Jacob's House Blog

I wrote this poem one morning when I felt fear coming on me.  I know there is no fear in perfect love.  God IS  love. Therefore, it has to be the enemy attack when we feel fear rise up in us.  I am one to refuse and reject anything the enemy has to offer.  He can keep his fear and defeat for himself.  I am a child of God and choose to only receive ALL that God has to offer….LOVE, JOY,PEACE AND VICTORY, just to name a few.

I won’t stay in fright
It’s the enemy-so I fight!
He cannot beat me
I have predestined vict’ry

So why do I give him place
When MY foot is in his face?

There is no reason
To tolerate this treason!
He manipulates and lies
And operates in disguise

But I’m no fool
I WON’T be his tool
I’ve been set aside
For God Most High!

Kitchens Plus, a division of Jacob’s House, specializing in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms and making beautiful custom furniture.  This was

our second year at this show and was it fun.  We met wonderful business men and women and enjoyed the enthusiasm of Branson’s unique

residents.  Sharing our Mission to the children of our community is always fun but with the help our “Jacob’s House Year in Review” book we

were able to share pictures and stories of 2009.  There will be big things coming from this show so stay tuned for up-dates.  Some of the children

attended visiting other vendors, checking out all the equipment and ideas for the ranch, learning much and making new friends.

Becky’s story continued…   After giving my life to God, I desired to grow in my new life with Him, but after several months of hearing the negative things that the people at Church said, confused me.  They were always talking about how hard things were and how they barely got through, so I thought that being a Christian must only mean that you go to heaven when you die, so I quit going to Church and went back to my old lifestyle and started smoking marijuana in addition to drinking alcohol. 

I felt badly about turning away from God, but I didn’t know what else to do.  Once while driving down some back roads, smoking marijuana with friends, a police car came up quickly behind us with it’s lights flashing and its’ siren penetrating the airwaves.  I  was so afraid, so I silently prayed and asked God to protect me, because I didn’t want to get caught.  He didn’t tell me that He would keep me from getting caught, but I did sense Him telling me, “Becky, I love you and I have a better life for you.”  To my relief, the police car passed us at a high speed and continued on out of sight.  “Whew”, was I relieved!  And although it was a close encounter, my lifestyle didn’t change, but the words I heard from the Lord that day came back to remind me of God’s love often.

Since my Mom remarried, she didn’t have much time for me (in all fairness, though, with school, my job, and cheerleading, I probably didn’t spend much time with her either) and my Dad rarely came around.   I longed to be loved and accepted by my parents, but never felt as if I measured up to the standard of their expectations, not that they said anything much about it, but that’s the way it seemed in my mind, as a teenager.

By this time, my mom was expecting a baby and just a few weeks before the baby was born, a bad dream about my Mom dying during child birth, made me skeptical about this new baby and I didn’t want another change in the jumble of confusion in our already adjusting lives.  But one look at my little sister, and those thoughts completely dissolved.  I knew I always liked little children, but with her arrival, the love and call of God to love little children was birthed in my heart, even though I hadn’t fully came back to Him.  I didn’t know that I could love anyone as much as I did my little sister, she seemed to be the bond that God used to bring all of those jumbled, frayed ends of adjustments together and helped us come together as a family. 

The next spring, I ended up in the hospital with a fractured pelvis from a wrong move during cheerleading try-outs.  My ‘well-meaning” friends made the 30 mile drive to see me, but ended up getting “high” with another friend, who lived in the area, and couldn’t come to see me after all.  The elderly lady, who shared the room with me, the Nun/nurse, who taught me various ways to play Solitaire,  and my parents, all made comments about what a good and pleasant girl I was.  I felt like such a fake.  I thought if they really knew me, they wouldn’t think that, so because of their kind words, the innocent love of my little sister, and my friends actions, I made a decision to come back to God.  I didn’t know how, but I knew He would help me.

Several months later, someone I worked with at a local restaurant, invited me to go to a revival with him, even though he didn’t attend Church himself.  We went and that’s where I learned that having a personal relationship with God is so much more than just going to heaven when we die, that it is an awesome love-walk with the God, Who created the Universe!  From that time on, I grew in the love of God and committed my life to live for Him.  I still had my friends, but I didn’t participate in getting drunk or high with them anymore, so little by little , they went their own way…

You can contact me, becky@jacobshouse.org.

Enjoying a walk in the warm sunshine.

Chris & Cyndi

Shawna & Little Peeps

Jake's Buddy

Jake joins the peeps.

Spring is on the way……

It’s not “What’s Cooking”  rather, “Who’s Cooking What?”!  We took the weekend to prepare lunch and supper meals for most of the week ahead and almost everyone got in on it!  The pictures tell the story…

Jeremiah performing as our "Pizza Topping Chef" and Blake is his "Taste Testing Assistant".

Jake, the stew meat perfection chef wearing his designer chef's hat.

Triston was more than happy to take over as the Brisket Chef.

Triston caught on quickly to his job!

Keirsten coaches Haley and Brittany on the finer techniques of noodle cutting.

Little Miss Payton rolling out her own pizza dough!

Haley rolling out her dough.

next, is Jake...

...then, Brayden...

...Keirsten...

... Miss Cyndi...

...Micah...

...Mr. Dan...

...Jeremiah...

...Blake...

... Chris...

... & Brittany!

“Whew, what a crew!”  We worked hard, but it was fun!

It is a wonderful journey learning the fads of communications over the generations of children that have come through my heart.  Lately I get notes and I bet you do too, that have a few words and then a picture.  Today , Valentine Day, it would be I (picture of a heart) you!  Today I am pondering this.

Reading through the blogs that have been posted my HEART swells with my love for the authors and their HEART for God.  Anyone that gets involved with Jacob’s House is truly blessed but no one more than I am.  I smile to myself as I think about the tons of laundry that piles up everywhere, that is everywhere the children where when they changed clothes or bathed.  Then I find mini boxes of nerds and a HEART note on my work table, a sucker and lots of kisses that are sealed with peanutbutter and jelly stains.  I am blessed.  I watch as Dan whose feet cannot go another step, sits down for a break, it is bedtime but our youngest ones scurry to his lap and say “read a story Daddy”..and as he draws his 6 foot frame up again with that smile  that says it all (with dangling children on his legs) heading for the bedroom for a story, I know I am blessed.  When the printer won’t work, the children are fussy needing a nap, the floor is dirty again (we really enjoy the snow) and I am pondering the scripture in Galatians (do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap) and Sarah smiles that joyful smile saying “I just finished cleaning the refridgerator and while the kids nap I will do the floors…..I HEART her – I am blessed.  As a leader there are many days that could get out of control if not for all the wonderful, talented and committed individuals called to Jacobs House.  Not only for the training and raising of the children but for the modeling a family and our relationships to one another and our relationship with God but to encourage and lift up each other and provide strength when one is weak, knowledge when one comes up short, giftings that hold us together – my heart is steadied when I hear Cyndi sing a song that God has given her or eaten Becky’s homemade rolls or have a heart to heart with her.  I laugh with joy when Chris does wheelies in the snow, raises the score level on the Wii or boldly prays over us all.  Of course there are hard days, pressure filled days and opportunities to fail or quit – we just pray and  keep on going because in a minute everything changes.  Then we may look up and find a Keirsten 12 years old forming her own non-profit that reaches out to children locally and the world.  You see a Sarah Nicole loving as the Father commands and reaching out to others.  It is worth it everyday and because we can cast the care of it over on Him (1 Peter 5:7) we can walk out this mission we are called to realizing it is a matter of the HEART everyday and love never fails. 

 Today I am sending a big I HEART YOU to all our partners and volunteers who make our lives rich and our future full of God possibilities.

You can reach me at     penny@jacobshouse.org

Hey there, Since there are two Sarah’s connected with Jacob’s House, Im gonna identify myself as Sarah Nichole:) Im 18, and  I dig learning about new cultures and experiencing diversity.  It comes in almost everything: styles, colors, life, even air can be different, and especially in people [Jacobs House can definitely testify to that! There are people from all kinds of backgrounds here, united by the love of  Jesus Christ, and that's exactly how we like it:]. God is probably the most diverse I’ve ever known.  When I started praying about this blog, God told me two things; first of all, was that, yes, I am supposed to do this, and secondly, just to show the vastness of Him through what I write.   Paul said in the Bible that he became all things to all men, so that He might win some to the Lord.

This is how the Father is for us, He will be our Friend ( someone we can talk to anytime, always ready to listen),  loving Daddy ( wrap His arms around us, just to hold us, and let us know that everythings gonna be okay), Protector ( when the world seems like its after us, He’ll step up and thwart our attacker), Guidance ( when confusion tries to take over, ask Him for wisdom), Corrector ( sometimes we need a self-examination, but He doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us to punish us He wants to help us so that we can be the shining light that we’re called to be), and He’s also our Inspiration (people fade without a vision, a dream, or hope, God sets aglow things that we thought were perhaps dead long ago). He has so many levels and the deeper we go, the more we understand His intense Love for us.  A love this deep is foreign to pretty much everyone and everything.  It goes against our human nature, because we don’t find this type of love here on earth.  It’s a Supernatural thing.  A free Gift that God gives to us regardless of who we are, or what we’ve done.  Even when we turn our backs on Him, He’s still there, waiting and still loving us.

You can contact me via becky@jacobshouse.org  just put Sarah Nichole as the subject.

Thanks:):)

The following poem was written by 17 year old Jessi, who is a very special part of our family.  Her Mama went to heaven when she was very young and she wrote this poem to her after reading a poem that her Mama had written years ago.

A Poem Written in Red    

by Jessi Taylor     

                 **********

Tonight I read you words,

A Poem Written in Red.

Tonight I imagine your voice,

as I think of what you might have said.

                 **********

I think you’d know my pain,

I think you’d understand me.

I think you’d know just how I feel,

for it’s you they see so much in me.

                 **********

I wish you were here,

I wish you could see,

the beautiful young lady

I’m growing up to be.

                 **********

You would be so proud,

I know it’s true,

and I wouldn’t have to say the words,

“Mommy, I miss you.”

                 **********

If you were here,

I would help you as I could,

we could have the best of times

just like we always should. 

                 **********

Mother, Dear,

don’t leave me here

to live this life in wonder

take my hand and understand

I miss you more than hunger.

                 **********

I wish that you could smile at me,

and tell me I’ve done good.

I’d do anything to make you proud,

I so, surely would.

                 **********

Are you looking down from heaven?

Do you know who I am to be?

Do you miss me like I miss you?

When I smile, tell me, do you see?

                 **********

While you’re up in heaven,

could you ask God something for me?

Why did He let you leave so early,

when He knew how lonely I would be?

                 **********

Tonight, I read your words,

a poem you wrote in red.

Tonight, I try to hear your voice,

as I think of what you might have said.

                 **********

You can contact me through becky@jacobshouse.org.

My Little Niece and Me!

Hiking through da hood.

Hi, I’m Keirsten and I will be 12 years old in two weeks.  The Lord gave me a passion for children for as far back as I can remember.  When I was seven years old, I told my Mommy, “I think I am attractive to babies” (but what I really meant was that I thought babies were attracted to me), because everywhere we went, they would either, grab my hand or blow me kisses or talk to me.  You know what, I think I was right,  and you know what else, I kind of like it.

I have a little niece and I just love her.  She and I have such a special bond, that if we don’t see each other in like two or three days, we miss each other so much. 

I love Mr. Dan and Miss Penny and  their children.  We go out to the ranch and have a good time playing , like today for instance, we were all playing outside, when  two of the boys,  started throwing snow and ice at my sister and me.   We told them that we were only going to take so much of that and then we began going after them.  The fight was on and  it  was so funny, because they would run and slip  in the mud.  We LAUGHED so hard and told them we would be willing to call it a tie, but they said “Never!”  So we were like, “Oh, you don’t want to do this,”  but they did, and after a while we just went inside and one of them  told all of our peeps that they got beaten by girls.  It was quite amusing.  We have lots of great memories with them.

I  have had a really cool childhood, but when I think of all the children who go through so much worse things than we do, like children in Uganda or Cambodia, and even right here in the United States  or where ever, who are starving, thirsty, and need a good place to sleep, rather than sleeping in a box or on a bench.  Many children, and even babies, die from the lack of nutrition and heat, and many, many other things.  And yet, we take so much for granted like water, food, heat, a bed, and these children die, because we don’t take action.   So I am starting my own ministry to raise funds to help them.  It is called “Lamb of God Shepherdess” where I am “Loving the world, one little lamb at a time.“  Lamb of God Shepherdess Ministry will be partnering as a support to Jacob’s House and various ministries around the world, so I want to invite you to join me in helping to make things better for God’s Lil’ Lambs in need all around the globe!

I can be contacted through becky@jacobshouse.org.  Thank you, Jesus loves you!

Hello! I would like to take a brief moment to introduce myself. My name is Cyndi Didlot (long o, silent t). My husband, Chris and I joined Jacob’s House on a full-time basis as parents in November 2009. What a blessing it has been!! I wouldn’t even know where to begin in sharing what being here has done for us personally and in our family. The opportunity to serve here in itself is huge, but being under the direction of Miss Penny has brought us up to a new level already! Our heart to help others in need and to LOVE LOVE LOVE has multiplied in just a short time by following her example.
Penny has the ability to draw gifts out of people and propel them into using them! She does this with the children and anyone who is around her. I’m about to share with you a letter I wrote to God on New Year’s Day this year. When I read it to Penny she asked me to share it on here too. This letter is my heart for God and my prayer to live the life He created me for. I pray that you will be inspired by this and please feel free to make it your prayer as well.

I’m starting this new year different from any other. I have an intent focus on God and His ways. No more will my mind be set on me, but on Him. Because I know a little about His ways, I know I will benefit greatly through this. I will find satisfaction in knowing Him. I will become all that He has designed me to be as a wife and helpmate to the good and perfect gift He gave me when He joined me to my husband. I will be all that He designed me to be as a mother to my children. My blessings. Also to all other blessings He puts in my path. And ultimately, I will be ALL He designed me to be as His daughter, His handmaid, His representative in the Earth. To accomplish all that He calls on me to do, in excellence and a pure heart.

God, I long to truly KNOW You like never before. I’m asking You to quicken my heart and mind that I can understand and comprehend all that You show me. Be my teacher, Holy Spirit. I long to be in Your presence everyday. To walk in Your love, grace, wisdom, authority and passion.

I want to know YOUR heart and YOUR vision for this year and my role in it. I’m asking you now to show me, so I can follow Yours and not my own. God, I repent for my own failures of the past years. My selfishness, pride, bad attitudes and lack of love for You and Your children. Help me to grow in love, that I may not repeat those past failures. Help me to be led by Your Holy Spirit, that I may stay on Your path. I sense the times are more urgent now than ever before. I’m asking You to accelerate my growth and teach me thoroughly, so I can produce more fruit more quickly. Magnify instruction and revelation (Is.42:21). I want to be an effective tool You can count on. I know I have a long way to go, but I also know what You are capable of. As I draw near to You, You will draw near to me and amazing things will happen.

Show me how to use the gifts You put in me, how to increase them and to flow in Your anointing. Sing Your song through me! A song that has never been heard in this world (Is. 42:10). Give me songs that bring people in to You. Songs that stir praise and thankfulness. Songs that pierce hard hearts, songs that bring life to the dead, that wake the sleeping and move them to action! Bring fire to the cold, turn those who have been still and stagnant into a brilliant magnet! Brighten our lights that shine for You to draw more into Your Kingdom. We are Your secret weapon. Set us off to be a blasting bomb! Not this dying dud. God, give me songs that cause us to rise up and be who we are in Christ. To use our authority in boldness! To shut down the enemy and keep him in his place. Behind us! Under our feet! And BOUND!!

I lift up this team You have put together at Jacob’s House. Let there be unity in our hearts and our vision. God, help me to draw all that I should from the people and resources You have surrounded me with. Help me to be a strong support and effective tool in my position here. Strengthen the bond between my husband and I to face future challenges without offense and strife. Let love be multiplied in us for each other and those around us. Show us how to walk better in love with our children and strengthen our bond with them. Help us to train them up to serve You and answer what You call them to do. Teach us to prepare them thoroughly for a life satisfied through You.

Thank You God, for hearing me and I receive Your help now in Jesus’ name. I’ve asked according to Your Word and I know You are faithful to perform Your Word in my life. THANK YOU!!! I am so excited to know You more and to grow and to serve. I’m humbled and so thankful for all of this. I love You Lord, and I pray that my life proves those words. Amen.  

You can email me at   cyndi@jacobshouse.org