“Yahtzee!” my grandmother used to yell in exhilaration. She loved the game. I could be sure that if we were playing games with Grandmommy and Granddaddy, Yahtzee would be one of them. The premise of Yahtzee is to put all your die into a cup, shake them up, and roll them out all at once, hoping that when they appear on the table, they are all the numbers you want to win the game.
In my own life, and my work with Habitat for Hope, I have found that we all play a little Yahtzee. We bury all our problems deep down in our hearts, hoping that no one will notice. We are careful to not shake things up for fear our issues will spill out onto the table and shine a negative light on our well-controlled lives.
Problem number one: Despite our illusions and even our best-laid plans, we are not in control. At some point when pain comes through a harsh reality, like a life threatening illness in the life of your child, a light bulb goes off that you are not in control.
Terror, fear, anxiety, depression, and guilt begin to shake you at your core and all the “other” problems in life that you have been so careful as to hide, come bursting out with force for all to see. Your marriage, finances, family dynamics, faith, and relationships are not what you have fooled yourself and others into believing are true about them.
Are you in a painful place where it seems all is lost and your problems are not only numerous but insurmountable? Don’t lose heart!
In every true and good story there is a moment where you believe all is lost, and then suddenly a hero arrives, saving the day. In the story of our lives this is Christ Jesus. He says in the Bible that He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:3-12). My pastor recently put it this way…when he is pruning, He is loving. Just as the vineyard worker clips away the dead grapes from a vine to ensure its maximum growth, Jesus also brings us through the painful pruning process to bring about TRUE life, joy, and peace.



I was blown away yesterday by something I heard that made me instantly cry. Cry for joy, cry for how unbelievable it was, and cry over my own convictions. Many of you know that Habitat for Hope maintains 2 apartments in downtown Memphis, TN. These apartments are given free of charge to families of children receiving medical treatment in Memphis.
Already this summer, students from the Jr and Sr high youth groups at Grace Evangelical Church have had two work days at the property of Habitat for Hope. Just last week, the 7th grade girls along with Erin Pearce , Jr High Director and Sharon Morgan, MIT team leader for HFH, participated in yet another missions project. This will be the third time this year that the girls have assembled parent food boxes. A fire alarm even went off during the project and the girls assembled the boxes in the dark which made a fun memory, but a poor quality photo!
Dear Friends,
e have spent seven months in one of the downtown apartments and grown close with the Team. I had told Becky that Cassidy really wanted to go to the beach and we were trying to work that out. A few days passed and she called to say she was making arrangements for an expense paid trip for us provided by the donations of Habitat for Hope and its supporters. We had an awesome time! We were overwhelmed by all that was done to make a wonderful getaway for our family. We’re so grateful for Tucker and Becky Davis for taking time to spend with us. We love and appreciate you. Thank you for giving your lives and to sharing God’s love with those who are enduring trials.

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