Emily's Overflow so far...

In Semptember of last year, my step dad got into a really bad motorcycle accident that should have killed him, but from the glory of God, his life was spared. But I am not saying that he didnt come out without a scratch. Let me tell you... he was pretty banged up. During this time my mother wasnt working so we truly had no money. I felt like I needed to give back my allowance to my parents since they needed the money more then I did. During the process of healing and my stepdad being able to do the daily things once again (ex shower, eat...etc). I was going through some pretty hard situations also. By some miracle, we got through the rough patch with money.

In March my mom started a new job. My step dad still hasnt been working since Semptember and he started getting very depressed. One Wed night, Annette threw these little white papers on the floor for us to go pick one up to help little kids across the globe with things like food, doctors, and school and so forth. I started crying, I wanted to do one but I just didn't have enough money. Then Annette and myself had a very nice and long talk about how Overflow isnt just a dollar amount - its what you do too. I noticed that even though I wasn't giving money at that time, I was giving my time to different church events. Those profits where going to go to Speed the Light.

Then the 9nine challenge came and I really wanted to do it. I knew I didnt have the money and I didnt know where the money would come from. So one day I emptied my wallet into a box and put it on my book shelf. All I had was a dollar and a lot of change. Then my birthday was coming, so all I asked for was money. I felt called to give every single cent from my birthday money to this 9nine challenge. I know if you listen to God, he will pay you more then what you could have possibly wanted. So far, for the 9ine challenge I have raised $72.99. I have had thoughts saying I can't reach it. It's impossible. But I just have to keep believeing that I will earn it. Then a couple of days later, my moms boss, Doug (he owns the Dairy Dock) asked my mom how old I was and if I was looking for work!! And she said she had to talk to me about it and I said I would do it. They're even going to pick me up from school and bring me to work! They havent garenteed the job yet, but I believe that somehow I will raise the remaining money I need. Something I have learned during all this is that God will provide and I have to put my trust in him. Doing all this has really pushed me more out of my comfort zone and to do the impossible. With God's help everything's possible!

My STL Overflow Story - Kristie

I felt lead to sell homemade zuchinni bread for my STL Overflow project - there is always an overflow of zuchinnis. But about one week later my zuchinni plants in my garden died; I admit I was pretty disgusted. And I even wondered "now what am I gonna do" but a couple weeks later my neighbor brought me a sack full of zuchinnis and told me I could have more. So I have made 6 batches of zuchinni bread (about 18 loaves) and sold all of them. And I can still get zuchinnis so I am planning on making more. I have also thought about selling jars of home canned pickled hot peppers; still putting some feelers out there concerning that.

In this process of selling baked goods - I have an idea for December's overflow - What about a Cookies for Cars Bake Sale?

Overflow Story - Bre

I wanted 2 do something big for missions but I always had in the back of my head I would never accomplish what I wanted so I didn’t want to try. I had gotten a job at a little art studio downtown. That would mean not getting paid like a regular job because it was mostly volunteer but I would get paid a little and than I would be volunteering all my time there and none getting paid working for my dad and the last few weeks I had been volunteering working there I had been really praying about my over flow and what I wanted to do with it. I wanted to do something great but I have a car that needs some work and I need gas money so I was like no way this isn’t going to work I will wait to do my overflow. About a month before in youth group we talked about helping others and my youth Pastor put out papers we could chose from that said like, support a child for 6 month $30, or support a family. For 1 month $30 ECT. I had chosen support a family for 1 month $30 and I honestly blew it off knowing I wasn’t going 2 be able to pay that. And about a week ago we talked about the 9ine challenge and I was like that’s so cool! But I knew I wasn’t going 2 be able to pay that so I just put in the back of my mind. I got payed at my last week at the art studio I was paid $130, the exact amount need for all of the money I wanted to give to overflow… I was so amazed I knew immediately what I was supposed to do with it. Give it all. And I was offered more money and hours at the art studio next year and plans for stuff to do in the school year. Knowing I am giving all this money for missions makes me feel great that I didn’t just waste it on stuff I wanted but that is my overflow story and it was great.

Overflow Story - Hunter

I read the overflow book on the plane ride to California(like 5 days after camp) and i was definetly gonna do something. I knew i was gonna work this summer with my grandfather as a laborer in his landscaping buisiness. I started praying about what to do with the money i was going to make, and i didnt really feel anything. I was pretty dissapointed, i wanted to do something AWESOME for god. I wanted to be one of those awesome stories in that little black and white book. But i was super conflicted, i only owned one guitar and a small amp, and i wanted an acoustic guitar, or a piano, or an amp, or alot of other things that i didnt have for music. then my paycheck got drained pretty bad, i had to give some cash to my mom because of a phone bill thing, my tithe took more out of course (but i knew that was gna happen :D) and i blew my first hundred or so on a new skateboard(idiot) then my mom texted me asking about the 9/9/09 thing. that took another hundred out, i was left with 280 dollars. Now for an amp, or a guitar, or a keyboard, thats pretty much nothing. I was REALLY dissapointed, i was only able to give 99 dollars for overflow,and doing that cost me getting an amp or a great pedals. we went to guitar center and i brought my 280 with me.we went into the acoustic room. i picked up a Takamine G series eg540SC (dragonfly) it was 349 dollars. i loved the sound acousticly, we plugged it in and it sounded great. My dad said he'd pay for the rest. Then after the clerk rang it up and went to get a bag, i looked at what the list price was, 899 dollars! we had a 10% off coupon, and there was a sale on it, but it came out to be a 61% discount!i got a 900 dollar acoustic-electric guitar, that was the exact color and sound i wanted, for 350 roughly 350 dollars! God blessed the sacrifice, and i had already given up on getting a guitar! Another thing that amazed me after i thought about it, was that at camp god laid on my heart to leave a great non-christian band to do something more ministry related. When i first realized it i cried. i loved being in that band and everyone i was with were awesome guys to hang around with. God honored that by giving me the guitar i had day-dreamed about getting(yes i did. lol i am aware of how lame that is) I nearly wept after I realized the blessings i had gotten, just by obeying him! He has opened many doors musicially for me since then, and i'm trying my hardest to grow closer to him. This road sucks sometimes. but its SO much better to walk on :D anyways, this is pretty long and i figure i should end with, if your dissapointed in what your overflow puts out, the amount, or whatever your using, its not about the amount, its the sacrifice, and your heart that blesses god and makes him want to bless you.

The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content.

Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards.

I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

--This was written by Joshua Harris, Spring Issue 1995 of New Attitude Magazine