Update on Ministry

Yes...Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for asking and for praying! Yes the money finally did trickle in so that we were able to get a paycheck for last week...about 5 days late. We did not get paid yesterday and we do not foresee getting paid next week or being able to pay our health insurance. It is all very frustrating! Wish I knew what GOd was up to. I want to have faith like Mueller and the Bible says that it is a small as a mustard seed which only makes me feel more discouraged...a mustard seed is VERY small and apparently I do not even have that much ??? :/ Please keep us in your prayers! I am not in this place of dispare...well hardly ever!

On a better note....Lindsey's did get enough money from her babysitting to pay for AMTC! We are very excited about going!!!! I am so grateful to get to spend this week with her and watch her do what God has blessed her to do!

Eye contact

I am working really really hard on making and keeping eye contact. It is soooo hard for me! I have never thought of myself as ADD but I really think I have ADECD that would be Attention Deficit Eye Contact Disorder..is that a disease???? If I am talking to anyone longer than a few minutes then I am looking all over the place. I look away...I look at the persons face, hair,shirt...it is crazy.....I have talked to people who do the same thing and I become so self conscience...like do I have a booger in my nose or do I have spinach in my teeth??

I am making a real effort to keep eye contact...it is such an effort that sometimes I realize that I have no idea what the person just said because I am concentrating so hard NOT looking away. I know it is rude....so if you are talking to me and I seem distracted...just ignore me and keep talking...or feel free to stop me and remind me to pay attention :)

March Newsletter

Below is our March Nesswsletter if you do not get our email version!

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Eric Helms Driven to Encourage Ministries Until the Whole World Hears..........

We pray that everyone is doing well. Thank you so much for praying for us; especially for my trip to Haiti. The trip was mind blowing to say the least. The Christian Haitians are very rich spiritually....really rich. I walked away feeling spiritually poor! They have nothing and yet they rejoice in worship and life. I have a continual tremor in my spirit mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for Gods glory. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God led me there. Day 1....After traveling 16 hours through the night on a small van, we set up our tents on top of the pastor's house. I was asked to preach by Pastor Olistin in the evening worship service. The regular church was damaged so we had church outside in a field full of rubble under a wooden structure with no roof. 8 Haitians were saved! It was moving to hear them pray in their native tongue speaking to the same Father! Praise God!!!!....very cool. After the service we helped with rice distribution. Two aftershocks in the middle of the night. Day 2...... We dug footings with pick's and shovels all day alongside fellow Haitians trying to rebuild another church that had been damaged. Prayed with a Haitian through a translator.....very moving! Awakened by an aftershock at 4:30.....That'll bless you! Day 3 We poured concrete all day with fellow brothers. Even though we couldn't speak but a few words to each other, we felt a kinship not only to the Haitians but to each team member. In the evening we had church in a field next to the church we were rebuilding. It was funny because all day while we worked there was a cow roaming around in that same field. We tried to distribute rice that night but things began to get out of hand and we had to leave for safety reasons. Day 4.......We poured concrete until noon and then we went to an orphanage. We helped feed 100 children and then played games with them, soccer with the boys and duck, duck goose with the girls. It was difficult and moving as the children would move close and want to hold our hands or want us to hold them but the most difficult was when they would ask for water. We left and drove to Port-Au-Prince and witnessed the damage. Wow! That's all I can say. Jesus has given me a new set of lenses to look through. I pray that neither the world nor myself will ever take them off. Go on a mission trip! Christ tells us to go! Matthew 28:19 Things to Pray about: *Pray for the youth in schools and churches I will be speaking to; pray that they would come to Christ and grow closer to Him. *Pray for our financial needs. Pray for funds for new updated web site, new mission opprotunities, supplies for kids who recieve Christ. Part time office help. *Pray for opportunities to share His great news. *Pray that our new media projects would go well. Thanks is not enough to express our gratefulness to you!! Love you guys, Eric and all the Helms Web site: driventoencourage.org

February Newsletter

Below is a copy of our ministry newsletter. You can't jump on the links but you can read it.

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	Give hope We want to keep going "Until the Whole World Hears." 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and teaching." COUNT ME IN

Sweet Friends and Family, We think we finally have our email situation fixed. If you are one of those who never receives our newsletter then it is working! Also, we are working very hard to get our new web site up and running as well. We will let you know when to check it out. On January 12th we watched along with all of you , the heart wrenching images coming for Haiti. At the Lords prompting, Eric knew that he was supposed to GO. God willing he will be leaving February 20th to serve with a team from First Baptist Woodstock for a week. Please join us in praying for the entire teams safety. Eric is excited about serving Jesus by showing compassion to these precious people. What a joy to share the hope of the Savior with the hopeless. Driven to Encourage has grown every year. God has expanded our territory and provided in ways that we just can't understand. As we went into November 09, DTEM was running on 32% of our yearly budget. By December 31st we had many 1 time gifts on top or our faithful monthly gifts and we saw a 23% increase in a few short days! We were speechless at times! Every single gift is precious to us! One of our dear friends, who is out of full time work still sends $15 every single month. That gift is just as significant as those who give hundreds. God uses all of you to send us!! I can remember times when Eric and I could only send $20 a month to help other ministries. We were obedient but honestly sometimes I felt silly sending such a small amount. Boy has my perspective changed!! Not only are there NO insignificant gifts......but if everyone committed $20 a month....DTEM would more than meet our 2010 budget. We are overwhelmingly grateful that you are helping us make an impact all over the world. We are honored to call you friend! Thank you for your prayers and support to DTEM. Things to pray about: *After taking a break during the holidays, Eric is back to mentoring, teaching and training 50 men and young men every week! What an awesome opportunity to change our world!! Pray that the Lord would use him in a mighty way. *Pray for the kids in the schools that Eric will be speaking to this winter and spring...pray that the Lord would save many. *Pray for Eric's safety in Haiti and for us while he is away.

Engaged

21 years ago my sweetie asked me to marry him! It was wonderful and so very romantic. He gave me a Bible and the inside cover said..."I love you! Will you marry me?" This morning I woke up to a note on my coffee cup that said....21 years ago I asked you to be my wife...2nd best decision I ever made!" Isn't that so sweet. Of course the best is is relationship with Jesus! And that decision makes him a better man. I can't imagine my life without him.

Driven to Encourage Newsletter

ThDRIVEN TO ENCOURAGE-ERIC HELMS

What an amazing Savior! We are overwhelmed at His goodness. What a sacrifice He made to humble Himself and come to earth for us! We are so proud to serve Him. Did you know that there are over 200 middle and high schools in a 50 mile radius of our home? Eric has had the privileged of speaking at 18 of them since September of this year. 148 youth have indicated that they prayed to receive Christ. Praise the Lord!! We want to reach all of them! The door is open in public schools....that truly is a God thing! The platforms to share Jesus that are right here under our noses are endless. Since September 35 players, cheerleaders, and coaches prayed to receive Christ through the Crown Athletic Program!!! I was reading in the book of Romans this week and I was reminded of Paul's many missionary journeys. Not only was Paul willing to go but others were willing to send him. Romans 15:22-33 Paul needed others praying, encouraging, giving and joining him in the work God called him to. You all have been that for us! We continually need you all in this journey! We are overjoyed at Gods blessing. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you for standing with us! Below is a list of things we are trusting and believing God for. Please join us in faith and prayer. We would love to pray for you as well. Please email us with any of your prayer requests! Merry Christmas, Eric, Michele, Lindsey, Marshall, Emily, Benjamin, and Luke *Pray that those who became Christians would grow! *Pray that the Helms family would grow deeper and deeper in love with Jesus. *Pray for upcoming speaking opportunities and for softened hearts of those who attend. Specific things we are trusting God for: *New interactive web site.....$1500 *Funds for mission trip opportunities to share the gospel.....$7000 *Provisions for part time office help....$12,000 *We give every new believer a 90 day devotion to get them started studying Gods word...we need to order more..Praise God!......$300 *Funds to have Bibles and study helps available to those in need........$750 *50% deficit the ministry budget. While we do not spend what we do not have, the shortfall means two things....#1... There are ministry opportunities we can't participate in. #2....There are household things that need to be fixed. *Our home church FBC Woodstock filmed and is putting together an amazing DVD for Eric. We are not sure where or how these need to be distributed but the Lord does! We love you all and we will let you know how the Lord meets these needs.

Sweet Boy

Benjamin went to a party and there was someone there making fun balloon swords and animals for the kids. He asked if they could make a flower for him to give his mama. So sweet...he gave up his chance for a cool sword for me! AAHH these are the things that warm a mama's heart!

Traditions

I don't remember if I have already written about this or not??? I have so many things swirling around in my head......I am always thinking..I'll write about that.....then I can't remember if I actually wrote or just thought about it???? Nuts..... I know :)

Think back to your childhood.....think quick about 10 of the best gifts that you received as a kid. Most of us could probably do that if given some time....but not quickly.......usually only a few actually stand out. But if asked to quickly name the things that you associate with Christmas....that is easy....for me it would be something like this......Grandma's house, cousins, driving looking at Christmas lights, hilarious party we always attended with cheap gag gifts, baking and decorating cookies, Christmas Pageant we put on at the Smith's house, lots of food, Candle light service at church, Reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve from a very large family Bible, caroling, helping a needy family. (now that I am older I know that WE were needy but my parents were so generous they took on more)

My point....your kids will not remember most of the gifts that you buy for them but they will remember and cherish the traditions! Make memories with your kids, show them a generous spirit, establish traditions and don't let them forget the awesomeness of the fact that Jesus came to save the world!!!!

Here I am.

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was very nice. We usually have a blow out with many, many families at my mama's but this year but this year because of mama's surgery we had a lovely dinner at Eric's parents house.

Mom had colon cancer 4 years ago and she just had to have her 3rd hernia repair 2 days before Thanksgiving. She had been told 3 days in the hospital.......ended up being 9???? She was open for 7 hours???? They had to completely rebuild her abdominal wall. Someone had to be with her 24/7 while she was in the hospital, so my sisters and I rotated with daddy. When daddy and one of mys sisters had to return to work then Katherine and I rotated. She is home and tonight will be the 2nd night that she and my dad are alone. What an ordeal for her! I hope that this is the last of all surgeries!!!That is the reason I haven't been here! Schooling, ministry and mama kept me way too busy.

Saving Money!

It is NUTS......just how much you can save using coupons when items are at their lowest prices! I bought all of the items you see here.....327.00 for 87.23.....Yes you saw that correctly...that is a savings of $239......I love it!!!! It frees up so much money for us....actually it just helps us live on the very small amount that comes in for the ministry. I feel like it is a great contribution that I can make for my family! We are living on a really small amount of money but I am able to feed my family like we are making so much more all because of coupons!

multi tasking

Today was productive! The day started early and went very well. Yesterday I make a huge batch of homemede spaghetti sauce which we had for dinner last night. Today I made 2 large batches of lasagna. I didn't cook them...I just put them together and froze them. It always makes me feel good to know there is a meal ready for another day.... a crazy day! And it really didn't take much time.

Last week I bought a huge bag of apples. We prefer a really crisp sweet apple...Gala or Fuji.....these were very tart and softer than we like to eat but......perfect for baking! Emily and I worked together to peel and slice the 20 pound bag. It didn't take very long and of course we had a great time together. I bought one of these handy dandy apple peelers...which is a great alternative to the expensive kind. We found it on clearance for $3.oo a few years ago and it works great. It doesn't slice them for you but it peels very well....and the kids love to crank it!

We put them in large bowls....sprinkled with a little sugar, cinnamon and a few pats of butter. We threw them in the microwave for 5 min......took them out stirred them and then another 5 min. We had 2 large batches of these....we let them cool and put them in freezer bags to use later for apple crisp.

Yes ,I know that my pictures are all out of whack!!! Our PC is going crazy and I am having to use Eric's lap top.....I can't make it work???? I do not have time to continue to fiddle with it:)

Casting the net!

My man has had so many opportunities to share the Gospel in the past few weeks. Last week he share twice with football teams and 6 players came to know Christ. Friday he spoke at a public middle school and 24 kids prayed to receive the Lord. Tonight he presented the gospel on the 50 yard line and 5 football players and a coach gave their hearts to Jesus!! Casting the net...that is what He calls us to do!!!! He does the calling we do the sharing!

This Stinks!!!

I have had the strangest thing happen to me!!!!! I woke up last Thursday morning- 9 days ago- with a stiff shoulder. By Thursday night I was in unbelievable pain. I couldn't move my arm without terrible pain! I kept thinking it would get better because I didn't do anything to bring this on but it did not!

I finally went to the Dr. and he thinks I have a torn rotator cuff that will require surgery! WHAT! I had an MRI this past Thursday and I meet with the Dr on Tuesday. I am really drugged up so I'm not in so much pain but I still have almost no movement in my shoulder. When this happens to the arm that you use the most you become acutely aware of how many things you do with your right arm! I have also realized how much my 5 children....and husband:) hang on me! I feel like some kind of martial arts performer throwing my left arm out the second I see someone coming toward me....trying to defend myself! Obviously..typing is a slow process...this is why I haven't posted in a while. I love you guys out there in the blog world and I am praying for you!

Coupon Boxes

What is a coupon box you might ask?? Well when I go to speak about cutting your grocery budget in half....Yes! I really can show you how to do that!! So many people asked about my box so I decided to sell it! It really is an ordinary box with legal sized envelopes...but the great part is all the pre-printed categories. When I first started couponing I had a small box with dividers.....broad categories.....I then went to the envelope system and as my envelopes would get so crowded I would make new categories and divide again. This box is made up of 50 categories so that you can file your coupons and easily find them when the items go on sale. It sells for $10 when I speak and $12 through my web site to cover postage.

You can order one here...Driven to Encourage Ministries

If you host a "Money Saving Mama" workshop..I'll give you one for free!