I keep referring to this couple that I met through volunteering at More than a Meal. I should have used their names all along because our stories are just beginning to be intertwined. God has blessed me tremendously through the time we have spent together. I met them last summer when I started volunteering, and found common ground because Debbi and I were both pursuing jobs at that time. They didn't show up for about two months, and I had no idea why or how to get in touch with them.
When they came one week in October or November, we picked right back up and they were surprised I knew exactly how many weeks it had been since I had seen them, and they rejoiced with me in that I had gotten my job with Kele. We exchanged phone numbers in case I heard of any job openings Debbi might be qualified for. That day they also shared with me that times were so hard that their utilities had been turned off. I did some research to see if their health problems might enable them to get help with their utilities and called them with the information, but then probably 6-8 weeks passed that I didn't hear from them or see them at More than A Meal.
In early January the temperatures got down into the single digits and teens for an extended period of time, so the government and utility company turned utilities back on to try to help save lives. In one day 3 people died because it was so cold, so the government stepped up to stop that number from growing. At this point I called the number Scott and Debbi had given me to check on them and make sure they had their utilities turned back on. I left a message, and the next day Scott called me back from a different number. He told me that they had run out of minutes, but he was calling me from work. I was elated that he had a job, and glad to hear they had utilities. He is working for a company he worked for years ago as a technician for copy machines and they have taken good care of him. Their truck had died, so the company has been giving him a ride to a from work. He was just working as a contract employee, but that enabled them to pay on their utility bill, so their utilities would not have to be turned back off.
I finally talked with Debbi the next week once she had gotten a new phone with minutes, and I offered to come and pick her up and take her to lunch on a Saturday so we could catch up a little bit. I also offered to pick them both up on my way to More than A Meal, since their lack of transportation was stopping them from getting there. I got to treat them to Back Yard Burgers and take them to the Grocery Store that Saturday where they could get everything they needed since we had my car to load up with their groceries.
I have learned so much about them during these little trips in my car the last few weeks. Debbi lived in England and Germany while her dad was in the military, and although they have known each other for 30 years, they have only been married for 5. Scott loved her all along and just waited as she dated around and even married another man.
I'm still overflowing with joy over my time with them last week. I went to pick them up, and Debbi was alone. She got in my car and I asked, "Where's Scott?" thinking he was running late from work and we could wait on him. She handed me two chocolates with the name of the company he works for on them and said, "Scott is now a full time permanent employee!" Woohoo! I told her we needed to celebrate with ice cream. So, we stopped for some ice cream on the way home, and although I had many things to do to prepare for the Bake Sale the next day, I could NOT pass up celebrating with them.
While we were eating our ice cream, Scott suggested that Debbi get me to look over her resume that she is taking to a job fair next week. I was able to look over it and give her some helpful tips that I have learned through my long job search process, and I can't stop thanking God for the opportunity to help her in that way.
My friend Hilary was in town this week because her nephew Hunter was born. It was great to see her and special to get to hold such a little baby (less than 6 pounds!) He is channeling a little Dr. Evil in that picture on the bottom:)
I work with some wonderful people who volunteered to decorate, bake, sell, ask for donations and organize to make this project a success. The Craft Sale money all went toward my Kingdom Assignment, and I am so thankful for the items that were donated by some girls I work with. The beaded crosses, handmade soap, framed verses, and ceramics they donated pretty much sold out. The heart crayons and activity books we made sold quickly, so the only thing left were some letters which I will be putting up for sale in my Etsy Store soon. I also have about 25 orders for more letters. My $100 has turned into $225 and is continuing to multiply!
My mom surprised me by baking about 6 dozen Cherry Mini Cakes which were a hit! She also ran errands for me since I had a lot on my plate to coordinate everything. I am so blessed to have such a loving a supportive family. Yes, I want to get my own apartment when I can, but my parents are still doing a lot for me and don't always appreciate it enough!
After jogging I made my way into town to take my friends from More Than A Meal that out to lunch and to the grocery store. It was so special to celebrate with them that they now have money to buy the groceries they need. We watched these kids sled down the hill by East High School. Little did we know that we would have a surprise snow the next week. [pictures at the end of this post]
The Hills hosted a great night of fellowship to watch the Saints win their first SuperBowl. Lots of good food, conversation, and commercials, what more can you want?
Beautiful! Not easy to drive in, so I turned around and came back home this morning, but I did go in a little while this afternoon. 
