling a bit better about your own circumstances!

For more information on this ministry, you can read this: B-boo

 40"The King will reply,

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

Matthew 25:40

A Blog Worthy Post

I blog a lot about my family and friends; of course! With being so sick over the past few months, there is another piece of my life that has been missing. I haven't been able to be part of the youth ministry that I love so much! A few have come over here and there, but it isn't the same as being there week after week. This weekend was our church's D-Now weekend. (Disciple Now) And although I am still not allowed to do much, and most certainly am exhausted from it, I had a blast being part of it and taking lots and lots of pictures!

I had to smile Friday night when a group of them were talking about my blog. A lot of them read it. So when the question came up of what will it take to get on my blog, I simply answered, it has to be good…and worth blogging about! You gotta love the passion!

For instance, to be part of my blogging about teens when there's a variety of stuff to choose from, you have to be willing to fight for it!

 
Img_0013-3(rev 1)

You have to be a good friend (after all, this weekend was all about building great relationships!) and be willing to force a helmet on someone with hair like this!

 
Img_0069-2(rev 0) 

Img_0073-3(rev 0)

So that they can turn around and do something like this!

 
Img_0085-1(rev 0) 

You have to be tough!

 
Img_0103-2(rev 0)

B-boo was the only girl left! 

 
Img_0145-1(rev 0)

But she was also smart…when pastor offered to pay the boys $20 each to
get her into the trash can, she quickly bowed out of the game and let
the boys duke it out!

 
Img_0146(rev 0)

You have to be willing to laugh at yourself! This one was supposed to be blowing the feather to keep it in the air…not biting  catching it between his teeth!

 
Img_0156-1(rev 0)

You have to show kindness. The boy in the back recently had a 12 hour surgery to correct severe scoliosis. He wasn't able to participate in the games. But the teen in the front made sure to play safely so that he wouldn't get hurt, but have some fun in the day!

 
Img_0164(rev 0) 

Did I mention competitive?

 
Img_0177-2(rev 1)

Um…last man standing wins…not first won falling!

 
Img_0200-2(rev 0) 

And running from a challenge might get you on my blog, but it doesn't help you win.

 
Img_0202-2(rev 0) 

but community service, helping others;

things like that will always get you on my blog!

 
Img_0208-2(rev 0) 

Thank you to all my teens for an awesome weekend!

Joy of Old Friends

Last night I talked to a friend of ours. We just love them so much and hadn't talked to them in a while. We made the decision for the Drama Queen and I to go over for a visit today as the husband is in congestive heart failure and stuck in bed. We have lost a lot of loved ones in the past 1 1/2 years, so that time has to be special.

As we walked in this morning, he didn't recognize me. He has always recognized me before, so it made me a little sad. Then, his face lit up and he said,

"Hey, I think I've met you before!"

And then he saw the Drama Queen. And his face really lit up. He recognized her!

We visited for a while. Being cooped up in bed for almost three months has really shown me how important it is to visit those who can't get out of the house.

As we were getting ready to leave, I told him I loved him, and he grabbed my arm and said, "You better!" and held on to me for a few more minutes. I told him we'd be back soon and then we left.

I'm so glad that we went today. I'm so glad that the Drama Queen is so willing to love an older generation with all her heart.

That brought me joy.

 
JustfortheJoyofitcopy

That Just Gets My Goat!

You know, I'd like to just say some people are plain…er…well….not very smart.

And mean!

And well….missing out.

We have a large family. We are BLESSED to have a large family. My hubby and I CHOSE to have a large family. We ENJOY having a multitude of kids!

For those of you who don't; that's OK. It's not my business how many children you want. Or have.

Frankly, I cannot count the times over the past several years where I have been in public with my children and some random stranger thinks it is OK to lecture me on my irresponsibilities to the world for having more children than the normal 2.5! (And can some please tell me how it is possible for one to have 2.5 children anyway?!)

I have gone into a grocery store where someone has literally counted my children as we walk in. Yes, counted them! I had five children at the time. I mean, yes, it is a large family, but so unbelievable? Really?

Another time while shopping at Costco, I had a man lecture me, IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN, on how sorry he felt for me because I had too many children. Sir, I feel sorry for you; for you will never know the blessing you have missed out on by condemning those with children instead of enjoying the unconditional love that they might have for you.

I had another lady tell me one time (in yet another grocery store) that I had no business having so many children and using the government to pay my way through. Um…excuse me, but we weren't using the government for anything, thank you very much!

We have raised our children on our own with no assistance for 22 years, thank you very much! But today, oh my word!

Yes, economic times are tough. In addition to our own five children, we are once again also raising extras. That's what families do; we take care of one another. Yes, my husband lost his job 6 months ago. Yes, we lost our health insurance along with it. And yes, for the first time ever in our lives, we are receiving food stamps and medicaid. And I refuse to be embarrassed by it. And praise God for it, because with my recent health issues, I don't know how we would have ever paid the medical bills.

And so today, I had to spend some time in that wonderful place we all call *the Welfare Department.*

And spent more than enough time in line.

And as if that wasn't enough, I had to sit and listen to people complain about how *those* people continue to have children just so they can take advantage of the system. How *those* people shouldn't be allowed to have children any more. How *those* people should have to have their tubes tied. How *those* people need to stop watching so much porn. (I promise you, I did not make this one up!)

And then, I had to listen to how *responsible* they were; because they made sure to only have one child. And *they* are not taking advantage of the system, because after all, *they* only have one. And the other didn't have any. So, may I ask, why were you there this morning, if you only had to take care of yourself and no children? (Of course, I just kept my mouth shut, faced forward, and prayed they would stop talking soon.)

I needed an attitude adjustment before I ever went into that building today. It only got worse.

Because on top of that, I had a lady in front of me and a man behind me….fighting over why she is running from him and how he is so possessive and about the domestic violence between them, and the foul language, etc…and the security guard did nothing to stop this. All while listening to the others venting on why people shouldn't be allowed to have large families.

I wanted to shout, "Really? Do you think I enjoy coming to this place to be around this for hours?"

I was finally able to walk out of there. And do you know what?

I am able to come home to a houseful of people that love me. I can get a free hug whenever I ask for one. There is always someone to cuddle with. There is always someone with a smile on their face just for me. There is always someone who wants to show me something wonderful that they can do. There is always someone that would love to spend some quality one on one if I ask.

I am BLESSED, indeed! Blessed with many children who are a reflection of the deep love that my husband and I have for one another. More importantly, I am blessed by a God who chose me to be a mother to these beautiful children.

Don't feel sorry for me…I mean, look at that sidebar to the right? Those are BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING children (and young men!

Just call me, Blessed!