What's Up at Seeds of Grace

A lot of exciting things are happening at Seeds of Grace these days! We are continuing to find new ways to help give clients a hand up, a renewed independence and self reliance through our Pay-It-Forward distribution days and our Market Mentorship Project 2017*.

The following two individuals are playing a big role in helping Seeds of Grace fulfill it's mission!

Tiffani Mondares-Riggs continues to excel as our Lead Resource Consultant and plays a large leadership role in our Market Mentorship Project. Tiffani has also helped design and implement our newest personal advancement and “Pay It Forward” action plan agreement used by SOG clients with resource needs. This volunteer partnership provides opportunities for clients to “pay it forward” using a hands-on approach, aligning with our philosophy that “everyone has something to bring to The (SOG Resource) Exchange.” (Prov 14:23 NLT)

Michelle (Turner) Daniels is back and taking an active role as our SOG Distribution Manager. From reorganizing, implementing specific tasks and projects, ordering, cleaning and encouraging our volunteers and clients, she is up for the challenge!

We’re excited to see what God is going to do through AC3’s compassion programs this ministry year! Twila Crain sog@ac3.org  360-659-7335 ext. 202.

*MMP will be at the Marysville Farmers Market opening day Saturday 6/24.

SOG Food and Resource Distribution Days: 

WED. 2-3pm (senior/disabled) and SAT. 9-10am  (4th SAT. closed)

Who are the Monsters in Your Life?

Monsters. We all have them. Monsters that steal our joy. Monsters that rob us of peace of mind. Monsters that lie and say, "You can't do that." "What you do doesn't matter." "You can't make a difference so don't even try." "You don't deserve it." "No one really cares anyway." "What makes you think you can succeed this time?" What Monster is whispering in your ears these days?

During our first ever Market Mentorship Project (MMP) Celebration Brunch, we ate, we laughed, we remembered, we cared for and we shared in the celebration of each individual's success. This was a time to celebrate and to encourage one another, to drive stakes securely in the ground so that when we lose our footing, we have something to grab and hold on to, keeping us moving forward and in the right direction.

As our celebration came to a close (just a few weeks before Halloween), it seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask them, "Who are the monsters that knock on their door, whisper in their ears and asks if they can come in and stay a while?"

Is it the 'Monster' of negative self talk? The one that tells you that you can't change,  you don't deserve it and even if you do take positive steps forward, no one cares so don't bother." This monster talks to us daily. Even the most positive individuals I know deal with the 'Monster of the Mind' on a daily basis.

Or will it be the 'Monster' of greed that deceives them? Encouraging them to get 'more stuff' and then they will be truly happy. Although this monster can be convincing, the accumulation of stuff only weighs one down. Individuals, rich and poor, may have lots of stuff but 'more stuff' never makes one happy. These days I do my best to make choices in light of eternity. Building relationships always trump doing tasks or getting more stuff. To quote Francis Chan, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.” Seeds of Grace recently said goodbye to a dearly loved client and a retired volunteer reminding us that it's relationships that matter! Choose this day to do things in 'light of eternity' and you will not be disappointed.

And last but not least, would it be the 'Monster' of pride that will hold them back from achieving their God-given dreams? The pride monster says, "I can do it all on my own. I don't need anyone's help. I don't have time to pursue God or the plans he has for me Jeremiah 29:11. I am doing just fine thank you. I can handle life on my own."  But we celebrated and took pride in a job well done that day because this team of mentees completed this project as a team, not on their own and each one did so to the best of their ability. But when all is said and done, will the 'Monster' of pride take over and demand that they do life solo, without God and without those who care and expect them to live life to the best of their ability?

Although the monsters of negative self talk, greed and deceptive pride can be a very real distraction in life, we don't have to fear their demands when we walk in Truth. 2 Timothy 1:7 We can be ready when we see them sneaking around us, ready to devour who we are now and what God wants us to one day become. 1 Peter 5:8

Over the years, a few of my friends and acquaintances may think that I 'do' good things to earn brownie points with God, to get to heaven or that I 'do' things out of fear of God. But nothing can be farther from the truth. I DO things out of a love for God, who first loved us, and what he has DONE for us on the cross. John 3:16-17

HE>I,
Twila

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Compassion, Action and Boldness; Even When It's Scary

Over the last several months, I have had the privilege of being part of and watching bold compassion in action around AC3 and I have been changed.

• When you see a body of believers embrace a 'No One Fights Alone' attitude and actively join a family's battle against cancer, you are reminded that life on this earth is short. I will live life fully with eternity in mind.
• When you witness Seeds of Grace volunteers choosing to walk beside those on the fringe of society and offering them real friendship, you are reminded that 'things' are 'just things'. I will live life on purpose and in relationship with those that God brings into my life.
• When you watch a group of bikers provide an atmosphere of recovery and recreation for those fighting drug addictions with opportunities to 'give back' to their community, you experience hope (SOG was the recipient of their food and toy drives this holiday season). I will live life with hope, knowing that everyone can 'be changed' and 'make change' in the lives of others.
• When you watch a group of preschoolers participate in compassion by creating homeless bags to give someone in need or on a street corner this holiday season, it becomes clear that everyone is called to serve. I will live life serving others, doing my best to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This blog post was inspired by a recent yet very simple Facebook post by my daughter-in-law Amanda below. It reflects a simple compassion story of handing out their SOG homeless bag to someone with my first grandson Jonah, five years old.

"Finally got to give our Seeds of Grace bag that Jonah put together in preschool to someone in need. Jonah was scared at first but I took the opportunity to explain to him that helping people is not always easy. It's easier to just keep walking. We gave the man our bag of goodies, said Merry Christmas and it was done. Then Jonah started asking questions on the ride home about where that man slept, etc.

Another opportunity to talk about how Jesus calls us to help others and about being grateful. Then it turned to talking about the best, final home we have to look forward to (heaven) and what we are called to do here on earth until we are called home. Love God, Love each other and Love the lost. 

Amazing moment with Jonah... I could see the wheels turning in his head. I pray he has a heart of compassion that leads to action and boldness to do God's will even when it's scary." - A :)

 A few Facebook comments: 

"Ever since the day they made them and we gave it away the same day, we've been finding more and more opportunities to help people out, even if it's just a bottle of water! I LOVE what God is doing in MY heart by giving me a kid to raise I'm so excited for you to have had such a deep conversation!! SUPER cool!"

"Way to go!! Proud of you guys. Love that you told him "it's not always easy."

"♡♡♡♡♡"

"Great teaching moment!"  

"I love witnessing God doing work!"

"Beautiful! Thanx for SHARING with us the opportunity you took to be Jesus to someone...and to teach Jonah what that looks like! Merry Christmas!" 

As we head into the new year, let us not forget that compassion is not always easy but it is to be a very real part of every Christ followers lives. Let's live out compassion with action and boldness with fresh awareness, even when it's scary!

Twila

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.

90 Days and Counting

If you had told me 90 days ago, that Seeds of Grace would be where it is today, I wouldn't have believed it. Why would God invite me, a 5' 1", simple-thinking woman, wife, mother and grandma of three, to play an active role in moving SOG in a new direction? What could I possibly do to help make real life change in how we Reach Out, serve and encourage individuals in our local community?

I struggled quietly with this question over several weeks. But finally, in God's timing, I decided to just be obedient to His calling and let Him worry about the results. Each day I do my best to step out in faith and into new territory. And as usual, I can see God at work in and around SOG and AC3.

The progress and acceptance of our new two-way giving model has been beyond any expectations I may have had. But God knew. He always does.

Has the first 90 days in this change process been without any push back? As a matter of fact, no. Several weeks ago we received a four page anonymous and critical letter of the changes we have made. Through it's verbiage, it appears this person may be a sister in Christ. Oh how I would love to meet and share with her just a few of the God sightings we have seen so far!

I would love to tell her about the tall, dark and confident man who shook my hand firmly and proudly, as he said 'thank you' for letting him give back in the way of serving his new and fellow SOG clients.

Or the story of a women who came in specifically to 'pay it forward' at SOG. She tells me her story. Her husband had been pretty sick and they have incurred a $10,000 hospital bill. She was so thankful for the food they will receive that day from SOG and was so appreciative because she can now use her grocery money to put toward their medical bill. She gave me a hug that was so sincere and full of love that I will remember her hug as if it was the very arms of God around me that day.

It has been such an encouragement to watch SOG volunteers implement new ways of doing things on Resource Exchange days. And I couldn't be any more excited about our Resource Consultants and SOG board members who have met with numerous new clients and are helping them with a variety of life needs. Several of our new clients even want to do life in relationship with us. How cool is that?  To see God at work in our SOG team and the new relationships being built is quite humbling and pretty darn awesome!

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in the next 90 days at SOG and through AC3. After all, it is He who gives us hope and allows us to relax and grow in the midst of changes and challenges.

Twila

Compassion books I have been inspired by:
The Great Omission By Steve Saint
Barefoot Church By Brandon Hatmaker  
Interrupted By Jen Hatmaker 
Toxic Charity  By Robert Lupton
When Helping Hurts By Steven Corbett

Seeds of Grace is looking for a few more Resource Consultants. These volunteer hours are flexible and fun. Contact Twila at 360-659-7335 EXT. 202 or email sog@ac3.org to get plugged in!

“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.  

AC3 does not necessarily endorse the above books, authors or their advertisers. 

An Array of Resources Available at Seeds of Grace

Seeds of Grace is no longer considered ‘just’ a Food Distribution Center but a Resource Exchange! We’re excited to offer an array of resources that go beyond our weekly food distribution hours.

We all live in a busy and complex society and everyone can use a helping hand during different seasons throughout their lives. Because of this, we offer a variety of resources through Seeds of Grace and other local service providers such as: Free resume services, budgeting tools, a variety of life skills classes, Biblical counsel (when requested) and offering different ways to become physically and spiritually fit.

Learning new life skills, volunteering in one’s community, acquiring that new job or even creating a new circle of friends can provide individuals with fresh hope, independence, security and confidence. We invite you to partner with us in this life changing endeavor. What do you have to lose?

“Don’t let life happen to you. Make life happen through you!”

Twila Crain, AC3 and the Seeds of Grace Resource Team

Moving Forward: One-Way Giving to Two-Way Giving

Seeds of Grace, a compassion ministry of AC3 is changing! We will be inviting SOG clients to partner with us in our new two-way Resource Exchange option. Why? Because we believe that two-way giving, when done right, is more compassionate and healthier for all parties involved; those receiving resources and for those giving them.

Q: What’s the difference between one-way giving and two-way giving?

A: Typically, one-way giving is when someone receives something from someone else with no questions asked. Two-way giving requires a partnership of sorts, where clients and volunteers opt-in and share resources for the mutual, social and economic benefit of one another. This cooperative effort becomes a legitimate ‘give and take’ relationship. We still offer limited and one-way giving when temporary relief efforts are deemed helpful or necessary.

Q: What does this mean for me on Seeds of Grace distribution days?

A: We will be inviting SOG clients to participate in our new two-way exchange option. This plan includes wearing a name tag on ‘Exchange’ days and on a client's 5th visit, individuals will be asked and invited to:

❶ Join us at a ‘Pay It Forward’ event where a variety of Resource Exchange tasks will be completed in a team environment.

OR

❷ Sign up to chat with a Resource Exchange Consultant.

We believe everyone has been uniquely created with different passions, strengths, gifts and talents that can be shared with those around them. YOU have God-given abilities that can be used to help improve your own life's situation AND in the lives of those around you. Ask us how you can partner with us in this life-changing endeavor today!

“Regardless of ones life's circumstances,
everyone has something to bring to the Exchange.”