Wow. . . I am so humbled by today’s Family Community Picnic. As you prepare for something this big you just never know how it is going to turn out. This is a dream that God placed on my heart about five years ago; to go out in the community and offer a FREE Family Picnic. We did one last year and received about 350+ and this year we served close to 500 and gave out 70 backpacks. They were all gone within 10 minutes, next year we need to plan better:)
I cannot even tell you how full of Joy my heart is right now. As I sit here writing this tears are filling my eyes because this was a true day full of God, love, friendship, and fellowship. So many of you gave up your Sunday to come and serve. That is what being the hands and feet of Jesus is all about; taking the focus off of ourselves and putting it on others.
So thankful also to Meteorologist Chris Vickers and Ali Bradley, WTOL 11 & FOX Toledo for bringing their families and helping us.
Thank you to Neil and Jen who never cease to amaze me. They just go with the flow and do whatever is needed. They donated the bounce house again this year.
The Koops come and just do whatever is neded. John runs the kitchen making sure food is getting out as needed. We were all so hot and sweaty by the end (well I was at he beginnign), but it s so worth it to know we are serving and helping others. Emmitt sings like nobody’s business and it is just such a positive atmosphere. We had quite a few new helpers that were awesome. So happy my cousin, Kristina and her hsuband, Ron, were able to help. The special touches that are put on food item and the backpack are awesome. I know God is changing lives and not just the ones receiving the help, but all of us volunteers. Jamie, Ed, Connie, Greggie, and Jen, make a great team on the grill. I cannot thank all of you that help on a regular basis – Dawn, Dennis, Heidi, Robin, Gladys, Ed, Nancy, Neil, and Jen. None of this is possible without all of you. Danielle and Vanessa take the orders and make it run so smoothly. I am truly blessed to know each and everyone of you. I truly love you all. It is also cool to sit back and watch the friendships that have formed.
I loved seeing so many familiar faces and again for so many of them to ask me today how I was doing and that they are so happhy I am better. To think many of these are homeless and they are praying and worrying about me. That is humbling. To Officer Tony and Mark – thank you. And lastly, Pastor Billmeier and St. Lucas Church, you have touched mine and Jamie’s lives in ways that I don’t even think you realize.
I thank God for orchestrating our paths to cross and friendships to be formed. We love you guys!! Thank you to the servers from the food, to the desserts, to the drinks. As I looked around everyone had smiles on their faces and so full of love; not just the people serving but the people be served. So many familiar faces and so many familiar faces from the laundromat days. I was so excited to see everyone.
We had people lined up as early as 2:30 p.m. and we didn’t start serving until 4 p.m.
Craig, who is part of our family now, arrived at 2:30 to help set up the tables. He is an amazing man that we love and we told him today, he is part of our forever family. His birthday is August 26th, so if you see him, please be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday! You see today wasn’t about just having a community picnic, it is about loving on people. It is about sharing the love of Jesus. Getting to know others and really caring about them, loving on them and accepting them for who they are. This church is an amazing church. Many said they don’t know how we do this and I told him, we don’t do it, it’s all for the glory of God and every single person serving loves Jesus as much as I do. When we do things to glorify God, he blesses it abundantly and today he did. I would say we served close to 500 people.
Of course we started in prayer, thank you Danielle, and then told everyone they could get in line and let me tell you the line wrapped around the street. You couldn’t see the end. Love it and always gives me God bumps. Lives are being impacted in our community because all of you care so much about others. We see so much negativity in this world, but we are making positive changes, one life at a time. None of else can help everyone, but all of us can help someone, and when we do we serve Jesus. If God places something on your heart, be obedient, and step out in faith. He will equip you for all you need as he did today. We didn’t know what was going to happen, but it was an amazing day full of love and truly only something God could have orchestrated. I am humbled how God has used our family and I am so thankful to be able to be involved in this. This is a joy that only comes from the Lord and until I take my last breath I will be serving others and loving on the least of them. Matthew 25:40.
GOD IS GOOD. . . ALL THE TIME!!
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My name is Joni Meyer-Crothers and I run this couponing/money-saving blog along with my husband, Jamie. We love to show others how to save money in a BIG way! We do all the work for you. . we do the matchups and show you where to get the coupons, many FREE printable coupons. Sit back and follow the blog and watch your savings increase! Couponing is a ministry for our family as we we love to show others how to save and share from their couponing harvest!
