Cabo Pictures

Blessings of the Season

Wow! I woke up to snow this morning. What a contrast to what I woke up to just a couple of days ago!

Aimee, Travis, and I spent Christmas at our timeshare in Cabo, Mexico. I am so grateful for this timeshare and free AK Air miles to give us an almost free vacation. Check out the blog for some photos. As we were arriving in Mexico, my dear 96-year old mom suffered a stroke. We didn’t receive the news until Monday morning and she passed away that evening. We called the hospital and the ICU nurse held up the phone to her ear, as we shared with her what a great mom and grandma she was to us and that we loved her so very much. We also told her how much we knew she loved us and what a selfless life she lived. Aimee prayed over her. For mom, her passing was a blessing. She lived independently on our family farm in Eastern Washington until that day. For those of us left behind, we will miss her greatly. She, however, had the awesome pleasure of spending Christmas with Jesus, my sister and my dad and others who joined Him before her. For this I am comforted.

During my time away in Mexico, Discovery House was blessed with several people covering my responsibilities (Sheila Bandel, Lorien Trott, Suzanne Auten, Kandi & Mark Dodrill). Thank you to all of you. You rock!

While away, I realized how important it will be for me to take regular breaks away from the 24-hour a day responsibilities of the needy moms and kids I serve. This allows me to gain the fresh perspective of The Holy Spirit, refuel my compassion tank, and recharge spiritually, mentally and physically. Having uninterrupted time for thought and prayer was much needed. If any of you’d be interested in providing coverage for me in the future, please let me know.

We welcomed new residents about two weeks ago – a mom and four kids ranging in age from 5 to 10. Last night we also welcomed a mom and her three and five year olds, who joined our happy house. This place is hopping with excitement and action. With the addition of more residents comes a host of needs. If you have a couple hours on a weekly basis to meet with and encourage one of our moms, please prayerfully consider this two-way street of blessing.

One of our residents at Discovery House just received the special news that she has been approved for permanent housing. The wait lists for permanent transitional housing is incredibly long. It has been almost two years for this woman. Discovery House provided her with a safe home, community to share life with others in the house, some budgeting skills and a lot of hope and encouragement. Her bilingual skills were an amazing help to us with many Spanish speakers in the house. She also volunteered with the Dental Clinic and the Heart and Home store in Bellevue. She is a great example of someone who is making a difference in the lives of others with very limited resources.

Enjoy the pictures (coming soon) – we definitely enjoyed ourselves in Mexico. I’ll be posting more text and photos of Christmas in Mexico.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are able to take some time to spend with those you love during this special season. Happy New Year! May you be blessed and may you bless others.

Peace,

Joy Roof

Merry Christmas!

Feliz Navidad from Mexico!

Discovery House Celebration

Our Nov 12 celebration with volunteers at Discovery House was so much fun. About 45 amazing folks came together - some meeting each other for the first time. Serving on God’s behalf is always a blessing to those who serve, as well as those being served. Thank you to everyone who has played a part to bring about this much needed transitional housing program for women and children at Discovery House.

Joy's pictures click here.

Looking for an opportunity to be a part of the excitement? I would love to come to your small group, business or gathering of your friends or neighbors to share our vision, listen to your passions and see how we can provide a gratifying experience in serving those in need. Give me a call or send me an email to schedule a date. Your continued participation is critical to the success of our ambitious program.

In the meantime, there are a variety of ways you can support the program as an individual, as a family or a group …. groceries, paper goods, tutoring, rides, playing with the kids during the weekly house meetings, serve as a life coach to encourage and be an accountability partner for a mom, adopt a family in the house for a monthly outing, sponsor a movie night in the home theatre, financial support needed for one bedroom, financial support for the house (direct support to me as a program director/resident manager or financial support to the Treats (owners of the house) to offset their holding costs on the home. I’m open to any ideas you might want to talk over.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Discovery House

The realm of possibility lies in discovery.

So much has been happening so quickly with the transitional house. We’ve decided to use the name Discovery House. The program for these families really is about discovery…their needs, their dreams, their strengths, their future, what programs, education and jobs can move them from dependency to self-sufficiency and the process to get them there. There are a lot of hoops to jump through in arranging transfers to new schools, transportation, and before/after school programs, their space availability and costs.

Ways you can help: Provide and serve a meal, provide transportation, tutor, childcare, hair cuts, administrative support, organizing, moving furniture, putting on a movie night in our theater, provide an outing (take a guest along on your zoo pass, science center or EMP or other membership passes), donate groceries, paper goods and/or cleaning supplies, and the list goes on.

Do you belong to a group either at church or through a club or your neighborhood? Is your business looking for a volunteer opportunity for your employees? I could come give a lunch hour presentation.

Give me a call or send me an email. I would love an opportunity to come talk to your group to show a 3 minute video about the transitional house and answer questions on how you can help. One idea for a group would be the possibility of sponsoring me as the resident manager or a bedroom in the house with a monthly financial contribution. Be creative. I’m open to any ideas you’d like to share.

Be looking for an invitation to an upcoming “Jewelry Party Like No Other” to donate precious metals and shop from the jewelry mistaken for precious metals that was donated. Some great pieces that would make wonderful Christmas gifts. You might want to pick something up for yourself.

Joy Roof

Day of Caring

Thanks to all who helped!

The work party at Joy's to move and prepare for rental went great! Thanks to all who helped paint, organize, garden, and so much more!
These wonderful ladies helped clean the huge new home for the transitional housing!

Cece hard at work too with a new friend...

Letter from Aimee

Dear friends of Joy,

Last night as I was over at my mom's house helping set up a garage sale, Joy received news that a dear friend was killed in a motorcycle accident. Our prayers go out to Ann Marie and those who were dear to Richard.

In support of Joy getting her house ready for rental, and moving into Morning Meadows transitional house, we are in need of more help. If you're available to help Saturday with various work projects (painting, yard work, putting on the moving sale), please come by or give Joy a call.

Blessings for all of your support,
Aimee

Transitional Housing for Jubilee REACH Center now open!

Jubilee REACH Center has yet another opportunity to fulfill its mission statement “Bring Jesus Healing, Build Community and Transform Lives”.

Thanks to the Treat family for their generosity, we have a home for transitional housing of single-moms and their children. Located on a horse acre lot in Redmond, the six-bedroom home is the perfect setting to transform lives.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
We will walk along side these families and dance in the rain with them and introduce them to the best partner of all - Jesus. We will offer them a hand up, not a hand out. Through case management, education, gaining or improving employment, Jubilee REACH Center programs, collaboration with many partners and the love and support of staff and volunteers, the families will have the opportunity to transform their lives.

We are in need of many volunteers for this program. I would love the opportunity to come speak with you, your neighbors, your church, your small group, your bible study, your office, or any group looking for a way to join with us to serve in this amazing opportunity to work in the lives of single moms and their children.

Please call me or email me to see how you can serve.

Opportunity for Transitional Housing

Happy summer to everyone! For those of you who don’t live in the Seattle area, maybe you have been experiencing summer. For those of us who live in this area, we were wearing coats until just recently and we are excited about this thing called summer! The weather has not stopped God’s work though. He continues to amaze me as His promises are fulfilled by His amazing faithfulness.

JRC is in the final stages of opening a new transitional housing facility for single moms and their young children. I am busy designing the program. Starting on August 1, I will be taking on a new role as the resident manager of "Morning Meadows".


As a single parent, I have a heart for this precious population. I’m excited to share Jubilee REACH Center’s mission to “Bring Jesus Healing, Create Community,and Transform Lives” to single moms needing a “hand up” to stabilize their lives. At Morning Meadows, we will offer a safe place to call home where they are accepted,loved and encouraged to be all God designed them to be and focuses on three main areas:
1 . Transform lives from dependency to self sufficiency
2 . Education
3 . Employment

They will tuck their children into a bed and there will be food to eat. These are luxuries many of us take for granted. Morning Meadows offers them a fresh start to become stable, functioning families again.

I urge each of you to search your available time, talents, resources and financial support for ways you can make a high impact in the lives of many by taking a risk to serve a mom or child in need. There is lots of opportunity to serve these families in many ways. Please email or call me to plug into the excitement! May you have a wonderful summer. I look forward to hearing from you and serving beside you in this new venture.

Thankful for His promises and faithfulness,
Joy

What do you actually do?

A friend recently asked me “So, I know you do ‘community care’ at Jubilee REACH Center, but what does that really mean. What do you actually do?” The answer to that is different from day to day.

Last week it was meeting with a young woman and with a toddler fleeing from a verbally abusive domestic relationship desperately looking for a job and a place to live. She is now homeless and ‘couch surfing’ from friend to friend. After numerous phone calls to agencies providing transitional housing, while she sat in my office, I saw the look of discouragement on her face as no one answered their phone and we were prompted to leave a message to get a call back. Bottom line is that there is no transitional housing available for them right now. The waitlists are enormous and long - 18 months to 5 years, depending on the agency and the family size. I am constantly in prayer for an opportunity for transitional housing and working weekly with Allen, a Windermere agent, who also has a passion for this need.

I spent time with Danielle and her son, Shane, at their apartment (pictured). Her disability income doesn’t go far. It’s difficult to clean house from a wheelchair and she could really use some housekeeping help. Your contributions could allow me to locate resources and arrange this for her.

It was meeting with a couple who I met 7 years ago while they were at my Alpha table in a class seeking questions about Christianity. I ran into them at Costco and they are now living at Tent City. They have shown up at Westminster Chapel’s 11:30 service for the last two Sundays. This week she found a job and I’m counseling them on “next steps”. Housing is a key element for them.

Managing the dental clinic we offer to the Lake Hills residents and participants at JRC is an ongoing area where I serve. Many patients require us to have a translator to coordinate an appointment time. BUT, my Spanish is improving! The majority tend to be immigrants isolated by their lack of English, cultural barriers, and no health or dental insurance and frequently no income or very limited income. They are frequently in physical and emotional pain. The dental clinic is a huge resource and we offer them hope and walk along side them in many ways through the 30+ programs we offer. We are building relationships and through relationships come trust to speak into their lives to offer them hope.

By simply 'loving our neighbor,' building relationships, earning trust and hearing deeper needs of kids & families in our community, 30+ amazing programs fill their specific needs. We were able to walk alongside 109 families so far and spared 47 from homelessness.

I get to be part of this every day in new and exciting ways. Please partner with me by prayer and financial support to allow me to continue on your behalf.

Alpha interns that did the Alpha class for the guys during CFH at Westminster in April

Congregations for the Homeless – April at Westminster Chapel

Community Care took me out of Jubilee REACH Center in the evenings and extended to coordinating the CFH men’s shelter at Westminster for the month of April. With over 300 volunteers, the month provided many opportunities to be of service. For some it was a stretch financially to provide food and for others a stretch to find the time to prepare and serve. Without a doubt, the sacrifice was much appreciated by the men in the shelter and such a blessing for those who were touched by the investment in the men’s lives.

There were some nights that the volunteers outnumbered the shelter residents. The families who served together and brought their children created a light-hearted, fun atmosphere that the men really seemed to enjoy. A child’s laughter does great things for the soul.

A condensed Alpha course was offered by the Vintage interns this year for the first time. Four or five of the men in the shelter committed to meeting on a weekly basis to continue their study and sharing. It’s really exciting to see how the program has impacted lives.

It was such an honor to serve these men. More than previous years, this group of men was so eager to help in any way they could, were so respectful, easy to please, and so easy to love. My prayer is that care givers and care receivers alike were blessed and will continue to have God disclose how He was at work through His people. My heart felt thanks for your sacrifices.

Seasons

I love the spring flowers and the hint of summer soon to arrive. We are fortunate in the Northwest to have four seasons to enjoy. It reminds me of God’s plan for us to look forward and enjoy the seasons of life also; to be thankful in all things in each season God brings.

On March 15, I traveled to Ephrata in Eastern Washington to attend a cousin’s memorial. Nial put up a grand fight against cancer for over 7 years. I never heard him complain and his faith in Jesus was so strong and it was so awesome to watch him encourage family and friends to appreciate life to its fullest. I loved the story his son told about his dad’s response to his wife, Mary Jo’s, question about what happened to all the left over Christmas trees on the lot in their small town. Such a romantic, he bought every one of the leftover trees and he lined their driveway with all the trees for her as she returned home from work on Christmas eve.

Afterwards, I brought my 95-year-old mother home with me for a visit so my brother could perform some maintenance on the farm house. She continues to live by herself with just a weekly visit from a caregiver and my brother’s constant eye on her. While she was here, she was able to share her amazing skill and childhood hobby at making cornhusk dolls with the kids in Jubilee REACH Center’s after school Art Club. I recently produced a book on “How to Make Corn Husk Dolls” for her which is a step by step guide to the dolls she has made over the years. Her dolls have been on the US Whitehouse Christmas tree, traveled the country in the Bicentennial celebration, and have been on exhibit at Bellevue’s Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. The books are available for purchase at $20.

In the three weeks she stayed with us, I realized another season has passed with her. Her eye sight is failing rapidly, she doesn’t hear well, and she told stories many times as though she’d never told them before even if it had only been an hour or a day since we’d last heard the story. I have been blessed to have such a long time with her. Her unselfish sacrifices for me growing up certainly make it easier to deal with the role reversal that is taking place in our relationship.

Enjoy your season,
Joy

Leveraging Your Past

I hope you know how much I treasure the prayer, encouragement and financial support that I receive from so many of you. I am humbled to serve on your behalf. I recently saw a talk given by a Wess Stafford from Compassion International. He endured a horrific experience for years as he was spiritually, emotionally, physically and sexually abused as a child in a school for missionary kids in Africa. He is able to leverage his past to fuel his compassionate serving for children through Compassion International. After watching this and the recent Graham Cooke dvd, I am reminded that what Satan intends to use to destroy us, God uses for His glory. We can stand on God’s promises and we to be excited when we have a problem or difficulty because we know God will not allow us to suffer without using our pain to do great and mighty things through us. I encourage you to be in prayer and search for ways to use your past pain to fuel ways for you to serve. Combined with your gifts, talents, resources and influence, you can use that pain to do mighty things in partnership with God.

Peace be with you during this Lent season. My family and I will be serving Easter dinner to the 30 men in the Congregations for the Homeless shelter at Westminster. Please email or call me if you’d like to join us or provide some Easter basket goodies. We’d love to add more chairs to the table for you!

You are precious in His sight.

Smiles abound while building community

The mobile dental van brightened some more smiles last Friday thanks to Denise, Molly and Dr. Cho. They are busting at the seams in their excitement to serve and the patients really pick up on this. They know how much we all care for them. We are in search of a dental hygienist to volunteer for the van one day per month. We are currently without a hygienist and there is a great need. Will you please ask the hygienist at your dentist’s office if they would consider volunteering for one or more times for our mobile dental van? I’d be happy to talk with them. Medical Teams International also has a dvd explaining their program that I could send to you to watch with your hygienist. The dental van will be in the parking lot at Westminster Chapel on Sunday, March 21 and holding an open house for folks to step in and see what it’s like. Please make time to check it out. It’s really cool!

I see relationships building between myself and the Latino women. I feel bad that we’ve had to cancel the last two hygienist appointment days. The care is so much needed and they are so patient in waiting. They are so gracious in letting me try to speak my tiny bit of Spanish with them. They are so encouraging. I realized at the clinic on Friday that I actually caught the gist of what they were talking about. That was exciting! Their language is so beautiful and I just love these women.

Crashing waves, palm trees swaying and rain

Not what you’d expect in San Diego in February, but that was the spectacular weather on the day of the Sherry Watson grant seminar. Held at the beautiful Hyatt on the waterfront, where we all expected a sunny beach scene, the sun eventually came out and we witnessed an amazing rainbow.

Sherry Watson was on fire with excitement as she encouraged the 60 participants and shared the abundance of grant opportunities. I was blessed along with five others and had a private lunch with Sherry and her husband. The woman is amazing. That time with her made the whole trip worthwhile. She shared several ideas with me and it was great to get her perspective, analysis, guidance and promise to give me some individual help in the future.

The highlight of the trip was time with my sister-in-law, Helen, and my brother-in-law, Herb, whom I adore. They are truly amazing and whenever I am around them I am so loved and blessed. Other than my one-day seminar, I didn’t make any plans for my five-day stay. We spent a lot of time just sharing and during the five days I was privileged to attend a Beth Moore bible study one night, participate in Herb and Helen’s home study group with a wonderful prayer time and discussion, watch a dvd from the Willow Creek leadership summit, and watch two dvd sessions from a recent Graham Cooke seminar Herb and Helen attended. If you have not heard of this incredible Christian man, you seriously need to google him and soak up his videos and writings. Every sentence could almost be a whole session. I felt absolutely transformed with a fresh sense of awe for our Lord with His amazing love and sacrifice for me.
Three, not just one, but three trips to the beach while I was there! Helen and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at San Diego’s Pacific Beach along the boardwalk. Oh, the ocean smelled so good and the sand was so inviting. La Jolla’s beach was pretty spectacular. With the recent earthquake in Chile, the waves were huge and we hoped to catch a glimpse of them, but instead witnessed about a hundred seals with their pups. What a life… swim, eat, and sleep on the beach!

While in San Diego, I introduced Herb and Helen to the Ranch 99 Market (an Asian market chain) and we bought fresh tilapia (fish), shrimp, and some other tasty tidbits. I had the pleasure of cooking up a storm in their dream kitchen for them and a friend, Digna. Afterwards we watched another Graham Cooke dvd. I’m telling you – you have to get a hold of some of his teaching.

I came away from my trip with some new ideas for targeting grant money, and personally renewed, refreshed, encouraged, and well rested. It was hard to leave but I couldn’t wait to get home and put my newly acquired information to practice.

Faithfulness in translators and root canals

I continue to be astounded at the immense healing and life-changing activity here at Jubilee. Last Friday’s adult dental clinic was no exception. This first round of patients has come mostly from the group of Latino women who rock out in the aerobics class. We had what appeared to be a set back on the day before the clinic because the hygienist who had volunteered cancelled because she had thrown out her back. Tough to bend over to peer into their mouth of a patient when you’ve thrown out your back!

With some scrambling, I was able to cancel and reschedule most patients. Interesting that one of the two dental exam chairs was not working and so God’s timing was again perfect. Normally, only exams, x-rays, cleanings and fillings are provided at the mobile dental van. One patient, however, received a root canal. Who would have thought anyone would be excited to get a root canal, right?!! This root canal spared her from the only other option which was to extract the tooth. Dr. Cho did not want to do an extraction because she is missing several teeth and it would have made it very difficult for her to chew her food. I thank Dr. Cho for his great work and the other volunteers Molly Johnston, assistant; Denise Folk, sterilization and van driver; and George Steirer who’s in training on the van.


George is a Mercer Island city planner for his full-time job and volunteered to help out on the van. He also washed the exterior of the van. That was the biggest "car wash" I've ever seen! I tried to talk him into washing my van, but he wouldn't go for it!


The group of Latino women who were patients on Friday at the dental van has a very obvious strong bond. I’ve been told they did not know each other before coming to Jubilee. They're so loving and helpful to each other with filling out forms and watching children while some had their appointments. I loved watching them interact and seeing the sense of excitement and happiness on their faces as they greet each other. Who would imagine that an aerobics class and visit to the dentist would give them such confidence and a sense of belonging that community gives. One woman had the translator apologize for not being able to speak English to me to say how much she appreciates what was done for her. I apologized for "no habla espanol" and said I am trying to learn Spanish and thanked her for letting me serve her. It is such an honor to serve in this way. The two translators (Martha Valencia and Maria Garcia) who volunteered their time did a great job. Maria is actually a participant in the aerobics class and ESL class. What a wonderful woman and she has such a heart for service. I’m sure many will be excited to hear I now have the Rosetta Stone program to speed up my Spanish learning!

I have a great opportunity to go to a seminar in San Diego on Feb 27th. If you have air miles you would be willing to donate to me, please email me or call me at 425.890.2395. This seminar will give me additional tools to secure grant funds to do more at Jubilee REACH Center. Please check out the letter from Tom Brewer, chaplain at Jubilee REACH Center on behalf of my service here (previous blog posting). May the unconditional, faithful love of our Father bless you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Great is Thy faithfulness

I’ve planted myself in my Jubilee office and it is very cozy with chairs from the Jubilee Heart and Home store, a fig tree from home, and some draperies also acquired from the store that will be transformed into chair cushions. It’s a great setting to put folks at ease when there are difficult issues to discuss and a wonderful place for me to ponder solutions and soak up God’s faithfulness wile I work. Also, I had been looking daily on Craig’s List for a locking file cabinet that is legally required for storing the dental patient records and kept missing the low priced ones. I walked into Jubilee one day and there outside my office door was a locking file cabinet that someone had donated. No one seems to know where it came from. Thank you Lord! Great is Thy faithfulness!

From Tom

"I requested that Joy allow me to communicate a few thoughts concerning her service and the value she adds to the ministry of Jubilee REACH Center. In the space she allowed here is what I’d like to say.

"Joy Roof is a personification of “joy” around the Jubilee REACH Center. Small in stature yet large hearted, her genuine love for people and compassion for those facing desperate challenges sets her apart for Community Care ministries. Joy’s heart for service is complimented by her broad range of life experiences and well developed relational and business skills. She is leveraging life’s lessons to lift others up.

"Serving as Site-coordinator for the Adult Dental Van, Joy skillfully and equitably delivers these highly needed services to our community. An empathetic listener, she hears the needs then exercises discernment and perspective in distributing resources. When visiting another local charity recently, Joy learned of their abundant supply of warm coats and gloves. She returned to JRC with a van load of these valuable goods and began sharing them generously with individuals and serving agencies around JRC. These activities are typical of the way Joy steps up to fill the gap and bring Jesus’ healing and build community at the Jubilee REACH Center. It is a blessing and a “joy” to serve with her.

Peace,
Tom Brewer"

No Habla Espanol

No, really I don’t speak Spanish! My need to quickly learn Spanish became apparent when I met with the women from the Latino aerobics class who rock out at JRC every Monday and Wednesday morning. We met after their class to discuss the adult mobile dental van program, answer their questions and process their paperwork. Thank God Pilar (on staff at JRC from Colombia) was available to rescue me!

Through the collaboration of Medical Teams International, we held the first adult dental clinic on January 8^th at Jubilee REACH Center (JRC) and it was a huge success.

Even though the translator had three sick children and arrived late, God used the other patients to translate for each other. Only one patient didn’t come and the appointment was filled by the translator. She arrived just in time. We also squeezed in three patients waiting standby and saw a total of 19 patients.

I was so amazed at the eagerness and gratitude of those we served that day. As I watched patients arrive unsure about the whole situation, I saw them come out of the van with a smile on their face and a look of relief. Your prayer and financial support allows me to work with an incredible team from Medical Teams International and all of the tremendous professional dental volunteers. It was amazing to witness how they loved the people and cared for them so tenderly.

Here’s my average day today!

I feel as though I’ve been on a long trip and came home this morning. This place is all about hospitality with the immediate sight and smell of the kitchen and the goodies placed for the taking and hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate always ready. Then I walk up the stairs towards my office and there’s a large area at the top of the stairs with many black leather couches and chairs with blankets ready to curl up and rest or sit and talk. I hear laughter and “Happy New Year” greetings from many people back from their breaks and eager to serve.

Today I met with a woman who is the grandmother of an 8 year old boy. She is a senior, single, and struggling financially. She is the legal guardian for her grandson. She called asking if she could come talk with me. She had received a shutoff notice for her water and has no money to pay that bill or any others right now. It is hard for her to ask for help. I called the City of Bellevue and was able to get her shutoff postponed for a week. JRC will pay her $153 bill because of the generosity of those who have donated. On the horizon is a move to other housing. Her home was scheduled for foreclosure. She has able to find a buyer for substantially less than what is owed on her home but the bank will accept this offer. She and her grandson will need to find housing but on her $1200 per month social security there are not many options. I will start working on some options for her. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Each Monday and Wednesday a group of Latino women pump up the music in the theatre and do aerobics for one glorious hour. After they were done today, I met with several of them to see if they would have an interest in participating in the adult dental clinic van coming this Friday for the first time. They all signed up – with the help of Pilar. Pilar is a delight. I love her faith in the Lord, as well as her excellent translation skills. She is from Colombia. Several of the women only speak Spanish. I do not! One of the women was concerned that her son who is very allergic to nuts might have an allergic reaction the day of her appointment and she would not be able to come. Pilar told her not to worry because she was going to pray to God for her little boy and he would be fine so she could come.

It is awesome to be surrounded by these special people on staff with such huge hearts for the Lord’s people. At today’s staff meeting, I am reminded of how much He does through each one of them just because of their surrender to Him. They possess a willingness to show up and be used however that might be for the given situation that presents itself each day. Every day is a surprise!