CHOICE

Consider and remember this... We always have a choice to choose what attitude we are going to have in a day. One of happiness or one of depression, one of frustration or one of gratification. We can choose if we are going to be happy or sad. What do you choose? (Taken from this last 24 hours of life lessons I am having to learn ;) )

Fish and chips, finally, in America!!!

Even though these last 9 months I've lived right on the gulf coast, finding a decent fish and chip shop that doesn't cost an arm and a leg isn't easy to find... It wasn't until Linda mentioned a store called Mannie's, in Houston, which served plates for $6.95 that we found our fish and chip shop to eat... Simply divine!!! :)

The dish :) fried shrimp, fried rice with shrimp and two fillets. 

The feasters!!!

A Blessing in Disguise (It's Better to Give than Receive)

Freezing cold, wet weather and long hours can make anyone crazy and focused on keeping busy instead of slowing down to take a moment and make a smile, then come back later and have a quick conversation. 

His name I did not catch, but we were on Yale Street, in Houston - a place known for its rich folk and also for the mass of homeless people that live under the bridges in the area, and whilst freezing cold and sprinkling icy rain, he was walking to Walmart in a flannel shirt and ripped jeans a couple sizes too big. His hair was a tossed and he was worn with his journey. But he also had the biggest heart. 

I welcomed him, as he went into Walmart, asking the usual, "Hi, how are you?" And he smiled and replied or nodded back and went on in. I knew he was homeless and I wondered what his story was...

He came out a while later, and even though I wasn't planning in asking him for a donation, only to have a chat, he came I've and put his hand over the bucket and said "God has blessed me with this, so I can bless others". 

What could I say?  I wanted to know his story! But all time pressed was a very big appreciation and if he knew anyone that needed help (trying not to pressure any self impliance) to let them know the information of the given flier. 

He said he knew many and he would give the information to as many as he knew. 

It was not his actions that touched my heart, but his intentions. A man of so little, humble and giving so much. His story reminded me of the Bible story found in Luke 21:1-4. 

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”"

Giving what they had, not out of recognition but because they had all they needed and wanted to bless others. They saw the importance of giving rather than receiving. They saw the importance of being humble and allowing God to bring them up, than trying to create a status of recognition for themselves, puffed up by air. How we too should follow this example... Give often and bless others. Hold onto only what we need to survive and help others with our excess to survive too, and allow ourselves to live by the quote...

IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE. 

( A photo from the following day, which was drier and a lot warmer, of our friend who was a blessing - in maroon and jeans, walking to his 'fly the sign' place or his sleeping place). 

(Skyline view from the Walmart on Yale St, Houston)

(Downtown Houston)

Hillcroft Houston Walmart and a bunch of connections...

(Zuri, Katie and Mel at Walmart's Neighbourhood Market, on Hillcroft St, Houston). 

It's funny how you can see doors opening left right and centre with connections and opportunities with major churches and whilst everything seems to be God and all the circuit wires are connected, the lightbulb doesn't go on. 

This happened today, with following up with calls to Saint John's Downtown (an iconic church with their major lit up cross seen from the interstate and beltway highways in Houston), and Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen's own church). Both of which have huge ministries and members of their congregation were encouraging us to get in contact. But whilst the doors were opening, no door stayed open and it wasn't until I got back home that I realised that God was making connections but whilst I had forgotten some information, He remembered and ensured that a good connection would be made. 

;orange juice and kolaches donated to us - bought specifically for us- so blessed)!

Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path. 

Fortnightly Update - DOUBT STARTER...

Who knew, with the year just beginning and my ninth month coming to a close here at Strong Tower, that this would be my hardest month yet.

I always thought the more I spent at Strong Tower, the easier it would get, but boy was I wrong. This last month I've had urges to leave so many times, more this last fortnight than any other time. It wasn't because of anything really that happened here, but because I allowed satan to plant doubts and run my mind rampant than taking control of them. The truth got distorted with lies and lies became warped appearing as truth.

How often does this happen in life. If we give someone an inch, they go a mile. How often do we get lazy or tired and just allow ourselves to wallow in an emotion or reaction and as a result we have just started a catalyst of a domino effect that could be detrimental to our lives?

It's time we decide to put our foot down and say no. Stand our ground and not even give satan an inch. Choose this day to make the choice for Christ and His standards. No one else's.

Stacy and I - 3 weeks ago

Galveston

Galveston Arlan's

Pleasure Pier

buc-ees art

Victoria SAMs club - Valerie sitting on a bench


Inside cowboys church today - Jessie, heather and michayila

Michayila sharing her testimony for the first time

Pastor Keith Parker, saltgrass cowboy church (gulf coast cowboy church), Santa Fe TX


Koozie and Midas

Dickens (grown dog on left) and Dooley (grown dog on right) and some of their puppies. Dooley was the biter.

Michayila, me and Brenna (pastors youngest) and some pups.

M, McKenna and Brenna (both p kids)

Sent from my iPhone

Just a few shots. 3/1/14 to 19/1/14.

(Me and Stacy on our way back from Alvin. A photo to send to her daughter for her sweet 16). 

A few shots of beautiful Galveston. <-- last week's destination. 

Zuri, Valerie and MJ at Arlan's Galveston. 

Eating Whataburger for dinner, after a long day of fundraising, at the seawall, overlooking Pleasure Pier. 

Mel, looking at the sunrise, on the way to El Campo and Victoria, Texas. This week's fundraising location. 

Valerie, taking in the view. 

Love y'all. Keep praying for all these beautiful ladies. Prayer is really needed and greatly appreciated. God bless, Kara