I think I'm ready to start writing again. Last week was a whirlwind. I don't suggest getting sick before two of your busiest days of the year. It just doesn't do a body good.
I woke up last Wednesday feeling great and ready to take on the world. At some point in the morning that feeling went away, far, far away. The rest of the day was spent wrapped in a blanket while willing myself not to throw up. Thursday was the same, except I stayed in bed quite a bit of it.
By Friday I was better and in downtown Dallas by noon to help prepare for the nation's largest Christmas party for the homeless. I didn't make it home until around 11 p.m. and needed to be up by 2:30 a.m. My alarm didn't go off. Phil woke me up at 4:45 a.m. and I scrambled out the door and drove back downtown. The amazing band, Planning Yesterday, donated their sound equipment for the outside stage and they had everything under control when I got there. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Then the constant moving began. I had four areas I was watching over. The doors of the convention center didn't open until 10 a.m., but the outside entertainment started up at 7:30 and that was one of my areas. The donut crew was in place long before that handing out donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to the early birds wanting to be first in line. They are a great group of people who donate their very early hours each year to ministering outside in the cold. Hospitality to a "T".
I didn't know time could move so slow. Or at least, that is what it felt like. I was sure more than once that the schedule was off on the stages, but it was that it just seemed to be later because my day had started so early. Liz and Phil ran the main inside stage like pros. I'm very grateful. The hallway entertainment went off without a hitch as did the outside stage.
James and his photography team had everything covered. Chris and I tag teamed the media as they came in. I think I did three on air interviews. Here is one of them. http://www.dallasnews.com/video/?z=y&nvid=313097
At one point my mom brought me a bottle of water and I made the mistake of sitting down to drink it. It was all I could do to make myself get back up. My legs and feet were really ticked off at me.
I don't have any exact numbers from the day. There were more people than last year and that number was 8,000. I do know that I hobbled out of there and was very thankful my husband was there to drive me home.
Showing posts with label Operation Care Dallas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Operation Care Dallas. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
I Was Wrong
I had a meeting the other day that I did not want to go to. I did NOT want to go to. I DID NOT want to go to. I DID NOT WANT TO GO TO.
I whined and complained - - a lot. I DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THIS MEETING, but I made myself get on the train, head to downtown, and walk into this meeting. I did SO not want to be there.
It was at a very large church with a very large reputation. I felt there was no reason for me to be there, that there would be nothing said that I wanted to hear, that I was wasting gas trying to find a parking spot, $3 for train fair, and 3 hours of my time.
I was wrong.
The minister that I did not want to meet with shared his burden for the people outside of the church building walls. He told how the devastation left by Katrina along the Mississippi coast rocked his world. Before he was only interested in the music program developed and performed for the members of his church body, those that came into his church building. Katrina changed all that. God used the disaster to open his eyes and burden his heart. In the last five weeks he has moved to Texas and started his new job at the very large church with a very large reputation. He wants his new choirs to be burdened. He wants them to look beyond the church building walls. He wants them to get their hands dirty.
Everything that I was going to suggest his choir do for Christmas Gift 2008, he suggested first. He expects the choir members to volunteer beyond just singing for thirty minutes. He wants them spending time with the homeless guests one on one and not just from the stage. He doesn't want extra attention drawn to what church the choir comes from. He knows that some of the choir members will not be happy. He could lose members over this. He understands the mindset of those that will be offended by this idea of getting their hands dirty. He was there once, before Katrina. Someone told me that choir practice at this church is no longer "just practice", it is now "worship". Wow.
I was wrong. I went in with preconceived prejudices. They were totally blown away by this minister that has a burden for those outside the church building walls. They were totally blown away by a man that wants to give this burden to others.
I whined and complained - - a lot. I DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THIS MEETING, but I made myself get on the train, head to downtown, and walk into this meeting. I did SO not want to be there.
It was at a very large church with a very large reputation. I felt there was no reason for me to be there, that there would be nothing said that I wanted to hear, that I was wasting gas trying to find a parking spot, $3 for train fair, and 3 hours of my time.
I was wrong.
The minister that I did not want to meet with shared his burden for the people outside of the church building walls. He told how the devastation left by Katrina along the Mississippi coast rocked his world. Before he was only interested in the music program developed and performed for the members of his church body, those that came into his church building. Katrina changed all that. God used the disaster to open his eyes and burden his heart. In the last five weeks he has moved to Texas and started his new job at the very large church with a very large reputation. He wants his new choirs to be burdened. He wants them to look beyond the church building walls. He wants them to get their hands dirty.
Everything that I was going to suggest his choir do for Christmas Gift 2008, he suggested first. He expects the choir members to volunteer beyond just singing for thirty minutes. He wants them spending time with the homeless guests one on one and not just from the stage. He doesn't want extra attention drawn to what church the choir comes from. He knows that some of the choir members will not be happy. He could lose members over this. He understands the mindset of those that will be offended by this idea of getting their hands dirty. He was there once, before Katrina. Someone told me that choir practice at this church is no longer "just practice", it is now "worship". Wow.
I was wrong. I went in with preconceived prejudices. They were totally blown away by this minister that has a burden for those outside the church building walls. They were totally blown away by a man that wants to give this burden to others.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Family Night at the homeless shelter
Our family has started volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission once a month and tonight was our night. I've been looking forward to it all month. On one hand, it is a great bummer that there even has to be a Union Gospel Mission, but on the other, it is a great honor to be able to volunteer there. My friend, Susie, has been doing this for many years. The men love her and she loves them. Tonight she shared her testimony about how she used to despise homeless people and how God took her prideful heart and turned it into a heart full of love for the homeless. I've heard her tell that story many times. I've edited it in written form. I'm well acquainted with her story and for some reason tonight it moved me to tears. She also showed a small video of the Operation Care - Philippines project that ministered to 2,000 homeless children on July 5th. The homeless men of the Union Gospel Mission were crying as they watched the video and when she asked them to please pray for the children, a loud AMEN went up. These homeless men are praying for the homeless children of the Philippines. Amazing!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Life lately and in the future
Last week, Monday through Thursday, was spent on a road trip with teenagers. Had a great time, especially at night when we were all asleep. I kid. It was a good time. Even when we had to move hotel rooms in the middle of the night due to a stopped up toilet. The girls were real troopers.
Thursday afternoon, after a fun lunch at Houston's Hard Rock, the French Chicks, Corinn, and I peeled off from the group and headed to Midland. Phil was kind enough to drive down a car and take my place in the middle school van. He didn't even use ear plugs!
We arrived in Midland around 3:30 a.m. due to the lovely traffic in Houston. Not fun, not fun. But, the hospitality tent at Rock The Desert was a blast. Everyone on that team is A+ and all the artists were very sweet. Not a snob or prima donna in the bunch. There was a difficult spouse, but their demands were overruled by the humble artist and peace reigned.
Last night the French Chicks and I went to a television taping for New York Summer, formerly known as Radial Angel. We were out with them until 1:30 a.m. Thank goodness for IHOP. We were all starving after the taping and then an acoustical set.
Tomorrow brings Hawk Nelson back to town. They were here weekend before last. The French Chicks, Corinn, and I will be running errands for them and helping Adam with merch. This will be my third weekend in a row working events with Hawk. Weird.
Callie gets picked up from camp on Saturday morning. I have a Operation Care Dallas Fundraiser meeting in the afternoon and that night is our family night at the Union Gospel Mission. Yea! I'm really excited to go back to the mission. I've been looking forward to it since last month.
My friend, Chloe, became a rock star today. She played bass for this band. YEA Chloe!
Did you know the male gymnasts use honey on their grips? YUCK!
Thursday afternoon, after a fun lunch at Houston's Hard Rock, the French Chicks, Corinn, and I peeled off from the group and headed to Midland. Phil was kind enough to drive down a car and take my place in the middle school van. He didn't even use ear plugs!
We arrived in Midland around 3:30 a.m. due to the lovely traffic in Houston. Not fun, not fun. But, the hospitality tent at Rock The Desert was a blast. Everyone on that team is A+ and all the artists were very sweet. Not a snob or prima donna in the bunch. There was a difficult spouse, but their demands were overruled by the humble artist and peace reigned.
Last night the French Chicks and I went to a television taping for New York Summer, formerly known as Radial Angel. We were out with them until 1:30 a.m. Thank goodness for IHOP. We were all starving after the taping and then an acoustical set.
Tomorrow brings Hawk Nelson back to town. They were here weekend before last. The French Chicks, Corinn, and I will be running errands for them and helping Adam with merch. This will be my third weekend in a row working events with Hawk. Weird.
Callie gets picked up from camp on Saturday morning. I have a Operation Care Dallas Fundraiser meeting in the afternoon and that night is our family night at the Union Gospel Mission. Yea! I'm really excited to go back to the mission. I've been looking forward to it since last month.
My friend, Chloe, became a rock star today. She played bass for this band. YEA Chloe!
Did you know the male gymnasts use honey on their grips? YUCK!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Mother's Day Gift Ideas
So, you're still looking for that perfect gift for your mother. Maybe you have a mother that has everything. Maybe you have a mother that has enough stuff and doesn't want anymore stuff. Maybe your mother would like one of the following or all of the following.
Love 146 is dedicated to ending child sex slavery and exploitation. Donate in your mother's name.
Gospel for Asia develops native missionaries to reach the lost in their countries. Sponsor a missionary in your mother's name.
Compassion International brings hope to poverty stricken children. They work with local churches to change lives. "Adopt" a child in your mother's name. Or give to the Malaria Intervention Fund in your mother's name.
Brody Harper is partnering with blood:water mission to build wells in Africa. Help with the drilling in your mother's name.
25 Cloth has great t-shirts with great purpose. This quarter, when you buy a shirt for your mother, you will also supply the cast materials for one club-footed child in a developing country. With your purchase, a child will have the opportunity to heal properly and enjoy one of life's basic functions--to walk.
Operation Care - Dallas ministers to the homeless of the DFW metroplex. They are expanding to work with homeless children in the Philippines. Give to the homeless in your mother's name.
This Mother's Day give your mother a gift that keeps on giving.
Love 146 is dedicated to ending child sex slavery and exploitation. Donate in your mother's name.
Gospel for Asia develops native missionaries to reach the lost in their countries. Sponsor a missionary in your mother's name.
Compassion International brings hope to poverty stricken children. They work with local churches to change lives. "Adopt" a child in your mother's name. Or give to the Malaria Intervention Fund in your mother's name.
Brody Harper is partnering with blood:water mission to build wells in Africa. Help with the drilling in your mother's name.
25 Cloth has great t-shirts with great purpose. This quarter, when you buy a shirt for your mother, you will also supply the cast materials for one club-footed child in a developing country. With your purchase, a child will have the opportunity to heal properly and enjoy one of life's basic functions--to walk.
Operation Care - Dallas ministers to the homeless of the DFW metroplex. They are expanding to work with homeless children in the Philippines. Give to the homeless in your mother's name.
This Mother's Day give your mother a gift that keeps on giving.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ministry Expands
An Expansion of Care Arises - “Building a Bridge of Change”
Mesquite, TX – Operation Care – Dallas, Inc. is a successful care program in full action since 1993 for the homeless community in the DFW Metroplex. So much so that Operation Care - Dallas has recently expanded a bridge of care to the Philippines.
Operation Care - Dallas, Inc. caters to the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless in the DFW Metroplex by facilitating services and sharing the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. This ministry, birthed from a widow's grief, has enlarged as the mission has ventured to Iloilo City. Now adding another name to the organization, Operation Care Philippines: Changing the World, Changing Lives, an evangelistic movement will allow children in America to assist the homeless children, orphans, and street kids in Iloilo City through the project, Operation Adopt A Friend.
This is not another outreach were the adult community will come to the rescue, but rather our young heroes, our children will become responsible philanthropist as they will be Changing Lives, Changing the World. Imagine our American children stepping out to be missionaries for other children in a foreign country by raising only $15.00 to support their Philippine counterpart; their Adopted Friend across the waters of our world as Operation Care Philippines builds bridges for unity, hope and integrity amongst our youth.
Various churches are educating their children and members. Soles for Kidz and Buckner International are participating in the construction of this bridge by donating shoes. Operation Care Philippines' goal of catering to 1,000 homeless children subjected to living in cemeteries, railroad stations and garbage sites can be met as we lace up to walk together over this magnificent evangelical bridge.
Become a supporter of Operation Care - Dallas, in conjunction with Operation Care Philippines "Adopt-A-Friend" program by filling up the 20 ft. truck shipment of care kits, toys, Bibles, and provision for these less fortunate children. This shipment must be a float in the first part of April 2008 to make the official launch celebration by July 5, 2008. The day will hold a foot washing ceremony, evangelism, prayer, medical support, food, and entertainment for the adults and children along with the gifts from our children to theirs.
For more information please log onto www.OperationCareDallas.org. We are Changing Lives while Changing the World.
Mesquite, TX – Operation Care – Dallas, Inc. is a successful care program in full action since 1993 for the homeless community in the DFW Metroplex. So much so that Operation Care - Dallas has recently expanded a bridge of care to the Philippines.
Operation Care - Dallas, Inc. caters to the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless in the DFW Metroplex by facilitating services and sharing the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. This ministry, birthed from a widow's grief, has enlarged as the mission has ventured to Iloilo City. Now adding another name to the organization, Operation Care Philippines: Changing the World, Changing Lives, an evangelistic movement will allow children in America to assist the homeless children, orphans, and street kids in Iloilo City through the project, Operation Adopt A Friend.
This is not another outreach were the adult community will come to the rescue, but rather our young heroes, our children will become responsible philanthropist as they will be Changing Lives, Changing the World. Imagine our American children stepping out to be missionaries for other children in a foreign country by raising only $15.00 to support their Philippine counterpart; their Adopted Friend across the waters of our world as Operation Care Philippines builds bridges for unity, hope and integrity amongst our youth.
Various churches are educating their children and members. Soles for Kidz and Buckner International are participating in the construction of this bridge by donating shoes. Operation Care Philippines' goal of catering to 1,000 homeless children subjected to living in cemeteries, railroad stations and garbage sites can be met as we lace up to walk together over this magnificent evangelical bridge.
Become a supporter of Operation Care - Dallas, in conjunction with Operation Care Philippines "Adopt-A-Friend" program by filling up the 20 ft. truck shipment of care kits, toys, Bibles, and provision for these less fortunate children. This shipment must be a float in the first part of April 2008 to make the official launch celebration by July 5, 2008. The day will hold a foot washing ceremony, evangelism, prayer, medical support, food, and entertainment for the adults and children along with the gifts from our children to theirs.
For more information please log onto www.OperationCareDallas.org. We are Changing Lives while Changing the World.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Last minute Valentine's gifts from the heart...
Okay, you are down to the wire. You need a gift, a gift from the heart, not from the tent in the Kroger parking lot. So, here are my suggestions for meaningful Valentine Day gifts.
Sponsor a child at Compassion International.
Buy a pair of shoes from Toms
Send some love through LOVE 146
Show a little heart with Operation Care
Give a drink through blood:water mission
Pick a t-shirt with a message and much more at Two-Five
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wild Night
I've blogged about the dynamo some people know as Susie Jennings. November 3rd found her walking the streets of Dallas with her homeless friends. Read about her eye opening adventure in her own words.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Heart for the Homeless
I have a new friend. She is this little ball of energy named Susie. Her heart is bigger than Texas. Susie began a love affair with the homeless of Dallas a few years ago after the suicide of her husband. Asking God to give her a ministry in the city, He pointed out the homeless under the Canton Bridge. She was not happy about His choice. Her heart felt nothing but disdain for a population of people she felt were dirty, smelly, lazy, scary and strung out. But God knew that her heart was bigger than that and He started her on a journey that has led to the creation of Operation Care Dallas, Inc. This will be the fourth year of Christmas Gift, the largest Christmas Party for the homeless in the nation. Last year saw 6,700 guests walk through the doors of the Dallas Convention Center.
And the drive behind it all is a little Filipino lady named Susie Jennings. She works full time as a nurse at Baylor and ministers to the homeless in her spare time. And when I say she ministers, I don't mean she throws money at them and acknowledges them from time to time. She spends hours with them trying to meet their physical and spiritual needs.
I find her truly amazing.
"Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight..." James 1:27
And the drive behind it all is a little Filipino lady named Susie Jennings. She works full time as a nurse at Baylor and ministers to the homeless in her spare time. And when I say she ministers, I don't mean she throws money at them and acknowledges them from time to time. She spends hours with them trying to meet their physical and spiritual needs.
I find her truly amazing.
"Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight..." James 1:27
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