A SPECIAL VOLUNTEER

Dear Friends,

I need to take a special time out to thank one of our most faithful volunteers! Mrs. Sarah V has been one of the biggest blessings that the Foster CARE Closet has had. Sarah has been a faithful servent for over a year and I truly count her as one of my best friends. Sarah finished her college studies in December (I think) and while she was carrying a full load of classes and working she continued to volunteer at the Closet. Now I must note that Sarah graduated with her nursing degree! I don't know how she managed everything with school, work, being a wife and volunteering, but I'm so thankful she did.

Sarah, you are an inspiration to me to keep hanging in there. I'm so blessed that you are my friend and you add so much to my life!

God Bless you Sarah.

Volunteer Day Goes On As Usual

On Saturday, while there was much painting to be done and accomplished, it was also the regular work day at the Closet. In addition to the students who helped paint, we also had several that continued on with the work of sorting and hanging the clothes for our clients.

I can't express how deeply grateful Patrick and I are to be blessed with this group of young people.

Thanks LSW SilverHawks.......you all simply SOAR above the rest!

I would also like to take this time to thank Jack for coming down on his Saturday to spend the day painting. Jack, I didn't use the "deer in the headlights" pic.....you owe me!

Let The Painting Begin

On Saturday there was a GREAT group of high school students from Lincoln Southwest that came to help paint. These kids did an absolutely fantastic job of working hard and staying the day. Patrick and I were so very blessed by what this group of students did to help us out.

A little bit about this group of students. They are part of a group created by the STUDENTS to do service projects in the Lincoln community. These students wanted to take service to a higher level then what was currently being offered to them and all I can say is WOW. If you are a Southwest High School student or you know one, let me encourage you to check out the club at Lincoln Southwest or on facebook at LSW Service Learning Club.

Getting Ready for Painting on Saturday

Well, we've been very busy trying to meet the goals to be able to paint on Saturday. One thing is for sure, we're always tweaking as we keep moving forward.

Stephanie working hard at sweeping up the mess!

I want to take just a moment to say a BIG THANK YOU to all those who have taken time from your busy schedules to help keep the Foster CARE Closet remodel on track. There is so much work to do when taking on a project like this and I've been blessed beyond measure with people stepping up. Some of these people have been friends for a long time, others have just signed onto this project. Either way, I want you to know that God is blessing the Foster CARE Closet through your handywork!

Caleb, Stephanie's husband gets into the act too

OK, so where are we? Well, yesterday was a day spent doing some more drywall work, pressure washing all the walls and putting on the first coat of primer. We've been exceptionally blessed to have GREAT weather. Today we plan on finishing any primer and drywall work. I will also be getting the supplies for painting tomorrow. I'm hoping that it will be a light work day because I'm really tired!

I hope you will enjoy the pictures and that you are having fun watching the updates. I'm enjoying sharing the work that God is doing with all of you!

BULLDOG MASCOT GOING, GOING

GONE!!

Mission: Drywall

Well, we were able to get a great start on the drywall project. Steve and Craig worked very hard this evening putting up the walls. There are only a couple of little sections to finish.

Craig and Steve working hard to get the drywall up.

We are still in need of several specific needs for the Closet as we continue to work through the remodel project and as we get ready to take the Closet on the road to Fremont, Omaha and Kearney in the next few weeks.

Please take time to pray for the specific needs listed below.

1. A drywall finisher

2. A carpet layer

3. A 15 Passenger van or small moving truck

4. To be ready to paint on Saturday I have some projects to finish at the Closet

a) To scrape a section of drywall

b) To finish power washing the walls and floor

c) To get a couple of coats of Kilz on the walls

5. People to help pack next Wednesday for Fremont

I would also like to ask prayer for our family as we are working through this very busy time. The babies are missing Mommy and Mommy is missing them! Pray that I will be able to balance my time spent with them with the time I need to spend at the Closet. Pray that when I am able to be at the Closet my time is productive. Pray that when I'm at home with the babies I'm able to relax and enjoy my time with them.

Specific Needs for the Closet

Dear Friends,

We are in need of a 15 passenger van that can have the seats removed or a small moving truck. We would like to use this to take our Closet on the road to Fremont, Omaha and Kearney.

We are also in need of a couple of paint sprayers to help with the painting on Saturday.

Tearing Down The Walls Part II

As I went back today to help a client, I wanted to get some more pictures that show the final of all that was done yesterday.

As we continue to move forward our plans are to hang 4 sheets of drywall on Wed. night. We will continue to clean the ceiling and scrub the walls during the week so that we can hopefully be in a position to start painting on Saturday the 25th. If there is anybody that can help during this week, please feel free to contact me with your availability and I will do my best to make it work. Let me also take this time to remind everybody that this Saturday is the regular volunteer day for the current space as well. We plan on being there between 9am and 4pm.

Tearing Down The Walls Part I

Dear Friends,

On Saturday a small but MIGHTY group of people showed up to help tear down walls, clean the ceiling and finish getting the black off the walls. Terri, Steve, Greg, Wayne and Patrick joined me in a day filled with hard work and great rewards. THANKS SO MUCH to these people for helping out!

Steve working hard at tearing down a wall.

Our own tool man Greg showing how it's done!

Patrick, thanks for not being afraid of heights!

Terri.....try to not be so excited about chipping away at that wall.

Wayne using his homemade invention to speed up the process of getting rid of the black spots.

Let The Cleaning Begin

One Black Spot down.....152 more to go!!

Dear Friends,

We have begun the cleaning process of the new space. There is much to be done and it will take many hands to complete the job, but everything starts with first steps. Yesterday, Patrick and I took first steps. We were able to pull up the old carpet and get it hauled to the trash and we started working on the black spots on the walls.

We will be holding a work day for the new space on Saturday, April 18 from 9am to 4pm. During this time we will continue to work on getting the black spots off the walls and possibly doing a power wash of the building. If you are able to come help, even for a little while, there is a volunteer sign up on the website.

Patrick showing us how to tear it up.

Carpet GONE!

Moving Toward Effective Service

1 Corinthians 16:9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me

Dear Friends,

Today is a very big day in the life of the Foster CARE Closet. Today a contract was signed that will allow us to grow to almost 3x our current size. We are excited as we continue to move forward in the direction we feel God calling us. This is an opportunity that we don't take lightly. As the scripture verse above says, we have been called to "effective service". God is providing the space, He has provided the fixtures and we will forge ahead knowing that God is going to provide the other things we may or may not be aware of to be effective servants. When the days grow long and the bodies weary, we will be reminded that effective service comes with a price. We will lay down our selfishness to give of ourselves to our community. Things aren't going to be easy and challenges lay ahead that we can't even see now, but we serve a God bigger then anything we will face.

I would ask that we begin to lay out the plans to get the new space ready, that you would join us in praying for wisdom. Please join us is claiming James 1:5 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. We will need God's wisdom as we strive to be the best stewards of what He has chosen to bless the Foster CARE Closet with. We seek to glorify God in EVERY aspect of the Foster CARE Closet and because there is much to do there will also be much to learn.

The heart of the Closet is to serve and as scripture was revealed to me, I believe that service is not enough on it's own. It must be effective service. As I close this blog, please pray for our current space and pray for the new space. Pray as God leads you and as you pray, share your thoughts and ideas. God is using us all to reach His people. We are limited, but God is limitless.

Foster CARE Closet Current Facility 2009

Space For Future Foster CARE Closet 4/09

New Covenant Community Church Donation

I want to take this opportunity to share with you all a blessing that God has shared with His little ones.

Today, a lady representing New Covenant Community Church in Lincoln, NE brought a nice donation of several sizes and packages of diapers. This is such a blessing! It touches many families to be able to take what could be a stressful situation and turn it into a blessing because they are being blessed. To be able to come and get diapers for a little one that is just joining the "family" is HUGE.

Drive took place on Sundays March 22 and 29 and April 5th

New Covenant Community Church

Spring Into Action Diaper Drive

Thanks to the SOS team for making the Foster CARE Closet one of your organizations to support.

For more information about New Covenant please check them out at

http://www.newcovchurch.org/

Omaha Girl Scouts helping the Foster CARE Closet

Michelle and Amber in Omaha, Nebraska are two girl scouts who decided to make a difference. They began their journey of collecting items and seeking donations from businesses and individuals in February. Together they placed over 400 flyers on doors asking people to donate. They spent hours in the bitter cold of winter going door to door. They would go into businesses and ask for items. Their efforts did not go unrewarded.They went from being shy and unsure to bold and confident in the 2 months and 90 hours they spent working towards The Bronze Award. This is the highest honor that a Jr. Girl Scout can earn. People were generous in their giving and because these two special girls chose to make a difference, there will be many of their peers who will be able to get clothing, new socks and underwear, babies will get diapers and wipes and the Foster CARE Closet will have the opportunity to show God’s love to children and their families through the giving of such items.

Thank you so much Michelle and Amber!

p.s. Stay tuned in May to hear of the girls receiving their BRONZE AWARD

A truck full of items that Michelle and Amber gathered to give to children who are wards of the State of Nebraska.

COMING SOON

We invite you to follow the progress of the Foster CARE Closet in Lincoln, Nebraska through this blog. We will be sharing short videos, pictures, testimony and insights from God's Word as we continue to move forward into a new building and new communities. It is our desire to bring God the glory for His many blessings and share them with you as we walk this journey together.



Leigh