Merry Christmas

Office Hours Week of December 26th are limited to Wednesday, the 28th, from 9 to 4

“And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!” ~ Luke 2:8-11


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that our Agape Angels know the 'great joy' God provides for us, in spite of our being frightened or whatever our circumstances may be, and that this weekend the girls and their families will know the joy of celebrating the birthday of Jesus, our precious Savior.

~ for healing for our girls, their families, volunteers and staff; physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually.

~ for time to rest and rejuvenate over the holidays, all the while remembering the reason for the season.


Praise Reports:
~ I have been thinking about putting ‘tampons’ on the wish list, as we recently ran out of a large supply that had been donated last year. You know how it goes sometimes, and I just didn’t make it a priority. But God knew what we needed, and in the mail today we received an anonymous donation with a box full of tampons and sanitary napkins – praise God!!!

~ for time off from school for our girls to spend with family, as well as relaxing, over Christmas break.

~ for all of the generous donations and Christmas gifts for our Agape Angels!


Items Needed:
(2) Electric staplers
Napkins
Chicken
Yogurt
Milk (1% please)
Cereal
Snacks, i.e., almonds, peanuts, dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels, raw vegetables and dip.

Donations to fill our baskets for rewards at school. Some requests for things to earn from our girls for our small basket are: Small chocolate candy bars, candy canes, gum, nail polish, stamps, shoe laces, bracelets, rings, jewelry, stickers, pens, mechanical pencils or small highlighters. For our larger basket, which they have a chance to pick from once a week, wants include: lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, lotions, eye shadow, hair accessories, perfume, coloring books, markers, crayons, water bottles, stuffed animals and calendars.

Wish List:
Exercise stretch bands
Journals – the girls like the black and white composition hard cover notebooks best.
Ball cart/rack(for in the gym)
Good basketball
Good volleyball
Badminton set
(2) Four-square (playground) balls
Air hockey pucks and pushers
Football (nerf)
Football (regular)
Balls for foosball table
Keyboard, full-size, with weighted keys, in good condition
Mini Van (used and in good shape) - free or very good price
Gift cards for the girls to be able to go to Starbucks, bowling, a movie, or Subway


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Sponsor a school trip to a Christian concert in January or February.

~ Tutors for afternoons and Friday morning.

~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

~ Sponsor a girl here; we have several girls that come from single parent families that have no money.
~ Donations to help purchase a building at the end of this month to expand our counseling program, and have a transition home.
Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

Depend on Him

“In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” Proverbs 3:6


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that our Agape Angels learn to rest in God, forgetting about the worries of the world; tuning into God’s eternal security and depending on Him. He will smooth out the path before them.

~ for our girls to trust that the holiday time will bring them happiness, and that their home visits will be a positive experience.

~ for healing for our girls, their families, volunteers and staff; physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually.

~ for the girls to come to understand that the things of this world are temporary, and that believing in and walking with God is for eternity.

~ for the girls to desire to have quality relationships.

~ for time to rest and rejuvenate over the holidays, all the while remembering the reason for the season.


Praise Reports:
~ For the continued donations we are receiving towards the purchase of the property for a counseling center and transition home, which we are scheduled to close on this month!

~ For the progress we are seeing some of the girls make with their healing.

~ For the hope of a wonderful time with family for Christmas break.


Items Needed:
(2) Electric staplers
Napkins
Chicken
Yogurt
Milk (1% please)
Cereal
Snacks, i.e., almonds, peanuts, dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels, raw vegetables and dip.

Donations to fill our baskets for rewards at school. Some requests for things to earn from our girls for our small basket are: Small chocolate candy bars, candy canes, gum, nail polish, stamps, shoe laces, bracelets, rings, jewelry, stickers, pens, mechanical pencils or small highlighters. For our larger basket, which they have a chance to pick from once a week, wants include: lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, lotions, eye shadow, hair accessories, perfume, coloring books, markers, crayons, water bottles, stuffed animals and calendars.

Wish List:
Exercise stretch bands
Journals – the girls like the black and white composition hard cover notebooks best.
Ball cart/rack(for in the gym)
Good basketball
Good volleyball
Badminton set
(2) Four-square (playground) balls
Air hockey pucks and pushers
Football (nerf)
Football (regular)
Balls for foosball table
Keyboard, full-size, with weighted keys, in good condition
Mini Van (used and in good shape) - free or very good price
Gift cards for the girls to be able to go to Starbucks, bowling, a movie, or Subway


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Sponsor a school trip to a Christian concert in January or February.

~ Tutors for afternoons and Friday morning.

~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

~ Sponsor a girl here; we have several girls that come from single parent families that have no money.
~ Donations to help purchase a building at the end of this month to expand our counseling program, and have a transition home.
Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!” ~ Hebrews 13:8

Receive Him

Christmas Ideas for the Girls
If anyone is interested in donating Christmas gifts for the girls, gift cards for things they can go out and do would be fabulous! Suggestions: movie theatres, bowling alleys, shopping at Walmart or Target, roller skating, eating out, etc.


“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” ~ John 1:12


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that our Agape Angels understand the blessing of receiving Jesus Christ into their hearts, and the authority that gives them to be a child of God who they can believe in, adhere to and rely on.

~ for our girls to trust that the holiday time will bring them happiness, and that their home visits will be a positive experience.

~ for healing for our girls, their families (including those no longer taking part in our program), volunteers and staff.

~ for God’s direction for our girls and this ministry to be made known to all who need to know.


Praise Reports:
~ For the donation of a 72” Christmas wreath that fits perfectly above the front doorway, as well as some evergreen boughs to drape around the doorway and down the stair railings! (And for willing volunteers to hang the wreath).

~ For the donation of food from Calvary, as well as from the Freezing for Food drive done by Kunes Ford last weekend!

~ For the donation of hand sanitizer, shampoo and cream rinse.

~ For the donation of one-quarter of beef!


Items Needed:
(2) Electric staplers
Napkins
Chicken
Tubs of Margarine
String Cheese
Yogurt
Milk (1% please)
Cereal
Fresh Produce: Veggies and Fruits
Snacks, i.e., almonds, peanuts, dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels, raw vegetables and dip.

Donations to fill our baskets for rewards at school. Some requests for things to earn from our girls for our small basket are: Small chocolate candy bars, candy canes, gum, nail polish, stamps, shoe laces, bracelets, rings, jewelry, stickers, pens, mechanical pencils or small highlighters. For our larger basket, which they have a chance to pick from once a week, wants include: lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, lotions, eye shadow, hair accessories, perfume, coloring books, markers, crayons, water bottles, stuffed animals and calendars.

Wish List:
Exercise stretch bands
Journals – the girls like the black and white composition hard cover notebooks best.
Ball cart/rack(for in the gym)
Good basketball
Good volleyball
Badminton set
(2) Four-square (playground) balls
Air hockey pucks and pushers
Football (nerf)
Football (regular)
Balls for foosball table
Keyboard, full-size, with weighted keys, in good condition
Mini Van (used and in good shape) - free or very good price
Gift cards for the girls to be able to go to Starbucks, bowling, a movie, or Subway


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Pray daily for all teachers and students.

~ Sponsor a school trip to a Christian concert in January or February.

~ Tutors for afternoons and Friday morning.

~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

~ Sponsor a girl here; we have several girls that come from single parent families that have no money.
~ Donations to help purchase a building at the end of this month to expand our counseling program, and have a transition home.
Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live.” ~ John 11:25

The Mind of the Spirit

Christmas Ideas for the Girls
If anyone is interested in donating Christmas gifts for the girls, gift cards for things they can go out and do would be fabulous! Suggestions: movie theatres, bowling alleys, shopping at Walmart or Target, roller skating, eating out, etc.


“The mind of the flesh . . . (is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit) . . . but the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace.” Romans 8:6

Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that our Agape Angels are learning to replace wrong thinking with God’s Word, the truth, and realizing they do not need to understand the ‘why’ behind everything. Rather, that they can ‘trust’ and submit to God’s ways, which will bring us peace.

~ For the girls to recognize their successes with this past holiday weekend, as well as how they might do things differently the next time. Also, that they realize that life is all a process, as we evolve from one event to the next.

~ For consistency in the choice being made by our Agape Angels.

~ For those girls who are working through particular issues in their lives right now as a result of choices made in the past; that they be encouraged that the choices they are making now will take them down a better path.

~ For the families of our girls as they adjust to the changes being made in the lives of their daughters, and see the goodness that is coming forth, and desire that for themselves as well.

~ For the staff and volunteers who continue to love these girls right where they are at, that they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit daily to do God’s will, and know His healing power in their lives.


Praise Reports:
~ For the joy of the Christmas season; the spirit of love given so freely!

~ For the joy of seeing the Sanctuary and school decorated for Christmas so beautifully. Thank you to all who contributed in any way, from donating the 12-foot Christmas tree, to the decorations, to the time people spent making this a Home filled with His love, where we can all celebrate the true reason for the season – Jesus!

~ For those preparing for our Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 8th, from 6 to 8 p.m. - we pray the love and commitment they have given to this event will be blessed, and that people will find the time to stop by and enjoy this event, while being able to purchase some homemade baked goodies and decorations. Our choir will also be singing for us that evening!

~ For those who have already responded to our appeal letter and are supporting the expansion of this ministry to purchase a new building for a counseling center and transition home. With the closing later this month, it is encouraging to know others are being led by the Spirit!

~ For the donation of mulch for our gardens in front of the buildings!

~ For the parents who continue to support this program by participating in parent support group, counseling, and helping with the cleaning of the buildings or making lunches, etc.

~ For the many issues being resolved by the girls without adult interaction being needed; this is huge!


Items Needed:
(2) Electric staplers
Napkins
Chicken
Tubs of Margarine
String Cheese
Yogurt
Milk (1% please)
Cereal
Fresh Produce: Veggies and Fruits
- Snacks, i.e., almonds, peanuts, dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels, raw vegetables and dip.


Wish List:
Exercise stretch bands
Journals – the girls like the black and white composition hard cover notebooks best.
Ball cart/rack(for in the gym)
Good basketball
Good volleyball
Badminton set
(2) Four-square (playground) balls
Air hockey pucks and pushers
Football (nerf)
Football (regular)
Balls for foosball table
Keyboard, full-size, with weighted keys, in good condition
Mini Van (used and in good shape) - free or very good price
Gift cards for the girls to be able to go to Starbucks, bowling, a movie, or Subway


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Pray daily for all teachers and students.

~ Sponsor a school trip to a Christian concert in January or February.

~ Tutors for afternoons and Friday morning.

~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

~ Sponsor a girl here; we have several girls that come from single parent families that have no money.
~ Donations to help purchase a building at the end of this month to expand our counseling program, and have a transition home.
Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6