When I was first given the money, I had two first thoughts - what was I ever going to do to use my talents to further God's kingdom, and I wished that both Rocky and I had not BOTH stood up when Chuck asked for volunteers. After a few minutes, the first idea that I had was the one I eventually enacted after several days of prayerful consideration. One problem was that I had to act fast for a couple of reasons - the timing of the Presbyterian Women's Bazaar and to prevent my efforts for the kingdom project from becoming a burden with my normal schedule.

     What I choose to do was try an idea that Barbara Williamson said had worked well at a previous church - to sell pre-cooked entrees in addition to baked goods at the Bazaar. As I was talking through my ideas with Jane Long, she volunteered to help me make some of the items and I believe if we had more than a couple of weeks notice, we could have expanded the menu greatly. I used the $100 to buy the meat and containers for the entrees and we donated some of our own ingredients and supplies. We made doubled or quadrupled batches of favorite family recipes, packaged them in sizes from 4-8 servings, froze them, and sold them at the Bazaar for a total of $443.        

     Since that time, I have sold 3 packages of a popular recipe for another $30 in profits for a total of $473. Jane and I are considering continuing our efforts in 2008 on an order basis and have also discussed methods of continuing and expanding the idea with the Presbyterian Women. Hopefully, these entrees will encourage the purchasers to sit down together and enjoy a family meal - a simple occasion that is rapidly getting lost as our lives get more hectic.

      I feel very strongly about the value of Youth Mission work at our church and have chosen to use the proceeds from my kingdom assignment to support that effort. Youth missions offer strong backs and eager volunteers to share Christ love with people who desperately need Christ and the help offered by the volunteers. The Group Work Camps our youth have attended pre-screen the recipients, help gather supplies, provide a place for the volunteers to stay and most of their meals, and offer evening worship and fellowship activities for the youth and adult chaperones. One primary benefit for the youth is a chance to form Christian community with others from our own church and from across the United States. I have witnessed in my own children their spiritual growth as they get out their protected corner of Mint Hill and help their neighbors. I want to continue to support and further youth mission work at our church now that my children have  "graduated" from the youth program.