GOD KNOCKS OUR SOCKS OFF

Do I have your attention?!!!!!!

The feet aren't pretty but the story is beyond wonderful.

On January 18th I posted here about Mickey beginning a new ministry outreach at our church called The Kings Kitchen.

As a recap, if you don't want to take the time to read the above post, Pastor called for a forum on Sunday, January 17th, at 4:30 in the afternoon for all those interested in this food ministry. We had a wonderful response of 30 people attending and at the end of the meeting had 11 cooks, plus 2 reserve cooks, and 7 delivery people signed up as volunteers. We were thrilled beyond measure!!!!

The past 14 days have been a virtual whirlwind of activity and blessings!!! The very next night (Monday) Mickey gets a call about 9:30 from one of the leaders of the Young at Heart group of our church. They had just finished their monthly meeting and Robbin called to tell us the woman of Young at Heart had stepped forward and were going to supply ALL the home made desserts for these meals. WOW - what a blessing and within the first day.

Mickey & I had purchased a blue Ig*loo cooler for the hot meals and a white Styrofoam cooler for the cold items such as milk, salad, desserts. We needed 3 more of each of these carriers. We had also visited a supplier and gotten samples and prices for the 3 part aluminum trays, 6, 12 & 18 oz cups with lids for stews and soups, a box for sandwiches, cake or pie, that we would need.

On the following Monday evening (the 25th) we met with all the cooks and developed cooking schedules and menu's for February & March. We have a wonderful young woman, Sherry, who has stepped up to do all the menu's and scheduling. The meeting was such a joy as everything and everyone just came together without a hitch.

After this meeting Mickey & I walked across the hall to the Board of Deacons and Staff Meeting and presented our plan to them. Mickey showed all the needed items and gave the start-up cost, for the containers and meal packaging supplies, of $281.51. He told them we estimated a cost of between $1.75 and $3.00 per meal for the food. Mickey also showed the Board a microwavable 3 part tray, that was about the same unit cost as the aluminium one but it would require purchasing a $1500 machine to seal the tray with a clear covering. The discussion was that the microwavable tray would be better for the elderly and shut-ins so they could reheat the meal if they did not eat all of it, or if they wanted to save it for later. The goal was to work toward getting the machine as soon as we could save up the $1500.

We learned the next morning that the Board had approved $100 for 10 weeks, or a budget of $1000, for us to begin. We were elated.

On Wednesday we went to the church to get checks to purchase the 3 blue and 3 white containers. When they were filling in the store name they asked if we wanted them to fill-in the amounts. We had paid $19.88 for the blue Ig*loo & $6.88 for the white Styrofoam. Pastor was standing there and I said, "No, leave it blank we might just find them on sale". When we got to the store we found 3 (the last 3 I might add!!!) blue containers marked down on sale to $9.88. YEAH!!! We were thrilled we were already $30 under budget just on the containers.

We had scheduled a Thursday (the 28th) 6 p.m. meeting with the delivery volunteers but due to the ice/snow storm we had to cancel that.

Pastor Gary asked Mickey & I to be at both the 8 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. service yesterday. His message was JOY IN OBEYING THE HOLY SPIRIT. About 3/4 through the message he called Mickey & I to the front to present the vision of The Kings Kitchen to the congregation.

After our presentation Pastor told the congregation he wanted to take up a special offering toward the $1500 for the purchase of the machine. I have to add our attendance was down due to the ice/snow still covering everything.

Pastor Gary proceeded to finish his sermon. Just before he was through one of the Deacon's came forward and handed him a little slip of paper. The offering they had just taken was $1,800.01. WOW - we were all shouting and clapping.

THEN, at the end of the service another gentlemen came up to me, I was still sitting on the front pew, and handed me a check. I took the check and said "Thank you so much" and didn't even look at it until later. It was for $1500!!!!! The full price of the machine. Later we learned the amount collected from the 8 a.m. service was $287.26.

Total designated funds for The King's Kitchen $3587.27.

I don't know how many of you have ever noticed one of the quotes I have on my side bar under "God Determines" - It is by Dwight L. Moody - "If God be your partner make your plans LARGE"

One of the names of our God is EL Shaddai : The All-Sufficient One.

Yes, He is our All-Sufficient, More Than Enough God.

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!!!!!

Now, we've got to get our socks back on .... and our shoes .... and be busy being about what our God has called US to do .......... feeding the widows, widowers, elderly & shut-in's a hot meal every Tuesday at noon.

What is God telling YOU to do. Just follow your heart and DO IT!!!!