I hear people say, Bloom where you’re planted! all the time. Well, I’m planted in the midwest, and don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. And there’s something very good I think that is in the process of blooming.

Over the past six months or so, Cody’s parents and our friends Carolyn and Mick have done some hard work in order to start a non-profit we can operate under to provide things like a food pantry, thrift store, and hopefully other services in the future. Our brochure actually states that we are a “private non-profit and non-denominational Christian resource center. We are organized exlusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes, focusing on providing assistance to those with immediate needs for food and affordable clothing. Long-term needs will be met by partnering our clientele with organizations who  can assist them with necessary life skills, employment, housing, and other services.”

Whew. Cody and I have jumped on board (well, yeah, literally onto the board as board members, haha) and we have our first big event coming up this weekend!

We are partnering with the Journey Church in Brownsburg to have a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, February 28 in the fellowship hall of the Journey Church. We decided literally Monday night that this is what we were going to do in order to raise startup funds for our group. At first, I was stressed about throwing together something that big last-minute….do we have enough things to sell? Will people even come? But it’s been awesome how people have come together!

We’ve already had lots of people donate furniture, clothes, and all kinds of things. Friday night, my friend Rachel, baker extraordinaire, has gladly and graciously offered to host a baking party so we can bake as many cookies, scones, and breads as we can to sell Saturday morning. Cody’s dad Rick is organizing pick-up schedules so that people with donations can have their big items picked up. Cody’s mom Kathy has put together brochures and flyers. Everyone’s pitching in where they are gifted most and needed most.

I’m really excited about Saturday because we’ll have the chance to meet a ton of people, explain what we’re trying to do, and maybe even recruit some volunteers.

So if you’re in the area, feel free to drop by, if even for just a coffee and a chat!! We’d love to see you.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 peter 4:8-10