Bring Me (Advent Poem 2015)

Bring Me

Advent Poem 2015

by Virginia Knowles

Bring me to wholeness, healing wholeness

That I may become a balm of mercy

In this shattered, splintered world.

Bring me to peace, perfect peace

That I may make harmony

Where there is chaos and conflict.

Bring me to hope, holy hope

That I may shine your gracious light

In the midst of darkness and despair.

Bring me to joy, genuine joy,

That I may sing a merry melody

To lift and fill a weary heart.

Bring me to love, lasting love

That I may practice compassion

Wherever there is a hungry body or wounded soul.

Bring me to Jesus, just Jesus

And I will find in Him

Wholeness, peace, hope, joy, and love.

~*~*~

This year - a challenging one among many - I know how much I need to receive wholeness, peace, hope, joy, and love. And that what I receive for my spiritual sustenance must be a constant fresh flow. It is easy to disconnect and run dry. I am no Super Saint here to save the world. I am one who is coming to Jesus and then turning around to share what he offers. I can only give what I have received. 

This Christmas, all year: Jesus.

Virginia Knowles

P.S. #1: I try to keep this practical and not just theoretical. Tonight I am going to a monthly outreach organized by my daughter Julia at a motel where families live in transition. Many of our friends who live in the nearby woods will also attend. We are caroling, serving cookies and hot chocolate, and giving out Christmas gifts and clothing. I am bringing new fleece blankets, new socks, and some gift cards to the local dollar store. What can you do to help homeless neighbors near you? Here are some ideas: 13 Ways to Help People Who Are Homeless

P.S. #2: Every year I write at least one Advent poem. Here are the others:

• Pure Devotion (2014)
• Peace and Joy (2013)
• The Jesus Poem (2012)
• Christmas in Malawi, Christmas in America (2011)
• Invitation to Stillness (2010)
• Grace Will Lead Me Home (2009)
• The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star (2008)
• Candlewick (2008)
• Shepherd's Tale (2008)
• Corpus Christi (2007)
• Rhapsody in M (2006)
• Psalm to Sweet Jesus (unknown year)
• Paradox (unknown year)

Weekend Gratitude: Family, Friends, and Community

Hello friends!

What a busy weekend we had! I can’t even remember everything we did around the house and running errands. However, I did capture three events with my iPod camera.

On Saturday, my cousin-in-law Debbie and her husband Michael invited us for a party at their new house. 

I love, love, love Debbie's home.  She is so artistic, and I love to get decorating and design ideas from her.  

I brought a layered bean dip (quickly devoured), and a cake slathered with vanilla yogurt and sliced strawberries. 

Debbie found the idea for a backyard water “blob” on Pinterest.  She duck taped two sturdy tarps togther and filled them with water. The kids had a blast. That’s my youngest daughter, and my oldest grandson, who turned four that day.  

On Sunday after church, I dropped my youngest son off at a birthday party, and then joined some of my other family members at Bart and Judy’s house for a picnic with a bunch of people from church. I always enjoy chatting with friends old and new. As is my custom, I took several minutes to shoot photos in their backyard. You can see some of my other pictures from previous visits here and here.

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I took a much needed snooze for an hour in the afternoon, and then it was off to the monthly dinner outreach at a local motel which also functions as a transitional home to a lot of people who don't have any other place to live. There are also some totally homeless folks (who live in the adjacent woods) who join us each month. We serve a full meal to several dozen people, and provide bags of toiletries, laundry detergent, and sometimes clothing. Folks enjoy the live music and short inspirational messages, and there’s always a place for the kids to enjoy crafts and stories. My jobs are distributing name tags to our volunteers, bringing a few table decorations, passing out wet wipes so our guests can wash their hands, and greeting people. Simple stuff, and that's just fine with me. One of my adult daughters launched this monthly outreach last year, and I’m so glad that some of my younger kids join us to serve each month too. (See here for all of my posts on homeless ministry.)  Side note: a lot of our homeless friends are missing teeth.  I was talking to my dentist about this the other day as she was cementing a crown back onto my tooth. (I lost a battle with sticky Mike & Ike candies.) I don't have dental insurance myself, but I'm thankful that my dentist charges me only half price. I'm wondering how we can make health & dental care more accessible to our friends. Maybe at one of our dinners we could offer a health screening clinic with referrals, as well as assistance applying for government and non-profit resources? I need to research this a little more. Any ideas, folks?  Always plotting...

Setting up ahead of time
(I'm in the purple shirt, upper right)
~~ photo credit, Amber Carroll ~~

Thank you, Publix, for all of the desserts

Naomi & Micah (my kids)

Steph & Andrew

Daniel

Julianna and friends

After the outreach, four of my kids had youth group in Baldwin Park. I dropped them off, then headed over to see my son-in-law so he could check out the belts on my van before our big two week 2,500 mile road trip that starts Friday. I’m taking the four youngest kids to Maryland (to see my dad and my sister Barb’s family) and Pennsylvania (for a family reunion with my aunts, uncles, and cousins on my mom’s side). On the one hand, I am delighted to be traveling again with my kids and seeing as much family and interesting places as possible. We loved our three week jaunt last year.  (You can find my photo journal of our trips here: Traveling North). However, I am feeling bittersweet since my sweet mom won’t be there to enjoy it with us since she passed away last summer after we got home. Amid the emotional jumble, I’m going to have a hyper busy week. I have to register one son for public high school for the first time (transferring from the private school where I taught last year). We’re throwing a a triple birthday party tomorrow for my oldest daughter (27!), my oldest grandson (4!), and my second son who will turn 15 while we’re on our trip. We’ve got a whole lot of laundry, house cleaning, shopping, and packing to do in the next few days! Say a prayer for us, will you? Traveling mercies and all?

2013 road trip with six kids -
here at Luray Caverns in Virginia

I'm grateful for this weekend: for family, friends, good food, a home, and a chance to give back to the community.

How about you?

Virginia Knowles

www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

Weekend Gratitude: Easter Egg Hunt, Yard Sales, Homeless Outreach

Dear friends,

What a busy weekend!  I guess you could say it started on Friday, but you can read about that here: Mom's Chauffeur and Courier Service (A Little Encouragement)

On Saturday morning, I took my two youngest daughters to the annual Easter egg hunt celebration in Baldwin Park.  






Our congregation, Lake Baldwin Church, always has a snow cone booth and inflatable slide there as a way to get to know people in the community.  

Snow cone booth

Educational stuff from the yard sales

We decided not to stay long after the egg hunt part of it, and instead spent the time visiting five different yard/rummage sales on the way home.  At one sale, the lady said we could take anything we could fit in a grocery bag for 2 bucks.  We took her up on it, especially with books and stuff for my two little grandsons, craft supplies for the homeless outreach, even some little porcelain bunnies to add to my springtime village.  At other sales, we found silk flowers to use for table decorations for the outreach.  I was quite happy by the time we got home, but my feet weren't.  I had a bunch of school prep to do on Saturday afternoon and evening, too.

The big event on Sunday was the monthly homeless outreach.  My daughter who leads the ministry wasn't there because she is 8 months pregnant and couldn't stand outside in the heat that long.  However, three of of my other younger kids (ages 8, 13, and 14)

came with me to serve.  It is such a joy to have them participate! This is a highlight of each month for me. We had several dozen folks come for a spaghetti dinner (a ton of food donated from another ministry's event!), and we passed out a bunch of toiletry "love bags", Gospel of John booklets, and information sheets on where to go or call for help in that vicinity.   Some of the people who come live in the nearby woods. One of the men was looking for a sleeping bag, but unfortunately we didn't have any available yesterday since we gave them all out when it was colder.

One of the ladies set up a craft table where kids could make little Easter gardens.  I love her heart to serve the children each month!  Most of them live in the motel where we hold the outreach, and I know it can't be easy to be crammed into a small room with a whole family for weeks on end.  Here are two more links to my posts about homeless outreach...

• 13 Ways to Help People Who Are Homeless
• Homeless in the Suburbs

There was a lot more going on during the weekend, but that's the big stuff, anyway.  I still have a lot to do on my "work from home" day today, but some of it is just going to have to wait since my feet hurt more than ever now.

Abigail, Virginia (that's me!),
and Molly (our pastor's wife)
at the Baldwin Park Easter shindig

The big thing I'm looking forward to tonight is a going away party for my friend Abigail, who is moving to Japan with her husband and two sons this month.  Boo hoo that she is leaving, though!  I've only known her less than a year, but I instantly knew she was a kindred spirit and that has proved to be so true.  I love the ladies in our Monday night Bible study, and I'm so glad I started going a couple of months ago.  I'll have to go grocery shopping in a little bit, because I signed up to bring a main dish tonight!  

Other recent links for you?  Sure!  I've been on a roll with some quick posts the past few days...

• ​Moving on from Broken - My Church and Life Transition Story (this is cross-posted at No Longer Quivering)​
• Saving Money and Adding Variety with Used Curriculum
• ​
  I Know that My Redeemer Lives (Strength in Hymn)
• ​​
  "God the Artist" by Dag Hammarskjӧld

Have a terrific week!  Take a peek at my Holy Week and Easter link page for some great ideas and inspiration.

And oh!  I can't leave you without this hilarious video of a string quartet. These four ladies are amazingly talented! This is a must see!  I can't seem to imbed the video, but here's the link: Salut Salon "Wettstreit zu viert"

Grace and peace, 
Virginia Knowles
www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

13 Ways to Help People Who Are Homeless, Especially in Wintertime

13 Ways to Help 

People Who Are Homeless, 

Especially in Wintertime

Starting with the easiest…. 

• Say a prayer and be ready to put it into action.  BE AWARE!  Be intentional.  Educate yourself. Look for ways to help.
• Donate to a reputable charitable organization which helps the homeless in your area.  Volunteer your time at a homeless shelter.
• Find a friend who is already reaching out to the homeless, and ask for practical advice.  Shadow them.
• Always treat homeless people with respect.  When you meet a homeless person who lives near you, ask and remember his or her  name.  You might see them again.  Ask them how you can pray for them, if that is appropriate. Do not be condescending or treat them like a project. Be very careful about taking recognizable photos of individuals.  They are fellow human beings.  Yes, some of them go there by their own choices, but some are there through sheer bad luck.  Don't be afraid to look them in the eye and shake hands.
• Get your kids involved.  Ours grew up doing little acts of kindness for strangers, and now most of them are regularly involved in homeless ministry, especially now that one of my adult daughters organizes this for her church.  (It's has been so fun getting on board with what she is doing!  I love this!)
• Keep nutritious, non-perishable snacks and drinks in your car.  My favorites: protein bars (Nature Valley from Sam's Club), nuts, juice packs, water bottles.  You can hand these out individually when you see someone out with a sign, or you can package them in a brown paper bag with a napkin.  I used to put in little Gospel of John booklets when I could get them for free.  Now I sometimes put in a note of encouragement.
• Find out where homeless folks congregate in public in your area.  A mile from our home, there is a little spot wedged between a liquor store, a vacant lot, and a bus stop.  I can usually find someone there who needs a little help.  I do not ever go into the homeless camps in the woods since it is way too dangerous.
• Buy a bag of disposable hot beverage cups with lids, some whole milk, and some hot chocolate mix.  Make a big batch, put six cups in a shoebox, and take to a place where you know you can find someone on a cold or rainy day.  Why whole milk?  Extra calories and fat to keep them full and warm.  Why the shoebox?  It’s easy to hand off so they can pass it around.
• Keep extra blankets, sleeping bags, shoes, sweaters, jackets, or inexpensive plastic ponchoes in your car.  Package them in plastic bags and have them ready to hand out the window.   Let your friends know that you do this, so they can share what they have.  Cloth tote bags and knap sacks are also helpful.
• Gather hygiene supplies and package them up in “love bags.”  Give them out at a homeless outreach or donate them to a shelter.  (My son-in-law’s grandmother does this and recruits lots of folks to help.)
• Buy a bunch of first aid supplies and divvy them up into zip lock baggies to make first aid kits.  I have twice used this as a classroom project, once in a home school co-op and the other time in the private Christian school where I now teach.  Try to include adhesive bandages with antibiotics imbedded in them, individually packaged wet wipes, individually packaged pain reliever, cough drops, etc.
• Organize a group outreach with your friends, family or fellow church members, perhaps in conjunction with an existing charitable organization.  Try to do this consistently.  It pays to have a regular presence.  Check with local officials to see if you need permits.  My daughter and her husband, with a couple dozen friends, do a monthly meal in the back parking lot of a local motel where many homeless folks live.  They give out clothes and blankets, too.  A lot of people come back each month.
• Remember beauty.  If you are hosting a meal, get a bouquet of flowers (silk or fresh) to bring for a centerpiece.  Be ready to give them away when you are done.  Get a guitarist or singer to provide a bit of music. 
• Remember fun for the kids: goodie bags, craft tables, activities, colorful socks, Christmas presents...
• Make a list of local organizations, with details about what services they offer to the homeless, their hours, phone number, address and web site.  If you are gathering this information on the internet, call the organizations and make sure everything is still accurate. Make a bunch of copies and keep them in your car to hand out.   Give more than one.  Usually, a homeless person has friends who need help, too.  In addition to the organizations which specifically minister to the homeless, include food banks, thrift stores, your state’s public aid agency, job assistance programs, substance abuse programs, mental health clinics, domestic violence shelters, crisis pregnancy center, churches who provide emergency shelter in bad weather, etc.  I created have a list of 25 for my county, especially those within easy walking or bus distance from my target homeless population.  (The list in the blog post linked below needs to be updated, and was for a more general area.) 

A Few Cautions… 

• Don’t ever give out your full name or your phone number or your address.
• Don’t go to unsafe places, or even anywhere when it is not in full daylight and other people are around.
• Don’t give out cash.  There are so many scammers out there!  (OK, I do make rare exceptions if I am pretty sure someone is on the up and up.)
• Don’t have strangers stay in your home.  I know of folks who have gotten robbed and murdered while trying to help someone out this way.  Instead, point them to a local shelter.  Be extremely careful about even offering to give someone a ride there.  
• Be very alert.  If you sense any danger, get away.  Some homeless folks are also mentally ill or under the influence.  That does not mean they are always dangerous, but they could be.

Lots more ideas at these great web pages!

• JustGive.org - 35 Ways to Help the Homeless
• 5 Ways To Help Homeless People Living On America's Streets
• Help the Homeless - 4 Ways to Help the Homeless in Your Community
• Eight Ways to Truly Help the Homeless
• 5 Simple Ways to Help the Homeless

My other blog posts on homelessness...

• Homeless in the Suburbs
• Homeless Outreach in Downtown Orlando
• Homeless (Advocating for the Vulnerable)
• A Note Wedged into the Window on My Van (and The Jesus Poem)
• Food, Health, Jobs, and Family Crisis Assistance Resources in Central Florida

This blog post has been one list after another.  Let me add a more personal note.  The hot chocolate run was this morning.  I had bought the cups ahead of time because I knew I wanted to do this sometime soon.   I took a chance that I'd be able to find someone out there, because they aren't always there and it's pouring.  Today they were, standing under the overhang at the liquor store, enough cold men for all six cups.  I also gave them a bag of protein bars and some Cutie oranges, which are really easy to peel and not messy to eat. I went back a little later with the rain ponchos and the "Where to Go for Help" information pages.  I stood and talked for several minutes with one man, who said he'd already been to the outreach dinner just before Thanksgiving.  He was so thankful (understatement!) that I had taken the time to come and find them, and called the other guys over to give them their hot drinks. They were all grateful, too.  It was such a little thing to me, such a big thing to them.  Yes, I have a hot chocolate stain on my sweater, but as the guy said when he took my box, "You wear it well!"

Please know that I am not sharing these things to boast about what a good person I am.  That is SO not my heart.  I take that risk of people thinking that. My point is to raise awareness, give practical ideas, and spur you to intentional action.  What are you going to do?  Any other ideas for us? Leave a comment!

Shalom,

Virginia Knowles

www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

Homeless in the Suburbs

Dear friends,

It’s been pouring outside on a Tuesday morning, and I am thinking of my homeless friends camping out in the woods within a mile from my house.  The tent leaks, the sleeping bag is soggy -- that is if you are lucky enough to have one and it doesn't get stolen. Just another day in the life.  One day you have a job, you get sick and can’t work, you can’t pay the rent, and you’re out on the street with all of your possessions thrown unceremoniously in the dumpster.  So you live in the suburbs, yeah, but it’s hidden in a thick patch of scrub off the side of the road, where no one can see.  Invisible.  Or, if you’re lucky, you might get some financial assistance to get a room in a motel where many of the other guests don’t have a permanent address to call their own.  That’s what you and your kids call home, and it sure beats the rain.

A warm meal and a bit of congenial fellowship make a big difference.  That’s what my daughter thinks, anyway.  She’s 24 and pregnant, with a huge heart of love for the homeless.  That’s why several times a year she organizes some sort of outreach, along with her husband and a team from Metro Life Church.  

Ana, Betty, Ruthe

They used to do it in downtown Orlando in partnership with another ministry. Now, they’ve moved their own efforts up really close to where we live, where a lot of the homeless are young families.  On Sunday evening in the motel parking lot, they hosted a Thanksgiving style dinner for several dozen people with turkey and ham and all the trimmings.  Artisan rolls. Pumpkin pie.  Hot cider.  Live music. The works.  Next month, it’ll be cookies and hot chocolate, caroling, gifts, and about 30 bins of clothes and blankets.

Most of the volunteers were there to mingle.
A friendly conversation is a huge deal. 

My food contribution: 
star-shaped pumpkin muffins 
and bags of sugar-free cookies.

My little girl was very eager to help
serve the bread!

Artisan rolls!

A full plate, a full heart

Another daughter at the craft table

Oh, it is such a privilege to be a part of this, to go and just be with these precious folks. What a joy to watch the kids’ faces light up to see a fun table set up just for them, with crafts, including a loopy bracelet station. They also loved the little capsules you put in warm water to see them emerge into a little animal-shaped sponges.  Bubble blowing was another hit.  What a delight to see another of my adult daughters and three of my younger kids, ages 8, 10 and 12, come along to help just because they want to do it.  

My 10 year old son rocks at the color loop bracelet making -- check out the collection on his wrist!  I figured the color loop kids would be a hit, since it’s the fad at his elementary school, and sure enough, the 900 loops went fast with a cluster of kids at the table.  So did the 30 gift bags with crayons and candy and other little things for boys and girls.  My kids had a blast filling the cart at the dollar store and then packing the bags assembly line style before church on Sunday.

It was this dear lady's birthday, and the dry sleeping bags and towel, a warm hoodie, a first aid kit, and a bunch of new friends singing “Happy Birthday” meant all the world to her. She had lots of hugs and smiles for me because she knows God is taking care of her, even in the tough times. She got some extra takeout boxes filled with food for her other friends who hadn't come. God bless her, such a sweet lady.  I hope I’ll see her again next month.  I hope by then she'll have a better place to live.

What can you do for those who need a little boost this holiday season?  Check out these links on my blogs:

• Homeless Outreach in Downtown Orlando
• Homeless (Advocating for the Vulnerable)
• A Note Wedged into the Window on My Van (and The Jesus Poem)
• Food, Health, Jobs, and Family Crisis Assistance Resources in Central Florida
• What You Can Do to Make the Holiday Season a Little Merrier for Others 
• Gathering Gifts for the Poor
• Scriptures on Food & Compassion
• Colors of Hope for a Happy New Year!

Two more web sites for those in the Orlando area:

• Coalition for the Homeless
• Orlando Homeless Shelters and Services for the Needy

You might also like to listen to Brandon Heath sing "Give Me Your Eyes."

For beauty and justice,
Virginia Knowles
www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

This post may be linked at these blogs:

Still Saturday

The Sunday Community

Raising Homemakers on Wednesday

Whole-Hearted Home on Wednesday

Wise Woman Link Up on Wednesday

Walking Redeemed on Wednesday