Visit Our Etsy Shop

TheCraftyBarthauers

Our Etsy.com shop is up and running. We're thrilled to see a lot of activity being generated for our recycled cardboard bead bracelets and crocheted items. We opened the shop as yet another endeavor to support ourselves as we seek to assist single moms and their families in our community and around the world. Purchases of our homemade items provide financial support for us so we can continue to serve others and show them the love of a God whose Love is Boundless.


If you don't need a bracelet, baby afghan or handcrafted dish cloth, you may know someone who does...feel free to forward this link and share with them. Also, remember us when it comes to gift giving. Why give your money to some large anonymous mulitnational corporation? Buy local and support artisans and crafters as they create works of beauty that will last. If not from us, check your local craft fairs and farmers markets...they're out there! Our link will remain at the top of the right-hand side of the blog from this point forward.

Last thing (I promise!): We ship too! Through our Etsy.com shop, you can have your item shipped domestically or internationally. We have extensive shipping experience from our previous eBay sales and have kept the shipping fees down as low as possible. Handling fees only include shipping supplies...they're not jacked up for gas, etc.

Take a gander and start making a list of everyone you know that you'll be buying for. We probably have something even for that hard-to-by-for person. Enjoy!

TheCraftyBarthauers

A Groping Faith

I abhor media sensationalism and so I often emotionally distance myself from the tragic headlines of the day. Still God's compassion and love move me deeply when I hear of horrific events like what happened in Aurora, Colorado. No, it's not on my mind constantly, but I've thought about it enough to not be in a hurry to scrounge up the money to go see this movie that our whole family has anticipated seeing for the last three months. We're also friends with a family, who are friends with someone who was injured in the attack. We don't know this family, but we know they've been affected. And of course there are an unlimited number of posts, news articles and blogs that you can read regarding the tragedy. I'm sharing two: one a Facebook friend posted, So You Still Think God is a Merciful God and one written by my high school buddy and now Artistic Director for the Nashville Film Festival, Brian Owens, I'm Going to a Movie This Weekend. I share Brian's because for me too, movies have always been a refuge...a place to get away and refuel...and also great fun. One of my favorite things to do is see a movie by myself. I quote movies often and I've passed on this love of movies to my kids...I don't want them to be scared to go see a movie.

So why am I even bringing this up? Because God's timing is always perfect. 

How? Three days ago, I read a devotional in Jesus Calling that I've been mulling over and have known for three days that I wanted to share...not the devotional...but the Scriptures referenced in it and how God put it all together for me. But there was that "delay"...for lack of a better word...that pulling back...a hesitancy to dive into it and write for "some" reason. Now I know why. 

I don't have anything new to say. And really what I want to say isn't even my words...and I've struggled for three days to even find a way to put into human words what sometimes can't be described...faith. Not just faith...a groping faith.

Sarah Young writes, "I  (Jesus) am far more Real than the world you can see, hear, and touch." The Scripture references for the day brought this together as a wonderful reminder to my soul of how this could possibly be true. I find great comfort given the struggle to cling to faith I've been having. If you've read the headlines lately or even my previous post Pleading for the Widow, you'll understand that I'm not the only one struggling.

So what is faith?

"Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses." (Hebrews 11:1, Amplified Bible)

If you're a Jesus follower and the next time, you know you're supposed to do something, follow that particular path, or leap into a certain adventure...yet, you cannot explain with your rational, tangible senses why...that's faith. Read the definition again...it is confirmation...of their reality...real fact. Why do we then make faith seem like some existential practice in ethereal voodoo? Okay, that may not make sense. But I am guilty...and if you've been walking along the Jesus journey for very long...you probably are also...of making faith, well, hard. We run around like chickens with their heads cut off looking for signs and wonders and checklists or "hanging out our fleece" (see Judges 6), but all of these rely on our senses of sight, sound, touch, etc. Instead, God calls us to a confirmation that relies upon His Holy Spirit, giving us the conviction of His reality.

So if we're dependent upon His Spirit as our source of faith...where we draw our perception of reality from...where do we find Him in the midst of trial, tribulation and great tragedy?

"...they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us..." (Acts 17:27, NASB)

There it is...a groping faith. When the bottom falls out, when you've reached the end of your reserves, when there isn't even a chance to look up for help because the cavern is so dank and dark and seemingly impenetrable...grope for Him and find Him and He will give you the confirmation of things we do not see. That is where you'll find your faith to carry on, that is where you'll gain the proper perspective of what is real and what is just "smoke and mirrors", that is where you'll discover that He is not far from each one of us!

In private conversations over the years, I've told many people to "hold Him to His word", "grab hold of Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you", "stay in the dance, don't let go...cling to Him". I know now that sometimes you have to grope around in the dark to find Him first. This is the one time that it's okay to grope Someone!

I feel like I'd be remiss if I leave it there. This post might not apply to you right now, but if you're still breathing...some day it will. As my pastor said a few weeks ago, "Things will get worse before they get better...but they will get better."

Amen!


Mentioned in this post:

Pleading for the Widow

Here it is as promised in the previous post (see Isaiah 1) my conviction to "plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). This is the list God was already laying on my heart before I even read this verse. And the image above is one I found online. It's an artist's interpretation of Jesus pleading...somehow I think it's appropriate since I know He lives to intercede for us before the Father and I know His Holy Spirit prays for us with words and groans that we cannot even express when we don't know how to pray. (see Romans 8:25-27) Please don't just read over this list...please plead to your Abba on behalf of these ladies who most often would never plead to us on their own behalf. Ask Him to lead you in how you should pray for each.

• Mom of one has court date 7/31 where she will most likely discover she will be receiving less child support. 
• Mom of one has begun looking for new apartment in the Florence, Burlington or Hebron areas. She needs rent to be $600 a month or less. Current lease is up in October.
• Mom of four has final court date for her divorce on 8/10. She and her children are moving to Florida 8/12. She needs peace from the stress and strain too.
• Our neighbor, a mom of two who has been unable to find a teaching position because she holds her master's degree and her boyfriend will probably lose his job with a small airline this fall.
• Mom of one has been feeling empty and bears heavy load of caring for her mother who has dementia also.
• Mom of one lost her usual summer part time job and has been experiencing financial difficulties as a result.
• Mom of three is getting married and moving to Wisconsin from the Northern Kentucky area.
• Mom of two moved to Arizona recently. Pray for them during this transitional time of adjustment.
• Mom of three experiencing financial strain has started a home-based business and looks for opportunities to earn money from home.
• Mom of one may be going back to school. Pray for wisdom about financial aid and college choices.
• Mom of three has experienced difficulty with son and his emotional strain. Pray for them as they head into the next school year.
• Mom of five, four still at home, has had several rocky years as she has attempted to leave an abusive and controlling husband, find her own employment (which she now has) and begin life without being dependent on her ex.
• Mom of four has had a difficult year and a half. She is self-employed and has previous asked for prayer regarding the finalization of her divorce and her ex-husband's plea bargaining process.
• Mom of one is expecting and has a rocky relationship with her boyfriend.
• Mom of a newborn, just born last week, needs physical recovery and rest. She will need much assistance in the days to come.
• Mom of four is expecting a child this fall. She has expressed a need for some baby furniture.
• Mom of two in Indiana is having severe financial difficulties and she cannot find a job in her chosen profession.
• Mom that is new to homeschooling will need peace as she juggles home, work and schooling responsibilities.
• Mom of three in Indiana has expressed concern over health issues recently.
• Mom in Indiana has son receiving college interest for playing basketball as he heads into his senior year. Pray for wisdom and God's leading.
• Mom of two lost her son through a violent act last year and as expected still grieves his loss.
• Nine other moms that we have loose affiliations with that are at varying places in their journey. Some still have children at home, but are also grandmothers or have children at the age where they're getting married. 
• All of the moms we know at one time or another have had custody or support disputes and regular issues with security...either financial, emotional or even physical.

Thank you for pleading for the widows of our society...the single moms and their families. Ask God to reveal to you the women in your life and circle of influence that also need someone to plead for them.

Amen!

Isaiah 1

Having just completed an in depth, but by no means exhaustive studies of Habakkuk and Zephaniah, I've turned my attention to the book of Isaiah. There are many verses in this large Old Testament book that have spoken to my heart just when I needed it. It almost felt daunting to begin a study with this book because for some reason I've allowed myself to believe that somehow I don't have the skills to dig into the major prophets of old. Ezekiel, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and even the prophecies of Daniel have always seemed like heights of understanding my puny brain could never comprehend.

Well, I was wrong.

After all, anything is possible with the help of Jesus and His Spirit, right? (see Matthew 17:20) So I promised my ADD brain that can become so easily overwhelmed, that I would break this book down into manageable "chunks" and I would take it slow. Already, God's Spirit has been faithful to glean for me some truths of which I need to be reminded...and the first one began in the introduction of all places!

It seems Isaiah is broken down into 66 chapters, just as the Bible is broken down into 66 books. Even better, chapter 1-39 fall under the theme of God's Character and Judgment...much like the 39 books of the Old Testament. Knowing this, would you now be surprised to learn that chapters 40-66 pursue the theme of God's Comfort and Redemption? Probably not if you're familiar with books 40-66 of the Bible...which perhaps, not coincidentally...are the books of the New Testament. Are you sensing a pattern here? And I can't take credit for this revelation. It was explained very well by the author of the introduction in my Bible.

Moving along to Isaiah 1, I could easily become disheartened with the reproving statements God had Isaiah deliver to Jerusalem and all of Judah. He was using Isaiah to lay out the plan for God's judgment on His idolatrous children. But tucked away, almost in the middle of chapter one was this amazing call to purity that His Spirit wanted to embed in my heart two days ago when I read it. As He often does, the message He wanted to share was already being brought to my mind and to my heart by the God that just won't let me go. [Is there a Hebrew word for that phrase? Not trying to be sacrilegious, but I like "El-Holdemtightah"] He's amazing like that, isn't He? Sometimes we just have to have the lesson come to us from a few different places before we believe it's Him. Why is that? I think that's another post entirely.

What His gentle Spirit had been sharing with my heart for about a week was a reflection over the last year in the lives of the single women we know. Many of these women I have no more contact with them than to see an occasional post on Facebook about the struggles in which they wade through hoping just for a few moments to get their head above water. God had been making a mental list of all their trials and victories for me to celebrate and lament. I've admittedly been floundering for a few months trying to figure out just where this ministry's headed and what He expects from us as a family when it comes to serving single moms and their families.

I've felt from the beginning of this ministry a year ago that God's Spirit wanted to take the credit for all provision for us, Boundless Ministries, and the single moms through Him we are able to bless. The year before, when we "just wanted to help", we did ask for donations and gift cards for moms when a need arose. We sent e-mails, posted on the blog or even on Facebook, when we knew of a need and we knew someone could probably provide it if we just asked. Sometimes people stepped up and sometimes they didn't.

But last summer, when we felt God calling us to more...to a place where He wanted us to leap and watch Him catch us...I felt very strongly that He was asking for complete trust and that meant a call to pray...first and foremost and almost exclusively, for needs as they arose for single moms, us or this ministry. So that's what we've done. Initially, we stepped back and watched as God proved time and time again that He was more than capable of not only providing for single moms but us as well. We've always been very upfront that 25% of donations are used to support us as we minister to single moms. I still feel confident that His plan as He laid out in the beginning is what He wants. I have to be honest though that as He's called us to a deeper walk with Him, the "obvious" blessings have become very scarce. What I've struggled to get my American-cultured brain around is that His blessings are not always going to be monetary. We may not always be able to give a single mom money or gift cards, it may be some extra groceries or time that we have instead. I've been very open on this blog that I've struggled with this idea that I may not have the freedom to anonymously send a mom a huge monetary blessing...it might just be a few boxes of pasta, sauce or some beans and rice. Why can't I rejoice in that just as much as handing over a few hundred dollars worth of gift cards? Hmmm...seems to be a flaw in me...not the One who's providing.

And I've found myself whining about this a lot. Worse yet, I've begun to doubt God's original leading about seeking only His wisdom and will on fund raising and provision. My enemy has caused many fears that I'd "missed something" or "heard Him wrong".

Truth is, I haven't. I think God's overall lesson on trusting His provision completely is spot on. I'm not supposed to run to my e-mail or my Facebook page first to solicit support for those in need. No, I need to run to my Abba. And possibly most of the time, that will be where my part ends...but on occasion He may ask me to speak up and speak out for the ladies we know. That may involve requesting prayer (as we attempt to do with our Prayer Partners and bi-monthly prayer request updates), it may be a special post on our personal or ministry Facebook page, calling all brothers and sisters in Jesus to intercede on behalf of a need and still more rarely, it may mean asking those we know to step up and give...even sacrificially...for a mom that just can't "do-it-herself" this time. Sometimes, God will want those donations to go through Boundless Ministries, and sometimes He won't. And I need to be okay with that. After all, it's not my blessing to give...it's His.

After this lengthy epistle you're probably asking yourself: "What does all of this have to do with Isaiah 1?" Well, remember I said God had been formulating a list of remembrance regarding all of the trials and victories we've witnessed over the last year? I already was planning a blog post that would essentially be a list of the needs I know that single moms have. Instead of the last two prayer updates, I wanted a special "call to prayer" on behalf of these ladies. Having this already on my heart to do soon, imagine my joy when I read this two days ago in Isaiah 1:16-17

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil, 
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow."

Isaiah was commanded to tell Judah how God wanted them to wash their hands that were "covered in blood". The two verses above are the prescription for how to accomplish this. I'm reading a book that is greatly challenging me about social justice and care for the poor. It appears God's Bible isn't a place where I can escape from that challenge.

When I put it all together, it seems I'm on the right path...defending the orphan and pleading for the widow. Sometimes that will entail pleading with God and sometimes whether you like it or not, that will mean pleading with you. I've washed myself clean with the blood of the Messiah that shed it so I can be clean. Now as I plead for the widow and the orphan I've got to let God work on removing the evil from His sight that is within my hearing. My prayer is that I quit listening to the evil one that has me perpetually second guessing the call to serve single moms. It couldn't be more plain. Unfortunately, I keep getting tripped up on the how...but that was never my problem to figure out in the first place.

Amen!

Support Single Moms and Others Through Their Businesses

On the right side of this blog, you'll find a new permanent page link to a listing of home-based businesses run by single moms, supporters of Boundless Ministries and our own family. It's appropriately entitled

Support Single Moms and Others Through Their Businesses

I'll repost the link from time to time because one thing I've learned over time, one of the best ways to assist someone is to empower them to do it themselves. Great organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Master Provisions have seen this come true for many years. If World Vision and others can promote micro-finance loans (at least I think that's what they're called) to impoverished people in developing countries in order to lift them out of poverty, why don't we do the same? Unfortunately I think our trust in big business is higher than in our fellow man and we are more concerned with a good bargain instead instead of investing in the lives of others. Don't believe me? Who made the last birthday cake you bought? Wal-mart or the sole-proprietor who may cost a little more...but it will probably taste better too?

So if you're shopping from bread, purses, accessories and jewelry, books, weight loss shakes, a good mechanic, a house cleaning service, a photographer or baked sweets and spreads take a look through the links and information provided. Shopping with one of these families can make an even bigger impact than you might think.

Next Single Moms' Night Out is Scheduled!

We're already looking toward the fall when we start up our Single Moms' Night Out events again. We usually do one in September, January/February and May. Here's the link to the Upcoming Events Page

If you're curious what happens at a SMNO, click this link to a post regarding our last one. Our Fourth Single Moms' Night Out

C.H.A.M.P. Camp 7/3/12

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to pack thousands of articles of clothing for Honduras, here's a few photos of what that may look like!

I don't think Grace was trying it on, I think she was just trying to flip it to check the condition. But...it has happened that some more "interesting" clothes have been donned for photo opportunities.

Shoes are sorted out and then paired up and sent on to where they are needed.

This is me sorting out heavy winter items (in the overflowing bins behind me) that are not needed in Honduras this time of year (if ever!). They will be sent to locations that need them in the coming fall and winter months.

Dale, tightly packing a bag. Yes, that is on the floor. These bags way about 80 pounds when completed and upwards of 20 or more are packed within the two hour C.H.A.M.P. Camp session.

It's not all hard work. Someone brought ice cream sandwiches for the kiddos too.

Hopefully, you can see from these photos that this is a family-friendly way to serve. We love it because we get to serve with friends from our home school co-op and since it's one of Dale's off days, we do it as a family. For me personally, it's also exciting to think that the clothes we're inspecting and sorting will someday be worn by people in Kosovo, Honduras, Ukraine, or even Togo.

Thankful For What I CAN Do

I shared this idea with a friend a week or so ago, and as God's working with me in my "down" time, thankfulness has been a recurring theme in Jesus Calling. I know what He's trying to say to me...I even spoke it out loud to my friend...and I am consciously aware that He is reminding me to do it more often...thus, I am choosing to be thankful.

One of my huge pitfalls is overcoming this idea that somehow I can't do enough in the midst of my poverty. Over the few weeks, God's been trying to get my focus off of what I can't do and to be thankful for what I can. I can:  pray; give my time; write a blog; study my Bible; try to spend more time with my husband and kids; get off of the computer more; meet with friends and chat; go to church and hear encouraging sermons; bake and craft to raise funds for missions trips or to support us; and consciously thank Him...more and more everyday for all that He has given us. Truly...we Americans are so spoiled!

So if you're struggling with the frustration of not having enough of something...like time or money for your bills or good health...join me in this experiment He's showing me...thank Him for what we can or do have...instead of focusing on what we can't or don't.

Amen!

Where Do I Want to Dwell?

A few days ago, I read a Bible reference in Jesus Calling that I've been chewing on ever since. I've wanted to blog about it, but have avoided putting into words what I'm feeling, because I've allowed my enemy to tell my I'm being hypocritical to post something spiritual when it's been quite awhile since I've felt spiritual at all.

I'm in a funk.

I've eluded to this. I've even blogged a little about trying to let go of some worries, etc. But I keep coming back to a few places in my life where I'm continuing to struggle...to have faith to be honest. I have great desires...great passions...great dreams of doing great things for God...but the reality is that we often don't even have enough money for ourselves, so God hasn't been impressing upon us the opportunities to give. I miss giving. I actually yearn to do it. Every time I ask Him though, there is either a firm "No" or a pulling back (for lack of a better phrase)...a "wait until I give you the go ahead" sort of message.

So instead, we've been giving our time. We've been volunteering at Master Provisions, hosted some families and friends for swimming, continued to serve at Henry Hosea House and even sorted through clothes and tried to pare down what we have and give our abundance away to LifeLine Ministries. But then there's another side to serving: we'd hoped to serve as a family at a low income neighborhood...filled with single moms and their families...we only have one working car though and they meet within minutes of Dale's work shift ending. Unfortunately, it's not worked out for us to get there except for the first week. So sometimes even when the desire is there to give of our time (and something we wanted to do together as a family), poverty blocks us from the ability to do it.

And I know I'm whining...I own it. And I know God has the resources (a.k.a. money) to fulfill every desire He has laid upon my heart...but for some reason He's choosing to not send it this way. I know He will do it in His timing. Can I just say once more that I hate waiting?! I mean...what American doesn't? But I've been walking with Him long enough to know there is a reason for the wait...and one day, He will satisfy the desires of my heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Also, I've continued reading Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Sider and I am being greatly challenged, yet again to set aside my American wants because there are just too many in this world going without. But then I read the statistics and I see the percentages and he discusses the unequal distribution of wealth and my enemy starts coaxing me into a pity party..."After all, I am one of the impoverished he's writing about." While I don't want to wallow, I must admit I'm struggling to maintain a desire to give when there's nothing to give. Even now in this moment as I write, God's faithful Spirit is reminding me that when He does give us a blessing (whether it's financial, spiritual, physical or even time) and we share it from out of our poverty...then only He gets the credit. I can honestly say, the remembrance of times such as those does make me long to give again!

Back to the verse referred to in Jesus Calling that has begun to bring me some peace:

"May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him,
Who shields him all the day;
And he dwells between His shoulders." (Deuteronomy 33:12)

In my Bible, there was an amazing cross reference:

"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
That hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them,
He carried them on His pinions." (Deuteronomy 32:11)

Isn't that an amazing word picture? When the young aren't strong enough to fly on their own, He spreads His wings...catches them...and carries them on His pinions. Pinions are the outermost part of a bird's wings. The distal or terminal segment for you medical/science type people.

But there was one more cross reference that I found interesting:

"You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial." (Exodus 28:12)

This verse refers to Aaron, the high priest, brother of Moses. He was the one who stood before God and offered sacrifices for the sins of the people. I know this isn't Biblical, but if I let my imagination go for a minute, I can almost picture God saying, "You know what...that sin...yeah...I'm not going to let it slide...I am sick of the same thing...day after day...year after year (catches sight of Aaron pacing before the altar and sees the names of the 12 sons of Jacob engraved on the shoulders of Aaron's priestly garments)...but (deep breath) I remember the promise I made...to make you My people...to love you...and sometimes even carry you on My shoulders if I that's what it takes."



So yeah, I'm in a bit of a funk because things aren't happening the way I'd wanted or in the timing I'd hoped...but I know it will pass and I know His blessings and the growth that will happen in the waiting will have been worth it all. In the mean time, I think I'm going to climb up and dwell right where He wants me...