The next stop was very special for me. Let me explain why. I have a vision for our family ministry. I want to be able to send my daughters into a home to be a blessing to that mama. If we have a friend that is pregnant, on bed rest, sick, or in need.....I want to be able to send my daughters in to minister to her family. They will be able to cook meals, clean, care for children, and keep order in her home for her while she is not able to. It's something we're preparing for now, knowing that someday in the future.....we'll be ready. We'll be prepared! I got a little glimpse today of what it will be like.
My friend, I'll call her Mrs. H., has a lot on her plate right now. She is the mother of 3 little ones. Her oldest, 6 years old, has very special medical needs. And the youngest is a 9 month old. Her mother is also fighting cancer. So between meeting the needs of her own family and that of her mother, she hasn't much time for anything else. Including housework. So today we went over to her house while she was gone helping her mother. The four of us "attacked" her house so to speak. It was amazing what we were able to accomplish! Pillar and Miracle scrubbed her kitchen and dining room floor on their hands and knees. It sparkled! Miracle also washed down all her kitchen cupboards, organized the playroom, made the children's beds, folded laundry and the list goes on! Rosebud vacuumed the entire house including two sets of stairs as well as folding laundry, putting away baby toys, and running endless things up and down stairs so that I didn't have to! LOL Her energy today was amazing! And of course Pillar was by my side as we conquered the kitchen and bathrooms. She worked sooooo hard. I was really impressed!
This was supposed to be a Christmas SURPRISE.....but she came home early! LOL She was THRILLED to say the least! She screamed with delight and said it was the best Christmas present ever. It was nice that the girls got to see what an impact it made on her. She was giddy with excitement over a clean house! Although it was a lot of hard work.....the girls agreed it was definitely worth it! A wonderful experience for all of us. One that I hope to repeat many many many times again!
Our third and final stop for the day was at the home of our "adopted Grandparents." We've known them for years and they are just some of the most wonderful people on earth. They invited us over tonight for our favorite Hawaiian pizza and ice cream sundaes. Yum!!!
After dinner though.....we had a surprise of our own. Early Christmas presents! The girls each got the cutest little bags with all kinds of fun stuff. Lotion, body wash, lip balm etc. Very fun!
And our very first ever.....big canister of popcorn! As you can see....we were just a little excited about it! LOL
Next the girls each had a box to open. They were very light. Hmmmmm. What's inside? 
A beautiful card with an original piece of art on it.....and a $20 bill! How generous!!
This is Mrs. B. (adopted Grandma) opening our gift to them. She loved it! 
And finally the ultimate ice cream sundaes where there is no such thing as too much real whipping cream! Vanilla bean ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, whipping cream.....YUM!
It was a wonderful day filled with God's many blessings. One that I will remember for a very long time! Thank you Lord for all that you've done for us, for all that you're doing for us, and all that you will continue to work out for us. We LOVE you!!! 
12 comments:
What a great day! I love all the facial expressions you caught on camera! We got one of those cans of popcorn too...Josiah loves tha stuff, me, not so much! LOL!
I love coming here and seeing your smiles with your beautiful children! But I can't imagine the smiles you painted by helping out others like Mrs. H. What a great ministry as a family! Whenever I look at your awesome photos, I always pray for you and your children! May God bless you all richly and have a Merry Christmas! You exemplify what loving Jesus means.
First I want to say your girls are so beautiful.
And second.....WOW.... I love to hear stories about how the body of Christ ministers to each other. That is so wonderful you did that with your girls. I bet the mama was so blessed. That just blesses my heart so much to hear.
It brings such a wonderful feeling to minister to those in need. You know?
Thanks for sharing you wonderful day! Now off to catch up on Mrs. Taffy.
Wow! What a blessed day you all had! So glad to see your daughter's taking pride in helping someone else in need.
We did something similar yesterday while Christmas shopping. My parents gave each of my kids $50 to buy gifts for family (each other, me, dad, etc). Well after they were all done, we still had $30 to spend. So we bought 3 gifts and gave them to the Marine outside the store for the Toys for Tots program.
What a lovely idea! How your friend must have been blessed by your sweet hearts and willing hands!
I loved all the pictures! How fun!
When our boys were little and visiting a friend's house, we encouraged them to always ask if they could help with the dinner or whatever.
Over the years, we have also had them help at their grandparent's house with yardwork or whatever, and also help at church or help friend's move, etc.
We just wanted them to learn the value or hardwork, but also the blessing of service.
~ Nan
I read your post at HOTM and had to come read more at your blog. Your story is amazing and your family is beautiful. Praise God!
Thank you for your article over at HOTM! I want to say you have no idea what your blessing to that other mother of 3 meant but I know you do. I have been on that receiving end and at one time or another and the blessing you gave to their home is HUGE. Some days it can be hard to want to lift a finger and once someone comes and helps its like you have been jump-started. That little boost goes a long way. Thank you for sharing!! Truly. You have a beautiful family that shines for Jesus. :) Merry Christmas!!
What a lot of fun! It was worth reading! Lots of hugs and I can't wait to see you!
Tirzah.
Oh my, what a tremendous blessing y'all were to that mom when she arrived home to a clean house. Oh what I would GIVE for that sort of blessing. I sat here thinking "I'm in need, I'm in need!" Yet in reality, I'm fully capable, just BUSY and swamped. =0)
Bless you for blessing her!
Your post of your day was so heart warming, and it brought back many memories for me. Our adopted grandparents have gone to be with the Lord and we think of them so often. Keep up the awesome work with your wonderful children. I really enjoyed your blog. Thank you.
Deborah
I am so happy for the family whos house you and your daughters cleaned! I a also happy for you all. I havn't wrote before but I've read 3-4 of your posts and I am very happy to see that even though you have "you're own problems" you don't stop that from sharing God's love and mercy by helping others even though you, like me, have your own.
I'm very happy to say I want to wish you and yours a Happy Chritsmas and keep shining on.~Holly
What a wonderful ministry that is to be preparing for... A serving heart is a blessing for all involved. BTW: I live up north and we are expecting a lovely snow storm. The picture in our Christmas "card" is from our trip to Nassau last month.
Peace and tell your girls that I am pleased to hear of their hard work.
:)De
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