Blooming Where you are Planted & Being Blessed

Every Christmas we host a Cutco Christmas party for Isaac's organization. This was the 7th year we have done this. It has grown from the first year being about 25 people to this last year hitting a record of about 95 people! I always cook dinner for them as they come over from a long management prep meeting. In the past I have done this by myself or with the help of one of two willing hearts (some of our District Managers wives/ girl friends). This year I was over whelmed by the help. At one point we had at least 7 people cooking including my 7 yr old daughter Kelsey and my mom!

This has always been my ministry to my husband. A way I can show him my support for what he does! Isaac and I both believe that God has placed one main calling on every believers life. That is to Love God's people every where. Isaac works with many gifted young people. Unfortunately in life, most people never have anyone believe in them, encourage them, and show them the unconditional love that God calls us all to give. While many do have the blessing of coming from strong families, having a role model in their life, or faith, some do not. We meet all kinds of people in Isaac's work and many of them touch our lives in very distinct and different ways. It is truly a blessing to be able to encourage and love these amazing individuals.

Believing that God has called us to "Bloom where we are planted" means opening up our lives to the people we come in contact with especially in the work place. Many people in today's society go to work from 9-5 not enjoying what they do or who they work with. They come home drained and their lives are separated from work. Almost like two very distinct lives. Isaac and I don't view his work that way. It is not just a job, but rather a place to make a difference in the world. One of our great purposes in this world is to minister in his job. That is where God has put him. Serving by leading people, rather than just "going to work" grows him personally in the gifts God has given him.

Isaac sees the vision of training and developing these young leaders for what ever their life occupation may be. Whether they stay with our company for 14 like we have or move on to make a BIG impact on the world in other ways. Whatever they do it is a blessing for us to watch them mature and grow not just professionally, but also to watch them grow personally. It is such a privilege to watch young boys and ladies grow up into young men and women. To watch some of them get married and start families.

When I get ready to hostess a dinner for a party that large a lot of prayer and preparation goes into it. Every time I experience God provide a supernatural blessing that is unexpected, but totally divine.

This last year I was expecting 3 helpers along with my daughter for cooking... supernaturally God called in the troops and we had a total of 7 cooks for a large portion of the day in addition to numerous other who came just to help with set up. Praise God! This year we were actually trying to keep the food warm because we got done before people started arriving! Usually I am still cooking when people start tossing the shoes off. What a difference I actually ate a plate of food myself before people arrived!

In addition to that blessing. I had divine intervention in my own physical body.
I am five months pregnant with my fifth child and have had terrible morning sickness the majority of the time, with exception to that day! I had no sickness or nausea. I needed to be on, to bless my husband and bless the Lord by pulling off this party. My heart has always been to open my home when the opportunity arises. I love entertaining. I believe that communion with others is something God calls us all too. Hospitality has become a lost art these days. I know I did not grow up with watching this, many people do not. All that means is that we have to ask God to teach us how. Ask Him for the gift of Hospitality and then put in the labor.

Ultimately, serving in this capacity is always a blessing. No matter how much work it is days before and the day of. It blesses my marriage every year. My husband knows how much work I put in. It blesses the Lord to be using what he has so richly given us to those who come... love! I pray it blesses those who come and I believe in my heart it does because He dwells there. My heart's desire for that night is that those young people would sense the Spirit of God in our home and family. That they would see something different about us and have the courage to ask what it is. Then I can give the Glory to the One who deserves it all!

It brings joy to my heart every time one of Isaac's managers say, "next year make sure we have those meatballs." Or, "I can't wait until next year!" Those were my grandmas meatballs. Thanks grandma! More importantly though, what they are saying to me is I will see you next year and I love this fellowship, food, and appreciation. They feel appreciated by Isaac and I both when they know I work so hard for them. I want them to feel special and blessed every time they come into my home. Most of all, I want the Glory to go to God because He dwells in my home and makes it all happen. That is my legacy. Without His blessing I wouldn't have the means to bless people in this way. Glory to God!

How it blesses me to serve! The most rewarding time I have each year is the time spent cooking with the girls for our guys. They are so eager to learn, even from me and I don't know that much. I am so encouraged by them because I feel as though I am fulfilling a calling on my life from Titus 2-3. Even though I am not much older, I am the older woman teaching the younger women how to love on their husbands by working for him. I love that; it gives me tingles! I pray they have the kind of marriage that keeps growing and one where they both love to serve one another. There is nothing better! Nothing is more Glorifying to God!

Blooming where you are planted blesses you too!

My Sweet Hubby!