A true story of poverty with a happy ending!

Sally and I in Raleigh in 2011

Today is my monthly time to share at www.momheart.org. I am sharing the spotlight with  my dear friend and mentor Sally Clarkson as she continues with "Mentoring Mondays". I am happy to say my story about "What Keeps Me Up At Nights" following Sally's post has a beautiful theme of redemption as our life group delivers beds and more this evening to this sweet family in need.

Thank you Melanie for finding the furniture on Craigslist...the calls, texts, etc...TIME

Thank you Jason and Doc for driving half an hour and loading up the furniture.

Thank you Jason Page and Jason Yepma for delivering and setting up the furniture.

Thank you Amanda and Sigrid for contributing sheets, blankets.

Thank you to the missionary on furlough who chooses to remain anonymous for hearing about this need and generously contributing toward this cause. What a pleasure it was to meet you.

Thank you God for the power of redemption and the sweetness to participate in your work.

Love, Pam

My First Born Son is Fourteen Today!

Happy Birthday John Jay. Thank you for making my world a better place. It is such a joy to watch you growing up.

Have fun today traveling to Auburn, the great plains, to watch your sister do what she loves..play softball. War Eagle!

Always keep family close at heart and may we always be a safe haven for you.

Have fun spending time with our friend Mark and Lawren, your oldest sister, as you travel together and get to check out of school early.

Always remember that we go the extra mile to value people as you all are valuing Mary today.

Mark is taking off work to travel. Lawren is joining you all after working  since six am this morning, while each have responsibilities tomorrow. Yet, you won't be home til very late.

Enjoy your time with Uncle Johnny today as he travels to Auburn from Atlanta...not only to see Mary but also to enjoy time with his niece and nephew.

Families are forever and we get to invest in  each other's lives daily.

We, as the rest of the community I am certain, are excited about basketball getting started. I applaud you taking your gifts and abilities seriously. You will be rewarded for pressing into the talents God has given you and your leadership to your team as well.

And for any moms taking the time to read today, these past 14 years have flown by. Enjoy your time with your children. Lay aside what keeps you from doing so. They grow up so quickly. Treasure the time...

Happy Birthday John Jay!

 Love, Mom

I am glad God never forgets...

I am so thankful God never forgets but I often do. My last post was about the great rescue I experienced last weekend as we ushered in two birthdays.

But I forgot someone important. My dear friend Carol Kerstein, who opened up her pool for Hannah to have a swim party.

We had been planning this for months...ever since summer.

So when the time finally came it didn't seem like an apparent rescue. Yet, in hindsight her willingness to open her heart and home to 14 under the age of 12 plus a few parents and friends was the initial phase of the rescue.

We text back and forth of the birthday week wondering would the pool be too cold for a  September party? Hannah played ball at a nearby park til 7:15. So the party was planned from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

My Hannah Rosie with her friend Hannah B

The kids played, built cheerleader pyramids, and flipped off the diving board for the entire time. It was most likely Hannah's all time favorite birthday celebration.

So, thank you Carol Kerstein for being part of my rescue.

And thank you God that you never forget about us

Take it seriously, that you’re my servant. I made you, shaped you: You’re my servant. O Israel, I’ll never forget you. (Isaiah 44:21-22)

But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. (Isaiah 49:15)

So, even in my forgetfulness to mention everyone who blessed me last weekend, I am so very thankful to the one true God who never forgets about me or my friends.

Aren't you?

O Happy Day,

Pam

My two birthday weekend!

I was rescued this past weekend.

It is a single mom's story of rescue when life gets overwhelming. As most of my life finds, there is a lesson in the story.

Hannah turns 12 and Lawren turns 20...Breakfast at Another Broken Egg

Coming home from Africa and jumping into the American time culture has been harder than I expected or imagined. Everything is slow in Africa. Not only is the African culture slower but also other elements of the mission trip presented new challenges back at home.

For example, all my meals were prepared for me, someone drove me around for two weeks, and a leader told me where to go and what to do. Back home I am in charge of daily food prep, schedules, and transportation.

In addition a new job schedule with increased hours had me hitting the ground running literally.

So, when this past weekend approached, the timing of celebrating two birthdays seemed somewhat overwhelming. But then came the rescue.

As early as Thursday friends were calling and texting to celebrate with Hannah. Thursday  night friends and neighbors took Hannah to Octoberfest. Here's her prize!

Mt "top banana" Hannah Rosie...who is now 12!

Thank you Debbie and Ashley Doyle for being part of the rescue!

Actually, the rescue started earlier with God's provision of extra work which provided money to give my girls for their birthdays. The mission trip depleted most of what was extra. Since we don't give regularly, on my single parent income, we do BIG on birthdays. So I am so thankful for the extra work which allowed our tradition to continue without being a hardship.

Earlier in the week a good friend offered to treat the two birthday girls Lawren and Hannah and myself to breakfast, while performing Lawren's job duties at church AND driving to pick up my boys and bring them back to church. Sunday morning provided a leisure Sunday breakfast with my girls at Another Broken Egg.

Thank you Mark Butcher for being part of my weekend's rescue.

Lawren, even though it was her big day (she is 20 now) made sure the three younger children were cared for Sunday afternoon while I worked and came home to cook for her own birthday dinner Sunday night. So while I served lunch to about 55 for a couple's forty- fifth wedding anniversary in Hampton Cove, I offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Thank you Lawren, my sweet daughter, for being part of my weekend's rescue.

Happy 20th Birthday Lawren..You are such a blessing!

Finally, there is my sweet and long time high school friend Pat. During my entire 45 minute workout on Friday after MomHeart, Pat casually asked about my weekend plans. I tried to sound excited about celebrating and trust the Father in spite of my fatigue. Pat offered to help...even making suggestions. Pride was long removed and I jumped at the offer.

So while I worked and went straight to a ballgame of Hannah's, Pat got all the food ready, put balloons on the mailbox, set everything up beautifully, and brought hot pizza when the kids arrived for the swim party. Their were skittles abounding, a cupcake cake, chips and salsa, fresh veggies and dip, tiny cokes, and hot pizza....every 12 year old's feast.

Thank you Pat Traglia for being part of my weekend's rescue.

As I finish up the story I am overwhelmed by the goodness and love of God. And today I am thankful for friends who love and serve us.... Friends that think out of the box about expressing God's love for my family.

And I remember a greater rescue. The rescue of God from a life of addiction, alcoholism, and other sin.

Psalms 40:2

Like David, I experienced this:

I waited and waited for God. 

At last he looked; and finally he listened. 

He lifted me out of the ditch,

 pulled me from deep mud. 

He stood me up on a solid rock

 to make sure I wouldn't slip.

 He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, 

a praise-song to our God. 

I am so thankful for the rescue of God. Without it, I would have missed my rescue this weekend. What has your most recent rescue looked like? 

Love, Pam

The Love Story Prayer Request Day 16

Psalm 30    Day 16 of the Love Story


Thank you Father that your favor is for a lifetime.

Though weeping may come, there is joy in the morning.

You turn my mourning into dancing.

How true this is even in my own life.

 May the reality that God can take our deepest pain and loss and give us His great joy settle into the deepest recesses of the African people's hearts.

Counting on your prayers.

Love, Pam

The Love Story Prayer Request Day 15

Psalm 29     Day 15 of the Love Story

The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Father,

May the people of Africa know your peace and strength.

Amen

The Love Story Prayer Request Day 14

Psalm 28    Day 14 of the Love Story

Father,

I praise you because.....You are my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in you, and I am helped;

With my song I shall thank you.

Praise Him with me.

Love, Pam