For awhile now, I’ve been trying to figure out what I could do ministry-wise to get involved in my community. Having worked fulltime all my life, this is really the first time I’ve had the extra time to devote to something like this and I’m happy to say that God has opened a door for me to get involved. My friend, Debbie, told me about The Lovelady Center, a faith-based ministry that helps women coming out of prison, as well as domestic abuse, homeless women, and drug addicts. The gospel is shared with them and many of them have come to know Christ as a result and they are seeing many changed lives in the 4 short years that they’ve been open.
This is certainly not to pat myself on the back. I’ve never actively sought out getting invoved in anything like this before, nor did I really want to get out of my comfort zone, but when I walked in and heard their presentation on what the Lovelady Center is all about, my heartstrings were tugged and next thing I knew, I had signed up to be a volunteer. I’m going to use my talents to teach a class to these women, Trash to Treasure Decorating. This will be an ongoing class and I imagine that I’ll get many more signing up for the 6-week class after the first session is over with. We have just started this in the last week and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with these ladies. I also can’t wait to how this is going to impact my life as well. I am so excited about this ministry and how Debbie and I can open our lives up to these women. We’re going to teach a Bible study together too and Debbie will help me with my decorating class.
So, this is where I’ll be every Friday afternoon. I’m going to drag some of my projects up there and show these ladies how to do things on a budget, from covering lampshades to decoupage and painting. Hopefully, one of these days they will have a home of their own. I know for a fact that all women want a home and they want to make it their own, so that’s what I hope to teach them. Many of them have never had a home. So, we want to show them hope…through God’s love and what He can do in their lives. I had 13 ladies at the first class and expect a few more next time. We are also going to sponsor a table for the women’s Christmas party. We’ll be decorating the table, providing the food and also giving each lady a special gift. I’ve got some ladies in my Bible study group who I hope will help me with my table and we will look forward to pampering these ladies for an evening. 
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved in a center like this, take a look around your city and see what is out there. You have to actively look for it, it’s not going to just jump in your lap. I think this might be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever gotten involved in. I’ll keep you posted on it all.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved in a center like this, take a look around your city and see what is out there. You have to actively look for it, it’s not going to just jump in your lap. I think this might be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever gotten involved in. I’ll keep you posted on it all.
We’re going out of town again. Back to the beach in Florida this time! I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow on the next post and boy, will you be surprised! It’s a fun story.
Don't Miss a Post, join my list!
I think this is an awesome opportunity to help someone and in such a very practical way! This is using your spiritual gift of hospitality to enrich the life of another.
The ladies are going to love the class and the things that you will teach them.
Blessings to you!
God bless you Rhoda!! You will be blessed by serving as much as your guest will be blessed learning from you!!
I’m sure with all your thrifty ideas, yard sale/garage sale shopping and tips you will be able to provide a wealth of information to these ladies.
May God bless you in your new endeavor as well.
Blessings,
Sher
That is very sweet of you Rhoda! You will be a blessing to all of the ladies! God is in control! Have a great trip to the beach!
Rhoda what a great ministry to work with. Being female and being blessed beyond measure gives us an oportunity to reach out to others in their time of need. God bless you.
I figured out earlier you are Kat’s mystery guest….lol
Have fun with sweet Miss Daisy.
🙂
Sheila
Fantastic cause!
I’d love to attend one of those classes.
You bring a lot of beauty into this world in many ways 🙂
Hi
I just found your blog through a blog of a blog of a blog, you get the idea. Although this may be the wrong place to post this question to you I hope you will still answer.
It is wonderful that you are so willing to help others as a Christian but since you have always worked full time isn’t there another benefit you could provide to others in need? Professionally I mean, since you were a professional for so many years. Like how to shop for professional clothing on a budget, or how to take shorthand, or how to interview or fill out applications? Some-thing of that nature?
I mean decorating is important and comforting but I am sure it’s not the first thing on their list of prioritys, even though it is comforting they have to afford it! Do you remember the days of counting every penny? I am sure you have other really important and beneficial things you could teach. I, also being Christian, can appreciate your effort but feel you having been a “professional” have more important qualitys and expertise to offer these women than how to paint a pumpkin, as many will have to eat it, not decorate it.
Since you have just decided to do this after you have opened your own business, one can’t help wonder if this is a bit “self promoting.”
As This will no doubt be in the paper too.
Congratulations on your business. Did it take you long to get your LLC? I am considering dong a catering and would love to hear the details.
Oh, this sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!! My husband has played there with Kevin Derryberry a couple times and he loves the place. Scott really enjoyed seeing all of the kids running around. You’ll have a blast there. If you see a tall girl named Brandy tell her Brandi says Hi. She is a resident there and we met her at Lifetech in Wetumpka.
— Brandi
Hi Rhoda – what a fun thing to teach them & such a sweet way to give the ladies hope for their future homes. Have a wonderful weekend at the beach! 🙂
Fabulous! Wishing you much success and blessings.
🙂
I believe you will find this work, particularly rewarding, Rhoda.
For a number of years I did various volunteer work. The last was at a Sheltered Workshop, Earthwise Industries. Developmentally diabled people are employed at Earthwise. I helped my sister in law set up and run a resale shop, to benefit the organization. I can tell you, truthfully, it was one of the most rewarding “jobs” I ever had.
Best of luck with this new adventure.
Your class sounds like fun – oh how wonderful that you are giving them some hope. Sometimes that is the best present! Sally
Rhoda,
I think it’s wonderful that you have found a way to use the special gift the Lord has blessed you with. I can understand how others may feel that these women may have more “immediate needs”, however I truly believe that when the Lord pricks “Your Heart” in a certain area, that is the way He is guiding YOU. Believe me, He will send someone to address ther other needs.
I am pleased to say that I have had the exact same calling. The Charity in my area is called Sister Care and I feel blessed knowing that I can use the gifts He has blessed me with also not only to show them how to decorate their homes, but how to keep home. I also would like to have “sharing sessions”, where we can all share recipes, childrearing ideas such as how to keep their children safe and other household safety issues. There will be many oppurtunities I’m sure to minister to these women.
Blessings
Lisa
Dear Anon: I'm getting ready to go out of town, but have to address your note. First of all, you are brand new to my blog it sounds like, so you really know nothing about what I've been talking about for the past almost 2 years on here. Second, there are many other teachers at the center who cover various classes & topics and those ladies go through computer classes, dressing for interviews, & lots of job skill classes as well. I will only be one of several teachers/volunteers at the center. They are required to take a certain amount of Bible classes, as well as "fun" classes. When I mentioned doing a decorating class, the Development Director was all for it & thought the ladies would love it. And they do! We've had 2 classes so far & they are really enjoying learning some domestic skills that maybe they've not had a lot of opportunity to think about in a long time. So, that to me is a much needed thing for them to get into right now. They need some fun things too, not just work or Bible related topics.
As far as this being self-serving & me being in the paper, no there are no plans for anything like that. I'm really offended that you would even say that. This has nothing to do with my decorating business, but everything to do with trying to help a group of women who are down & out & hopefully will one day be on their feet again. Like I said, I know that all women want to make a nice home for themselves & by teaching them some of these fun decorating things, I hope that they will take it with them to wherever they may end up. Debbie & I are also doing a Bible study right after the decorating class and they are enjoying that too. They are both needed and welcomed.
I will teach them decorating and maybe next month or so we might even do a cooking class or a "how to dress" class. We've mulled over several topics that we could get into…life skills that are much needed by these ladies. So, decorating is just one thing that I'm doing right now, but it could be something else in a couple of months. I'm dedicated to doing whatever I can to help out this group of ladies right where they are right now and if I can help them have a little fun along the way, then nothing will bless me more. And yes, I have pinched pennies before, so I know how to do it very well.
Rhoda, you are going to love it! And you will see God move in a mighty way.
BTW, I was at Goodwill on Greensprings today. You might want to check it out if you run out of projects in your basement.
Yay, Rhoda! What a great thing to do. I have a local charity that I am totally in love with…in fact I’m doing a post about them next week to mark my 100th blog post (whoo hoo!). I’m a big fan of giving back to your community so thank you for giving back to yours. 🙂 These ladies are lucky to have you.
THAT IS WONERFUL. I KNOW THOSE LADIES WILL BE BLESSED BY YOU AND YOU BY THEM 🙂
Oh my goodness, this is so weird!! You’re just not going to believe this! Well first off, I didn’t say anything about it when you posted about the beachy bedroom redo, but I just gotta say something now. Ok for a few months now I have been talking about my beachy bedroom re-do on my blog. I haven’t gotten mine done yet like you have though. Mine requires a bit more work I think. And now you’re talking about this womens ministry. I just recently found out about a place near me called Jacob’s Well and they are also Christ centered and is for addictions. I was thinking the other day what a blessing it would be to work or help out in something like that. They have thrift stores where they take donations from folks to help with this center. In my case though I’m not sure if I CAN get involved in this center but sure was thinking about HOW I could help that’s for sure. I KNOW I can help by donations of money and itmes to donate which I have already done just a little of. But just had to share how we’re thinking soooo much alike! lol Congrats on yours and I know you will help these ladies loads and loads! I’m SO EXCITED for you!!!!
I think that is amazing that God has opened this opportunity for you!!
By the way, I am having a giveaway on my blog! I would love for your to stop by and check it out! 🙂
Rhoda,
Thanks for your advice!!! 🙂
As far as my blog signature, I had my fairy blogmother Darcy of Graphically Designing do it when she did my blog design. Maybe yours could add one on for you too? That’s too bad that companies are willing to have inappropriate things on their sites.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)!!!
Blessings,
Stacey
DEAR RHODA~ I just KNEW you were an "Angel on Earth"! What a blessed joy to be able to share your knowledge, & the greatest gift of all, your T-I-M-E, w/ these gals. I know you aren't ASKING for it, but please, may I send MY "kudos" to you for just "doing what's right, even when nobody's looking"? What a warm feeling each time for YOU, too, and you KNOW they appreciate it SOOO MUCH!!!~~~~~ The BOOK arrived in yesterday's mail ~~~ THANKS SOOO MUCH!!! I was going thru it last night, so MY DH got to watch WHATEVER he wanted on TV while I read… NIFTY for BOTH of us!!! Thank you for such a DELIGHTFUL gift ~~~ It will go into my ever-growing & much-beloved "collection" AFTER I finish reading/viewing it! It's MUCHO APPRECIATED, and SOOOO fun to receive "something special" in the mail (Yes, other than a BILL!)… doesn't happen much anymore THESE days, does it??? SOOOO, I sincerely THANK YOU, RHODA!!! Warmest blessings, Linda