On Project Serve we were admonished to look at Hebrews 13.

     I did and it was exactly what I needed for what faced us when we got home after two weeks. It says, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence; the Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

     God has been with us for our whole lives and it will be no different during a house fire, two car engines blowing, my two year old computer kicking the bucket, not being able to pay our equity loan for three months, having to ask daughters to leave our home, seizures getting more often for a girl in our home, not being able to say yes to someone needing help because of the situation in one of our other homes, finances for Open Door being a problem and any other thing that has come up. We all have our "Job" days. We need to have patient endurance and trust Jesus for it all.

     We just got back from Alabama where some people did not have indoor plumbing, air conditioning or a real house. Even with all that has gone wrong in the week that we have been home, it does not compare. We have full refrigerators (three in fact), one car, clothes, air conditioning, a home with nine bedrooms, people to love, other computers, and so much more. Somehow, it is hard to get what is really a need and what is a want. Even paying the mortgage should be looked at knowing God gave us this home and he can take it away. He has always provided. But the reality is if we lost the house we still could live in a much nicer apartment than the people living in the part of Alabama we saw. It is all perspective and remembering our real home is in heaven. It is time for all of us here in Wheaton to not be ashamed or feel guilty of the wealth we enjoy, but to make sure we are the best stewards we can be. Rich or poor, Jesus needs to be praised.

COLOMA PLACE HOME:
      1.   The Dyers have been asked to move and need prayer to be out by September 15.
      2.   We have also asked the woman in the home to leave by that time. Please pray for her to be able to find a better job and housing. She still has very low income. 
      3.   We need to get this home back to work. Enough is enough. We had to turn down a girl who would have been great for the home due to this situation and it was very sad to us. Pray for renewal in the home.  

QUICKS BOYS HOME:
      4.   Pray for a court date coming soon for the baby in their home. Things are still not good at her biological home but they are fighting for her.
      5.   Pray for Pat. He had a great time at camp and is having a good summer. Pray for him to have growth in his spirit this summer.

KEENON HOME:
      6.   As you heard from the top statement, we had a fire on the fourth of July and lost our front porch but a neighbor's quick thinking saved our lives. God was gracious and only allowed only small property damage and not human lives. It was on the part of the house no one sleeps in, and we would have all slept through 1/2 the house burning before we even knew what was going on.  
      7.   Melissa is still having seizures about twice a week for hours at a time. She is really struggling spiritually and is afraid to ask Jesus into her heart but wants to. Pray for her to be able to release herself to Him. Her grandma is in hospice and this is very upsetting to Melissa, and we are concerned about what will happen when she passes away.
      8.  Margie got all four wisdom teeth pulled. Pray for healing.
      9.  The new boy is doing well. Pray for us to stay sharp and not be fooled by good looks and a nice demeanor. We need to help him continue to grow in a positive fashion and not just let him be here to live.
    10.   Pray for Joel as he goes to school and works this summer. Pray for him to not just be here either but to grow.
    11.   Pray for all our "issues" and that we can trust Jesus for it all.                    

 

Missed you all, Jill and Paul Keenon.