Potatoes and Provision!

Hey everyone!

Yesterday we had our first big fundraiser at Matthew's and my home church, Living Water.  We decided to do a potato bar, because Remedy (our college group that the three of us go to) had done one in the past, and it had been pretty successful.  We ended up raising above and beyond the amount we thought we would make, and we blessed with the presence of family and friends.  We cannot express the gratitude we feel for God, and our families, friends, and church. 

Saturday afternoon, Matthew and I met with Kris Puccinelli (or Mama Kris, as I call her), our second mother, mentor and college group leader at Living Water to do our big shopping at Sam's Club (Amanda had to work, so she couldn't make it).  Then, Matthew, Kris and I went to Kris' house to scrub and wrap the potatoes in foil.  Our wonderful friend Ariana helped out, too!  We managed to finish all of the preparations in about 2 hours, which gave us time to celebrate our friend Tony's 21st birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY!

Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early and spoke at two of Living Water's services to inform everyone about our trip and our fundraiser, and afterwards we headed over to St. Peter's Lutheran Church (our mother church, big thanks to them!) and used their ovens and kitchen prep area for all of our preparations.  We cooked potatoes, made a salad, cut brownies and onions, and crock-potted some chili.  Our friend Danielle came and helped us out that afternoon/evening because she is WONDERFUL!  Our fundraiser started at 5, and people began PILING in the door.  We had about 30 people RSVP and had bought around 100 potatoes (I honestly thought that would be too much) but by about 5:30pm we were wondering if we would have ENOUGH!  God provided a miracle for us, and everyone got a potato!  One of Matthew's and my former youth leaders, Siobhan, even brought homemade cupcakes for everyone!  It was great to see everyone coming together to support us!

One of my favorite parts about last night was the feeling of family.  I've been going to Living Water Church since I was in the 6th grade (I'm 23 now) and, at times, it is hard to be a part of a place that has known you since before you hit puberty.  I so often just want to GET AWAY and do something different, but last night, I was reminded of what church is all about.  I get grumpy sometimes, and can complain, but when we needed it, God used our church, which is basically my family, to provide.  That says something.  I thank God for each person in my church, no matter how I feel about them sometimes, because they are my family, and families love each other, support each other, and help each other grow.  I come from a family that wasn't always consistent, and people that were supposed to me in my life, were not.  I think that is what gets me most about last night is what it meant when people showed up.  And what it means when people give, or when they pray.  It means you care.  And that resonates in me more deeply than I ever thought it would.  This is my dream, and my calling, and to be supported and encourage and loved like family through it all is God's gift to me.  YOU are God's gift to me.

The other major blessing of last night was the fact that each of our parents came and supported us last night.  Both of Amanda's parents, my mother, and Matthew's dad came.  I don't think there are words to describe what a wonderful blessing that was to each one of us, so I'll leave it at that.  God knows. 

Lastly, I just wanted to thank you for your continued support of our trip!  Whether you are digging into your wallet, reading our blogs, praying for us, or just giving us hugs, we are so humbled to be a part of YOUR family.  Thank you for helping send us.  We love you.

We managed to take a few photos this weekend as we got everything together, and I wanted to share them with you!  Enjoy!

 
Matthew preparing some potatoes!

Mama Kris helping us prepare

Our wonderful friend, Ariana helping scrub potatoes

 
A very excited Matthew (which is pretty typical)

 
Amanda making a salad

 
Matthew and the huge can of chili (and we had 4 of them)

Marissa cutting some brownies

 
The Amazing Danielle, who helped us out all day Sunday

 
Amanda and Danielle

 
Hot Potatoes!

 
Oven Mitt Five!

 
Mama Kris and Matthew doing some set up at Living Water

 
The Spread!

 
cupcakes made by the wonderful Siobhan!

 
Jeret wafting the smells!

Enjoying the Food

 

We heart Ashley!

 
Matthew & Amanda (Can you feel the excitement?)

 
Marissa and Jocelyn and Ainsley Feaster

Amanda and her dad

 
All $1535 in my hands (and now in a bank account!)

Thanks again, everyone for making this fundraiser such a huge success!

With all the love I have in my heart,

Marissa

P.S. I, again, want to thank some special people who went out of their way to help us this weekend.  Kris Puccinelli is God's gift to me when my life seems to be falling apart, but she also somehow manages to take care of everyone's everything.  She helped prepare, shop, and plan this event!  Thanks to Ariana Nicholson who helped scrub potatoes on Saturday, and Danielle Sipes who gave up her Sunday afternoon and evening to hang out with us and prepare everything!  (She even did a run to the grocery store because we had to get lemonade!)  And to Siobhan Russell, who brought homemade cupcakes for everyone!  Thanks to Pastor Joel Midthun (PJ!) for letting us throw this shindig, and everyone at Living Water, Remedy, and our friends and family who came and enjoyed a potato or two.  Blessings to you!