From Cindy Rushton's Desk(TOP!)! | ||
Update from Linda Larson--Special Prayer Request!
11:22 AM, Oct. 28, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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Ready to pray beloved friends? Linda and her family were living in South MS when Hurricane Katrina wiped out their home. She has been so precious to my heart during this time. She just emailed a special prayer request that I would love to share with all of you so we can rally behind her with a multitude in prayer on her behalf! These are truly the things that far too few of us think to remember in prayer. What a privilege before us! Ready? Here is her new update!
With Much Love, Cindy...and the Rushton Bunch!
Cindy, could I please ask a favor of you and all the folks who read your blog.
My husband has just returned to Biloxi after spending a few days with us and I have to say it was wonderful. However, I would like to ask if people would pray for him, he is so exhausted and stressing so much over trying to find someone to fix the house. At the same time he has his Air Force committment and the knowledge that in December we have to move to Illinois.
I think he is now at the end of his rope - he phoned me a short while ago and said he just wanted to hear my voice.
He is really having a struggle at the moment and has way toooo much on his plate. He does not think we will be able to go on our house hunting trip to Illinois now, because he has to find a builder and try and get that started. So we may just move up there in December and try and get something then. He also thinks it will be a while before he can make the trip back to see us. That is fine - I understand, but it is hard on him, as he loves us all to be together.
So I wondered if you would rally a cry for prayer for him to have the strength to get through all this without going under. Thanks Cindy, bless you.
Linda
Philip. 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Update from Kristie Cross...October 16, 2005
11:37 AM, Oct. 17, 2005
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An Update from Kristie Cross...
My Sister Chick!
It's been TOO ling since I sent you an update. Things have been crazy around here as usual. I even have a cavity to top it all off...LOL! I'm getting a small filling on Monday. The dentist found it when I was getting my teeth cleaned last week...how gross is that! I've been blessed with good teeth though so I cant complain. I only have a couple of small fillings from when I was WAAAAY younger!
Anyway, on to more important matters....we're still wading our way through post hurricane life. It's a day to day adventure. The shelters are starting to empty out a bit, but we found out that the Red Cross shelter in downtown Baton Rouge had many people w/ nowhere to go so theyre coming to Baker to the Red Cross shelter at our civic center and at the shelter at our church. It's been downsized but will still have about 50-100 people. We've been blessed with a ministry from California that has been here for a month now taking care of the shelter operations and staffing. Theyre a disaster relief miniistry called City Team.
The FEMA trailer city has been set up just outside our small town here....almost 600 trailers and 2,000 people. Theyre stacked in rows w/ little space and room to roam. Please keep this situation in your prayers....we're claiming that ground for Christ. The kids really need some sort of playground area so they can run around. I'm praying that will be addressed soon. ALso we need to get busses in there to bring people to church on SUndays. The local churches are planning outreaches to target this area. The potential for crime and drugs is a concern but we're covering the place with the blood of Jesus and calling on angels to guard and protect the families there.
I've figured out when to go shopping to avoid the crowds, which is a blessing! The supplies on shelves have been available, unlike the few weeks after the storms. People are going into New Orleans to look at their homes and from what I hear it's shocking and devastating. Most people you talk to dont want to return there. We still need to pray against Mardis Gras and the spirit of lust and promiscuity that is making it's way through the streets of New Orleans once again. This is an opportunity for real change in that city....there is too much beauty and history and culture in that area for it to be defiled by the sin and evil that has persisted for so long.
I cant wait to hear your update from Mississippi. Take care and be blessed!
Love ya, Kristie
Go Drewe Llyn!!! Drewe Llyn's Editorial on Mississippi Gaming Industry Changes after the Hurricane
11:23 AM, Oct. 17, 2005
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There are times that you just want to shout a BIG AMEN! Drewe Llyn's blog today brings me to one of those times. Take a peek at her post and her letter to the editor of her newspaper--you will be PROUD of her!Go Girl!
• Oct. 17, 2005 - My Letter to the Editor
Just Got Back From Mississippi!
10:40 AM, Oct. 17, 2005
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Good Morning Dearies!
We took a quick trip to South MS last week. Thought I would update all of you!
We had to postpone the mission trip because half of our team had the flu. We are working on details to get everything geared up for that trip, but we decided to go down, take some of the goodies, and take a look at the updated needs--everything is changing daily down there!
The area around Laurel is buzzing with clean-up. The sad part is that there is simply not enough good, reputable help to get everything done. The help that is there is charging astronomical prices. There is a great need for those who can do the roofing and repairs for NORMAL rates rather than gauging them.
The clean up is still going on. There are many who are just trying to go on (to get by from paycheck to paycheck) and cannot afford to get the repairs or clean-up done at all. There are countless homes that have big holes in their roofs and nothing to cover it up. Our parents got a call to let them know that the Army Corps of Engineers is now there (almost TWO MONTHS after the storm) to help cover roofs--but not to repair them! This will take some time to get everything to a "normal" state.
We took in some of the goodies that all of you sent to our offices. I cannot express how precious they were! Every single item has been very needed and very precious! You guys are SUPER!
One fun treat has been sharing the totes filled with goodies that have been sent in. Here are some pictures from Lyn Frei's Newsletter. She is from Titus 2 Ministries. They have been busy bees making the most ADORABLE totes for us to stuff and carry into the areas that we minister to during this time. I cannot express how much these are blessing these families. Look at how adorable they are:
Here is a note that we got after this weekend:
What you guys have done has made a TREMENDOUS impact! You are meeting the very personal, spiritual, emotional needs that are often overlooked during tough times. This is where many of the hurricane victims in Laurel are at this time. The little things are a tremendous blessing at this time! They are all going to need for us to be IN THIS for the long-term. I love that so many of you are IN THIS for the long-haul! The needs will be surfacing over T-I-M-E. I love that the church is braced to help over that period of time that will help bring real healing!
We have some other plans for future trips. We are planning to go in again and hit the streets in the next few weeks. After that, I hope to plan a special trip to go in and take blessings for Christmas. The little children ADORE the HOPE IN A BOX KITS. I also have seen MUCH appreciation for the totes filled with Discipleship materials! Soooo, what I would love to do on the Christmas trip is take in more of the HOPE IN A BOX Kits and TOTES OF LOVE totes with Quiet Time Kits. If you have been wanting to be a part in this--whether going in or sending goodies, we certainly need your help! I will post more details as we get everything firmed up!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Titus2/23127/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Titus2/23352/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Titus2/23281/
Lyn's updates... (neat!) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Titus2/33548/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Titus2/28214/
Well, let me get running! I will quickly post some pics from this past week a little later! (Harold has the digital camera today!)
Love ya! Cindy
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow...
11:26 AM, Oct. 10, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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Another Update from Linda Larson...After the Hurricane
10:08 AM, Oct. 7, 2005
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Cindy,
You may use any of my words on your blog - I am honored that you would want to.
Unfortunately the Air Force are keeping Ed extra days, so he won't be back until Saturday - he is now having to use leave to come and see us - so he may not come as often. We want to be able to save some of our leave for when we get settled so that we can have some real peaceful time together - not these fleeting hectic visits. It seems to us that being apart now, may be better than not having any leave left to enjoy once we get settled. I am looking forward to the day, when we are in our next home - however humble, where we can all be together and where we can enjoy some real family time in peace and quiet again. It will be hard to be apart especially for the girls who are already very insecure, however - we have to look to the future - and look at the most sensible option, saving our leave for future times seems a better idea right now.
We are hoping that Ed can find a reputable contractor really soon, who will do the repair work on the house within the insurance companies budget whenever they give that to us - so that then he can put the house on the market and we can hopefully sell it. Only then will we be able to move on, paying for two places for very long will be very hard. We have had contractors in the past with the mold problem who got rather creative with their billing and it cost us a lot more than it should have - so that is Ed's big headache right now - we know all kinds of people creep out of the woodwork at this time trying to cash in on peoples misfortune - we are desperate to avoid that as we have nothing extra to give. Anyway, we will enjoy Ed while he is here and then when he returns on Tuesday, we will have to be patient as it may be a while before he comes here again.
Anyway, so very sorry to hear that so many of your wonderful helpers have the flu - we will pray for their swift recovery. You think of the most wonderful things to do for people, how neat to think of taking quiet time things to the people, what a wonderful idea - the atmosphere down there is anything but quiet and some encouragement in that area can only be good - the cookies sound excellent as well.
Last night I read your Christmas book, well guess what we will be doing this year for our Christmas - I gleaned all kinds of wonderful ideas from that. We have always kept our holidays simple, we decorate beautifully, and cook lovely things, but we try and keep in non commercial - having German and English heritage I have always been raised with advent and the candles leading up to the birth of Jesus. I have an advent bowl from Germany that has been handed down through the generations - it has a shallow bottom to put pine boughs in and has candle holders built into the bowl. Because it is so very precious to me, I brought it with me - so it is here in our temporary home, and this year when advent comes around it will have extra special meaning to us all. Christmas is my very favorite holiday and this year will be no exception - Jesus was born for us and because of him - we need never fear anything - there is no greater gift and no better holiday. Anyway, I hope we are somewhere a little more permanent at Christmas but wherever we are, we will celebrate the proper reason for the season, and will enjoy our Advent celebrations and activities. Your book will become a treasured part of our holidays.
Take care and God Bless
Linda Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Want to ADOPT Linda and Her Family???
Nowwwww...Linda says that they are doing fine...BUT! What do you think? Anyone want to just bless them to overflowing like I do? Well, HERE is your chance! If you have been looking for someone to personally adopt for ministry AFTER the Hurricane, join us in blessing them!
I happen to believe that suffering is God's chance to blow us all away with how HE RESTORES. He doesn't give us enough to "make-do" or even what we had before...He gives us hundred-fold for the trouble! Just reading this email from Linda moves on my heart to tell me WHY? If MY heart is moved with such deep compassion, how is GOD'S HEART moved? WOW!
Soooo, want to be His hands? Heart? Love? Just email me and I can send you her address for you to send any cards, care packages, or goodies to them. Won't this be fun?
Email me at: Cindy@CindyRushton.com Update from Linda Larson--After the Hurricane
9:58 AM, Oct. 7, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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Good Morning Dearies!
Here is an update from Linda Larson that I just got in my email. Hope you enjoy!
Love, Cindy
Hey Cindy -
Well we are still hanging in there, Ed will be driving back up from Biloxi on Thursday to spend a few days with us- we can hardly wait we miss him so much - the break will do him good - he has spent the week dealing with Air Force stuff and the rest of the time he has been at the house - the insurance told him that we needed to remove all the walls in the lower part of the house that was under water - to stop the mold and damp spreading - so he and a collegue have been busy doing that - pretty hard work - in the heat and humidity. Still he got it done. He sent me a photo, the house looks very odd with all the walls opened up on the inside. The insurance adjuster saw him yesterday - they have to go away and make up an estimate for the amount they will pay to fix up the house - they said it would take a week or two, then we have to find a contractor who will work with the insurance and work within their price range - because we have nothing extra to pay them with, so we cannot have anyone who may get creative with the price.
Regarding the contents, that was ok - because we had the flood insurance, they depreciated everything by 20% and then gave him a check for the rest. We are a bit out of pocket - but we have enough to replace most of our important and necessary things for a home, and that is a blessing. The rest does not matter - as long as we have the basics, and each other that is what is important - God always provides in his own way.
The insurance man told my husband he was very shocked at how many people did not have the flood insurance - and how hard it was for them now. We know that our neighbors up and down the street did not have it because they told us - they were all asking why we had it as the insurance had told them they did not need it in our area - my husband told them it was because I insisted on it because I had a feeling we needed it, so he did it to shut me up!! He said it was the best $200 he has ever spent. I know it was a God thing. Anyway, we are so grateful that we decided to get it, it has saved us from complete ruin. I feel so sad for all those who did not and who have lost everything - that is so awful and all I can do is pray for them.
Ed told me tonight he heard from the Air Force that we should hear in the next 5-10 days where we will be going next - so that will be a relief. I just want to be able to tell our precious girls where we will be going, so that we have something to plan for. They have taken it all extremely hard - and I think it will take a long time for them to feel safe and secure again. I can tell by their lack of interest in anything and the things they write, when they can be bothered to write - it is all very gloomy - I spoke to a doctor on the base and she said it was normal for now - if it goes on for months, then it could be a problem. Our prayer is that once we find a place to live, wherever the Air Force sends us, that they will start to feel better and more at peace. In the meantime, we are talking a lot, walking, reading, watching some good old movies and drinking lots of tea. They draw and write in their personal journals and write stories - some of them quite dark - the doctor told me not to be concerned because they are getting their feelings out on paper and that will pass as well, but she said it is a good coping skill to have. It is at times like this that I am grateful that I have them at home and not in school. They would really be suffering in school now - everything would be unfamiliar.
As it is we can lead gentle lives and come to terms with things in our own way. Ok, we don't have a big squishy couch anymore, but the couch we have is good enough and the tea we drink is wonderful, my beloved mother sends me our favorite from England on a regular basis so that we don't run out. Life is far better for us than many others, and when the blues start getting to me, I just remind myself of that and read a devotional or look at a Bible passage and I feel better.
We also had a wonderful package come from a family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire thanks to your Blog. They sent us some wonderful books for the girls to read, and some binders, paper, scrapbook things etc - it was such a joy and really cheered us up. Nicci and Chloe immediately started to read the books and have been enjoying them and we are using the other things as well. The lady wrote me a lovely letter and one of her daughters wrote the girls - they were very pleased and are writing back. When Ed gets back I will write a huge thank you to them - he was so touched he wants to sign the letter and asked me to wait until he got home, so that is what I will do. People are good, and I am extremely grateful - the girls were very pleased with the books and they had not read any of them before - so it was perfect.
Cindy, I do hope that people are reaching out and donating to your cause and helping you take things down to the needy in Mississippi - it is so important. I hope people are not getting jaded - the need is great down there - my husband tells me everyday on the phone about how grim things are for so many. I do NOT include myself or our family in that - we still have so much to be thankful for - but so many down there do not. There were many struggling people in Biloxi before the hurricane, this can only have made their plight even more desperate now. I hate that the elderly and children are having to live in those conditions down there - if we who have so much feel the pain and loss, how must they be feeling, when they have nothing left.
It is a wonderful thing you are doing and I wish I could help - rest assured my prayers are with your ministry and all those who are doing similar things - I hope that you are getting a lot of support. I will never forget this experience and I will also never forget how it feels to be wrapped up in a disaster - consequently I will always have an empathy for those who suffer in disasters in the future, and I hope that one day I will be in a position to help them - for now the prayers must suffice.
I am loving all the books you sent, I am loving listening to you reassure me on your CDs that the fact that we are not at the moment doing "school" will not turn the girls into total illiterates - thank you for the gift of you and your ministry. I wish you all the very best on your trip to your families area of Mississippi and I hope that you are able to help many.
Hey, I love your book on tea and the recipes - you are the first person who has a recipe for scones the same as we make in England - I was really impressed with that - I made a tea booklet last year for our church youth group, just pages stapled together, but the similarities between my pamphlet and your booklet were amazing. Yours was far more professional, and more in depth - I shall send you a copy of mine, as I have a couple of recipes on mine that you may like. Anyway, anyone who likes tea is a friend of mine! Do take care of yourself on your mission trip and I will let you know how we are doing and when we have news.
God bless you and we love you like we know you - lots of hugs n stuff
Linda Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Want to ADOPT Linda and Her Family???
Nowwwww...Linda says that they are doing fine...BUT! What do you think? Anyone want to just bless them to overflowing like I do? Well, HERE is your chance! If you have been looking for someone to personally adopt for ministry AFTER the Hurricane, join us in blessing them!
I happen to believe that suffering is God's chance to blow us all away with how HE RESTORES. He doesn't give us enough to "make-do" or even what we had before...He gives us hundred-fold for the trouble! Just reading this email from Linda moves on my heart to tell me WHY? If MY heart is moved with such deep compassion, how is GOD'S HEART moved? WOW!
Soooo, want to be His hands? Heart? Love? Just email me and I can send you her address for you to send any cards, care packages, or goodies to them. Won't this be fun?
Email me at: Cindy@CindyRushton.com
A Change of Plans...
9:53 AM, Oct. 7, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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A Change of Plans...
Well, temporarily! :)
We were set to leave today for another Mission Trip to South MS for Hurricane Relief. Well, until a bunch of our team ended up sick and unable to go at this time. Soooo, we are now busily rescheduling and juggling things to go when the perfect time comes! :)
Soooo, this weekend we hope to hit the streets at Joe Wheeler State Park with a bunch of the kids' friends to bless those families who are up here from South MS, LA, and Texas. They have been on our hearts for weeks and looks like our plans have given us the opportunity to get in there. Soooo, lift that before the Lord. We believe that there are no mistakes!
Ready to hug them!
After the Hurricane: A Update from Mom... From Ann Rushton, Laurel, MS
3:15 PM, Sep. 30, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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WHAT CAN HAPPEN WILL HAPPEN by Ann M. Rushton
It was the day after Katrina, we were wet with sweat, exausted from katrina's rampage.The power was off it was getting hotter. It was already 93 degrees. Outside the air had a pungent oder of pine and errie feeling of what all this event had really meant to so many was just beginning to immerge and our minds.
The trees were dangling from the many power lines that lay still now and the lack of motion seemed strange after the night and day before of constant wind and blowing and twisting of trees and leaves falling. It was still and quiet out there and strangely no birds were to be found. "Where are the birds?" I wondered, then the thought that they were somewhere protected from all this. Only God knows where they are now with such force to propel them afar!
For weeks before Katrina ants had invaded our area. Everyone I talked to said the ants were getting into homes. Now maybe there is something to this thing about nature observation may help us understand about events to come. Perhaps the ants had to come inside before the wind and rains of Katrina came? Who knows? Well, I did not want the little creatures in my house so we had fought them and without success.
That morning without lights to see very well and a generator running outside so loud we could not hear each other we sat down to eat cereal. At that point in time, we still had milk I started to eat. It tasted good. My husband being more careful to see what he eats, yelled "Stop eating!" Yes, I had my first taste of ants and cereal with milk. I regrouped threw it away and decided it was ok! Others have ate ants before. I had read this somewhere.
As the days passed after Katrina, our water was out and it became very difficult to wash anything. We are all used to having lots of water for everything. It was so hot, we had no air conditioner just a fan when we ran the generator which was 4 or 5 hours in the heat of the day and then we had to turn it off. We were blessed we had planned ahead with some bottled water and some canned food. Our son and grandson graciously came on the third day and brought us food and other supplies which we were so thankful to get. Our town had a gas shortage and all stores were closed. Everyone you spoke to was on the verge of emotional distress.
Every home had some damage. Out in the county where we live was changed in some areas so much you really did not recognize where you were at times.With the loving hand of our Heavenly Father on our home, remarkably we had no problems with our home we live in.
On the fourth or fifth day after Katrina moved away from us.I was trying to use a propane stove when it blew out gas on the handle I screamed and my husband ran to see what was wrong and broke his toe on something in his path. With wires strung all over the floor to connect the generator he made his way to the stove and my screams. Miraculously, I was ok but he had a broke toe and stopped the gas from igniting the whole place into flames.
We were at the emotional edge and knew we had to get back to church and back to what used to be.
I had knee surgery just before the storm and was in a wheel chair for a few days so I was not feeling so great. But overall we are fine and feel so immensely blessed. I prayed and I know Katrina drew me closer to my Savior. I felt the warmth of His love in my heart. As the winds blew and storm raged, I knew my Lord Jesus was there and I knew other Christians were praying for us. God is good and God protects us through all the storms of life. We must ask him to come into our hearts. He will be there for us when we need him the most.
GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER MISSION TRIP TO SOUTH MS FOR HURRICANE RELIEF! October 7-10, 2005
Want to Be a Part of Our Next Mission Trip for Hurricane Relief??? We are making several mission trips into South Mississippi and South Louisiana as they recover from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. If you would like to be a part of direct ministry, you can participate in several ways:
WE NEED YOU!
On this trip, we plan to carry in bags of goodies and focus on
Here are the themes of what we need gathered and packaged together:
Juice
PERSONAL CARE KITS or HOPE IN A BOX KITS... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CindyRushton/22534/
Here is what we need for them:
PERSONAL CARE KIT: Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and
HOPE IN A BOX KIDS KIT: Place all items inside the Rubbermaid® shoebox, close lid, and tie
MISC ITEMS:
We are looking for nice Bibles and goodies for helping new believers
"WITH LOVE" TOTE BAGS....
Free Pattern for Sewing Totes...
Another Free Tote Pattern...
Okay!! That one last detail! Our address:
Rushton Family Ministries
or drop off for CINDY RUSHTON at Highland Baptist Church CLC in
Gearing Up For Another Mission Trip to South MS for Hurricane Relief!
12:43 AM, Sep. 28, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER MISSION TRIP TO SOUTH MS FOR HURRICANE RELIEF! October 7-10, 2005
Want to be a part?
WE NEED YOU!
On this trip, we plan to carry in bags of goodies and focus on
Here are the themes of what we need gathered and packaged together:
Juice
PERSONAL CARE KITS or HOPE IN A BOX KITS... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CindyRushton/22534/
Here is what we need for them:
PERSONAL CARE KIT: Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and
HOPE IN A BOX KIDS KIT: Place all items inside the Rubbermaid® shoebox, close lid, and tie
MISC ITEMS:
We are looking for nice Bibles and goodies for helping new believers
"WITH LOVE" TOTE BAGS....
Free Pattern for Sewing Totes...
Another Free Tote Pattern...
Okay!! That one last detail! Our address:
Rushton Family Ministries
or drop off for CINDY RUSHTON at Highland Baptist Church CLC in
Woohoo! A Whole Bunch of Goodies Came Today!
9:24 PM, Sep. 22, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
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Woohoo! A Whole Bunch of Goodies Came Today!
I am SO thankful for those of you who have been shipping in goodies for our next trip to South MS. Today, we received 7 more huge boxes full of PERSONAL CARE KITS and HOPE IN A BOX KITS and...BIBLES!!!! They are wonderful! Thanks from CA and NJ!
These are perfect for us to carry out to those that we plan to minister to during our October 7-10 Mission Trip. If you want to help us with some practical goodies that can really go far, I will post a list of goodies below that we need. These would be great for Sunday School Class projects or Support Group Projects. They will really bless these families!
Well, here are the lists again and how you can send them to us for the next trip...THANKS!
Want to help? We are gearing up for another Mission Trip on October 7-10 into South MS.
On this trip, we plan to carry in bags of goodies. It will help us to use every second we have on the streets if everything is packaged and ready to go. On the last trip, we spent the first day just dividing out what we had. Then, we had to re-package it. This time, we are working hard to have everything in kits that are ready to pass out. Here are the themes of what we need gathered and packaged together:
Pack-a-Bag Food Ministry... Juice
OH! We do need a few bags that would be good to share with diabetic patients. Please mark them so we can separate them easily.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personal Care Kits or Hope in a Box Kits
Here is what we need for them:
Personal Care Kit:
Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and roll in the bath towel.
Hope in a Box Kids Kit:
Place all items inside the Rubbermaid® shoebox, close lid, and tie securely with ribbon.
Misc Items: Brand new packages of underwear for men, women and children of both sexes, all sizes for all of them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bibles/Bookmarks/Discipleship Materials
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"With Love" Tote Bags.... Have you seen the project that Titus Two Ministries is working on? This may be a great project for any of you with little ones wanting to sew! Here are her links:
A Project in Mind--"With Love" Totes!
Free Pattern for Sewing Totes...
Another Free Tote Pattern...
Any of the things above would be great to tuck in a tote. If you want to sponsor a tote OR just make totes for us to stuff, send them to us at the address below.
Okay!! That one last detail! Our address:
Send your things to this address: Rushton Family Ministries
or drop off for CINDY RUSHTON at Highland Baptist Church CLC in Florence, Alabama.
A Note from Linda...Wanta Bless a Homeschool Family Recovering after Katrina???
9:00 PM, Sep. 22, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
.. Link
Hi Cindy -
Wow I was so suprised to see our family's trials on your blog today, it felt a little weird - but I appreciate it.
We are doing fine for clothes and shoes and things as we were able to get all that out of the home before it molded - we lost our dress clothes, but at the moment that is not so important - we tend to dress pretty casual on a day to day basis.
We were also able to remove and salvage some our dishes and some of our kitchen things. We also evacuated our Bibles of course and would never leave them behind.
We have twin 13 year old daughters - they are very mature for their age, in the sense that they are very sensible. They are pretty quiet girls and the things they like to do the most is read, they read at a high school level - and read everything - fiction, non-fiction, devotionals and all kinds of things. We tend to read good wholesome books, not the more modern mass paperbacks. They do not like the kind of books that are based on teen romance and dramas, they have no interest in any of that. They love animals, and Chloe is totally enthralled with horses, Nicci prefers dogs, though she loves horses as well. They like to read animal books fiction and nonfiction. They enjoy drawing and art, and enjoy listening to their Christian music. We like to go on nature walks although at the moment we cannot because Chloe had to have a toenail removed recently after a rather large boy at youth group accidently stomped on it - so it is a bit painful for her to get around. It will take a couple of weeks to improve, the doctor told her to keep the medical open toe shoe on for another 4 weeks.
The place we are in right now is pretty small and we are surrounded by our evacuation bins and some of the bins that my husband has managed to bring back from Biloxi, so we do not have a lot of room.
For me it is important that the girls are cheered up a bit, so if anyone wanted to send them something to read or some art materials that would be nice. I cannot think of anything else at the moment.
If anyone is in the Little Rock area who has a farm with animals or a horse that the girls could visit and stroke, that would be wonderful - sometimes just being around nature is cathartic. I don't drive, but when my husband is up here - he could take them to look at some animals if we just knew where there were some. A lot of people do not like you petting their horses in a field and I understand that - so we never do so without permission.
I am going to be implementing your scrapbooking and notebooking techniques, and with all the wonderful things you sent me, I can get on with that in the very near future. We lost all of our scrapbooking supplies, cardstock, binders, stickers everything, so maybe that would be something to get them started. It may not be practical, but to be honest right now it is most important to me to give them a new start with some pleasurable things. Sometimes a few stickers and new art pencils are more important than pots and pans for the emotion, (we have pots and pans).
Maybe a devotional for teens would be nice. I need very little, I can live the way I am for now - but I want to cheer the girls if I can. Once we have all we can salvage out of our home, I will know better what the family may need. However - the girls have very little here - they have their cd players, a few books, and some Christian CDs and I think that boredom for them will be the most harmful thing. Not being able to walk far means we are stuck indoors a lot and it gets a bit tedious for them.
I do appreciate that people want to help - it is a very humbling and also wonderful feeling. I just do not know at the moment what we really need, it is very hard to say - have all the helpful things you have sent us and I was listening to one of your CDs last night, that was wonderfully encouraging.
The girls have had a lot of disruption in our learning in the last 15 months or so as you can imagine, it was nice to hear you say "don't worry they will get it" - how gratifying is that - it does stress me out at the moment that I cannot do what I would like and that we don't have the spirit for it at the moment.
One thing I would like is prayers for my husband who is working so hard down in Biloxi, trying to salvage things, and worrying himself silly about our future - he has always been a careful and hardworking man - and has always saved and prepared for our future - this whole period has been pretty hard on him - I pray that he gets the strength he needs for the days ahead. I would also like prayers for all those in the path of Rita. Anyway, again thanks so much for your blessing us as a family - Linda
Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Update from Kristie Cross...
11:33 AM, Sep. 22, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
.. Link
Update from Kristie Cross...
Update from Linda Larson--After the Hurricane...Hey! Help Me Bless HER!
6:25 PM, Sep. 21, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
.. Link
I would love to introduce all of you to my dear e-pal Linda Larson. She and her family lost it all during the Hurricane. Want to adopt someone? She is MY adopted homeschool hurricane friend!
Linda and her family were living in Biloxi with her hubby (in the Air Force, stationed in Biloxi). Their losses have been devastating. Let me introduce her to you all AND I am sure that some of you will want to personally adopt her during this tough time!
Here are some updates from her as we have been writing after the hurricane...
First emails...
Hello,
It was good to hear from you - I wonder if perhaps you would be kind enough to send the order to me again - I don't know what happened to any of our mail, however we have no address and no mail is getting through, either it was destroyed or maybe they will send it back to you - I hope they do.
We are staying with some friends in Virginia until I can figure out what to do - the Air Force are being a little slow in telling us what we can and cannot do and we are stuck. I don't want to go all the way to England if it is not necessary - our dog would have to go into quarantine for six months and that would be awful and very expensive. The children are so traumatised that being away from their daddy would not be good either if we can possibly avoid it. They are now so insecure - it is awful.
Anyway, one good thing all the things I downloaded off your sight I had already put into binders and I brought that with me, and to be honest even the little clipart covers gove me immense joy at the moment. when you have very little left - it is little homey things that make things nice.
I have some books with me and bits and pieces that I evacuated - however we are not allowed to go back to our house to even salvage anything right now - it is too dangerous and until they get some law and order in we cannot get anything. We think with the high flood waters and the humidity everything will be mold damaged and ruined - we may be able to get some things from upstairs however, we are not sure of the roof damage. We will have to wait and see - we were insured for flood so we are in better shape than many - it is just the being homeless thing that is kind of disconcerting.
We will be here for a few weeks - I don't want to outstay my welcome anywhere, so we are remaining open-ended. We hope the military will make some decisions soon on what we are supposed to do. We cannot afford to live anywhere else, while we still have this mortgage hanging over our heads, and the house will take ages to rebuild and sell - so it is a quandary. Anyway, I am sure to be using a lot of your ideas in the weeks and months ahead - and I am so glad I downloaded the things I did.
Anyway, you would truly bless us if you could resend the order - we are floundering a little emotionally at present. Your kindness is another way in which our spirits are uplifted and another way God shows his grace in times of trouble. Thank you so very much, and God bless you all.
Linda
Our order to her was lost and is STILL lost. Many packages have not been making it to their destinations. BUT, this time it was all for God's glory because we were able to stay in touch and I could also send her some extra goodies in the second shipment. SOooo, even those annoying things work out for a blessing!
Here is another email....
Cindy, I would love to hug you as well - we go news today that in the next couple of weeks we can return to Biloxi and try and pick through our home for anything salvagable - we are not looking forward to that time - but it has to be done. We are leaving our darling girls here with our friend in Virginia, as Biloxi is not a place for them. Once we have done that and we have the insurance agents look at everything, we will return to the girls.
My husbands boss in the Air Force has agreed to try and get us a humanitarian assignment to another base here in the US, if we can figure out the finances a bit - maybe then we could start again. We will have to wait and see. I really appreciate you sending the package again, and for the little extras - you are way too kind. The shelter in Kentucky may be a great idea, if we cannot get on track in the next few weeks - we do not want to overstay our welcome at our friends, they are great, but it is never easy to take people in on a long term basis. So we will have to play that by ear.
Right now it is good for the girls - today was the first time I have seen them smile in ages, my friends sons, really made a huge effort to entertain them - not easy for teen boys, but I am grateful. I am sure that you have a lot of people wanting to help people like us - I cannot help thinking though that there are many much worse off who deserve it far more - and I would rather think the help went to them. We were at least insured, many had absolutely nothing - God is good and has given us friends to stay with even if it is temporary, and people like yourself - many don't have anyone at all - my prayers are all for them.
Your emails alone are so comforting, and friendly - it is as if I know you - that is a gift you have given to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your kindness in reshipping the order - I pray that life will return to normal eventually - I look at the situation in New Orleans and along the coast and it is so depressing and discouraging - I want all of those people to feel safe again.
Anyway, Cindy thanks so very much - you are an angel.
Blessings,
Linda
Next Email...
Hi Cindy - well the girls and I are now in Arkansas - the Air Force are putting us up in a base house that was due for demolition - however we are happy in it. They gave us some very basic furniture and it is plenty for us to manage on.
We feel blessed to have this place until they find us somewhere more permanent to go. I think they are trying to send us to Illinois and that will be fine - it should happen in the next few months. My husband is down in Biloxi right now, and he has been quite distressed by all he has seen there. He said he had to count exits to find our home as all the signs were gone, a lot of the landmark buildings were gone and all the trees that he was used to seeing were gone, or stripped of leaves and bark. He said there was trash and belongings everywhere, and shell-shocked people out and about. The traffic is bad because there are no traffic lights working. He said that when he entered our street, every yard was covered with all the belongings of the people who lived there, everything they had was in piles waiting for garbage collection - he said it was a devastating sight. He spent all of yesterday doing the same thing with our belongings, everything downstairs was destroyed or heavily water damaged. He did see some pretty miraculous things, my mother gave me a very nice sewing machine a few years ago and I had placed it in a bin in his office. We had also packed a lot of other items in bins, a lot of them had tipped over and the contents were ruined, however he noticed a bin in the yard - he went out saw it was upright - lifted the lid and found my sewing machine completely untouched by water or anything. It had floated from his office, through our living room, through the kitchen and out of the back door into the yard. That had to be a God thing, and it is little things like that which give us hope. He said all the books and all of my scrapbooking supplies looked like they had gone through a blender and were unrecognizable. He was very despondent last night, seeing all the neighbors who are quite elderly struggling with their losses broke his heart. He and some of his collegues helped some of them get items out of their houses and into the yard ready for the city to collect and dispose of. Most of them had no flood insurance and are totally lost. It really is a heartbreak.
The city are thinking of condemning the homes in our street as they think the area is now a health hazard - we will have to see on that. However the Air Force have made it plain that we will be leaving the area and going elsewhere - because we obviously cannot stay there. We hope to be at a new assignment in a couple of months - until then we can stay in this house. We are blessed, and grateful for all His small mercies.
The package you sent arrived at my friends house in Virginia, and she has mailed it on to me here, so I should have it at the end of the week - thanks for sending it - I do appreciate your kindness. Maybe one day I will see you at a convention or something and give you a GREAT BIG HUG.
Bless you for thinking of us - I do hope all your relations in Mississippi are doing ok - it has been a huge disaster, but it has brought out the best in many folks, and you can see God at work in all kinds of ways.
At times like this our faith keeps us on the straight and narrow and gives us strength - it is at times likes this that you want to draw closer to the Word and to Him - that is what in the end sustains us all. Anyway, that is our update, and you are so sweet for thinking of us - thank you and bless you.
Linda
Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Another Email from Linda...
Hi Cindy, wow I received the items you sent in the mail to me today - was I overwhelmed. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is truly something, when I looked through the things in the box, it brought tears of joy to my eyes - I cannot tell you what all these things mean to me - and what a huge blessing they will be to us in our current situation - it will take me ages to study everything and I just know it will all be useful. You are a very special woman, and one day I will find you and say thank you in person - you are what gives me hope for the future - sometimes the world seems so harsh and unkind and people like you are an inspiration to the rest of us not to give up. Words cannot express how I feel when I look at the contents of the box, I humbly thank you and your ministry - the things that you produce always give me a warm comforting feeling, like I am with a friend - I will gain immense comfort and pleasure from looking at everything and putting your brilliant ideas into practise.
We are still in our temporary house in Arkansas, my husband is in Biloxi trying to salvage a few things. He sent me the photographs and that was hard, but we have the roof over our heads. Hopefully the insurance people will catch up with him one of these days and things will start to settle down. We are taking each day gently, thanking God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us and trying to come to terms with our emotions.
Now our thoughts and prayers are for the people who may well be finding themselves in our situation after Hurricane Rita makes landfall - I hope that a miracle occurs and it somehow fizzles out - but it is not likely. Anyway, we hope to hear from the Air Force in the next weeks where they will send us - and then maybe we can finally find some stability in life. This is the 8th place the children have lived in less than 2 years, counting the various places we stayed when we first arrived in the US from England and the places we stayed after we found out the house we had bought was full of mold! We spent all our savings and retirement fund making the house habitable and free of mold - finally moved in at the end of January 05 and now the hurricane has finished everything off. I don't know if I already told you those things- but for the girls it has been very tough indeed - there has been no peace or stability since we arrived back in the US. They are so very confused by it all and it will take time to get over it all. Your kind generosity will be an immense help. Thanks again and God Bless You all. Linda
Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This Evening's Email...
Hello, yes you may share my story on your blog - it has been a rough time, but there are many others who have it much harder - I always try to think about that - there are those without a paycheck and those in shelters which are far worse than us.
Let me give you a bit of background - when the Air Force sent us to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, we had been in Europe - England and Germany for 9 years, so the girls were 4 when they left the US and had no real memory of it except a vacation when they were about 8. After we arrived we found a home to buy and had it inspected and were told it was a fine house - the people who sold us the home, were professional people, the wife was a realtor and the husband a retired rocket scientist - people we thought we could trust. I had only been in the house for a couple of days and realized that something was wrong as I started having all kinds of respiratory problems, headaches and dry mouth - Nicci one of my daughters also complained about feeling ill. My husband having a little background with airborne things due to his military training decided to look in the air ducts - they were black and thick with mold. We had an expert test the air quality and he told us it was pretty bad - fortunately our main household items had not been delivered - they were still in Air Force storage - but the things we had in there we had to remove and this time last year, I was standing outside in the height of the summer scrubbing everything with bleach - we were housed on base for a while longer, but then we had to move into an apartment as the military were going to take our housing allowance away and we would not have enough to pay the mortgage - so for 3 months or so we paid rent and a mortgage. Meanwhile a building company that our insurance company recommended came and started gutting the house - the more they did, the more they uncovered - the home had been resided with vinyl siding and once they removed that, they realised the people had put new siding over rotten damp siding, there was some new wood under there where some repairs had been done, but most of it was rotten. The builder told us the people who had sold us the house must have known about the problems. There was even a possum living between the siding and sunroom - which was concealed by shrubs. After one piece of siding was removed, you could put your hand through to the inside of the home - everyday brought more devastating news. All the carpets had to be removed, all the ductwork and kitchen cabinets, basically we were looking at paying for a new house. Our choice was to pay it, or go bankrupt. Well the Air Force does not take kindly to bankruptcy so we decided to cash in all our savings, investments and the retirement nestegg we had saved over the years - in the UK we had bought a house (150 years old) and we sold it at a time when the market was very good - we decided that would be put away for retirement and for our daughter Nicci's medical care, she has very mild cerebral palsy - and had surgery on her leg to stop toe walking - she needs checks ups from a physio and pediatric orthopedic surgeon a couple of times a year and we wanted to make sure we could get her good treatment should she need it. Anyway all of that money (a three figure sum) went on that house to make it safe for us to live in. We saw a lawyer, and they did take on the case, but they have warned us it could take 3 years to get any outcome and of course there are no guarantees. Now with the hurricane, things will take even longer - especially as we will no longer be living in the area. Anyway, finally in January this year we moved in.
The Air Force had packed up our things in June 04 to move them from the UK, we got to see it all again at the end of January 05. All that time we had nothing familiar around us and the girls had none of their things with them. We had just begun to settle a little and had become a little stable and Katrina came along. For the girls it is a hard time, for Ed and I it is equally worrying - we no longer have a financial cushion and wonder how we will manage a mortgage and rent somewhere else whenever the Air Force move us.
Ed retires from the military in a few years and that will be hard as well. We have to pay for the base housing and though they reimburse us, it will only pay for the mortgage or the rent, not both. The insurance company will most likely say we have to repair the house as though it is damaged it is still standing. We have flood insurance but I have heard that the insurance companies are not always paying the values - we ideally hope to have the insurance pay to repair the home and then we want to sell it immediately - if anyone will buy it - I can never take the girls back there - it has such horrific memories now.
Anyway, Ed has managed to get our clothes out of the upstairs and some of our school reference books and reading material, which is another huge blessing and again more than some have - he also got our china and some kitchen items out.
Anyway, that is our little story. We are ok in this house for now, and I think they will let us stay until they move us - but if they don't I will certainly be grateful to you and take note of your offer. As for releasing the address, I am not sure about that as I do not know how long we will be here and it could get messy if they move us in the near future. I think we may be here at least through the end of October but we are really not sure. Certainly though use my story and any part of it that you would like. As I said there are many who are suffering far more and I hate to take help away from them.
Bless you for your kindness and thoughtfulness - I always knew there were Angels on this earth. I am sure God has a plan and we must be patient and see how it all plays out. I actually just saw the storm heading for Texas on TV and it made me feel physically sick - I am now only too aware of what can happen when nature lets loose. I pray for the Texas and Louisanna coastline - I fear another impending disaster. On a lighter note, I spent my afternoon printing off some of the Brain in a Binder, so I can start a planner. We had evacuated our laptop and printer, so I could use them, thank goodness. I love the forms and they are going to be so useful. Again many thanks and - though I do not know you personally I feel I have a friend and that is a wonderful thing. Sincerely In Him
Linda
Philip. 4:6-8
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. PS I hope to hear you speak one of these days. I will just keep my eyes open for your dates and places.
OK...beloved friends!
I want to shock Linda! If any of you are as moved by her situation as I am, help me to get together some amazing thing to help rebuild her life. You can send anything that you have on your heart to ME...I will then forward it to her so we can be sure that we have the most updated address for her. Ready? Bless her socks off!
Here is my address:
Rushton Family Ministries
LINDA'S FAMILY HURRICANE RELIEF
1225 Christy Lane
Tuscumbia, AL 35674 Isn't this the FUN part of sad times???
One Homeschool Family at a Time... REAL HELP!
2:24 PM, Sep. 21, 2005
.. Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates
.. Link
A Note into Our Offices...
My Note Back...
Want to help? We are gearing up for another Mission Trip on October 7-10 into South MS.
On this trip, we plan to carry in bags of goodies. It will help us to use every second we have on the streets if everything is packaged and ready to go. On the last trip, we spent the first day just dividing out what we had. Then, we had to re-package it. This time, we are working hard to have everything in kits that are ready to pass out.
Here are the themes of what we need gathered and packaged together:
Pack-a-Bag Food Ministry...
Pack a bag full of groceries. Each bag will minister to one family! Here is what we need:
Juice
Bar of Soap
One pack of Toilet Paper
2 Boxes of Macaroni and Cheese
Box of Hamburger Helper
Can of Spaghetti
1 lb bag of Spaghetti Noodles
1 can of green beans
1 can of corn
1 can of fruit
1 box of crackers
1 jar of peanut butter
OH! We do need a few bags that would be good to share with diabetic patients. Please mark them so we can separate them easily.
Personal Care Kits or Hope in a Box Kits
This project began with MOPS in CO. We have some of these coming in for the next trip. These are PERFECT kits to give out in the next trip. Here is the link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CindyRushton/22534/
Here is what we need for them:
Personal Care Kit:
1 - bath towel
1 - hand towel 1 - wash cloth 1 - comb 1 - toothbrush 1 - tube of toothpaste (4-7 ounces) 2 - bars of soap (bath size) 1 - container (non-aerosol) deodorant Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and roll in the bath towel. Hope in a Box Kids Kit:
1 – Rubbermaid® Clear Impression shoebox with lid, 6.5 qt., or other flexible clear plastic 6.5 qt. box with lid
1 – small stuffed bear 1 – small soft ball 1 – harmonica, or other small musical instrument 1 – 6’x9’ non-spiral bound pad of regular or construction paper (60-100 sheets) 1 – Slinky® (metal or plastic) 1 – yo-yo 1 – comb 1 – toothbrush 1 – tube of toothpaste (4-7 oz.) 1 – box of 24 crayons 1 – large eraser 6 – new pencils with erasers 1 – pencil sharpener 1 – ruler (12”) 1 – pair blunt child’s scissors Place all items inside the Rubbermaid® shoebox, close lid, and tie securely with ribbon. Misc Items: Brand new packages of underwear for men, women and children of both sexes, all sizes for all of them.
Diapers, wipes, formula (ready to drink) and onesies all sizes.
Depends, Ensure for elderly.
Bibles/Bookmarks/Discipleship Materials
We are looking for nice Bibles and goodies for helping new believers begin their walk with Christ. Think of your quiet time. Maybe pack these in a tote (below are instructions) or send them ready for us to pack into totes. These will be very precious! Think of ministering to a new Christian during | ||
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