Still being blessed...

I have got to get back in the swing of updating this thing!!! We went to Disney World last week and took our daughter for her first trip. I must say we all thoroughly enjoyed it!!

The soup kitchen served spaghetti and fed 22 people. The mayor of Attalla sent the Fire Chief to the building to see what all was going on. He said everything looked good to him and to keep on feeding. WHEW!!!!

Yesterday we served chili dogs. We had 25 come to the building and fixed about 15 to go plates so we served around 40. The numbers continue to increase week by week.

Some of you may already know but we are looking at serving on Saturdays as well as Mondays. No other organization feeds on Saturdays. We talked about possibly starting that after September. Tonight, I received a call from someone that works with a local youth group that has done a homeless project. She said they slept in cardboard boxes Saturday night and then got up and went to church on Sunday. I think that idea is awesome and love the reality of it!! Anyway, she told me they wanted to sponsor and work at a meal (on Saturday, of course) and had $350 to donate!!! She said there was another Sunday School class at her church that she thinks has around $200 they wanted to donate! God is SOOOO good!!!!!!! You would think by now I would not be amazed when people call me with this kind of information. Never will I not be amazed by the power and works of our God. He continues to surprise me and show me that He is in control. It helps me know that we are doing the right thing and that He is all up in our business =).

Meal Two

Meal two was a success!! We had double the amount of people as last week. 17 total!! We also took BBQ around the neighborhood. The Gadsden Times also came by and interviewed me. Can't say that I have ever been interviewed before...(except by the State at work and that doesn't count). We asked for suggestions on days to serve next month. The consensus was Saturdays. That is the only day that none else serves a meal. I have been thinking about doing Saturdays from the beginning. That way, anybody that would like to help but can't because they work would be able to. We'll see!!

I also want to say a big thank you to my good friend Lois and SSS. They donated a lot of baby food for the kitchen. Three little babies would like to say thank you to them for their meal yesterday!! :o)

Also thank you to my friend Gracie for my first blog award!!!!!!

Next week's meal.....spaghetti.

Meal one

We did it!! We served our first meal on Monday and loved it!!! We had a family of 5 adults and two small children come to eat. They were very thankful and said they would be back next week and tell everybody they knew about it. We had about 15 church members (not including their children) come to help. We sent 3 groups of 2 out to the neighborhood next door, the projects, and around town to pass out hot dogs and more fliers. What a great response we had!! One group had to come back for more hot dogs!! I also had the opportunity to give food to a homeless man by the interstate. This type of ministry is so close to my heart....I can't believe God has given me the chance to do this.

We had some people tell us they would love to come but they don't have any way to get there. Please be in prayer for a door somewhere to open up that would allow us to pick people up and take them back home. We already have one idea but just be in prayer for that.

While we were giving out food, the Attalla Housing Authority called me and said they had received a flier and they would put our information in their newsletter and pass out more fliers. I also had a woman call me Monday night and tell me that she had missed today's meal but would she still be eligible to come next week. I told her everyone was welcome and to come on!!!

God continues to open doors...a lady called me on Tuesday that is the director of the jail ministries here in town and also works at a local clothes closet. She told me if I would bring some fliers to her, she would be glad to pass them out to the people that came to her place. We also had some more money donated today but I do no know how much yet.

Continue to be in prayer for us. Next week's menu consist of smoked butts, homemade BBQ sauce, slaw, beans, and a dessert. YUM!!!

I can't believe it

Well...the time has arrived. In less than 12 hours, we will be cooking hot dogs, making beans, making tea, and filling up cups with ice. I can not believe it!! Even as I sit here typing, it seems so surreal to me. My dream that I have had for as long as I can remember is coming true. How many people can actually say that? I know that it may not last and may fizzle out but even if it does, I can say I tried!!

We went to the building tonight and did a few last minute things. The place looks great and I can't wait to get there in the morning. Even if no one shows up to eat, we are going to take the hot dogs and hand them out in the neighborhoods.

Please be in prayer for us tomorrow. I will update you as soon as I can.

Twelve Baskets Full is in business!!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!

I can't believe it.....

2 days and counting..

My dad had a much better night last night and actually was able to sleep some. They say the hospital is the hardest place to rest and that is sooo true!!! He had a good day today. Please continue to remember him.

Since my dad is better, my mom, my daughter, and I went and passed out fliers about the soup kitchen. We covered a lot of ground and saw a lot of people. A lot of encouraging words were sent our way as well as people asking about volunteering. We also talked with a member of a church in the community and he said that it was great and that the need was there for something like this. We also had some people want some extra fliers to pass out at their church.

I will leave you with one other God thing. My mom and I have been trying to decide when we would be able to get to the building and clean off the chairs and get them set up. Time is running out you see.....Anyway, we went by the building to take some things there and when I opened the door, I just shook my head. Yep, you guessed it. Chairs were out and leaned up against the tables ready to be folded down.

Oh yeah, I also had $20 more dollars donated today!!