Walnut Grove Blessing Box Ministry

05/07/2026

As we near one year of this little blessing box standing in our community, I keep thinking back to the beginning.

What many people may not know is that this box came into my life during one of the most devastating and painful seasons I have ever walked through.

At the time, I was carrying grief, heartbreak, uncertainty, and trying to simply make it through the days. Honestly, I didn’t know if the blessing box would even be used. I didn’t know if anyone would care. And there were moments I wondered if I would eventually lose the strength to keep going with it myself.

Because life gets heavy sometimes.

There are seasons where it’s hard enough just trying to meet your own needs. Seasons where survival alone feels exhausting. Seasons where your heart is so tired you can barely hold onto hope.

But somehow, through all of that, this little box became a light in the darkness for me.

Every time someone placed food inside.
Every time someone quietly took what they needed.
Every time I opened the door and saw kindness waiting there…

it reminded me that goodness still exists.

This box kept proving something to me over and over again:
people still care about each other.

Not just when life is easy.
Not just when there is extra.
But even during hard times.

Because the truth is, many of the people who give are struggling too. Sometimes the hands filling the box are the same hands worrying about bills, grief, loss, or uncertainty. Sometimes there’s barely enough. And yet people still choose to share what they can.

That kind of compassion changes people.

One person’s extras became exactly what another neighbor needed.
One act of kindness created another.
And little by little, this tiny box became more than a project.

It became proof that humanity still wins.
Proof that kindness survives hard seasons.
Proof that God can still bring light into the darkest places.

This blessing box did help feed people.
But somewhere along the way, it also helped feed my own faith, hope, and heart too.

Thank you for every donation, every prayer, every kind word, and every quiet act of generosity over this past year.

You may never fully know how much good you’ve done — not only for this community, but for me personally.

And I pray, with God’s guidance, we can continue this mission together for many more years to come.

04/10/2026

04/08/2026

Panic brought me closer to God than a sound mind ever did.

That's not something you hear often.

But it's the truth.

When everything is going well we don't reach for God.

We reach for the next thing.

The next goal.

The next distraction.

We forget to be grateful because we're too busy being comfortable.

Think about it.

How many times do you thank God when you can breathe?

Not until you're congested.

How many times do you thank Him for your health?

Not until something breaks.

How many times do you reach for Him in the morning when life feels okay?

Not as often as you do at 3am when it doesn't.

That's not an accident.

That's human nature.

We don't notice what we have until it's threatened.

And God knows that.

So sometimes He allows the hardship.

Not to punish you.

Not because He's forgotten you.

Because it's the only thing that makes you stop.

And look up.

And remember who's actually in control.

The blessing isn't always what looks like a blessing.

Sometimes the panic is the blessing.

Sometimes the anxiety is the invitation.

Sometimes the season that's breaking you is the one that's building you.

James 1:2-3 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

Count it all joy.

Not some of it.
Not the easy parts.

All of it.

The panic.
The sleepless nights.
The seasons where God felt silent.

Count it all joy.

Because every hard thing is either a lesson or a blessing.

And sometimes it's both.

Don't wait until something breaks to be grateful.

Start now.

Before the congestion.

Before the crisis.

Before the 3am moment.

Just say thank you.

That's exactly why I built the Core of the Heart app.

To help you stay close to God.

Daily devotionals that apply Scripture to real life every morning.

A full KJV Bible in the app.

Plus, instant answers rooted in Scripture with GospelBot.

And hours of video teachings and mentorship with me.

Join the waitlist here: https://getcothdaily.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wyrm-lead

04/08/2026

Volunteer Why Adopt? Property Use Our Mission Rescue Dogs from the public Shelter and place them in forever homes.Maintain over 2000 acres of protected area for native wildlife.Make our property and facilities available to churches, schools and civic organizations free of charge.OUR MISSION IS TO MA...

04/08/2026

When the Frost Comes

Not long ago, everything started coming back to life.

After that hard ice storm, the ground finally softened and little plants began to grow. Flowers bloomed early, bright and beautiful, almost like they were celebrating. It felt like winter was over.

Kids noticed it. Farmers did too.
We started putting away jackets and gloves. Fires weren’t needed as much. People began thinking about gardens again. It felt like a fresh start.

Then the cold came back.
The wind shifted, and frost covered everything. Those early blooms weren’t ready for it. The frost didn’t just sit there, it hurt them. It slowed them down. Some of what looked strong just days before now struggled to hold on.

But those plants didn’t give up.
They held tight to the ground. They kept reaching for the sun when it came out. Even in the cold and rain, they stayed planted.

That’s a lot like us.
There are times when life feels good again. Things seem to be going right, and we start to relax a little. We think maybe the hard part is over.

Then something unexpected happens.
A struggle shows up. A burden feels heavy. It can hurt and slow us down. It can make us feel weak.

But even in those moments, we are not alone.

We still have peace in Jesus.

The world around us may change, but He does not. When life feels cold, He is steady. When we feel weak, He holds us up. Even when we can’t see it, He is still helping us grow.

The frost may come, but it won’t last long.

So if you’re going through a hard time right now, hold on.

Stay grounded. Keep reaching for Him.

Warmer days are still ahead.

03/30/2026

The Joy of the Hunt

There’s something special about watching children hunt for Easter eggs. With eager eyes and excited hearts, they search high and low through the grass, behind trees, and around corners, determined not to miss a single treasure. What may seem hidden at first becomes a joyful discovery when they keep looking.

In many ways, our walk with Jesus is much the same.

Life doesn’t always place blessings right in front of us. Sometimes, we have to seek them. We search for peace in the middle of trials, for purpose in uncertain seasons, and for hope when things feel heavy. Just like those children, we don’t always know exactly where to look, but we trust that something good is waiting to be found.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:7, “Seek, and you shall find.” That promise invites us into a daily pursuit, not of temporary things, but of a deeper relationship with Him. The more we seek Him, the more we begin to notice His presence in places we may have overlooked, in a quiet moment of prayer, in the kindness of others, or in the strength to keep going one more day.

And just like an Easter egg hunt, the joy isn’t only in the finding, it’s in the seeking. Each step we take in faith, each moment we choose to trust Him, draws us closer to the greatest treasure of all, a life rooted in Christ.

This Easter season, may we search with open hearts. May we look beyond what is seen and discover the blessings God has placed all around us. And when we find them, may our joy be full, because what we’ve found in Him is far greater than anything this world can offer.

03/23/2026

Everyone welcome, bring your basket!