Jacob's House Blog

This was a girls night out and what a big time they had.  We thank God for the support and love our kiddos receive

from the students on their own time.  Plus all the intern hours and volunteer hours.  What a treasure.

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

I was pondering all the beautiful snow and laughed when I think of the thousands of times we sang “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!”  The kids are really hoping it stops soon so that they can go out and play without dreading the muddy boots and frozen fingers. 

Snow days need to be made up so the “oh boy no school” shouts have simmered down to “we may have to go to school all summer if this keeps up.”  The horses miss the green, green grass and even the sign posted SLOW, children playing looks a bit lonely.  I guess we will just cuddle up a little closer and watch a movie or play the Wii. 

What do you do on snowy days?  Jake would love to read a family recipe for winter days and Jeremiah would love to hear an old family story, so make a comment, share your ideas and make a memory for the children.