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NOTES FROM THE NEST
December 2021
We are honored to announce the first edition of “Notes from the Nest.”
There have been so many nudges from the Lord to start a newsletter and share happenings at The Gathering Place and Sparrows Nest on a regular basis.
We now have individuals willing to help us prepare a monthly newsletter. We will be sharing our newsletter via our Website: Sparrowsnest-abbey.com and to subscribers of our other social media platforms.
As we enter the Advent season, it is a good time to reflect on the journey of the closing year, evaluating and reflecting on the following, are we following the vision the Lord provided for the ministry? Whose legacy are we leaving behind, ours or that of our Lord and Savior. Then set a course for the years ahead. Our mission statement is to serve those the Lord places in our path by being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Below you will find a recap of the 2021 Youth Service Project Events, some future events, and a brief history of Acres of Hope Ministry. In upcoming newsletters we will focus on different projects and events.
We are planning out for 2022 but wanted to give you a summary of how this year is closing out, some of the upcoming events and some of the history of Acres of Hope Ministry.
We know the next year is approaching quickly so we will make our updates short but mighty!
Our God is good all the time!
Laurie Graber, President, Co-founder
Acres of Hope Ministry
In January, we were coming through a year of dealing with the pandemic. The Lord saw us through 2020 in providing for us and closing our books in the black, not a lot in the black but none the less in the black.
As we moved forward into 2021, we were excited that Family Promise of Monroe County would be able to resume their activities in helping local families and back to using the day-center in full capacity. We were also blessed to have a few youth service projects scheduled and a few group bookings at both The Gathering Place and Sparrows Nest.
In this edition we would like to recap our Youth Service Projects.
We had four Youth Service Projects with the Fort McCoy Challenge Academy Cadets. As part of our service project events, we offer the teens a Teen Study Bible. We spend part of the day working outside and God provides many avenues to open the conversations with using many Bible characters as a way to help them understand and deal with life situations and how best to prepare and deal with situations. The Lord provided many avenues and opportunities for recognizing each other’s gifts. We had a fun day of working together and serving the Lord. This year were blessed to serve over 130 cadets, with 126 cadets accepting our offer of a Teen Study Bible.
Another Youth Service Project was with the Bible Evangelical Free Church. It was a one-day service project with young youth. We changed light bulbs at Sparrows Nest, plus organized and labeled the items in the kitchen cabinets. One might be concerned of glass bowls and young youth, but they worked together amazingly. We talked of the importance of recognizing each other’s gifts and how in serving your family you can be the hands and feet of Jesus. We talked about life skills and to develop them. We discussed about all the different tools the Lord provides us.
Another Youth Service Project was to partner with the UW-Extension and Monroe County 4-H Agent, Josh Goede in using the Sparrows Nest facility to hold the Tractor Safety Course. St. Joseph Equipment provided the equipment and this year 42 students completed the course. We are looking forward to hosting the next Tractor Safety Course. We also partner with Josh Goede on other 4-H and Jr. Leader events. It is a blessing to work with these programs in serving the youth and the Monroe County Community.
We are looking forward to next year and working with these youth organizations and any new ones the Lord places in our path. If you know of a service project we could host with a youth group please contact Laurie at 661-406-1721, email:acresofhope@yahoo,com
Do you believe in God Winks? As co-founders of Acres of Hope Ministry, Tom and I believe in “God Winks” We could set for hours sharing with you the many different “God Winks” we have experienced.
The above is just a short recap of the many “God Winks” we and volunteers of Acres of Hope Ministry are blessed to have a front row seat at.
In upcoming editions, we will focus on other way Acres of Hope Ministry serves the local community by hosting men and women’s groups, quilting groups, scraping book groups and other community organizations.
•Sparrows Nest – Lighting Upgrade Project
•Hosting – Guest Speaker, Author, Jill Savage and Emily Lou Jairus December 8, 2021, 10amat Sparrows Nest
•Together With Veterans Steering Committee Meeting, Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Sparrows Nest
•Hosting Mennonite Volunteers supporting Afghan Refugee Efforts
•Hosting Deb Jensen Group. Young Living Essential Oils
•Together with Veterans – SWOT. Tuesday, January 25, 2022,
•National Day of Prayer. Thursday, May 5, 2022 – Prayer Walk
The last couple years have been a whirlwind. What the Lord started with the development of Acres of Hope Ministry, The Gathering Place and Sparrows Nest continues to evolve. We are hoping the newsletters will help the community get to know us and how we serve the community, and how the community can volunteer and/or support our efforts.
Acres of Hope Ministry, Inc., was formed in 2009, incorporated in 2014, approved by IRS as a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit charitable organization in 2016 and received its Wisconsin fundraising license in 2016.
The Gathering Place is located on the homestead of Laurie's parents, Virginia, and Ray Nauman, where he and his seven siblings were born and raised, 7 miles from Sparrows Nest at the Abbey. A 2400 square foot facility with a meeting room, entertainment media center, fireplace, full kitchen, tree house that sleeps two, fire pit, horseshoe pit, picnic pavilion and numerous groomed walking trails. It is available to individuals, faith-based groups, and community service organizations.
Sparrows Nest at the Abbey is located on the homestead of Laurie's mother, Virginia Anderson, where she and her ten siblings were raised, 7 miles from The Gathering Place.
It is available to individuals, faith-based groups, companies and corporations on a moderate fee schedule, well below comparable market prices. Sparrows Nest is open year-round and operates on a moderate fee schedule, below comparable market prices. For more information contact Laurie at 661-406-1721 or Email: acresofhope@yahoo.com
Current Ministries: Together With Veterans,Youth Service Projects – Local churches, Fort McCoy Challenge Academy, Monroe County 4-H, Ministry Leadership Groups, Monroe County Home and Community Education Association, Sewing for Others Program Projects, Senior Day Gatherings and Family Promise of Monore County. In each of our editions we will try to focus on one of these ministry efforts by providing more program specifics
Financial Update:
Acres of Hope Ministry is a faith-based non-profit outreach ministry meeting operational cost through donations and grants.
Volunteers: There are many ways to volunteer and support Acres of Hope Ministry.
Pray – Praying for Acres of Hope Ministry, The Gathering Place and Sparrows Nest is an excellent way to support our ministry efforts.
Service – Interested in hosting a group, please contact Laurie or Tom Graber or a member of the Acres of Hope Ministry board.
Talents – If you would like to volunteer your talents in helping to maintain the properties please contact Laurie at 661-406-1721 or Email: acresofhope@yahoo.com
Donate - In the coming year there will be opportunities to help continue to build our mission.
Is Sparrows Nest open everyday?
Sparrows Nest is only available by event or appointnent.
Call or text to (661)400-2318 or
Email to acresofhope@yahoo.com for a tour or visit to Sparrows Nest at The Abbey .