Vanessa Hawk

The Check is in the Mail

vanessahawk — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:31:35 +0000

I finally experienced it! Money appeared out of thin air when we least expected it. This week Bobby opened the mail and the Water Department gave us a check for $100 for a reason that we are still unaware of. Now, I’ve heard those stories before. Checks that surprisingly find their way into unexpected hands with no explanation as to why, but deep down I always thought that the story was embellished. There was a reason why, but it isn’t revealed because that would kill the illustration of whatever faith sermon was being preached. I know that sounds harsh, but I can be a little pessimistic sometimes.

When Bobby told me what had happened I couldn’t believe it. I was waiting for him to finally realize why we got that check. An overpaid bill, Obama’s plan to fix the economy, even a rebate, but still no explanation. I love being part of this CRAZY Campaign. God is moving. He is proving himself as our Provider. If we give, God gives back. It’s that simple. So if you’ve made a pledge to the CRAZY Campaign then keep giving what you can. God is moving and he will provide when you least expect it. Maybe your check is in the mail!

Partnering with God

vanessahawk — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:04:03 +0000

As I was looking through my notes from the CRAZY Campaign Sunday, I ran across a point that Pastor Kevin Weaver had made in his message about the purpose for giving: Partnering with God. He had talked about 1Chronicles 29 where David was rounding up people to help Solomon build the Temple for the Lord. I can only imagine how the people who put so much effort into the Temple felt when it was finally built. They partnered with God to attain a vision that, at the time, probably seemed a little overwhelming to them, but afterwards proved to be worth the work. That’s what I want.

I want to partner with God. I want to be a part of something that is bigger than what I can predict the outcome to be. I believe that EPIC Church was inspired by God and HE has called us to gather our resources and partner with HIM in this campaign. I don’t want to find myself on the other side of this Campaign wishing that I had given more and feeling like I wasn’t the partner that God needed me to be. Instead I want to be on the ground floor, doing what I can to build the frame and lay the bricks. I want to go from blueprints to structure. Does that sound CRAZY?

Reasons and Actions

vanessahawk — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:12:49 +0000

“Strong reasons make strong actions.”

-William Shakespeare

When I came across this quote the other day it really rang true for me. Think about it:

ACTION: You down a small, frozen pizza BY YOURSELF.

REASON: You skipped breakfast and your stomach is making annoying sound effects.

ACTION: After work you book it straight to the gym and jump on a treadmill while praying that you’ll sweat off 5 pounds.

REASON: You had to suck in your gut while doing an embarrassing dance in order to button your pants this morning.

ACTION: You find out when Kohls is having their “BIGGEST SALE EVER” and buy new pants.

REASON: You don’t want to be attached to a treadmill for the rest of your life.

See, when we really feel we have a reason to do something, we simply DO IT! Now, I know it’s been a few weeks since we’ve pledged towards the CRAZY Campaign and the passion and zeal is starting to fade, but we can’t forget our REASON for pledging. Everyone’s reason is different. Some wanted to test their faith, some wanted to learn dependency on God, and some just simply felt the tug to obey. Even though our Strong reasons are different, our Strong action is the same, BE CRAZY!

SAY WHAT?

vanessahawk — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:14:04 +0000

Meet Jason and Becky. This is the most selfless couple I think I know. They moved to the Kansas City area last year and decided that they wanted to come on board and be a part of the EPIC team. So, in this economy, they moved from a very stable environment with a nice home, good jobs, family and friends and came to a place where they had no jobs, no home, and very little family and friends. As they became settled in, Becky found a job as a care provider at a daycare, but Jason was having a hard time finding a job. Instead of being discouraged, Jason and Becky were always at church with smiles on their faces, ready to serve.

Well, prayers were answered and Jason not only found a job, but a job that he was excited about! He was hired on as a salesman for a company that sells trailers, trailer hitches, etc. and he is really good at it. He likes the people he works with, has kind words to say about his boss, and has a schedule that fits his and Becky’s lifestyle. So, when my husband told me, “Jason called and had news to tell me about his job,” my heart fell into my stomach. I just knew it was bad news. But, I was COMPLETELY wrong.

Just TWO weeks after Jason and Becky made their commitment to the CRAZY campaign God opened a BIG door. Jason was called into his boss’ office after only two months of working there and his boss basically told him,”I know we have you on a 90 day probation period, but you’re one of my best salesmen and we want to make you permanent.” Now that in and of itself is great news, but it doesn’t stop there. His boss went on to discuss a pay raise to go along with the job offer! What?! In this economy, that is amazing! Jason told his boss about the CRAZY campaign and how he knew that this was God providing for he and Becky. But, that’s not all. Jason and Becky have been praying and searching for the perfect home for them to settle into and this past week they found it! God is good. Needless to say, Jason and Becky have had a pretty CRAZY week and I’m pretty sure their not the only ones…Stay tuned.

AMAZING!

vanessahawk — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:29:13 +0000

This week has been AMAZING! Bobby and I have heard story after story about how God is providing resources for funds for the Crazy Campaign. It’s one thing to just believe that God is going to move, but it’s another to actually see it happening. Our God is great! And be encouraged that when there seems to be NO way, God moves. He has no limitations! Nothing is impossible for Him. Stay tuned to hear the stories and see just how cool it is to be CRAZY!

LESSON LEARNED

vanessahawk — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:40:25 +0000

So, I learned a bit of a lesson this week pertaining to the CRAZY campaign. After church last Sunday, Bobby and I started to discuss our “game plan” for how we were going to raise the money for our pledge. We started with what we could cut back on. We talked about our grocery bill, how much we eat out, what we spend on entertainment…. You get the picture. In the midst of discussing all of this Bobby says, “And I’ll give up my allowance. What about you?” Now, I know it sounds silly that two grown adults have allowances, but it is really something that has worked for us for almost six years now. We get an allotted amount of money, not much, but all the same it’s ours to spend however we would like without having to “check in” with each other before the purchase. And it’s a BIG deal to me. I LOVE to shop.

Now, I would love to tell you that when my husband turned to me to ask me to do my part and give up my “allowance” also that I totally stepped up to the plate and said, “Count me in!” That is simply not the case. Instead I said, “Well, I’m still thinking about it.” Now, Bobby could’ve put a guilt trip on me or put his foot down and made the decision for me, but instead he just nodded his head and said, “O.k., well don’t feel that you have to.” The rest of the night was TORTURE for me. I knew that I was being selfish and greedy. The words that Pastor Kevin Weaver had preached kept echoing in my head, “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can.” Needless to say, I had an awful night’s sleep.

As I was getting ready for work the next morning I REALLY thought about those words, “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can”, and I chuckled. I said to myself, “Vanessa, you better just give it up quick because if you don’t you’ll talk yourself into holding onto it.” So, right then and there I told Bobby to count me in. It was like ripping off a bandaid. You know it’s going to hurt, but once it’s off you feel relieved. I know that I’m not going to be able to hit the ground running when Kohl’s announces their “BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR”, but I can lay my head on the pillow every night knowing that I’m doing my part in the commitment that I’ve made. So, as you’re figuring out your “game plan” don’t forget to “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can” otherwise you might just talk you’re way out of being CRAZY!

CRAZY Campaign Kickoff

vanessahawk — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:59:44 +0000

This past Sunday Pastor Kevin Weaver introduced the CRAZY CAMPAIGN to us at EPIC Church. The basic idea is to raise $30,000 in 22 weeks. When my husband first mentioned the idea of this CRAZY CAMPAIGN to me I thought, “Are you crazy?” (no pun, just my thought). “Have you been living in a cave? So many people are looking for jobs, we still own a house in Michigan, not to mention we haven’t even had our public launch yet for EPIC. There’s no way we can come up with that kind of money.” But of course I didn’t actually share these thoughts with him. Instead, I gave the Supportive Pastor’s Wife textbook answer, “I think that’s a great idea.”

My first initial reaction was, “It’s not possible. There’s no way that in this economy we are going to raise that kind of money.” But, I had to stop myself, grab hold of those thoughts and realize what kind of a God I serve. My God doesn’t work within the parameters of this economy. My God likes to show me that if I place my trust in him He can do the impossible. And just because our nation is facing tough economic times it doesn’t give me a right to put God in a box and create excuses for why I can’t participate in this campaign. Is it going to be challenging? Yes. Am I going to have to be more disciplined in how I spend my money? Yes. Is this commitment going to be hard to follow through with? Yes. But, I didn’t sign up for this journey because I thought it would be easy. I signed up because of what my God has done for me. He sacrificed His one and only son for me. So, if I have to go without my latte or the latest trends of the season so others can know about God’s love for them….. I’m good with that. I can’t wait to experience how God is going to move during this campaign. See, it’s not so crazy after all.