AWOL

Like many of you, I've been BIZ-E since the beginning of the year. When I started blogging last July things were in a lull, but no more!    I do admin and event planning for one of the ministry departments of my church, and we've started the year off with a busy Calendar of Events.

 

Hubby and I did have a chance to run down to "the river" for a few days.

We out ran a storm on the way down

 And found beautiful, crisp weather when we arrived

Mr. D worked on the cabin for a couple of days

And then we had a fun day of adventure

 

 

 

 

I created a junque garden from old bottles and bed springs we found

And enjoyed the sunrises

and sunsets

Back in town, I'm continuing to work with a non-profit 

collecting donated furniture and household goods,

  and storing them until they're needed by someone

moving off the streets into their own apartment.

  

 The apartments and utilities are paid for

by local agencies for several months,

until the homeless person gets on their feet.

  It's a great program.

And I'm endeavoring to keep my new year's commitment

• Watch what you eat
• Exercise
•   Pray every day    

Some days are more successful than others.

I've added a challenge to that - taken from a letter I received last year:

  "Focus your prayer life, your bible study, and your giving

toward the determined goal

of breaking loose from what has governed you in the past, 

and take a fresh hold on the power of God's grace and righteousness."

I'm still trying to find a rhythm to working, volunteering,

leading a life group, keeping a couple of consignment spaces filled

and most importantly taking care of Mr. D.'s

bookkeeping and filing (ughh) .

 

Although it feels like things are starting to level off

 I'm still working it out.

Blessings,  Susy

I'm joining Spiritual Sundays

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Sept. 30th

I read a news article today that said 13,000 children in the

Los Angeles Unified School District are classified as homeless.  

13,000.

Last fall I attended a conference that included guest speaker Matthew Barnett, from The Dream Center L.A. I can't tell you exactly what he said, but I can tell you it dramatically changed me. I remember crying as he told stories of transformation. The work of the Dream Center L.A. is to impact, improve and influence the community by working with the homeless, the abandoned, the abused, and the down-and-outers. I've reasoned since then that a "passionate seed" must have been planted in my heart that day, and my path has led me to working with Long Beach-based Kingdom Causes as a Homeless Taskforce Leader.

The Homeless Surveyed

In 2009 the chronic homeless of the downtown Long Beach area were identified and surveyed. From this survey information, a list was compiled of those that were most at-risk living on the streets. Through some small grants and very big hearts, a coalition was formed of agencies, case workers and volunteers whose purpose was to find housing for these folks. Apartments were rented,utilities turned on, and refrigerators delivered - but that's as far as the agencies' grant dollars could go.

Kingdom Causes, a faith-based organization, has since joined the team to provide the missing piece: the furniture and household goods needed to set up housekeeping. Beds, sofas, sheets and pillows, dishes, microwaves and TV sets, have all been collected, loaded up and joyfully delivered by churches, small groups, and caring individuals who have been touched by this project. These homeless, who are homeless no more, have been surprised, grateful, and in most cases, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern. To date, 85 individuals have been placed in their own apartment, but many more remain on the list.

Meeting the Need

Although the list of at-risk homeless may seem endless in itself, there are also those leaving transitional housing and shelters, foster teens aging out of the system (one was recently driven to skid row and dumped off by the foster parents when their funding ended), and the working poor. They also could use help with basic needs.

I know from personal experience that most of us have "stuff" to get rid of; Grandma's dining room table, extra furniture, china, linens, and housewares. I've been led to part with my "stuff" and either donate it, or sell it and donate the money.  In the article about the LAUSD children, a bank branch collected backpacks and school supplies for the homeless kids to help keep them in school.  Homelessness may not be the cause you're drawn to, but we can all do something to help change someone's future.

It starts in your heart.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.  Proverbs 3:27

This post has been edited for republication at Spiritual Sundays

Brothers

Recently we were treated to a play at the Ahmanson Theatre by my husband's older brother, Paul.  Paul is the patriarch of the DeLucca clan -- what's left of it.  Sadly, there was a rift amongst the siblings a few years back and the tribe split.  We landed on the side of brother Paul.  He's a happy guy, whose eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs, which is often, especially at himself.  He always greets me with a smooch on the cheek and a compliment.  He makes easy conversation, looks for ways to put you at ease, and never misses an opportunity to be a gentleman.  He's a lovable schmoozer and a skilled diplomat - his years in the film industry have made him that way.  I think I've always known this about him but our night out was just a reminder of what a great guy he is, and I wanted to say so.

The reason I mention him here, is because there was another brother, Donald, that didn't get talked about much, until it was too late.  Donald was a lost soul, and one who never was able to pull his life together.  Eventually he became homeless and died a young man, without benefit of family or friends as far as I know.  I think he was helped by the Rescue Mission at some point, but I haven't been able to confirm it.

It was a dream I had about Donald that was part of the reason my heart began to turn toward the homeless.  In it he appeared in our courtyard calling out my husband's name.  I was in the house and could see him from the french doors that were open to the air.  I waited for my husband to come around from the back and greet Donald; then I went out too.  As I approached him, I heard a small voice inside me say "call him brother".  So I did just that; greeted him with a hug and said, "Hello brother, what are you doing?"  While he was still holding me by my arms, he looked me straight in the eye and replied profoundly, "I'm turning night into day."

Several things sprang out of that dream.  One, I believe that Donald is my "brother in the Lord"; that somewhere along the line he heard the good news and surrendered his life, just as it was, to God.  Secondly, I know what he meant when he said "I'm turning night in to day"; but that I'll save for another time.  Third, I realized that the homeless were not someone else's family member, they were mine. Was it just a dream?  Maybe, maybe not.  But, it was one of the many pebbles being added to the scale that was eventually going to dip in the direction of serving the homeless.

So here's to Donald, who's watching from french windows in heaven, and to Paul, who lives life beautifully here on planet Earth, and to all the others in my sphere who are making a difference, big and small, each in their own way.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17



Photo courtesy of picture-newsletter.com