I had the privilege of delivering Easter Baskets to Joshua's Haven.  My cousin Makayla and her friend Maya thought of this idea of doing Easter Baskets for Sarah's Butterflies at Christmastime.  So today, we sorted items, packed and delivered 12 baskets. My cousin Lexi helped us pack the buckets.  
         Please pray for the recipients of our Love You Buckets.  Remember, Jesus loves you buckets!!!!!

      Jim and I talked and we have set the goal for 2019.  Our goal is 2,000 Blessing Bags as we want to send 500 bags to bless New York City.  Many of you might be wondering why we want to send bags to New York City and the answer to that question is that the homeless in New York City are someone's Sarah.  They are much loved by God and by their families.  Maybe those homeless are veterans and what better way to thank them for risking their lives than by giving them a Blessing Bag.  God has laid this on our hearts and I know that God will make a way for it to happen.  God never leads you to something that He does not also provide the way to make it happen.  
     

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   I received the following Contact form from Erik K who is an employee of Montrose Nissan.  I have included the graphic above.  Please look at the file and know that your time as a volunteer for Sarah's Butterflies Foundation is greatly appreciated. 

Hi Sarah's Butterflies Foundation, 
     My name is Erik and I work for Montrose Nissan dealership in Hermitage. I came across your blog and wanted to get in touch. Each month we create an info graphic for community outreach. We recently created a graphic which lists out some great health benefits of volunteering and giving back. I wanted to see if you'd have any interest in giving it a look and possibly share it via your blog (if you enjoy it).
       Let me know what you think and I can send it over.   Thanks for your time. 
Kind Regards, 
Erik 

​                The delivery of Blessing Bags is over until December 26, 2019.  So many emotions swirl around between November when we launch for the year and January when we are done with distribution.  Leading up to the final delivery, I am often anxious hoping that we get enough supplies to meet the needs. 
                December 26th is a day that is abuzz with activity.  The day begins before dawn and ends after the sun sets.  This year Jim and I got up around 7:00 in the morning and begin loading and arranging stuff in the 20 foot U-Haul we had rented.  We got to Love Christian Center around 8:30 and began unloading supplies from Center Presbyterian Church and school supplies that needed packed.  We had taken 2 loads over in the days prior so the tables were arranged with goods to make sorting when the volunteers arrived more organized-okay that is the idea.   December 26th once we get started is organized chaos. 
                As people arrive they need a job to do and I have to figure out where to tell them to go.  I am not always confident so much of my confidence is faking it so that no one knows that I am hoping that I make the right decision with where to put someone.  Can they sort school supplies?  Are they better at helping pack?  Do we need help in the kitchen?  Where are the tags and scissors?  Can you put a sign on the truck?  These questions are ones that I have to ask myself repeatedly before I point them in a direction.  Many times I feel like I am going to scream not because people are bothering me but because the task is bigger than me. WAY BIGGER! 
                This year we sorted donations, packed Blessing and School Supply bags and distributed 1,350-1,400 Blessing Bags and another 300-400 school supply bags.  The task began on December 26th where we went to Market Street, Malleable, Mesabi, Willow Village and Orange Village.  While we stopped at Shenango Park Apartments, we were unable to find anyone willing to open the door and let us bless them.  We are praying that God will open doors for us for next year and make it safe to return.
                December 27th, Jim and I went to Grove City.  We went to trailer parks and apartment buildings in and around Grove City.  On the 28th, we went to the northern part of Mercer before heading to Farrell to bless the children around Love Christian Center at Centennial Place.  As Jim and I left Farrell, I put one backpack on the door of a young girl who is Sarah’s age. 
                On Saturday, we blessed West Middlesex, Sharpsville and Mercer.  We took a few days off to recharge and on Thursday we went back at it by visiting Fredonia.  With the kids in school, we were not able to find too many people home as well as the streets were quite slippery.  We decided to wait until Saturday, January 5, 2019, to finish with the bulk of deliveries.  We finished Fredonia and went to Transfer. 
                On January 7, 2019, I delivered the last 60 bags to Mercer Elementary for their Backpack Program.  Sixty students in K-6 received a bag from Sarah’s Butterflies on January 11 in their backpack. 
                Why do we do this year after year?  We do this in memory of Sarah.  We do this because God has laid on our hearts to care for those in need.  Many just need someone to remind them that they matter.   

       Sarah’s Butterflies packed 1350 to 1400 Blessing Bags on Wednesday, December 26, 2018.  We had around 600 left at the end of the day.  While not many doors were opened up, we delivered MANY blessings to those who needed it in Sharon, Farrell, and Hermitage.  Thursday, Jim and I delivered bags to Grove City.  Friday our itinerary was Mercer, and Farrell.  Saturday, we delivered to Mercer and West Middlesex.  We sent some bags to Youngstown on Wednesday.  We have bags going to Stoneboro.  We are looking at Fredonia and Transfer as the del

     Today is Giving Tuesday.   It is the day to donate to charitable organizations.  If you are looking for a reliable organization to support please consider donating to Sarah's Butterflies Foundation.  Donations can be sent to Community Foundation of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio;  7 West State Street Suite 301; Sharon, PA 16146.  

   We are a month from distributing Blessing Bags and school supplies.  We are a mere 30 days from being vessels of God to the world.  If you have ever wanted to be a missionary but the fear of Africa or jungles has kept you from going, I have good news.  You can be a missionary in your county or even hometown.  If you want the details, please contact me by filling out a contact form.  I will get in touch with you. 

          In 2017, we sorted, packed and distributed over 1,000 Blessing Bags and another 300 school supply bags.   The journey from start to finish took longer than it has in the past.  The final delivery was made on January 11, 2018.  Our journey to deliver blessings took us to Sharon, Farrell, Hermitage, Mercer, Grove City, Transfer, and West Middlesex.  
          December 26th, our family had 2 different ways we know that Sarah gave her approval.  The morning of the 26th, I drove the U-Haul van.  The windshield was a little icy and a butterfly shaped icy patch remained in the middle of windshield.  Later that morning, my brother-in-law and nephews traveled from Sharpsville.  They saw a rainbow that arced over Love Christian Center where we assemble the bags.  
            I spent much of the day in the back of the U-Haul van waiting to distribute school supply bags.  It gave me a chance to talk to God.  God's spirit descended upon the van and Malleable Heights was holy ground.  I felt like Moses looking at the burning bush.  There was no burning bush, just a sign that said, "Malleable Heights."  
          We went to new places where God led us.  We blessed two communities' backpack programs.  January 11th I went to West Middlesex and delivered the last 90 bags to my hometown.  
            Sunday, Jim and I went to Love Christian Center with pizza and pop for the Youth Appreciation.  Attendance was lower than anticipated but that was fine because 5 homes were blessed with dinner.  We shared why we do Sarah's Butterflies.  We do this because each of those precious children are someone's Sarah.  They are loved by God with never-ending love.  By the way, so are you.

      Many of you know that my grandfather, John Rabold, passed away yesterday morning.  You have seen the Facebook posts eulogizing him.   I have seen my aunts, cousins, and sister state his generosity, kindness, humor, strong work ethic, love of family and above all that he was a man of faith.  
      My grandfather was born during the Great Depression.  He was 11 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  He was 15 when World War 2 ended.   At nearly 21,  he married the love of his life Jean.  They were married for 66 years taking their vows very seriously-until death parted them.  Shortly after their wedding he was sent to Korea to fight in the Korean War.  He came back in 1953 and they began their family.  They had 3 daughters who they raised to be hard working and generous.  Grandpa spoiled six grandchildren rotten with trips to Hoagland's Potato Farm, Dairy Queen, Ericksons, Conneaut Lake Park, and Erie. 
​      He invested in all of us, pouring himself into us because he loved us and believed in us. Not satisfied with just spoiling grandchildren, he continued to spoil great grandchildren too.   Again, pouring himself unselfishly into each of us.  
      I am blessed to have been John Rabold's granddaughter.  Not everyone gets to be blessed to have someone as awesome as my grandpa in their lives.   
        To honor my grandfather's legacy, the family asks that donations be made to Sarah's Butterflies Foundation.

     I was driving to work one day this week when Mandisa's song, "We all Bleed the Same" came on the radio.  The message struck me hard.  So many times, I hear condemnation of the parents we minister to through Sarah's Butterflies.  The reality is that life is hard for everyone.  Rather than condemn them for the struggles they have faced through discrimination, drugs, alcohol, prostitution, hopelessness, and discouragement, I choose to remember that WE ALL BLEED THE SAME!  
     I am choosing to not think us/them but WE.  We struggle.  
 Here are the lyrics:
“We All Bleed the Same”  Mandisa featuring tobyMac and Kirk Frankln
We all bleed the same/We’re more beautiful when we come together/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided
Woke up today/Another headline/Another life is taken/In the name of hatred/So hard to take (hey!)/And if we think that it’s all good/Then we’re mistaken/Cause my heart is breaking
Are you left? Are you right?  Pointing fingers, taking sides/ We are we gonna realize?
We all bleed the same/We’re more beautiful when we come together/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided
If we’re gonna fight/Let’s fight for each other/If we’re gonna shout/Let love be the cry/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided
Tell me, who are we/To judge someone/By the kind of clothes they’re wearing/ Or the color of their skin?/Are you black?/Are you white?/Aren’t we all the same inside?/Father, open our eyes to see!
We all bleed the same/We’re more beautiful when we come together/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided/ If we’re gonna fight/Let’s fight for each other/If we’re gonna shout/Let love be the cry/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided
Only love can drive out all the darkness/What are we fighting for?/We were made to carry one another/We were made for more, said…
Only love can drive out all the darkness/What are we fighting for?/We were made to carry one another/We were made for more!
We all bleed the same/We’re more beautiful when we come together/We all bleed the same/So tell me why, tell me why/We’re divided/ If we’re gonna fight/Let’s fight for each other/If we’re gonna shout/Let love be the cry/We all bleed the same/ Bleed the same/Let’s stand united/ Let’s stand united!
So Father God, I pray/ That our families will come together right now/ And seek your face/You will forgive our sins/And You will heal our incredible land/In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen

WHO IS READY TO FIGHT FOR THOSE WE MINISTER TO?  WHO IS READY TO SPREAD LOVE, HOPE, TO SHARE  THE NEVER GIVING UP LOVE OF GOD? GET READY, THE RIDE IS JUST BEGINNING!