There is Gonna Be A PARTAY!

A dear friend of mine came to serve at Nothing Lost Outreach on Thanksgiving Day.  After one visit, just like so many others, she saw the very Hand of God and she knew she wanted to be a part.

Please read the following invitation she has made to each and every one of you.  It is lengthy, but it is important you read every word.

IF you have a blog, I ask you to please share this post.  Lets take this nation wide, and provide for the men and women on the streets.

On Thanksgiving Day, the City of Pensacola Police Department went through all the camps (in the City), giving them 24 hours to get out or have their belongings burned. 

There are hundreds and hundreds with nothing. 

Here is your invitation and a list of gifts she would like to have . . . .

I will be 50 years old in 50 days! How exciting! 

This time, I'd like to do something different. 

I want presents!!! 

Lots of them!!! 

Since Christmas is coming, I'm sure many of you would like to upgrade some things at your home. If so, I'd like your old bicycles, tents, blankets and clothes. 

Don't forget shoes - work boots are great! 

I'd also like some socks and new underwear - ladies and men's sizes small - large.  NEW PLEASE!

Adult medium size Depends would be cool! 

Jackets and coats would be on my list too.  

I'd also like a few dog kennels - 2 large ones and 2 small ones. 

I would like your paper bags from the grocery store and some storage tubs.

Do you have any shelves that I can have??? 

I would like to have some chain link and posts to build a kennel or two or three.  I'll probably need a few bags of quickcrete for that too. And I'll need whatever it is that you use to connect the chain link to the posts! 

I know that I'm asking a for a lot, but I'm asking for a good reason. 

You may have a lot of this stuff just laying around. 

If you would like to bless me with a few birthday presents, you could drop them by the church where I work - Robin Pitsenbarger, C/O Pine Summit Baptist Church, 2920 Bellview Ave., Pensacola, FL, 32526. 

If you had stuff to mail, you could use the same address. I'm so flexible (call me Gumby!) that I'll come pick it up!

Now let me tell you about my Thanksgiving Day.

I went to Nothing Lost Outreach to serve Thanksgiving dinner to some homeless folks. I met Gunny and Walt there. Gunny needed some new pants, socks and some Depends. He has some health issues and hospice was able to give him a walker. Walt was there looking out for Gunny. I heard later from my friend Stacey that when everything was over and she was going home, she saw Gunny going down the road and he gave his extra food we had given him to another homeless guy on the side of the road.

I also met Jay. He needed some boots and God had let Stacey know she needed to bring them that day even though she didn't know anyone needed them (the exact size).

I went back over there today. I wanted to make sure that Jay got a tent. I had found only 2 at Wal-Mart the other day for $16.88 each.

There was another guy that needed a tent so I decided to run over to the Wal-Mart on 29, which is right around the corner. They didn't have any 2-man tents. The next size up was $34.88.

Did I mention that it's raining outside today? 

My heart was broken. 

I picked up a tarp for $20 and headed to the cashier. 

She had on those silly reindeer antlers. I told her that she was the first thing that made me smile in that store and I needed one. She asked me if I found everything I needed and I told her no, I hadn't found anything that I needed. She asked what I was looking for and I told her. She called over another lady who had them check in the back of the store. She then called the manager over. He went in the back and then called up front for me to go back to the sports section. 

He asked me if the 4-man tents would do - for $16.88! 

He gave me 2 of them for that price!!!!!

I was in tears by that time. You see, it's not just about being able to help someone else out, it's about how often I see Jesus in the people that selflessly help out a stranger. 

I know some of the things on my list sound strange, like the kennels; BUT, folks can't bring their dogs in. I really don't want them to miss out on hearing the gospel just because they can't bring their dogs. 

Will I be back next Sunday? Yes, my van already has another tent, some blankets, clothes and shoes in it. I can hardly wait!

Now, I know this is a pretty long note but I hope you have taken the time to read it. 

If, by chance, you have some cash left over, I wish that you would keep KlaasKIDS Search Center for Missing & Trafficked Children  on your mind and send them a donation. I have recently gone through some training with them and have more coming up. What a great group of people! You can send donations to: KlaasKIDS, 9260 Cove Ave,Pensacola, FL 32534.

Thank you for making this my best birthday ever! I've learned that it's not all about me, it's all about God!

Love each and every one of you!

NOW!  How is THAT for a life that has been changed by the very HAND OF GOD!

Let's make this the best birthday ever for Robin!

Give Them Jesus

A friend sent this song to me.  As I listened to the words, I thought, "She is singing my heart's prayer!"  Then I realized, she is singing about what Nothing Lost Outreach IS doing!

Praise God!

Give Them Jesus!

The Most Wonderful Time . . . Of The Year!

The Christmas Season is my favorite time of the year.  I love the lights, the decorations, the candles that smell of baked pies and real Christmas Trees and QVC! 

In past years I have started the count down to Christmas on July 25th. 

Christmas shopping has always begun on that day and Black Friday was ALWAYS a huge event for me.

But not this year.

Oh DON'T get me wrong!  It's still my favorite time of the year; but this year, it's different.

There is a remarkable peace between the household, and an understanding amongst my husband and myself, of what really is important.

Last year, my then five year old asked me, point blank to my face, "Is Santa real?"  I looked at her and said, "Yes."  Now,  I know that millions of kids around the world believe in Santa Clause; I know.  I get it.  But it has haunted me on a regular basis that I lied to my daughter.

This year, my son informed me he wanted and I-Pad for Christmas (he's 7!)!  After informing him, "Christopher, you know we can't afford that."  In the most sarcastic voice, he said, "Santa can!"

It broke my heart.

Santa had become more powerful than Jesus. 

While Chris and I both tried hard in years past to make sure both kids knew the REAL reason for Christmas, we still failed.

The commercialism and fantasy world won.

It broke my heart.

After sharing with my husband what Christopher said, we made the tough decision of being honest with the kids about Santa.

I know, I know, many of you are reading this and gasping; and that's OK; but we did what we believed was best for our kids and our life situation.

After telling the kids, Kaitlyn looked at me and said, "You lied to me."

It broke my heart.

Confirmation we made the right decision.

Do I have my Santa's out?  Absolutely.  Do I let the kids watch Christmas movies about Santa?  Absolutely. 

The difference; I can lay my head down at night and know I did what is right by what the Lord was putting on my heart; that I didn't keep lying over and over to my kids; and the focus continues to go back to the Cross. 

Who can argue with that?

Last year we threw out our Christmas tree.  No, we are not bah-humbugs!  It was old and had several branches broken off!  Last year we had no idea we would still be in a rut of unemployment; so we figured we'd get another one.

BUT, this year, the Lord never gave us a peace about getting a new tree.  We couldn't justify buying something like that with so many other life expenses that were necessities.  So, we used a table top tree we had used in years past for Chris' Star Wars and StarTrek Ornaments.

We placed it on top of our electric fireplace and hung our stockins from it!  Doesn't it look GREAT!  I just love it!

 
We all chimed in over the last two days to decorate.

My dancing ballerina!



This is our last Christmas with my Kayla.  Here she is posing with her rocking horse ornament from her first Christmas in 1992.  Where has time gone? 

Preparing to hang the nail on the tree. . . .



The Christmas Nail poem:

This is The Christmas Nail.
It is to be hung on a sturdy branch,
a branch near the trunk,
a branch that will hold such a spike without being noticed by well-wishers
dropping by to admire one's tinseled tree.
The nail is known only to the home that hangs it.
Understood only by the heart that knows its significance.
It is hung with the thought...that the Christmas tree but foreshadows the Christ-tree
which only He could decorate for us,
ornamented with nails as this.

I put out my Christmas Village :)



The animated characters!



And, of course, the nativity!





This is, indeed, The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!





A Thanksgiving To Remember

Before I left this morning to head to Nothing Lost Outreach, the Lord sent me back into the house to get a pair of boots.  I continued to argue with the Lord because I have an order for a size 10 boot for someone that needs to be filled for Sunday; but the Lord insisted. 

I asked Him to show me specifically who the shoes were to be for; and that they would say, "I wear a size 10." 

We were not having showers, hair cuts or clothing distributed today; but sensed the need to take a few blankets, clothing, shoes and socks . . . . . just in case.  My thoughts were that the temps were dropping and "you never know."

But God knew.

A man walked up to me today that attended the first time last Sunday.  I figured he was looking for a tent I had told him we'd have for him; but he wasn't.  He asked me, "Do you have any shoes?"  I looked down, he was wearing sandals with socks.  I asked him, "What size do you wear?" (Knowing what he was about to tell me . . . )  "Size 10." 

It only took minutes to retrieve the boots from my car.

"Jay, do they fit?"  (which was a STUPID question!)  "They are a perfect fit.  I can't believe it."  "Jay, God knew you were going to need these shoes.  He had me go back in to the house and get them.  That is how special you are."

With that, he simply nodded in appreciation. 

Jay needs a tent.  I have a big five person tent, but Jay is by himself and needs a small one.  He wouldn't take the bigger one because he didn't want to take from someone else that would need the bigger one.  They are about $20 at Wal-Mart.  If you have one or would like to contribute, please email me at thepadenfamily@gmail.com.

I mentioned to one of the men (Bill) that participate in NLO regularly and that actually goes into the camps and shares the gospel with the homeless, that I brought a few blankets and coats if anyone approached him with a need.

Bill approached me later and asked if I had two blankets and possibly a sleeping bag for a guy he knows had what "stuff" stolen from him.  I told him I didn't remember bringing a sleeping bag, but I knew I had blankets.

When I opened the trunk of my car to get the two blankets, there was a blue sleeping bag.  I remember putting my hand on it at the house; remember pulling my hand away from it, but have no memory of putting it in the car.  When I got home, I asked Chris and he said it was on the box with the duffle bags, so he assumed I wanted it to go with me.

God knew Jay was going to need those size 10 boots; God knew Bill's friend needed a sleeping bag, blanket, a duffle bag, a pair of socks and a flashlight . . . God knew.

I was in awe today that God allowed me to see His hand.  He could have met those needs a million different way; yet He allowed me to be a part of it, so witness it.  Whew.  It's overwhelming.

God knows the numbers of hair on your head.  He knows what you are dealing with right now.  your grocery list needs and  He knows when your power bill is due.  He knows when where your next meal is coming from.  He knows . . . . your name!

I don't know what your need is; but I know the Lord will provide. 

Matthew 6: 25-34, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Servants

When the Lord put a clothing ministry on my heart; I had no idea all the "wow" moments He would give me.

As clothing items are donated, there are some that need minor repairs; patches, hem pants, etc.

Only one problem.

I can't sew.

Sure, I can put a button on here and there; but anything else; not gonna happen. While it has been my hearts desire for years to learn, it hasn't been until this new season that the desire became a fire.

I took a sewing machine my mom had given me many, many years ago, to a friends house. She worked and worked and worked until finally all the "goo" (and it was nasty "goo") was gone and the machine was working . . . . well, sorta. One of the bobble thing-a-ma-gigs wasn't winding up something (see, I REALLY have no clue!).  After further investigation, the piece couldn't be repaired.

While I was disappointed that the machine wasn't going to work, I was still excited to watch and learn.

My friend spent several hours on her only day off working on the machine and then teaching me how to make stitches by hand in order to hem pants and make minor repairs.

While sitting at her dining room table, the Lord showed me just what was really happening.

Nothing Lost Outreach was happening.

This woman, took time from her family to help me, in order that I might help someone else through NLO. She didn't have to go to Ensley Baptist and serve; she didn't have to make bags, she didn't have to donate; she was simply serving and doing in the area she has been called to do.

God wants our obedience, not our sacrifice.  :)

With the clothing donations increasing, and my time becoming less and less; God showed me I was going to need help.

If you read a few days back, you know the phobia I have of people coming in my house.

Two days after posting that, I had three different people "pop in."  (Yes, God is definitely taking me to new areas of trust, love, and vulnerability (oh I don't like that word . . . )

So, today, a new friend (just met today) and an old friend came together to help me with all the donations.  I was able to do Christopher's schooling while they worked and worked!  They sorted enough that I will be fill many orders for this Sunday!



Indeed, what He has called us to do, He will equip us to do :)







100 Homeless Bags

Nothing Lost Outreach has set a goal for 100 bags to be distributed to the homeless on Christmas Day.

Each person/family can take us one step closer to our goal!

Items needed for homeless bags:

*Bag (My family is using a Wal-Mart Reusable Bag).
*Fleece Blanket (they go on sale throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!)
*1 Roll of T.P.
*Baby Wipes (Dollar Tree has a 3 pack for $1.00)
*Gloves
*Bottle of Water
*Snack Bag (chips, fruit cups with pop top lid, etc)
*Flashlight (Dollar Tree)
*Batteries (Dollar Tree)
*Hand warmer pack (I saw them at Wal-Mart for $1.47 each at the check out lane.)

Please contact me on fb or via email at thepadens@cox.net if you would like to contribute.

Thank you!

Stacey

Something I want to share real quick.  Throughout scripture we are told to take care of the poor, the down in out.  In Matthew 25:31-46, we are taught the judgement that will come to those that do not clothe, feed, and give drink to those in need.  What the Lord is revealing to me day in and day out is that the hungry and thirsty, those in need, are you and me.  While society definitely will not agree with me on this, many of the richest people in the world are poorest. 

We are all in need of food, clothing, and drink.

Maybe the Lord doesn't want you serving the homeless. 

Maybe you have been called to serve single mom's; or single dad's; senior citizens . . .  or maybe your family is where God has you serving right now. 

Make a difference in someone's life. 

We are all, every single one of us, are called to clothe, feed and give drink.