Merry Christmas form Tami, Kai, & Mark

We have had a busy year filled with growth, change, blessings, and fun.

Kai is a sophomore this year and now has her Learners Permit. She has been driving the SUV with Tami and the convertible with me. So far so good, on city streets and in the neighborhoods; parking lots and heavy traffic are a challenge at this point but we are working on it! She traveled to Seattle a couple of times to see her Uncle Rick. She loves Seattle and got to see the University of Washington campus, where her cousin Caitlin is attending. Her plans are to attend the university and somehow she has secured a room at her Uncle Rick’s home for her college career! Go U DUB! She is taking honors classes this year and some classes carry college credits that will transfer. She continues to volunteer with me on many of my outreach and homeless projects. It seems to me that she is growing up way too fast but Tami and I are very proud of our Honors Student and the young woman she is becoming.

Tami continues to run many projects and activities. Kai and I can hardly keep up with her! Along with being by my side for Family Promise, she continues to volunteer at our church coordinating weddings, funerals and most events along with leading most of the seasonal, special, and holiday decorating projects. The surprise for Tami and all of us was the rapid growth and popularity of our nonprofit Furniture Bank. www.furniturebank.us We figured we would be helping maybe one family a month. We celebrated the Furniture Bank’s first anniversary in November, and as of today 57 families have been assisted with furniture and furnishings! We were blessed with great supporters early on. Sheila with Connecting to Serve and Ahwatukee Homeless Coalition Leaders Pat and Rochelle Impiccini partnered with us and gained us favorable media attention from the newspapers and television. http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/ahwatukee/tami-jackson-helps-homeless-get-back-on-their-feet In addition to helping Family Promise and Save the Family, this brought us excellent helping opportunities and new friendships with Catholic Charities, Knights of Columbus, and many state and local helping agencies. We are blessed to have volunteers helping us as we help others. This is God’s project; we are just helping it grow!

This year I celebrated 22 years of sobriety and have had many blessings. I am finally a college graduate! I earned my Bachelors in Business Administration from Strayer University on December 21. I begin MBA School in January. I am in my final year of Ordination training to become a Pastor. It’s an honor to be able to serve at our church. Our Care & Support Ministries grew and thrived seeing more folks step into leadership roles alongside me to help many others to find their way through struggles and challenges that we encounter in this world. We participated as a church in local outreach programs of Family Promise and Feed My Starving Children packing events. Our CASS HOPE for the Homeless meal and 12 Step meeting continues to thrive under our leader Tim B. Pastor Natividad Mendoza and his From Gangs to Jobs ministry was featured on a local TV news station for all the good he is doing and changes he brings. He also received a National Epoch Award this year for his innovative program that helps young adult find their way. The other Local Outreach projects of Salvation Army, Angel Tree, Food Pantry and others have enjoyed blessed support and energetic participation this year.

I enjoyed another productive year with my employer Verizon Wireless. I continued working with the West Area Operations and Data Support team and got to participate in many projects as our ever changing industry embraces new technology.

On a sad and reflective note, we experienced the losses on all sides of our family this year; Grandma Lora on the Jackson side, Aunt Marcella, Aunt Clara Mae, and Cousin Bruce on my mother’s side of the family. While our loved ones are walking with Jesus in Heaven, they are missed in our hearts and our homes.

As 2013 closes, Tami, Kai, and I want to thank you for being in our lives and wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and blessed 2014!

I can't...HE can(and does!)... I think I will let HIM



22 years ago today I finally took the first 3 steps that saved my life…I finally admitted that …I can’t,… He can, (AND DOES!)… Thanks God for letting me! 22 years of blessed sobriety. “You will lose the old life to find one much better.” Big Book pg 120 “everything connected with that old way of life has to go. And then take on an entirely new way of life a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” Ephesians 4:-24 Thank you God, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Salvation Army for showing me a new freedom and way of living based upon a spiritual tool kit freely given.



22 years ago I was a broken man, addicted to methamphetamines and hopelessly alcoholic. In jail again for my 12th DUI I was to be sent to prison. I was 30 years old and had estranged everyone from me in my life. As I stared into the piece of tin that serves as a jail house mirror I suddenly realized that I no longer knew this person staring back at me. I got on my knees, and said the only prayer I could at the time, “God help me.”



Things began to change immediately. My cellmate kept inviting me to the AA meetings and until that day I never wanted to attend. The meeting started with a very short man who was not in jail jumping up on a table and shouting, “If you guys keep on doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting!” It was the shortest AA meeting I have ever attended because that was all I heard. I began reading the AA Big Book, and attending the meetings along with the Christian Overcomers Outreach program.



After a few weeks, I went for my prison sentencing, but my Public Defender did not show up. 2 weeks later I went again to be sentenced and the Prosecutor did not show up. It would be 6 more weeks in the jail before I would be sentenced to prison. I stayed active in AA and in the Christian fellowship Overcomers Outreach. When I finally went to court to be sentenced, there was a different judge on the bench and he shared a letter that was written on my behalf by an anonymous member of AA telling him I was changing and asking him to give me a chance at a rehab program instead of prison. The judge stopped the sentencing and asked me if I would like to spend 6 months at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Sacramento. I knew that God had heard my cry for help and that I needed to keep following Him!



I willingly went to the Salvation Army. They loved me until I could learn to love myself. I threw myself into learning about God and became active in AA and in serving the homeless and addicted. I entered their Adjutant Program and earned my Pastoral certificate. I was awarded a scholarship to go back to college and got my Human Services as well as my CADC counseling certificates for drugs and alcohol. I began running the Phase 1 recovery programs for Salvation Army and helped to manage the homeless shelter.



Through my quest for lasting sobriety in AA I met my beautiful angel Tami, who allowed this strange man with a pony tail who worked at the homeless shelter and rode a bicycle to fall in love with her and eventually marry her. God gave us His gift in Kai 15 years ago. We have traveled this journey together now for 19 years and have had ups and downs like we all do, but NO MATTER WHAT we have loved God and one another without a drink or a drug.



For the past 22 years I have lived one day at a time looking to serve and help. God saved me from alcoholism and addiction and taught me to be free through serving others.



I believe in and truly try to live what the Bible promises that it is through giving to others that we receive. God has given me more than I ever deserved. The Big Book has taught me that Faith without works is dead. The least I can do is to try daily to pay Him back through serving others. Thanks to Mountain Park Community Church, I get the opportunity continue to grow and deepen my faith in Jesus as I help others daily! Thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank God for the Salvation Army and Alcoholics Anonymous!

Final Paper and coursework submitted for my last class as a Senior! Hello Strayer University Bachelors of Business Administration! Thank you Tami, Kai, friends, and family for your support, encouragement, and understanding of the long hours needed to complete this! Thank you to my employer for making my education possible, and thank you Jesus for seeing me through this journey!  MBA school starts in January!!

Furniture Bank has been able to help 50 families with furniture and furnishings in our first year as a nonprofit helping agency! We know there are more families that could use a helping HAND - UP as they emerge from homelessness and back to work and homes for their children. We need your help! Please consider giving your time, energy, prayers, efforts, and donations of cash and gently used furniture and furnishings. Every penny and everything goes to a family who needs and appreciates your kindness! Help us to serve 100 families in our 2nd year!  www.furniturebank.us

 A huge THANK YOU and JOB WELL DONE to all Family Promise volunteers this past week!! 5 families…5 JOBS and 3 moving to permanent housing!!!“All praise to our God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 Come join us December 15 -22 as we host Family Promise again! http://www.mountainpark.org/ministries/care-support/family-promise/

MEN'S Monthly Breakfast this Saturday morning!Saturday, November 9, 7:30 am (Breakfast will be served at 8) East Parking Lot (Staff parking area)
Grab your favorite tailgate chair, a football and join the Men of MP for a Saturday Breakfast like no other. http://www.mountainpark.org/event/461525-2013-11-09-mens-breakfast/

Am I looking to GIVE or GET?...“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." John 35 Lord, let us look to be a friend today and see what we can bring instead of looking to get, AMEN. “Think of what you can bring to it.” Big Book pg 102 Have a blessed day y’all!

Tap into the POWER supply!...“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 Lord, we seek Your will and want your Spirit working through us, AMEN. “We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves.” Big Book pg 45  Have a blessed day y’all!  http://www.mountainpark.org/about/why-were-here/

Join us as we support Team Sandy today! “A person's steps are directed by the LORD, and the LORD delights in his way.” Psalms 37:23 Lord let our walking and running today show our support for Sandy and our love and trust in You, AMEN. “We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe” Big Book pg 75 Have a blessed day y’all! Look for the blue Team Sandy balloons!!!
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition https://www.facebook.com/NOCCValleyoftheSun

Furniture Bank is now Furniture Bank, Inc. Non profit status accepted and in process! 18 families served!
Ms Tami Jackson you are amazing!!
It is a great day! Furniture Bank officially became incorporated today.
We also have an article in the Arizona Republic today.


Furniture Bank, Inc. How's that look in print?


www.furniturebank.us

She will be a Sophomore on Monday…“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21 Lord, I thank you for loaning me 2 of your angels, I am truly blessed by Tami and Kai, AMEN. I got to spend the evening with Kai last night. It amazes me that just a little while back she was in preschool. I realized as I enjoyed my time with her that she is now a young woman with a blessed mix of dreams, humility, and security, that fuels an excitement for living with a heartfelt joy for life. Miss Kai Makenzi, you are an amazing child of God with a bright future. You are a joy to me and your mom. I will always be here for you, cheering you on and gently guiding you through the occasional rough times. You are my treasure.

Furniture Bank

Provides beds and essential home furnishings to homeless families transitioning into housing

Every day families emerge from homelessness by working with helping agencies to gain employment and sustainable housing. Unfortunately, most of the families have lost everything and have neither beds nor furniture for their new home. Furniture Bank provides the needed furniture, bedding, and home furnishings that families can take to their new house.

There are an estimated 5000 children in the Maricopa County that are homeless.



http://www.furniturebank.us/

Huge Garage Sale starting at 6AM Saturday! Good furniture, quality business casual clothing for women, paintings and furnishings that are better quality than you would expect to see at a garage sale! ALL PROCEEDS GO TO FURNITURE BANK of Ahwatukee! Help us to help furnish the homes of the families emerging from homelessness! Email me for address!!! You don’t want to miss this one!!! http://www.donateyourstuff2helpothers.org/

Shifting the attention helps others!.. “He must become greater; I must become less.”  John 3:30 Lord, help my heart to focus on being significant and to over rule my selfish desire to be noticed, AMEN.  “We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.” Big Book pg 84 Have a blessed day y’all!  We can make a difference in others lives! Come help! http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/restoring-hope-through-family-promise/

We are going to look at fear this week! I promise that by the end of the week this verse will have an even stronger and more secure place in your heart! .. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6 Lord let me share with others what Your love and Word has taught me about fear this week, AMEN.  “We have had long rendezvous with hurt pride, frustration, self-pity, misunderstanding and fear.” Big Book pg 104  Have a blessed day y’all!  We are collecting bottled water for our homeless friends! Please drop off what you can!! http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/2013-water-drive/

Why is it called GOOD Friday? 

Why not Friday MOURNING?..

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 The tragedy and horror of Jesus’ death followed 2 days later with His resurrection resulted in the opportunity for everyone who turns to God, through Jesus Christ, to be forgiven from their sins and to receive eternal life. So from something so very bad, we have all received something eternally and forever good. “To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.” Big Book pg 46. Have a blessed day of reflection y’all. Come experience that last days of Jesus’ life through Station of the Cross with a family friendly 40 minute walk of reflection and understanding. http://mountainpark.org/event/424601-2013-03-27-stations-of-the-cross/

What are ya REALLY lookin for?..“ if you seek God you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul.: Deuteronomy 4:29 Lord, Open the eyes of my heart so I can continue to see Your grace, guidance, and love in al things, AMEN. “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.” Big Book pg 46 Have a blessed day y’all! Come experience a walk in Jesus’ shoes. It’s free and family friendly and there is coffee too!!!

http://www.mountainpark.org/event/424601-2013-03-27-stations-of-the-cross/

Are you mended or broken?.."Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand,” Jeremiah 18:6 Lord please mold me into the person I need to be for You, my family and those You would have me serve, AMEN. “I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows.” Big Book pg 76 Have a blessed day y’all! He is the potter and we are His clay...

http://www.mountainpark.org/resources/sermon-library/molded-or-broken/

It's 28 degrees in Albuquerque! Heading home to Ahwatukee.  As our family and others who had loved ones join God in heaven yesterday, I want to share a verse that comforts me in sad times; "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. For my recovering friends,  "I can't, He can, I think I will let Him...AA Steps 1, 2,& 3. Have a blessed day y'all.

“Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.” Proverbs 19:17 Lord, thank you for placing the desire help others in my heart, my I seek and do your will always. AMEN. “Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others,” Big Book pg 102 Have a blessed day y’all! Come help us pack donated personal hygiene and toiletries for our Salvation Army friends The packing date has been moved to this Saturday morning 10 to noon! !http://mountainpark.org/event/403201-2013-01-06-salvation-army-essentials-drive/

In times when big decisions are needed…“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Lord please lead, guide, and direct our family  as we begin to make decisions and plans for Grandma Lora’s care, AMEN.  “We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves.” Big Book pg 68 Have a blessed day y’all! Last big push for personal hygiene, toiletries, and undergarments for our Salvation Army friends preparing for job interviews, please help if you can!  http://www.mountainpark.org/event/403201-2013-01-06-salvation-army-essentials-drive/

Tomorrow we will begin hosting 4 families who have stuck together, stayed focused and driven to escape homelessness and are on the path to new secure jobs and affordable housing for their families. This amazing Family Promise program brings the resources necessary and packages it together with churches like MPCC who provide the hope and love to restore lives that have been driven to homelessness due to job loss from unexpected twists and turns. Please pray for God's grace and love to guide our dedicated volunteers who will be serving with love and humble grace this week. http://azmp.cc/ZYEyOE