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.

Avery playing with some new toys!

We thought it would be a blessing to shower the Armstrongs with clothes, diapers and formula to ease the transition here in Memphis! We were so lucky to collect many items – including gift cards, beautiful baby outfits, a wonderful bouncy seat, diaper genie and much more! We thank two of our partner churches, New Hope Christian Church and Fellowship Memphis for their help and support! Special friends like the Ottingers and the Morris family donated items that

really blessed the Armstrongs. They thank you from the bottom of their hearts!

One of our families was moving out this past week and I went down to say goodbye, pray with them and help send them on their way.  The dad asked me if I had met the neighbors before.  I had seen them, waved, but have never met them.    The dad told me that a mother and daughter that lived in the apartment next door.  The mom is 94 and the daughter is 72.  The dad said that one day he was locked out of his apartment (the doors automatically lock) and he went over to ask to use their phone.   As they started talking the daughter mentioned how her mother will go over the wall between the two apartments, put her hand on the wall, and pray for the for the family and sick child next door.  And pray for over an hour every night.

We have had these apartments for 5 years and she has done this faithfully every day for years!   Picture in your mind…a frail elderly lady taking the time every night to pray for your sick child and family…without you ever event knowing about it.

James 5:15 15 “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”

Habitat for Hope provides support for families whose children are critically ill. These food boxes are given to parents at local hospitals who may either not have money to buy food at the cafeteria, or are unable to leave their child in the room by themselves to go get food. Inside the boxes the girls put bottled water, assorted snack foods, a HFH brochure and a handwritten card with verses and encouraging words to the family.  Stories are shared about the HFH families and the girls are encouraged to pray for the families receiving the boxes. Youth leader Erin Pearce says, “I love my girls coming together to serve. As we are in there packing food boxes and writing cards I hear comments like, “ I can’t believe this sweet family is going through such a hard time. Their faith is amazing. I want to understand more the blessings that God has given me and share them with others.”
It is so great for our girls to be in touch with what is going on in this world. Sometimes they can only see in front of them, and they don’t realize how bad people are hurting. Partnering with Habitat for Hope challenges them to look outside themselves to love and serve others.” Erin states that they love this project and hope to get together at least 2 more times this year.  What a wonderful way to “Love your neighbor”.  Thanks Grace Evan!

I cannot express what a blessing Habitat for Hope has been to myself and my family.  A few weeks ago, the doctors informed us that our daughter Cassidy had relapsed and that there was nothing more that could be done for her in pursuit of a cure.  With broken hearts, we informed our friends and family that we didn’t have much time with our sweet girl.  Many, once again, came before our Holy God begging Him to intervene and also praying that His grace would envelop us and His love would be ever clear to us.  Words fail when I try to express the gratitude I feel for those prayers. We truly feel the comfort and peace that are a direct result of those prayers.  We continue to ask God for a miracle, but do not pretend to control His will.  We know that He is sovereign and will not allow anything to happen that does not fit into the puzzle of our lives.  He knows the finished product and we rest in that assurance. We have spent the last twenty months or so as patients in Memphis, TN where Cassidy has received the last two of her three bone marrow transplants.  It was while we were in Memphis that God directed our path to cross with Mark Horrocks.  This was the beginning of our relationship with Habitat for Hope.  Since then, we 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.

Chad, Jennifer,
McKenzie, Savannah and Cassidy

Our new Volunteer Coordinator, Diane Smith, wrote the following after her first time doing visitation with HFH Founder, Mark Horrocks.

After visitation on Thursday I was a bit overwhelmed; it is a bit tough to see the reality of parents who are walking down the path of suffering with their child.
Friday morning I was just tired! I’m currently reading through Matthew in the Message. I read from Matt 14 where John the Baptist is beheaded. When Jesus heard the news, he tried to get away by himself but people saw him and came to him. He saw them and had pity on them and healed their sick. It got late, the people were hungry so the disciples told Jesus they should send them home. (I imagine they were tired and hungry too!) Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They said ALL we’ve got are five loaves and two fish. Jesus told them to give them to him. Jesus prayed, blessed, broke and gave the bread to the disciples. The people ate their fill and there were 12 baskets left over.
Here’s an excerpt of my thoughts after reading…

“This story moves me. It hits me so strongly this morning. This morning I am feeling overwhelmed. I imagine you [Jesus] looking at me and saying bring it here. Lord Jesus….I give my pitiful offerings to you, know that you alone can feed the souls that are hungry in my life. Only you can feed my hungry soul. Only you can feed the souls of my family, my neighbors, my co-workers. Forgive me for trying to live in my power. What you are asking me to do, leading me to do is IMPOSSIBLE without you. But with you all things are possible!! As my life passes through your hands…miracles can and will happen. You can provide the money. You can provide the time. You can provide the emotional energy. You can provide the words. It’s not me…It’s you through me. Thank you for living in me. Live through me today.”

Grace Evan Junior High Youth Leader from Mylissa Horrocks on Vimeo.

Your Choice

What I’m thankful for, is a church, family, and school that taught me songs for Scripture.  They stick.  Years later they will pop into my head and I will remember God’s promises through song.  One that has recently been cycling through is the simple song that repeats, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.  He gives me living water and I thirst no more.”

I met the Clark Family in August of 2010.  I can say this song describes them.  Their family has endured tragedy after tragedy, but they still have joy.  They have lost a mother and have watched a sister endure three bone marrow transplants.  I believe their joy comes from the fact that they have tasted Living Water – Jesus.

I have a little boy a little over a year old, AJ. He is the cutest and funniest, most challenging 2 foot person I know. I always have to be on guard. If the pantry closet is open, he is pulling the food off the shelves. When I pull him out to close the door, he throws a two year old quality fit (notice he has not reached that age, yet). If I am typing, he is pushing my buttons. . . literally. No matter how many “no no” s or redirecting or hand slaps, he still will look right at me and push the nearest key on the computer.

But when he falls into the toy box and I rush to help him out, or when he trips over the puppy’s paws and hits his head, or has a 102 fever, I am right there to see him through that trial and hold him until he is ready to play again. Sometimes he doesn’t know he is ready to play again. I will let go to let him walk on his own and he clings to me.  I have to show him things he is interested in and teach him how to play.

Isn’t this how our Heavenly Father is with us?  We constantly need hand slaps and redirection. He disciplines those he loves. But, when we are hurting and need to be carried, he is right there holding us and showing us, again how to live life.