No Christmas Break for the Hungry

The food pantry has been closed this week because of the holidays, however, donations have continued to pour in.  Kroger grocery store in The Colony has grocery bags that customers can purchase that are filled with pasta, pasta sauce, canned mixed veggies, instant potatoes and boxed stuffing.  Pallets of these donation came in last week.  Today the kids and I spent three hours sorting through donations and helping prepare the shelves for clients next week.  I think in three hours we still only processed two pallets of donations. 

After our time at the pantry today we ran over to Kroger's to pick up milk and eggs.  While we were there we saw a Dad and daughter shopping; they had bread, soup, and eggs in their basket, then Dad counted the money in his wallet and the girl had to put back the two cans of tomato soup.  I recognized them from the pantry, it was a reminder that there are opportunities all around us to do good for others.  

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father,
so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

John 6:57

Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Today is the baby's birthday, Uncle David was able to share her special day!  We usually celebrate birthdays with breakfast in bed but something about six people in a twin bed enjoying breakfast didn't seem very practical!  Abigail still requested her favorite breakfast of pancakes and bacon with a side of gifts! 

We enjoyed a good day of her favorite things and finished off with tie-dye cupcakes at home!  

 his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman
I Samuel 25:3

Merry Christmas 2013

Warmest of Christmas blessing to all our friends and family!  Here is a look into our holiday, we hope each of you had a wonderful holiday.  We look forward to a wonderful new year with each of you!
Blessings, Jon, Lisa, Frankie, Caleb & Abigail 

All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 28:2

Santa!

I had grand plans of taking the kids to get their photos with Santa, but that didn't happen.  Fortunately, today when we headed to Kroger we saw Santa!!!  How awesome is that, right?!  He wasn't exactly the Santa we've seen at Stonebriar but hey, if you wait until Christmas Eve and run into Santa while picking up cranberry sauce, you really can't be picky!  Unfortunately, Frankie wasn't with us! 

when he finds it . . . he goes home, then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,
"Rejoice with me" Luke 15:4-5

Christmas Caroling at Parkview Senior Apartments

On the Sunday evening before Christmas our McDermott family participates in a holiday service night.  Church members can choose from card writing, caroling to shut-ins, preparing gift baskets, or making blankets for the Dallas Life Homeless Shelter.  

We chose to go caroling at Parkview Senior Apartments in Allen. There are several of the McDermott family who live at Parkview so it was special to sing to the families.  I did not get a picture of the group, but did snap a couple on the bus ride home.   

Following our service projects we had a devotional and finger foods, snacks and treats.  Santa was also in the Education Building for pictures! 

Here are a few flash backs from previous years: 

Making Blankets in 2011 

Christmas Goodies in 2009 

Santa at Service Night in 2009 

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

    tell of all his wonderful acts.

I Chronicles 16:9

Drama Club Christmas Party

Christmas celebrations continue for the kids this week.  Today they had an abbreviated drama practice followed by a white elephant gift exchange.  Caleb came home with cotton candy and Abigail received a bath soaps set.   

There was plenty of gift stealing and silliness.  And of course, snacks were involved.  The kids are very blessed that Mrs. Hansen dedicates so much time to our teens and blessed to have such great friends! 

they help each other

    and say to their companions, “Be strong!

Isaiah 41:6

Serving with Friends!

Today was our last service day at the pantry for 2013.  Metro is closed because next Wednesday is Christmas and the following Wednesday is New Years Day.  I really love our Metro family, the adult volunteers are so great with Caleb and Abigail.  

Caleb being a quiet and thoughtful soul like his Dad, usually spends his time lifting and toting cans, cases of fruit, frozen pizza, you name it.  Today he even helped Ms. Gina repair a lose bolt on one of the shelves.  

Since Abigail is my social butterfly she prefers to greet the clients, help them shop, and visit with them about their week. Today Frankie was a big help sorting through the donations from Kroger. She's getting to be a professional at finding those expiration date, plus she has much better eye sight than me! 

Every day we begin our work at Metro with a prayer for humble hearts that look for those we can minister to, how powerful is that!!!  Different adults lead the prayer and it is so uplifting to hold hands with like mind people and pray.  There are days when I hear others pray and think, "Wow, I want their heart!" 

“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:17

Christmas Cards for Senior Saints

One of our family traditions is to sign and decorate Christmas cards and then deliver them to a senior assisted living center.  Most of the years we delivered to Hilltop Haven Home, it was a Church of Christ sponsored home in Gunter, TX, unfortunately it closed in March of this year.  It was heart breaking to hear of them closing the Gunter location because it provided care for retired ministers. 

I loved the sweet faces at Hilltop and the Christian hymns playing in the background.  In the summer we would visit and play Bingo with the residents! This year we had to locate a new home, boo!  There is a Senior Living Center about two miles from our home, so today we delivered 147 cards for their residence.  The best part about passing out cards is greeting and loving on the residence.  Because the home we visited today was more of an assisted living than a nursing home, they did not allow us to visit with residents.  We were permitted to drop off cards at the office and they would distribute the cards.  

I'll do my homework for our next visit because I really missed the hugs and smiles! 

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

Jr. High Christmas Party

Christmas is in full swing!  Tonight was the Jr. High Christmas Party for the church youth group.  It was originally scheduled for last weekend but the ice storm had other ideas.  The Cabral's opened up their home the group.  They had plenty of food and great desserts.  The kids played games including telephone tag.  Our youth minister, Matt, challenged the boys to a pull up contest, Abigail won! 

For the white elephant gift exchange Abigail took a package of AA batteries with a tag that said BATTERIES*   (*Gift not included).  Like her 'Life Gives You Lemons' gift, I think this was another Pinterest idea.  She came home with a darling Santa blanket.  The best part about the evening is that with Caleb driving, he was able to taxi her.  During the party he headed to Barnes and Noble and Target to do some Christmas shopping. 

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Nehemiah 8:12

Christmas Time English Country Dancing

As if our day hasn't been busy enough, we finished off today with the Christmas Time English Country Dancing.  This is generally a little more dressy event, complete with Christmas treats.  The kids have such a great time together learning the dances.  With each dance they are encouraged to find a new partner, boys ask the girls and escort them on and off the dance floor.  Parents and siblings are welcome to stay and dance.  It is a great family event and a fun social event for the youth.  It is also a work out comparable to three hours of a Jazzercise class! 

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

27 

to the pure you show yourself pure

II Samuel 22:26