Drinks for the Thirsty

After a little persuasion from my pastor, I've recently signed on to coordinate the Outreach Ministry at my church. It's a small church, consisting of about 45-50 regular attenders. The people are few but the hearts are mighty and I'm thrilled to be part of this community.



Anyway, back to my story.... so today was our first outreach effort. After sharing in some conversation, my pastor has adopted a new found passion for the homeless. (This is the population I serve through my day to day job). He asked that I assist in coordinating an effort to assist this population. I kept it simple and we called it Drinks for the Thirsty. As you might expect the objective of this effort was simply to provide cold, refreshing water to the homeless individuals on the streets of Downtown Nashville. So, after an abbreviated church service consisting of a few songs, communion and a brief orientation of what we were going to be doing, we headed downtown.



Let me back up for just a second. Between the "church service" and the "orientation" we provided an opportunity for those not planning to participate in the outreach effort to leave. Not one person stood to leave. Yeah, that's right, we had 100% participation from those attending our service today! Not bad for the first event, huh? That just goes to show the type of people with whom I worship. They were "hungry for an opportunity to serve others" and it was great!



Two hours later, we had given out nearly 600 bottles water to the thirsty. We weren't out to evangelize or recruit others to our church or even to the Lord for that matter. We went out with the intentions of meeting people where they were at and providing them with a basic need that so many of us take for granted. On a 95 degree summer day, who couldn't use a drink of water? We're having a time of sharing next Sunday, so I'll follow up with a few stories later next week.



I don't share this to say, "Look at me. Look at what I did!" I share this to remind anyone who might be reading this to remember that providing the simple things is just another way of meeting people where there at. And to encourage each of you to be aware of the simple things that we take for granted day in and day out.

Pieces of You

Days full of joy...
Memories for a lifetime from a little girl and boy.
Smiles that melt my heart,
Hugs that touch my soul,
The laughter that still lingers makes my heart feel full.
Memories of the parks,
Feeding ducks at the lake,
Rules said at nap-time,
the hugs when you'd awake.
Trips to the zoo,
Watching trains throughout the day,
The sound of your voice as you learned to pray.
The never ending traing songs
always right on key,
still echo through my ears; they're all part of me.
Although now you're gone and I don't see you day to day
there's something in my memory thatwill not go away.
The smiles that melt my heart, the hugs that melt my soul, those big brown eyes
looking back at me...
the piece that makes me whole.

written by Traci Pekovitch; January 11th, 2000

I had the privledge of caring for these children during their earliest years of life. I have the blessing now that they are still in my life and that the times we spend together are just as sweet as they always were. They were in town this week and I took yesterday off to spend the day with them. We played, talked, looked through old photos, and even read this poem together. Justin was able to recall some of the memories and sweet moments together. Audrey, however, was much too young. The great thing is regardless of what they do and do not remember about our days together; one thing they remember and never will forget is they are loved. They are loved by me and forever will be.

Rosco

Not much to say today... I'm sitting at home, watching my homebuilders walk through my home and repair the damages and such that have occured over the last 12 months or so at my home. Nothing major; a little caulking and dry-wall repair, painting and then their done. So, while they are running around doing their work, my cat sits under the bed scared to death at all the activity. And it makes me think --- I should introduce my blogging friends to my other cat, Rosco. (I believe I introduced you to Cuddles on Valentines Day).



So, alas ...I give you Rosco. Yes, it's as in Rosco P. Coltrane, from the Dukes of Hazzard. Rosco is a great cat, but very shy and timid; not only around others, but around me too. He's been under the bed all day since the workers got here. It's not uncommon to go a day or two without seeing him. Anyway, I just thought I'd share a photo. I'll get a better one sometime in the near future and throw it on the blog just for kicks, but for now I just wanted you to see him.

Daddy's Girl

I am a very fortunate person. My dad has been in my life since day one. And now over 33 years later he's still in my life ...and I'm blessed. I have fond memories of me and my dad, some of the earliest memories are of me following him around asking "What are you doing now?" Whether he was mowing the grass, fixing the car or going fishing I wanted to be right there. I also remember trips to Grandad Joe's pool hall and dad teaching me how to hold the pool stick. I'm still not great, but I'm decent and I owe it to him. As I grew older, much of my time with dad was spent out on the basketball court, playing a game of HORSE and afterwards sitting in the lawn chairs sharing a conversation. Dad worked a lot but he often, made it to my sporting events; his holler of "Come on, Trace!" would echo through the gym, announcing his arrival and reminding the officials that #32's dad was watching them. Now that I'm older, my sporting events are a thing of the past, but one thing I know; my dad is still one of my biggest fans. And that is as it should be.

These days my time with dad is often spent on the telephone, catching up on the status of his latest projects. Dad's a hard worker; retired now for over a year he's just as busy as ever. But, I'm thankful that despite his busyness he makes time for a phone call to me and spending time with Tyler, his one and only grandson. It's these two simple things that make him a great dad to me and a wonderful grandfather to Tyler.

Again, I'm blessed. I'm blessed that I have a dad that makes me proud to call myself, "Daddy's girl".

Life well lived....

ALERT ---- you may need tissues when reading this entry!





Sunday morning, I logged onto my computer, connected to the blogs of my friends and began to read Karla's latest entry. (If you haven't read it, please do and become aquainted with one of the greatest women to walk this earth).





The picture alone served as catalyst for tears, but the words that accompanied the photo filled my heart with a joy and thankfulness I sometimes forget to acknowledge. You see, Karla spoke of the laughter and love, care and courage and rebuke her mother showed to her. And as I read I thought, "yes, Phyllis did indeed offer all that and so much more to Karla". And then I thought, "and what a blessing, because she offered all that to me as well." And the blessing continues because, she passed that love, laughter, care, concern, and even that loving rebuke right on down to her daughter (who just happens to be one of my very best friends).





I've been pondering these thoughts since Sunday. I've been thinking about the concept of "sharing ourselves with others". Though Karla was indeed lucky to have such a sweet, sweet woman as her mother; I, too, was blessed not only to have known and loved Sweet Phyllis but to know and love her daughter as well. It is a life well lived when you live in such a way that the very best of you can be seen in others. I miss Sweet Phyllis; I miss stopping for lunch on my way home to IL, I miss hearing her pick up the phone when I call to say hi, I miss her laugh and the way she used to call me "Trace". But, I'm grateful because though there is a void in my life due to her absence on earth, my heart is fuller becaues I had the opportunity to love and be loved by someone such as her. And the blessing continues to grow because my sweet friend Karla is so very much like her mother. So, I guess in the end --- it's all as it should be... we all continue to be blessed by another life well lived.

8 year olds and death threats

I recently vacationed with a friend of mine down in South Carolina. We went to the beach for a few days to join her brother, wife and three children for some fun in the sun. However, in addition to her family was the family they frequently vacation with, consisting of three other children. So, yes, that means I just vacationed with six children... doesn't sound like it could have been relaxing, does it?

In exchange for a free night at the beach house, my friend and I had agreed to babysit the six kids while the parents went out for a night on the town. In attempt to reduce the anxiety in the two 18 month old girls, we opted to take them for a walk as the parents made their exit. It worked and the rest of the night was pretty low key. We had "movie night" and attempted to create a movie theatre atmosphere for the kids. All went well until each and everyone of them fell asleep and I attempted to get the 8 year old up and into bed. She was resistant and refused to go to bed. (I knew we'd have some trouble her earlier in the day when she was found, stifling through my friend's bag, and had admittely lied to her father about "finding" her mom's wedding ring on the floor.) Anyway, she was more than resistant and I became firm with her telling her that going to bed was not an option. She went to bed. However, the next morning I awoke to a note being slid under the door. In eight year old grammar she said, she didn't like to be told what to do and that I "treated her like crap." She ended the letter by saying she "had killed me in my sleep". Disturbing? Yes. Scared? Not for myself but for her and her parents and the years to come.... most definitely.

It ended with a soft spoken, though clearly not sincere apology. I have to say in all my time spent with children it was the first time I heard "because I threatened to kill you" as the response when asked, "what are you sorry for?"

Other than that, the vacation was great. Tours of downtown Charleston, walks along the ocean collecting sea shells, spending time with a good friend, and fun kids to boot. It was quick but it was good. And now tomorrow it's back to reality; voicemails, emails, crisis, and trouble-shooting. I can hardly wait.

Roommates

I have something tonight that I haven't had in years.... a roommate. Actually, if I were to be specific, I have 4, yes, that's right... FOUR roommates. To say I'm anxious about it would be a HUGE understatement. But here's how it happened -



About six weeks ago, I began playing softball with a group of ladies, most of whom I had never met before. Well, after a game about three weeks ago, we went out to eat and I overheard one of the women talking about how she was looking for a place to stay. I ignored it at first, I mean, I certainly didn't want a roommate. But as I continued to listen to her situation it reminded me of about 51/2 years ago when I was in a similar predicament. Basically this lady had moved to TN due to a job transfer and her husband and two children were back in Arizona, finishing out the school year. She had been here for four months living with a lady in a small apartment and though the situation had worked initially, it was time for her to move on. So she continues to speak of her desire to see her husband and kids more as the only time she is able to see them now is (was) on weekends every now and then. Long story short, somewhere between "need a place to stay" and "We're hoping it will only be a month" I offered to let her stay with me. Well as things do with families things are ever changing. The arrival date got changed and not only that but with her came the children and husband. They are staying for the week. AND, she's hoping to let them stay here with her for longer. I didn't commit to that --- that could be a bit much. I told her we'd see how the first week went and go from there.



I was a nanny. I can mix and gel with the best and worst of family dynamics, but there is just something about having a whole family reside within your single family home. I think its going to work out; I'm just having to keep myself in check. The sad reality is that I have grown quite accustom to my ways, my idiosyncrasies and this, that and the other. The perks are: a little extra cash flow, the dad loves to cook, its company for the cats during the day and they love Law and Order. The down side: I can't go bra-less after work, I have to share my popcorn, and there is always that feeling of having to be accommodating even when I don't feel like it. Yeah, yeah... I know many/most of you are thinking "yeah, that's my life everyday. It's what families do". But, just remember, I'm not married. I'm not in love with these people; heck I barely know them. I'm not trying to be a martyr here; I'm simply telling you this for prayer. I want to provide a place for this family to reconnect as they have been apart for four months. But, I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm struggling with giving up my peace and quiet, my space....and my popcorn. :)



So here's my request as it concerns this situation:

• For Janel and Scott's house to sell back in AZ putting them in a better situation to purchase a house here in TN.


• For Scott to find employment here in Nashville or a nearby town.


• For the girls, ages 6 and 9, to be comfortable during this transition.


• For me, that I might gain increased selflessness, patience and flexibility.


• For all of us to keep the lines of communication open and honest with regard to expectations.

Like I said, I think it will all be fine. I'm just a little "nervous" about it. Keep me in your prayers.