Praise God!  We were blessed this month with a $10,000 check from Famous Footwear of Lebanon.  One of their employees is a supporter of Joseph's Storehouse and nominated us for the donation.  The funds were much needed. Our costs to freight in the truckloads of food have increased $200 per truckload, and utilities are also on the rise. As you know, the price of groceries themselves have gone up as well. So we are very appreciative to Famous Footwear and all of our donors who help us feed the community. We couldn't do it without all of your help.

Meet Jean Wigington. We were so blessed to have her join our staff in May of 2015.  Here she shares her story of how JSFM has impacted her life.

"I was so tired and weary when Joseph’s Storehouse came into my life.  See, I had been working outside my home for 39 years, along with nursing my sick mother for the last 7 years of her life.  Things in this life are not always physically a blessing, but as God’s daughter, I held on to His Word in Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.'  In March of 2015, my mother’s home became heaven, and I found myself unemployed and my day with no demands.  For the first time in my adult life I could chose to spend my day doing whatever I wanted.   So I chose to come and be a part of learning more about the Holy Bible and what God’s plan for my tomorrow might be.  The refreshing, uplifting Overcomers Bible Study class with Brother Leonard Diebold and friends (held on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM here at JSFM) allowed me to see the families with needs in our community.  The Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry staff and volunteers are putting into action God’s commandment to 'love one another.'   

"This opened the door for me to become a part of the daily operations at Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry using my giftings and talents for our Lord.   My tired and weary days are now encouraged and uplifted being a part of helping others who need HOPE.   We all have something to give. Please ask your heart, 'what am I to give?'  Together with the Lord we can all make a difference."     

Around this time of year we become like little children, but instead of asking, "are we there yet?" we are asking, "is it spring yet?"  We are ready for the cold, dark winter to be replaced with the warm sunshine of spring. While that is so true in the natural, it also holds true for the spiritual.  When we've been in a cold, dark place, going through the hard times, the dry spells, we sometimes wonder when, if ever, we will see the sunshine again.  Unfortunately, so very many of the people that come to us for food are in a spiritual winter. Before they can even get to spring, many of them have to be encouraged and given hope that the sun will shine again... they do not have to stay in the cold forever. Here at Joseph's Storehouse, we offer that hope, that encouraging word; we show them there is light at the end... the sun will shine again.  We provide physical food for their bodies and spiritual food for their souls, for those who want it.  The vast majority of the people tell us that the prayer and encouragement are worth as much, if not more, than the food.  We follow God's commandment to love one another by being that hope and enouragement and meeting the needs of the people.  It does no good to share the love of God in word and not follow it with deed for those in need.  Please open your heart and help share the sunshine with those who are stuck in a cold, dark winter.  We operate on donations, so please ask the Lord if He would have you help support the less fortunate in the community and bring hope to their lives.  "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."

We were so blessed to have an abundance of turkeys to give away during December... just in time for Christmas dinner.  Many local businesses also conducted food drives among their employees to help out for the holidays.   I could tell you with words about our December giveaway, but a picture is worth a thousand words so we'll show you a video instead.

Joseph's Storehouse 12/10/15 https://youtu.be/eRQu7F2qSI8

We are three-quarters through our year and each month we have seen new faces come in for help.  While we do have paperwork (and now the new computer system) that we have to maintain for our records and for the USDA government requirements, the families that come through our doors are much, much more than their card number we process through and send on their way. Each one has a story. Do you think people line up hours before we open just for the fun of it? Do you realize what it takes to humble yourself and ask for help? Yes, it comes easier for some than others. Unfortunately, many of the people we help are regulars who have been coming for years.  I say unfortunately because it is a shame that the elderly, the disabled, the single parents can't make ends meet.  On the other hand, those of us who work at Joseph's Storehouse have come to know these people like extended family.  When we see them come in we can ask about their children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren). We can ask how their surgery went or if they are over their cold.  We can ask if they got that job they were hoping for.  While we may not have the foreknowledge of the new people, we take the time to listen to their stories of how they came to be here.  This one was recently laid off from work. That one works for himself and had an accident that will keep him from working for months. This one's husband left her and the children and she doesn't know what to do.  Another has terminal cancer with months to live. Everyone has a story.  For all who come through our doors, we can pray with them, encourage them, and show them that God's love is still alive and well. We can touch their hearts, encourage their souls, and feed their bodies.  Will you help us help them?

Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry is one of the many organizations around the country that partner with Operation Blessing in order to provide food to the hungry.  Last month the Operation Blessing team once again came to do a story on our ministry.  The last time they came, the resulting story was featured on the 700 Club.  The video from that episode, containing the true story of one hurting family that received help and hope from us, can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/700club/videos/10153095356086668/

We are excited about our new computer system. The new system will make the process easier for those of you needing assistance as well as the volunteers processing the paperwork. While government regulations require some paperwork, our primary objective is to share the love of God with His people by providing both physical and spiritual food to those in need. We believe the new system will help us acheive our goal. Recertifications will now only be required once per year instead of every six months. Only one form of identification (a picture ID such as a driver's license) is required now instead of two. The new cards will have a bar code on them allowing us to scan the card when you come through, which will eliminate hours of back end paperwork. The ladies in the front office will process new applications and recertifications directly into the computers, which will both speed up the process and eliminate duplications. We are also implementing a paperwork reduction plan. Please bear with us as everyone gets up to speed on the new system.

As we are all preparing to celebrate the Easter holiday, we think about the glorious resurrection of our Savior, but it didn't start there.  Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to come to earth and live a life of sacrifice.  He wasn't born into a lap of luxury, but into poverty.  He endured struggles and hardships even before His ministry began.  He was persecuted, mocked, betrayed, beaten, and ultimately crucified.  He lived, and died, as a sacrifice for us.  In turn, let us live a life of sacrifice for Him.  Give of yourself to help others.  If it's not but one day per month, volunteer your time.  Skip that extra Starbucks or softdrink one month and donate the savings to feed a family in need for a month.  Buy an extra can of soup or beans or bag of rice or roll of toilet paper the next time you're at the grocery to give to the hungry.  Go to the dollar store and put together a little care package of toothpaste, soap, and other toiletries for someone without a home.  Let's all live a life of sacrifice to help our fellow man.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are always our two busiest months.  The need of those less fortunate is so great, but it is even more so during the holidays.  We saw record numbers of people coming for assistance.  We are so thankful to all of our volunteers who give of their time... sorting, boxing and bagging food, loading the wheelbarrows full and unloading them into the cars, directing traffic... outside and inside, processing paperwork, and ministering to those in need.  We are so thankful to all of the many Joseph's Storehouse supporters... those that help us keep the doors open with their financial contributions, those that donate food and toiletry items, and those that support us in prayer.   You all understand the Spirit of Giving, or more commonly known as The Christmas Spirit.

The very first Christmas gift was given by God to humanity... the Gift of His Son.  For God so loved the world that He gave... It is because of this precious Gift that we in turn give to others in celebration of His birth.  Those of us who are blessed to have small children or grandchildren in our lives anticipate Christmas morning and seeing their little eyes light up seeing all the presents under the tree.  Oh, the joy it brings us!  It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

We certainly can't out-give God. The more we give, the more He blesses us so that we may continue to give. While it is a blessing to be able to give gifts to our loved ones, it is even more of a blessing to give to those less fortunate.  The volunteers who helped at the food distributions this week can all share stories of the people who came in weary and without hope. Stories of people who were so thankful to receive a car load full of groceries and a few toys for the kids... and hope- knowing that someone truly cared enough to help.  If you've never been in need of assistance, you don't fully understand the weight of hopelessness that accompanies it. If you've never been able to give to someone less fortunate, you don't fully understand the joy and blessing that comes with it... and even more so when you can do it secretly.  Just like the joy of playing Santa Claus to the wee ones and watching their surprise, the joy that comes from the Spirit of Giving is worth more than any present under the tree.  This year, may we all strive to let the Christmas Spirit operate in our lives not just during the holidays, but all year long.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!