December Monthy Update

Feet Washing Ceremony

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

John 13:12-17

I can not put into words how great of an honor I had during our Thursday night bible study to follow the example our Lord has given us and humble myself in a beautiful foot-washing ceremony. I had the privilege with our beautiful graduate Courtney R. to do as Jesus did and wrap ourselves in towels and wash the feet of each and every woman, praying blessing over them while covering them in special anointing oil. In return, Courtney R. and Iliana washed my feet and prayed blessings over me and this ministry. How blessed am I? It was an incredible, Holy Spirit-filled, anointed, and emotional night. I would have never imagined in my addiction that God would have me where I am now, leading these women closer to Him and teaching them how to become happy, joyous, and free. I am only able to do what I do by continually submitting to him and being obedient in every direction he leads me. It brings me great joy to do what I do, but it is an even greater honor to make known to each of these women that I have been where they are and I am no greater than they are, I am only but a humble servant to our Lord.

Christmas in the Streets Toy Drive

What a beautiful honor it was to spend Christmas Eve day in some of the poorest streets of Orlando with our Armor Up board members Helen, Leigh, Rhonda, my daughter, Skyanne, and Sharell, who is now Housemom of Victory House and has been with us for years.

I first want to thank Christian Help and our friends at Celebrate Recovery and St. Luke’s United Methodist Women’s Group and many others who donated 100’s of toys, blankets, coats, homemade hats, scarves, etc. to make this day possible!…..

We were able to bless hundreds of people and families. This day blesses me so much more than any of the lives We have the honor of getting to touch and meet on Christmas Eve.

We literally saw grown men cry yet again and grown women break down in tears! There were salvations and so many prayers, embraces, hugs, and kisses. It was a miraculous day. The Lord drove our truck to everyone He intended us to go to encourage, reach, and spread his love through his gospel and his son Jesus. My life and I know our girls’ lives are never the same after a day like that. What we see and what we get to witness and be a part of is beyond words.

Pictures can’t explain the love felt and shared for our hurting brothers, sisters, and the Lord‘s beautiful children. We have the honor of getting to bring so many smiles to so many baby girls, boys, and grown adults and I thank you all who helped us so that we could get to go be the hands and feet of Jesus. You were all there with us too! All of you who support this ministry were with us and are a part of all God did! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God bless you all.

I consider my life worth nothing. If only I may finish the race and the task set before me; the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Acts 20:24

I pray that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. May I declare fearlessly as I should!

Ephesians 6:19

Sysco Foods Angel Tree

I want to thank Sysco Foods for allowing Armor Up the opportunity to bless 53 of our children and families in recovery at the men’s houses, women’s houses, and the children of others in recovery. Through Richard and Leanne G., we got to provide 53 children with beautiful gifts on their Christmas list and the families with a turkey, and pie, and most importantly we got to spread love and the gospel to these families. It was beautiful. We got to pray and see God at work mightily. I just thank you, Richard and Leigh Anne for facilitating this, thinking of Armor Up, and allowing us to be on that Angel Tree. What a blessing you all were to so many in need. I didn’t take many pictures as it was a very powerful impactful and intense day. Thank you so much and May God bless you abundantly Richard, Leanne G., and Sysco Foods for your generous hearts.

Christmas at Victory House

We had a beautiful CHRISTmas party for all of the ladies at Victory and Freedom House. There was so much food, presents, fun and laughter. Thank you to St. Luke’s Women United in Faith for their generous donation to help sponsor each of our women for Christmas. They were blessed abundantly

Thank you to our other supporters who helped make this a memorable Christmas for each and every one of our ladies. We love you and God bless you. The women got to have a beautiful new memory at Christmas. For a lot of them, they haven’t had a happy memory of Christmas for a very long time. So beautiful to create new memories together, I love you all.

Armor Up Christmas Party

We had our annual Christmas party at my house for all the women in the houses, our graduates, board members, and friends. So much food and fun and laughter. It’s my favorite party of the year. We laughed so hard during our white elephant game. We have an ornament-making contest! Congratulations Iliana, Helen, and Honore for their beautiful, winning ornaments! You creative souls! We had many raffle prizes for all and then of course our most festive costume! Frankie, Rhonda, Andrea, and Lisa outdid themselves again this year! Every year it’s over-the-top, amazing. Lots of time and effort go into their whole production. Thank you, it’s always such a fun part of our party. Thank you for making us all smile, laugh, sing, and celebrate. They just get better every year. Hope you all had a merry CHRISTmas you have a happy New Year of life.

Daytona Night of Lights

I had an incredible time taking some of the girls out to the Daytona Magic of Lights! It was so nice to listen to Christmas music and drive around looking at all the beautiful light displays all over. I also took some of the girls to Buccee’s for the very first time. We ate delicious BBQ and walked through the whole store. I cherish all the little moments I can spend doing fun things with our girls as much as possible.

Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Christmas Party

We had a blast at the CR Leader’s Christmas Party. It is not only an honor to have served at CR as the addictions leader for as long as I have, but also to see some of the graduates and women in the houses step up to become leaders as well. We ate great food, played fun games, and left with great gifts!

New Year’s Party at Victory House

Happy NEW YEAR! Our New Year’s Eve party at Victory House was a blast! We had so much incredible food, lots of fireworks, and we had a bonfire with s’mores. We played Bible trivia and laughed hysterically. This beautiful Mötley Crew, who would’ve thought right? This is where God would bring us having so much fun playing Bible trivia. We even celebrated one of our girl’s birthday. It was an amazing night! What a beautiful way to bring in the new year and all that God has for us in this new year of life he’s given us!

I love having parties like this clean, sober, and Drug-free. Showing these women how to have a blast without the use of substances, make new memories, celebrate, and bring in the New Year together. We all woke up today, felt great, and remembered it all. We are all beautiful miracles of God. Sometimes it’s shocking that we can have so much fun while clean and sober and laugh so hard. I never thought that was possible. I did not know how to have fun without a substance of some kind (a bottle or a body), I had no idea. Thank you Jesus for the gift of these women’s lives and getting to do this recovery journey with them. Sometimes it’s so hard but nights like tonight make it all worth it. It was so beautiful. I love you women so much! God bless you all. May your heart be full, your mind be clear, and your journey be filled with joy this new year! Believing for new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and a year filled with God’s truth, victory, freedom, healing, growth, success, and laughter.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025

Forget the former things do not DWELLLLLL….. in the past. For I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? I am making way in the desert of your life and streams in the wasteland. !!!!!!

Isaiah 43:18

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17