Daily Hope and Inspiration

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!