The Pride

It all started with a song. A song that we heard on the radio over and over again. One that Addison sang right along with me every time it came on. "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson. One day he asked me, what does this song mean? So we talked about it, I said the words slowly so he could understand them, we listened to the song on you tube. Then, I said, "God calls everyone to do something in their life, sometimes lots of somethings. Just like the book about George Muller we are reading, just like God called me to be a Mommy. God can call you too, even at a young age, and you should start learning to listen to God's callings, if you ever have something you feel like you are suppose to do to help God's people, tell me and we can figure out how to make it happen."

It started something in Addison that was amazing. He is a very clean young man, he likes clean feet, clean teeth, clean bedroom. He is organized and has good hygiene, he always has been that way. He said, "well I always wondered if everyone had toothpaste and toothbrushes and thought about people not being able to clean their teeth."

At that moment we started a plan for him to answer the calling. James was just as excited about the idea as Addison was, but he has a calling of his own, that we will fulfill soon and I will write about it.

When all this happened no tornado's had devastated the south, people weren't in a panic and scared for their families from a natural disaster. So we had originally made a plan to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste to a homeless shelter in Atlanta.

The plan was made, I told he and James could sell lemonade at my garage sale and I would do my best to let friends and family know so they can come support you.



They worked so hard the week leading up to the garage sale. They made this big sign, we went and picked out lemonade at the store (which Adam and I decided to donate to the cause). They were already feeling proud and they hadn't even made a single penny yet. They knew that God was going to bring the people to support this mission they set out to do in God's name. We read scripture about when we help people we help God. Matthew 25:31-46.

The day came and they anticipated so much. Adam helped them prepare for the big sale while I set up outside. It was slow, but the people came. Adults, children and friends came to support these 2 young men on their work for God. I am so very proud of their hearts. I am so very proud of their spirits, I am so very grateful for the work God has done in them. I am by no means a perfect mother, I wouldn't say I'm even a great mother. But I have God by my side and this very act reminded me of that. I could not raise these children without Him, without His word. Every job you have in life, whatever it may be, can only be done well by the Grace of God. Mothering is one of them.
My 2 precious boys made $40 dollars that day (and when they sold to our family the next day. They made a little traveling lemonade stand for the occasion). They were so proud of the work they did, they were so proud of the people they were going to help and they were so thankful for the money that was made for them to be able to do this very important work.

Because of the changes in circumstance, the boys decided to help tornado victims who lost everything. Tornado victims who had no home and were living in churches and shelters with nothing left. Adam's work was doing a drive just for this cause and lo and behold(we don't believe in coincidences), The Lord put toothpaste and toothbrushes on the list of things these people needed. I helped them clip coupons and find a day when things were on sale. They were able to buy 20 tubes of toothpaste and 27 toothbrushes with the money they raised.

I am so very proud of them, but even more so I am so grateful for the work God has done in their hearts. I pray they never stop giving and they always think of others before themselves. What a blessing it is to see His work through my children.