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Rose of Sharon Holiday Food Basket MinistryDonation AppealDear Friend,For more than 30 years, the Rose of Sharon church ...
10/16/2026

Rose of Sharon Holiday Food Basket Ministry
Donation Appeal

Dear Friend,

For more than 30 years, the Rose of Sharon church family has provided holiday food baskets to families who could use a little extra help during the Christmas season. I have been involved with this ministry in different ways for many years. This year, I have been blessed with the opportunity to organize the collection and distribution of the baskets.

Our goal is to provide each household with approximately 3-4 weeks of groceries, along with a ham or turkey for Christmas dinner. When children are included in the household, we also provide gifts for them. We generally serve between 35 and 50 families, so meeting this goal requires the help of our church and community.

We are currently seeking donations of nonperishable food, ham or turkey, children’s toys new unwrapped, grocery gift cards, and financial contributions to help purchase the items that are not donated. Businesses, organizations, families, and individuals may also choose to sponsor a portion of a basket or help provide a complete basket.

This ministry is about more than placing food in boxes. It is an opportunity to remind families that they are seen, cared for, and loved while sharing the love of Christ in a practical way.

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”
—Matthew 25:35 KJV

No gift is too small. One can of food, one toy, one grocery bag, or one financial donation can become part of something much greater when we work together.

If you would like to contribute or need information about our most-needed items, please message me.

Thank you for considering a gift to this ministry. Your generosity will help us provide food, encouragement, and the love of Christ to families in our community this Christmas.

With sincere appreciation,

Amy Rhodes

It’s Friday, and the weekend calendar may already be full. Errands, family plans, church, and all those things we said w...
10/16/2026

It’s Friday, and the weekend calendar may already be full. Errands, family plans, church, and all those things we said we’d get done.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, leave a little room for something you enjoy. A few minutes on the porch. A good laugh. Time with someone you love.

There’s room for joy, too. 💛

What’s something you’re looking forward to this weekend?

Day 14: Dreaming About What Comes NextThere’s something exciting about a conversation that starts with, “Wouldn’t it be ...
10/14/2026

Day 14: Dreaming About What Comes Next

There’s something exciting about a conversation that starts with, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we…?”

You don’t have to know how to make it happen yet. Sometimes it’s just good to share an idea and imagine the possibilities together.

But everyday life can keep our conversations pretty practical. What’s on the calendar? What needs fixing? Who’s picking up groceries? Before long, we know what needs to happen this week, but haven’t asked what each other is looking forward to.

Whether you’ve been married a few months or 32 years, make room for those conversations.

Maybe you’d like to travel somewhere, learn something together, start a new tradition, or find a way to serve. Some dreams are big. Others are as simple as making your home a place where people love to gather.

You may discover you have different ideas. Be curious about them. Ask, “What do you love about that?” Give each other a chance to share before jumping straight to what it would cost or why it might be difficult. There will be time to work through the details.

Dreaming together is an opportunity to learn about each other and help shape the life you’re building. Bring those hopes before God, make thoughtful plans, and leave room for His direction.

As Randall and I get ready to celebrate another anniversary, I’m thankful we still have dreams to talk about. We don’t know everything our future holds, but I’m glad we get to look toward it together.

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” —Proverbs 16:9, KJV

Today’s challenge: Finish this sentence together: “Something I’d love for us to do is…” Listen to each other’s ideas, then choose one small step you can take.

Lord, thank You for the joy of building a life together. Help us keep hope and curiosity alive in our marriage. Give us wisdom to make plans, patience when we need to wait, and willing hearts to follow Your direction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 13: Keeping Laughter in Your MarriageThey say laughter is the best medicine, and I think there’s a lot of truth in t...
10/13/2026

Day 13: Keeping Laughter in Your Marriage

They say laughter is the best medicine, and I think there’s a lot of truth in that.

With a medically fragile child, there was plenty in our everyday life that needed to be taken seriously. There were worries, responsibilities, and often too many opportunities for tears. Randall and I always tried to keep laughter and joy a part of our days, too.

A funny remark, something unexpected, or one of those moments when you look at each other and both start laughing—those things mattered. It felt good to enjoy each other in the middle of all we were carrying.

Sometimes you can feel almost guilty laughing when life is hard. But there’s room for joy, even then. You can be worried about something and still appreciate a funny moment. You can have a difficult day and still find something that makes you both smile.

Marriage needs those moments. We need chances to be playful, remember a funny story, and enjoy the person beside us. Every conversation doesn’t have to be about what needs to be done next.

I’m thankful for the laughter we’ve shared over the years. Some of the smallest, silliest moments have become memories worth keeping.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” —Proverbs 17:22, KJV

Today’s challenge: Bring up a memory that still makes you both laugh, or do something playful together. Make a little room for joy today.

Lord, thank You for the gift of laughter. Help us notice the joyful moments and keep enjoying each other through every season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 12: Praying for Each OtherPraying for your spouse during your morning or evening prayers is a beautiful thing. Bring...
10/12/2026

Day 12: Praying for Each Other

Praying for your spouse during your morning or evening prayers is a beautiful thing. Bringing their needs before God is a meaningful way to love them.

But some of my favorite moments are the unexpected ones. When Randall takes my hands or lays his hands on me and prays over me about something specific. Something I’m facing, a need I’ve shared, or just a moment when I need encouragement.

There’s something tender about hearing your spouse pray for you. They’ve heard what’s on your heart, and now you get to hear them bring it before God. In that moment, you feel known, cared for, and loved.

To me, that’s another level of love. We hear plenty of marriage advice about communication, date nights, and making time together. I think stopping to pray over each other deserves a place near the top of that list.

It doesn’t take fancy words or a long prayer. You can simply reach for their hands and say, “Can I pray with you about that?” You don’t have to know how to fix what they’re facing to ask God to give them peace, strength, or direction.

And this is something we can both offer. Husbands and wives each need the comfort of hearing the person they love pray for them.

“Pray one for another.” —James 5:16, KJV

Today’s challenge: Find a moment to pray with your spouse about a specific need. If they’re comfortable, hold their hands or place a hand on their shoulder. Let them hear you ask God to care for what’s on their heart.

Lord, help us notice when our spouse needs prayer and be willing to stop right then. Give us sincere words and tender hearts as we bring each other before You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 11: Giving Each Other Room to GrowWhen you’re newly married, you’re learning how to build a life together. You’re al...
10/11/2026

Day 11: Giving Each Other Room to Grow

When you’re newly married, you’re learning how to build a life together. You’re also still discovering who you are. There will be interests, abilities, and dreams that neither of you can see yet.

Stay curious about each other. Ask what your spouse hopes to learn or try. Listen when they share an idea, even if it’s unfamiliar to you. You don’t have to share every interest to offer encouragement.

And give each other room to be beginners. A new job, a step of faith, or a new responsibility can bring uncertainty. Your spouse needs to know they can try, make a mistake, and learn without losing your respect.

There will be times when one person’s opportunity affects both of you. Talk honestly about the time, money, and responsibilities involved. Encouragement and practical planning belong in the same conversation.

You should pray for each other’s growth while remembering that it is God who works in each heart. You can encourage your spouse without taking on the job of changing them. Surrender them to God.

Build a marriage where both of you can say, “I’m still learning,” and feel loved while you do. That’s a beautiful foundation for the years ahead.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” —1 Thessalonians 5:11, KJV

Today’s challenge: Ask each other, “What’s something you’d like to learn or grow in?” Share one practical way you can support each other.

Lord, help us build each other up. Give us patience as we learn, wisdom as we make plans, and willing hearts to grow in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 10: Protecting Time TogetherFinding time together sounds simple until you’re trying to work it into a life that need...
10/10/2026

Day 10: Protecting Time Together

Finding time together sounds simple until you’re trying to work it into a life that needs you around the clock.

With Marie needing 24-hour care, we couldn’t just decide to go somewhere or have an evening to ourselves. There were care needs to consider and arrangements to make. Having nurses in our home helped us care for her, but it also meant our home wasn’t always a private place for just our family.

We loved our daughter, and caring for her was part of our life together. Still, being husband and wife needed some attention, too. That could be hard to remember when there was always something that needed to be done.

Sometimes our time together was a simple trip to the grocery store. Nothing fancy...just riding together, talking along the way, and picking up what we needed. But those little outings gave us time to be together, and that mattered.

I think many couples understand that, even if their circumstances look different. Work, children, caregiving, and responsibilities can fill every available space. You keep thinking you’ll have time together when things settle down.

Sometimes you have to make a little room while life is still busy. A few quiet minutes together. A meal you’ve made arrangements to enjoy. Or an everyday errand you can turn into a little time for the two of you.

We needed opportunities to enjoy each other’s company and be a couple in the middle of everything else.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV

Today’s challenge: Choose a time this week that belongs to the two of you. What arrangements would help you protect it? It doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful.

Lord, help us make room for our marriage among the responsibilities we carry. Give us wisdom to protect time together and enjoy the relationship You’ve given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 9: Learning to ApologizeWell, this one can be a little hard to swallow. We can know we owe an apology and still spen...
10/09/2026

Day 9: Learning to Apologize

Well, this one can be a little hard to swallow. We can know we owe an apology and still spend a while trying to explain to ourselves why we shouldn’t have to give it.

Then, when we finally say, “I’m sorry,” that little word but wants to come along, too. “I’m sorry, but I was tired.” “I’m sorry, but you misunderstood me.” Before long, we’re explaining our side instead of taking responsibility for what we said or did.

I think this can be hard for husbands and wives alike. For a man who takes pride in being dependable and taking care of his family, admitting he hurt someone he loves may feel like admitting he failed. A wife may want her husband to understand everything she was carrying when those words came out. Both can have something worth sharing, but the apology needs room to be heard first.

“I shouldn’t have said that.” “I can see how that hurt you.” “I’m sorry.”

Those words take humility. And an apology means more when we’re willing to follow it with a change.

After years of marriage, we still have opportunities to learn this. Loving someone doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right. It does mean being willing to own our part when we get it wrong.

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” —Proverbs 13:10, KJV

Today’s challenge: Is there an apology you’ve been putting off? Offer it sincerely, without attaching a “but.” Give your spouse room to respond, and consider what you can do to make things right.

Lord, help us lay down our pride and take responsibility for our words and actions. Give us courage to apologize and willing hearts to follow through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Winter months has me playing and dreaming of our next adventure. Not sure if we are taking a big trip this year as we ha...
02/03/2026

Winter months has me playing and dreaming of our next adventure. Not sure if we are taking a big trip this year as we have several other big things happening at the homestead.

Give me your favorite place to visit within 5 hours of St Louis area.

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Desoto, MO

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