Updates

The previous post are the archives from the previous blog. I still can't figure out the messed up blog address thing. Oh well. Believe it or not we are still collecting. Our donations have slowed a bit but collecting we are. :)

We have done two more turn-ins since my last post in September of 2010.  Netting about $80.00. Sydney 's desire for that is to write up a letter with an explanation of who she is and who Christ is in her. She wants to give $5 with each letter to whomever we come across. We may need a little help with distribution as myself, a VERY pregnant mommy with four other little ones in tow, doesn't necessarily go searching under the freeway overpasses for the homeless. Someday I am sure we will, but more likely when my boys look more like men. :)

So, we will likely be sending Daddy out for that adventure. He already has made connections with a large group of homeless men in the city of Orange. He has been wanting to get back over there to bring them some more clothes so maybe this time the refreshing feeling of new, clean fabric on their skin can be accompanied by a note of hope. Hope that can only be found in Christ. 

Pray that we find the time to continue this little ministry. Pray for those we may come in contact with. Pray that more recyclables are donated. Pray that the kids would continue to desire to serve rather than be served.

Original blog posts from original blog address

Sydney made a few phone calls over the weekend and now our garage is filling quickly with giant bags of recyclables! Woo hoo! She is thrilled and is starting in today with the help of her first two volunteer workers, Calvin and Jaclynn, to sort through, crush and organize everything. We may have to make a trip to the recycling center sooner than I thought!

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of her plans. Your enthusiasm for her little project fuels her fire!

I will post pictures of what has been brought in so far. I am sure Sydney will want to start thinking of ways to use the initial money she earns. If anyone has any input on organizations or people who could use some assistance feel free to e-mail or leave a comment below.

Leave comments about creative ideas or any other charitable things you have participated in in the past. We would love to hear everyones ideas!

Thanks again! 4/13/2010

We are still hard at work collecting recyclables. We are ready for another turn in so stay tuned for a new post about what our second turn in total is! We expect to go to the recycling center in the next week or so. If you have any to donate let us know and we will get it in on this one.

Please be praying for who the proceeds from the next turn in will go to! 9/20/2010

We finally did it!

About a week and a half ago we were finally able to turn in all we had collected! After some mishaps, like Steven being on crutches, mice friends in the garage, and no way to actually transport all we had, we were able to work it all out and make a grand trip to the recycling center. With some helping hands from Uncle Brian and Auntie Angela, we unloaded, totaled up and the final count was.......
$72.00!!! Sydney was thrilled! Now, most of your are probably thinking, that $72 doesn't sound like much but I figure for approximately 2 months worth of work, that's not bad for a 6 year old!
We talked back and forth where this money would go and who it may best serve. Sydney wants to build houses for the homeless but I told her we have a little more work to do to make that one happen. We decided that the Lord would lead us in the direction He wanted the money to go. So, we sat on it for a week then He lead someone our way.
 Last saturday I was doing my weekly grocery shopping trip and met a woman in the parking lot of Ralphs. Between her broken english and my broken spanish we were able to communicate enough to realize she legitimately needed a helping hand. She also had a baby son with her, probably almost one. I gave her a little money and then asked if she need any diapers. ( Side note, if your CVS isn't already cleared out, they have Huggies mega packs,, Pampers mega packs and cvs brand diapers all clearenced to 75% off. Needless to say I have a TON of diapers) So, of course she did. I told her to wait for me and I'd be right back. I ran home and piled diapers and baby products I had gotten free or super cheap from all the coupon crazyness into the car, grabbed Sydney and jetted back to Ralphs. Sydney and I decided to give her a Ralphs Gift card for $70.00.
Thank you to everyone who donated their recyclables. A tiny gesture went a long way for that lady and her son. By the way, her name is Alisa (A-lee-sa). I told her I would be praying for her. I would love for you to join me in prayer. Pray for wisdom as she navigates life attempting to provide the basics for her son and herself. Pray for her salvation if she does not already know the Lord. And also that others would show her kindness and compassion along the way.
Thanks again for all your generosity! We are still collecting so keep it up! Call us if you want us to pick it up or just bring your recyclables next time we see you!

Hard At Work.

Sydney has been working away collecting and sorting. Thanks to all of you who have donated their recyclables. We truly appreciate it. We have had unexpected donations by way of people we hadn't contacted yet, neighbors, and a random bag left on our porch. All of it is great and all of it is part of a small effort to help a great cause. Our garage is quickly reaching capacity. I need to finish my furniture projects to make way for more recyclable storage! We expect to be turning what we have in this Monday. Be on the look out for  a post about our total for the first turn in. Sydney's excited and ready to keep moving forward with this project. Thanks again and please keep our efforts in your prayers!

I don't know how to fix the problem!

Ok, so here is the new blog. We shouldn't have any problems now. I have no idea what happened to the last website and google doesn't make it easy to contact them by phone to sort out the issue. So, here I go again. New blog title, new address. Although the website was down, we have been diligently collecting. Many keep donating their recyclables and we are very thankful. My garage is filling as we have yet to make a run to the recycling center. I expect that soon we will head there and see what numbers we come up with. For now we keep collecting and want to let you all know that we are also including newspaper into the mix. Sydney's eager to to see what the first turn-in will produce. For now, we are starting small but we truly believe that God can use our little six year olds HUGE heart to make a difference. We will see...