Hi, y’all! I know my posts have been scarce. For that, I apologize. But once you discover what I’ve been up to, I think you’ll be very forgiving – including the sponsoring companies awaiting my reviews of their fantabulous products!

I started this post Tuesday evening (December 22, 2009) but couldn’t finish it. My eyes were filled with tears, my head was pounding with questions and thoughts, and my heart was simply broken into a gazillion pieces.

It’s taken a couple of days to pull my thoughts together on this. What better day to post, though, than on Christmas Eve?

Here’s the draft I started (I’ll add today’s thoughts later):

Today I walked among the homeless. No, I didn’t pass them on the street or gaze at them through the window while driving by. I mean I literally walked into a building where they were. I looked into the eyes of men and women – many of them who have served our country through various military services – and saw far more than people without homes.

My grandmother always told me that “eyes are the windows to a person’s soul.”

When I peered into the souls I crossed paths with today, I saw real people. I saw moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents – many of them have served our country. I saw people who deserve dignity, respect, kindness, smiles, hugs, handshakes – no matter the condition of their soiled, tattered clothes, hair, or skin.

No, maybe they aren’t perfect. Their hair isn’t all styled from that fancy new place everyone’s raving about, and their teeth aren’t pearly white anymore. No, they don’t have the most expensive cologne or your favorite luxurious cold cream for their dried-out, weathered skin. But they’re real people, and they have feelings. They have a heart and soul. They have likes and dislikes. They have talents. Some of them even still have dreams.

With an empathetic heart, and a little time spent with them, you can look past not only the physical layers of clothing, but the invisible layers (walls, really) they’ve cocooned themselves inside. If you take a few moments to stop and talk to them, look them in the eye, smile, and just treat them like they’re your friend – or even a relative, because they could be – you’ll find that their eyes light up. Relief washes over them. Joy bubbles in their hearts. They’ll begin to tell you that they have a passion for cooking, or that they used to work every day and even lift weights at the gym. Any one of them could be you – or me. Any one of them could be someone we know. Someone who woke up one day and learned they didn’t have a job. Someone who lost their family in a horrific car accident – and couldn’t cope. Someone who’s come home from serving our country, with nowhere to go. Someone who still can’t figure out how they lost their way, or how to find it again.

Sure, there are the negatives. Many people choose to focus only on those who are drug addicts, alcoholics, or are destructive. I’m guilty myself. But each time I’ve been in the presence of a homeless person, I haven’t felt threatened. I feel their respect. I feel their gratitude. I feel their joy and appreciation that I’m in their presence as a fellow human. Nothing more, nothing less.

Life can be so simple. Why do we have to make it so hard?

I’m not there to judge them. I’m there to be of service, any way I can. I’m there to blow on that flicker of hope any of them might have – or rekindle the hope in those who’ve let theirs die down.

I’m there to let them know, that yes, people do still care. That some of us hurt for them. That some of us realize they’re a real person. That some of us yearn to do more, but can’t figure out how to go about it on a large scale.

My head aches tonight. I feel sick to my stomach. My heart feels like it’s going to explode from all the pain it’s having to process.

But I can still smile through the tears. Why? Because when we walked into that building on a cold, dark, winter day, I watched a huge room filled with people change right before my eyes. Yes, that’s right. I saw people slumped on couches, and sitting hunched over at tables, and walking around aimlessly with their shoulders drooping, stand up or sit up straight. I saw worry and stress wash away from their tired faces as they realized we were walking in carrying Christmas goody bags, Christmas cards, and giant candy canes – just for them.

I watched everyone’s heart skip a beat. I watched the true meaning of Christmas unfold right before my eyes. That, my friends, is what it’s all about…

Christmas Eve

Even as I read the above draft I had written after leaving the homeless Tuesday, I can barely see the computer screen through my tears.

I had so many questions:

Why are Veterans homeless?

Why are Veterans forgotten?

Why is anyone homeless?

Why is anyone forgotten?

Why don’t more people do more – even the smallest amount of help is something?

How can I help more?

What if I were in their situation?

Where’s the compassion?

Many of you don’t know that my family has been in the ministry for over 20 years. Even when I was a little girl – before my parents committed their lives to God’s work – I saw them take their own bill money and give it to a young couple whose baby was near death at a hospital a few hours away. The mom was staying with the baby. The dad was working as much as anyone would let him. He wanted to get to his family. His wife didn’t even have any cash with her at all, as she sat alone in that hospital with her baby. I’ve also seen my parents do many other things over the years. We’ve taken food out of our cabinets, clothes out of our closets. If we’re able in any way, we try to help anyone we can. I’m so glad my parents have taught me to go the extra mile. My grandparents taught me as well.

You can read about the Christmas bags we took the homeless on our ministry site: Highways & Byways Ministries.

Our ministry is very, very different than most anything else out there. Why? Because we work with those who are basically considered “outcasts” – we strive to walk where Jesus walked….

Mom & Me

I wish you the best, most blessed Holiday Season EVER – and I urge you to do something – anything – for others.

Won’t you help the homeless?

Updated to Add

My family has decided to step up and take action to help cure homelessness in our area (read more here). We’re working to secure funds for our first building, which will allow the homeless who come to us to have their own living quarters – a place to call home – where they can shower, rest, plan their future, and pull themselves together and try to work toward restoring their lives.

We are MORE than people who feel empathy for them – we are their family. Our first building for our Momma’s Houses dream will house numerous people and get them off the street. They won’t be asked to get out in a few days, weeks, or months. They need adequate time to reenter society. They will have it. And, no matter what – we’ll always be their family, their support system, their friend.

If you aren’t comfortable donating electronically, feel free to send your donation to:

Highways and Byways Ministries

P.O. Box 115

Diggins, MO 65636

Yes, $80,000 is a LOT of money to raise in 30 days – but not if a lot of people give a little.

Bonus Christmas Blessing

ELI IS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!