Long time no see!

Well, it has certainly been a long time since I have posted. Things got a little crazy there, but I'm back! :)

The holidays were a busy time in the food pantry. Now, we have begun a new year and are looking forward to a new website, possibly new logo, and... drumroll, please... a move into the new building! Praying that inspections go well and quickly. We are looking forward to ample space in which to move about and get work done, but I also realize that God can work in the smallest of spaces. He has for almost 20 years in the little building we're in now.

We have had 3 new men enter the program in the last couple of weeks. We are to the brim and spilling over. This week included rearranging and finding an extra bed because two guys applied at the same time, and how do you pick one of them? So, we went the "both" route. :)

One of our new men that came earlier this month has made great strides now that his mind is clearing. Not to mention, the office is staying much cleaner, as he volunteers himself to vacuum, sweep, mop, clean the kitchen and bathrooms.

Most of the men in the program are getting used to me being around. I have taken on the nicknames of "Little Miss" and "Buttons." At first, I was "Little Marilyn," but then they decided that my boss and I are not that alike, so it changed to "Little Miss." And my coat I got for Christmas has 18 buttons on it, hence the latter name.

I can't say enough how thankful I am for our volunteers! We would have a hard time keeping everything running without them. I know they also mean a lot to the men in the program and the people coming through the food pantry every week. They have so many people in and out of their lives that it's nice when someone is consistently there caring about them. On days that work seems stressful, it is those who keep me going. They are God's way of reminding me why I am there.

I plan to be more diligent about posting this year. So, stay posted and I will do my best to keep you updated! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Love, Roxie :)

It's not November yet, but I am giving thanks! :)

Well, I have been slacking on updating my blog here. It has actually been really busy, which I suppose is a good thing. We had a wonderful turnout at the golf tournament this last Saturday. Dr. Culbertson was once again our top mulligan salesman, but I unfortunately did not get a picture of his fisherman's hat with the sign on it reading, "Mulligans: 2 for $10." It was very becoming. haha

It is always exciting to be able to see where God is working. Our current building had been on the market for at least 2 years, and now, just as we are weeks away from moving into the new building, we got an offer on it which will pay off the new building so we won't have to re-finance in December! God's timing is perfect.

I am humbled every day as I interact with the residents of downtown OKC. It almost makes me feel guilty for being paid for it; I feel like I should pay for the blessings I see and the ways in which I am blessed...

One lady last week came in with a friend. The friend handed the lady an application to fill out so she could receive food and said, "Don't cry; it's okay." The lady's eyes welled up as she filled out the form. My heart broke. I'm sure it was her last resort and she never expected to be there. I went home that night, hugged my husband, and thanked God that we were both home, about to make dinner together.

It is also humbling to hear the men in our program - who are in the middle of very tough times in their lives - talking about the ways in which God is working in their lives. It is such a contrast from many other workplaces where it is full of complaining and gossiping. Here are men who have practically nothing, and give God the glory for everything. Maybe that is why Jesus said, "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." This is not the fluffiest job I have had, but is by far the most fulfilling. Thank you, God! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

I have the most supportive husband, family, and friends, and most importantly, the most awesome God by my side. :)

Yay, God!

What a week! Food pantry, a board meeting, and a conference all in a few short days! My mind is so full of different thoughts that it's hard to try to come up with words to type. But, it has been a good week. I have seen God's hand working in so many different situations. It is wonderful!


We have a success story for the week... One of the men from one of the sober living houses "graduated" this week! He qualified for housing and now has his own apartment. He has been sober for quite some time and is continually involving himself at church and also at LLM. His story with us began under a tree. Now he is free from addiction and living back under a roof and praising God all the way. God is good! (Now you say, "All the time!") All the time... (uh hem, "God is good!") It was a pretty great thing to experience during my second week of working at LLM. When you see that, it shows you a small glimpse of why you are there.


On the new building... Still working on getting in there. The main thing right now is getting the floor finished in the new thrift store area so that we can get all of that moved in. You can check out all the ways to help on the "volunteer opportunities" tab.


I came upon a verse this week that I shared on my facebook wall, but also wanted to include it here. It has really stuck with me this week as I went about life.

"Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God." Phillipians 1:11

I smiled when I read it because it reinforced a new thing I have been trying to do... All my life, if something worked out for good, I would say, "Yeah, it worked out perfectly," or, "Things are going well." Lately, I have been trying to get into the habit of saying, "It was definitely a 'God' thing," or "God has blessed me with..." I'm not trying to brag, like, "Oh, I talk about God, bloo bee dee..." Instead, I am trying to express the joy of reading scripture and knowing that God is speaking directly to us through it. My new passion has been to get others excited about God and what he is doing, "...getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God." I read that and thought, that's it! 

I also like the part that says, "a life Jesus will be proud of." I remember when I was a kid, I loved making my parents proud. They were (and still are) awesome parents, and often made a point to tell me and my sister how proud they were of us. I strived to do well just so that I would make them proud. When I read this, I thought, "I want to make Jesus proud." I know that that is a tall order, but I also know that if before every decision I make, I ask myself if it would make Jesus proud, I would make much better decisions! Even smaller ones that don't have a huge impact, but still matter, especially to God. I think our decisions show what is in our hearts. 

Please continue to pray for LLM as big decisions are being made and as God leads us down a new and exciting path. It's a lot of work, but will be well worth it. And as always, and I am excited to see what wonderful new things God will do through LLM as long as we obey and trust him!

one foot after another

Good news!

This week, we received the long-awaited blueprint for the parking lot at the NuWay building! This has been a work in progress, and makes it all-the-more exciting that it is finally here. It is just one more step closer to moving into the new building. We are hoping to be in there by the first of November.

Once there, new opportunities will begin to make themselves available. There are exciting plans in the next few years, including an after-school program, a job training program, and a counseling program. The sober houses help get individuals sober, but sober living is another story. Hence the continued programs to help them get their feet back on the ground. Please pray for them as they face the long road to recovery from their addictions. And praise God that they're on their way!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

In my own life this week, I have to thank God for keeping me safe a few nights ago when I walked off of my bed... I'm not kidding. I am amazed that I didn't hit my head or break any bones. I apparently went sleepwalking. I stood up on the bed and stepped right off. I landed sideways on our wicker hamper and scraped the skin off the underside of my arm. It has been a rainbow of colors this week, but reminds me that it could have been way worse. Thank God that he protects us and even gives us something to giggle about for a while! (Tyler said he was sorry he missed it. Haha)

Thank you for reading and for your prayers and love. Be sure to check out the info. about the upcoming golf tournament in October! There are all kinds of ways to get involved!

a new opportunity

Well, it was my first day at LLM. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I was simply there because God called me to be, so I had already decided that I was up for whatever task came my way. It was food pantry day, so I helped sign people in and have the bags of food ready to be carried out to the cars of those receiving the groceries. We served close to 45 people. For each person that came through, I wondered what their story is, how they got here, where they are going. Do they have a relationship with God? Do they have close family? Are they lonely? I bet some of them have pretty amazing stories. I am sure there are some who know no other life than to wander the streets and hope to find food, as well as those who thought they would never be there.

I have fallen into situations and wondered how in the world I got there. Some of them have been positive, but some negative. I have to give God the glory for still being there to offer grace when I have found myself in the negative ones that I caused. This passage explains it better than I can (It's really not that long, and worth reading!):

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

 ¹ Blessed is he
       whose transgressions are forgiven,
       whose sins are covered.  ² Blessed is the man
       whose sin the LORD does not count against him
       and in whose spirit is no deceit.
 ³ When I kept silent,
       my bones wasted away
       through my groaning all day long.
 ⁴ For day and night
       your hand was heavy upon me;
       my strength was sapped
       as in the heat of summer.
       Selah
 ⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
       and did not cover up my iniquity.
       I said, "I will confess
       my transgressions to the LORD "—
       and you forgave
       the guilt of my sin.
       Selah
 ⁶ Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
       while you may be found;
       surely when the mighty waters rise,
       they will not reach him.
 ⁷ You are my hiding place;
       you will protect me from trouble
       and surround me with songs of deliverance.
       Selah
 ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
       I will counsel you and watch over you.
 ⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
       which have no understanding
       but must be controlled by bit and bridle
       or they will not come to you.
 ¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
       but the LORD's unfailing love
       surrounds the man who trusts in him.
 ¹¹ Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
       sing, all you who are upright in heart!

I hope to share this with as many people in my life as possible. If it wasn't for God, there would be no reason to live. This is what gives me hope, purpose, and a heart for those who need him (everyone). I am so excited to have a new opportunity to be used as a tool for God. I have given up the opportunities for far too long. It is pure joy to be in the center of his will!

P.S.
I used a really cool paper-folder today that was $5 from the thrift store. It was amazing! Small joys. :)