Monday, February 1, 2010

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!!!!




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28 comments:

Kahri said...

Praise God!! What a testament!

Momma Roar said...

WOW! How awesome!

Sharon said...

Oh Susan that is such great news.
Prayers for you! Yes, God is great.

Sandra said...

You can tell by the giving that God's people have refused to participate in the recession!!!!!

WOOOO....HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Amen, Susan! That gives me goose bumps! God is so good and you all will be blessed just as much as the folks you're helping...I guarantee it!

Tammy

Susan said...

Sandra, Yes, it's because we are such a giving Church that God blesses us so abundantly. You cannot outgive God!!!!

I am so honored to be a part of this Body of Christ. And so blessed that God placed us in Coweta. Coweta!!! A place I'd never even heard of until He moved us here. He is So Amazing.

Barbara said...

Brilliant Susan, you are obviously on the right track.

Oklahoma Granny said...

What a wonderful testimony.

Sunny said...

Dear Susan, I am sooo excited about what God is doing thru you and Mickey! How awesome! and when I saw the photo for this post the first thing that came to mind was "How beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news". So I have to disagree with you.... your feet ARE very beautiful! May the Lord bless you in your obedience!!

Shirley said...

That is so cool! I, too, have goose bumps seeing how God is working in this new ministry! Praising Him with you!

retha said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Where's your 'like' button?? :)

Debbie

Mari said...

This is one of those goose bump stories! I love to hear of times when people follow God's leading and then He shows up big time!

Carole Burant said...

That is absolutely wonderful, dear Susan, and it truly warms the heart when everyone can get together like that and offer their time to help those in need. xoxo

Devoted said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!! He supply is always more than we expect or imagine when we are following in His footsteps. Praying and praising for the difference you will make in the lives of others.

Anonymous said...

WOW This just give me goose bumbs. When God moves, He moves BIG!!!

Mountain Mama said...

I just love this!!!! I was smiling al the way through because I just KNEW where it was going. When we are obedient to Him, things not only fall into place but he blesses our efforts so that we giggle for days and years to come. Oh how I love HIM!!!!!!!!
GOd bless you both! and your Cute feet too! :)

Mountain Mama said...

I thought I posted a comment but it didn't show up!
So I'll try again.
I was smiling all the way through your post because I just KNEW where it was going. We can't out-do God.
May He bless you & Mickey and your cute feet too! :)

Bobbi said...

As Sister Rosalee use to shout out to Pastor giving a praise report, HALLELUJAH!!!

What a blessing, Susan! PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME, LORD! Thank YOU for blessing this ministry and those involved!

Just another confirmation of GOD's faithfulness.

AND I love that You and Mickey are not slowing down and "retiring"!

Blessings!
Bobbi

Brenda said...

Wonderful post, Susan! I'm excited to hear more after your first delivery!

Susan said...

Bobbi - Mickey & I had a word spoken over us several years ago and it began "You're never to old' says the Spirit of God. 'You're never too young." That is so true!!!

It is yet another lie of the devil that the world conviences people they are too old or too young.

In our minds there is no such thing as "retiring" from serving our wonderful Savior, Lord & KING.
That's why it's the King's Kitchen.

Debra said...

This is such wonderful and great news Susan! God IS great and God IS good!!!

Maxine said...

Susan! I wish I had done my blogging yesterday so I could have celebrated longer! Amen! Hallelujah! I knew it, I knew it! What a mighty God we serve!

Bobbi said...

Amen, Susan! :D and I fully agree!

Joy said...

Oh Susan, I am sitting here with chillbumps and teary eyes. God is definitely in this ministry. He knows it is so needed.
Thank you and Mickey for being willing servants.
What a Mighty God We Serve.

Joy

Midlife Mom said...

Amen sister! What a testament to the faithfulness of your congregation!

Whidbey Woman said...

God is so amazing! Praise His Holy name. This ministry is going to be such a blessing in your community.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

You are blessing so many peoples life. May God bless you as you are blessing other.
Ginger