The UK Homeless Blogger

Love and I

I count myself to be an incredibily Blessed person, none of the wonderful events that transpired in my life during 2011 did I expect when it first began on January1st or that I would exprience being homeless or homelessnes.

But all of them I am extremely thankful for especially becoming homeless in August which turned out for me to be a major turn around and blessing in my life.

Which I know and am painfully aware that for some it is still or would be their worst nightmare.

I Have met some incredible people and was found By Him (Love) God in a pitiful state but He (Love) God welcomed me home with Unconditional Love that surpassed my expections.

What still amazes me is the fact that I would not have planned to feel the way I now do, and to be honest I may have even avoided it before( I simply would not have seen the greatness of it), and thus missed the start of an incredible New life with new feelings and Blessings that have superceeded anything I could have dreamt up for myself.

I never expected to fall in Love with my homeless Brothers and Sister locally and from all the different parts of the world neither did I expect the impact such Love would and is having upon my life.

I think the biggest Lesson I learned is that you and I can Impact and do something great or small to at least make a persons day or life better. I’ve experienced such acts of kindness as a homeless person and they do count, however small they are whehter is a kind word or deed it makes no difference they all count.

I did think to list all the wonderful things that have happened but there’s to many to list but I shall do that, later when time affords me.

You may disagree with me but I believe I flourish as a homeless person. and am not just surviving.

No I’m not rich by earthly standards but count my self wealthy in personal growth and Love.

I would not swap anything for the Life I have.

I’m thankful to The Lord Jesus Christ for coming to find me and Bring me back to Fathers house.
To Shay for giving up her plans and following His (loves) God’s Plan and for driving back somewhere 200 miles to give someone a bible(Not Me) and writing about it, It Changed my Life reading that.
To Shane, Shays Husband, and Rob they Inspire me further each day.
To Stueart and Carla Payne who Loved and Prayed for me and welcomed me and shared things pertaining to the Kingdom of which I never will for get.
To my Dad who has always loved and been the best dad in the world. Sorry if you think your is.
To My son James whom I love, he is just so kind to me. who now wants to help me with these projects.
Daughter Amy whom I love she is the sweetest and kindest girl in the world
To Tom whom I love who is so awesome.
To my Homeless Brothers and Sisters here and abroad you are all way to cool for school. Love you all.
To all at my Local Homeless day center. You do an awesome Job.
To my Dads Neighbour Mavis who is so kind to all she meets.
To my many friends not listed here.

Much Love Ian

Again today, I heard those words that I believe originated from the belly of pure selfishness.

I flet my stomach knot like it had just been pierced with a red hot poker.

I know the person has no real clue really about that statement he uttered.

I belive this phrase is an offense to Him (Love) God.

“Charity Begins at home”  Usually meaning as well “Charity Stays at Home.

I would never have said that out loud but the cold chilling truth is I lived that phrase, and I believe that’s why I struggle when I hear it from other’s as it’s a painful reminder of my own past blindness.

True Charity may begin at home but True Charity cannot be contained within the four walls of a home or within a human heart, Charity is Love. Love isnt containable it’s Potent, Contagious, Inffectious, Dynamic, Explosive and Viral, full of expressive deeds towards others.
True Charity or Love gives, gives and gives out of an inexhaustable supply there is no lack in Love. Love seeks a person to give too,  it doesnt matter the medium money, time, smile, chatting, kind words, a hug or things, etc it seeks to bless another always..

Charity Love may begin at home But it never stays put at home, because It can’t, it must find another, Love won’t ever stop looking for another, it must go, somewhere to someone always, otherwise it’s just pure selfishness.

The Father sent His very best, His Only Son Jesus, imagine The Father saying to Jesus, “Son Charity Begins at Home”
Absolute nonsense.

Please remember I lived that way so I’m not pointing any fingers intentionally, I’m saying it highlighting my own mistake in this matter.

Not only Did He (Love) God,  send his best, because He is Love, but we so desperately needed his best.

Do not then others deserve our very best?  I believe so. The odd thing is he supplies that to. Love Grace and Mercy in an abundant supply.

Of course now being enlightened it’s really easy for me to see my own folly, but back then when I lived for me and mine only, I was way off the Love path.

Love, Grace and Mercy how wonderful are Thou.

That all being said I am so thankful to Him (Love) God for coming to find me and Shower me with His endless Love, Love changed my way of life forever opened up a whole new world, a world of Love for the Homesless and any other human being.

I’m blessed beyond all logical reasoning.

My dearest sister Shay and her Husband Shane and brother Rob my earthly examples of Love and selfless life inspire me everyday.

They are three of Heavens Heroes.

From whom I have learnt much from and still do on a daily basis.

Father is Passionate about The Homeless, The Poor and The Oppressed

Isaiah Chapter 58.
1 ¶  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
3 ¶  Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 ¶  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
9  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
13 ¶  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Matthew Chapter .25
31 ¶  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35  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:
36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I may now know about love but I still have to be moving with that Love giving to all those that He brings across my path.

Yep I still have a long way to go on the above, I’ve barely begun.

Much Love

Ian

Love and I

As I approached the Iron gate that is used to keep unwanted intruders out, I could feel my heart pounding violently in my chest, it was my first visit to the Homeless Day Center.
Behind the iron gate is another door which leads to the interior of the day center.
I nerveously rang the bell and after what seemed like forever it opened and there stood a man who began to ask me what I wanted, I explained that I would soon be homeless and was looking for somewhere to eat and shower.
Little did I know the impact that meeting was to later have in my life.
As I entered I saw a large variety of other homeless men all busy eating with just the odd sideways glance at me.
I sat down thinking what the heck am I doing here, my heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest.
I was told I could have my first  breakfast for free, but I insisted I pay for it as I was at least working and could afford it.
No one spoke to me, but then why would they.

I ate my breakfast and left soon afterwards, though more relaxed that when I first entered.
I didn’t know back then that I was going to fall in love with the homeless people there or the people that worked there.

My next visit there I would be officially Homeless, and it was still just as daunting to pass over the threshold again as a homeless person.

Nevertheless cross it I did my heart pounding, I entered what would become a significant part of my future as a homeless person, on a daily basis.

Little did i realise the impact, that the homeless day center was to have upon my life on many levels.

The depth of warmth that the staff excert towards the homeless is awe inspiring to be honest and a little scary.
There whole ethos is to get people off the streets which they do tirelessly.

My first impressions where slightly erred. Which to be truthful I am quite ashamed of now, but hey I didn’t know how much they cared and Loved.

On my second visit I knew I wanted to help them in some way or anyway that I could, I didnt just want to be a reciever I wanted to be a giver.

Its run by local churches but it has many phenominal secular staff that do an outstanding service towards their fellow human beings many have been homeless themselves or had addictions in the past.

They have employees and volunteers all who are incredibly kind.
At some stage I shall write more indepth about the center.

The homeless in our town is incredibly blessed to have such a day center in fact I can safely say you would be very hard pressed to find its equal.

I know my approach is different than most towards being a homeless person, for me its an incredible blessing to be homeless and to be counted amonsgt such royalty.

I love it because the opportunities that arise to bless another human being with a gift, encouragement, food, socks and boots for happy feet, clothes, a smile kind words, listening, Blankets for a happy sleep, sitting with someone to give them some company for an hour or 2, a camping cooker etc are unlimited upon a daily basis.

To me its an incredible privillage that you can literally change how someone feels just by doing what you can with what you have available at anytime.

It’s that simple.

All it takes to Love someone is to take action if it’s real Love you will see some type of action involved from one to another.

No action = No love you can debate all you like about that, but thats the cold hard facts.

Someone once asked me did I think God wants me to be poor, I laughed and replied No not at all I just don’t need as much as I thought I did.

I can only wear 1 pair of shoes at a time and one pair of jeans etc.

I believe what I have is not just mine, but I’ve been intrusted by Him (Love) God with it to share and give when and where able or directed to on a daily basis.

What does amaze me is I could spend £200 on a night out that I would probably not remember at all.
that same £200 I could buy 500 hunderd cooked breakfasts and as much cereal and toast, tea and coffee as you can possibly drink along with a sandwich and other food, also a hot shower, plus great advice if needed, that 500 days =
1 year 4 months and about 2 and a half weeks, for 1 person, just for 1 night out.

No I would never spend that to go out but many do and much more.

Take for example a 30 inch flat screen HD Led televison at £400 – $600 thats 1000 breakfasts almost 3 years food and hot showers for 1 Homeless Person, for me it puts things like that in perspective each breafast costs £0.40p =$0.60cents. I could feed 100 Homeless for 100 days with just £400 – $600.

For sure people go out to work and earn their money and are able to spend it as they wish.

I just can not justify it myself all the time their is one single homeless person out here.

It’s true my whole life and thinking have been irretrivalably altered for all time by Him (Love) God.

I see the homeless as family my brothers my sisters, for me there is no other way of looking at my family other than through the eyes of Love.

The hard reality though is this year many homeless people will die of the cold and hunger both here and in the USA and the world over.

Can I solve all the homeless problems the world over unfortunately I can’t, can I make a difference where I am? Fortunately I can and I will, with his Love Grace and Mercy and his mighty enabling and provision I’ll be able to make a very significant difference.

To me thats the key if we all do something small as we can, those small acts coupled together with others lead to great miracles of hope and love, Love thats actioned leads to massive changes to lives bereft of love and hope.

I make my friends laugh when I tell them I value everything by how many breakfasts at £0.40 or $0.60 I can buy. If I’m thinking of getting something I work out how many breakfasts I could buy with that same amount thus determining if its wise or needed.

Maybe that sounds crazy to you, but it’s now how I think when I think of spending any money on myself which isn’t that often.

I have seen breakfasts that I would have previous bought for myself for £4.00 or $6.00 which is 10 breakfasts for a Homeless Person,I could eat once, or feed 1 for 10 day, imagine feeding 10 for 1 day or feeding 1 for 10 days against 1 self indulgent feast, no contest, I could never justify spending that on a breakfast knowing what I could do with that same amount.

I still think I waste money at times but I’m learning each day not too.

I do believe many people think I struggle being Homeless and living in my Toyota house (My car) I do struggle, but not in the way most think I do, I dont struggle being homeless, but I do struggle seeing my homeless brothers and sister having a bad time of it when I have the luxury of a car for shelter and an income even if very small.

I have got into the habit of getting some hot food and driving to where I know certain homeless stay and sitting with them while they eat it and giving them hot coffe to drink.

Today there are 70 mph winds with rain no real shelter I managed to get a hot jacket potato with melted cheese and take it to my homeless brother along with hot coffee. Easy to do if you have a little money and love in your heart.

The hard part for me was to walk away back to my dry car knowing I would be OK, and he most likely would have a tough night, wet and maybe cold, though fed.

As the wind almost took me off me feet several times as I walked back to my dry car just a few yards away my heart broke and it was hard to stay in control of my emotions as I drove off.
My car being heavily buffetted by the wind and pounded by the rain I could not even think of eating myself, had I done the right thing by leaving him there should I have stayed or let him sleep in my car too.

I’m still undecided as to my actions today, or lack of them, Yes I should be sensible and stay safe, however I think I may have been wrong to drive off.

Thats where my biggest struggles are, around those areas, I don’t even think about sleeping in my car etc as a Homeless Person as a problem.

On the other side, He (Love) God asked me to buy a pair of brand new hiking boots today to give a homeless brother later today.

Happy feet for Him today Yay!

As Always I would Like to thank my Sister Shay and her Husband Shane along with Brother Rob, for their support and inspirational lives and love example to me, from whom I continually learn about the action of Love.
If you want a challenge and inspiration Please visit their site to see exactly what and how they do it.

I promise you this, you won’t feel the same after reading and finding out about their limitless love for the homeless and those that suffer from poverty.

They live the life of Christ not in word only but by their selfless action on a moment by moment basis, which totally transformed my life for the better.

They are all awesome!

Take action today it’s simple, it’s not lways easy and always a challenge but its still so simple to do, Love now, for some of our homeless brothers and sisters simply don’t have a tomorrow.

Much Love Ian Uk

It seems to me each day is loaded with blessing to numourous to count, He (Love) God just keeps on heaping them upon me.

For me I count it a very great honour to be asked to serve my fellow Homeless brothers and sisters and anyone else He (Love) God chooses to bring into my life.

When He (Love) God suggested I should clean the showers and toilets at my local homeless day center, I couldn’t wait to do it, It took me 2 attemps about 5 hrs of scrubing into total.

I count it a an honour to have done so and have offered to keep them up together on a regular basis.

I am finding it hard that, there is much to be done and I don’t really have significant resources to help in a major way which is frustrating me enormously.

That being said I think as long as I am faithful with the small things He(Love) God gives me to do, the bigger things will follow. As I trust him for the resources as he is the source anyway.

No point trying to run before I can walk.

Today I had an offer of accomadation well to enter the process for it entially I agreed as the where quite direct with me I should take.

I didn’t want to agree really as I felt it would short circut everything I believe wants for my life as soon as I said yes My heart sank and I knew it was wrong, I think I was persauded as that ment I would have to explain everything and didn’t want to.

The person how offered his help is a really such a nice, too, anyway after that he left and each second that passed my heart just felt sick, I knew had to speak to somone as I didn’t want to sound unappreciative.

I statred to pray that I could find someone to speak To and found that same man back in the premises, I was able to speak with him and thankfully he was quite understanding.
I really am such a slow learner.

My spirit immedeatly lifted.

Phew!

The oddest thing really is finding your self feeling awful about being housed and joyful at being homeless.

I wonder what a shrink would make of that (sorry had no idea how to spell the other word for shrink so I apollogise if you are a shrink.

On Sunday morning I woke up so cold I was feeling a bit blue about it then a very precious brother who I have never met or spoken to sent my a personal direct message saying-

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Gee that word was spot and on better than any warm bed or hot meal any day I would rather Hear from Him (Love) God than any other physical comfort.

I only have his Twitter name– Joseph2dogs.

The shortly after that a homeless man txt me and ask if I wanted a cup of tea, the ex armed bank robber one.

Both made my day beautiful, the main reason I share those is this, even the smallest of gestures words or deeds can and does make a massive difference if we will do or say them.

Another thing happened later in the day a Lady kindly offered to do my washing for me for free.

I didn’t ask either.

I can’t buy a Proche, 50″ Led HD TV, New Designer Clothes, Eat expesive food, take exotic holidays, or much of anything that I used to think important, but this I can do with out any limitations, I can Love in Deed and Word, without exhausting the supply. Me Believes I now have the better Deal.

Love is contagious So Spread The Love you never know who it will effect next.

Ian

Love and I Part 3

We Had very bad weather yesterday evening high winds rain not to nice, I went to work came back to Toyota and was ravenous I was ready to eat shoes or a car tyre I was that hungry, I planned my usual cold beans or cold sphaggetti from a can, as I was salavating over the thought of my propossed dinner.

He (Love) God whispered in my heart, Don’t eat tonight but pray for people as I bring them up to you, I said yes, and I no longer even wanted my dinner, and spent the rest of the evening in prayer for my homeless brothers and sisters on various topics one being the weather which by now was horrendous, I felt guilt being in my car, whislt they were all out in the storm I prayed that they would stay dry and warm some how. I prayed also for 1 homeless lady that nobody want’s to help with accomodation.

This morning I was rather surprised to find that non of the homeless Brothers and Sister’s that I now Know ( about 20 or so) Not 1 was cold or got wet. Hmmmm Tin Of cold sphaggetii or 20 or so dry Homeless people, Not really a contest.

Also I learned that the homeless Lady that nobody wants to help went to the doctor and today He is writing a letter to get her in the dry,

I pray that he will.

This is a bit strange, I was walking to the shelter and thought I’m so early I’ll get a tea from Mc donnalds and as I thought that, He (Love)God whispered in to my heart “don’t drink it take it to the shelter” I though that must mean there was someone there already who needs it, So I did that only to find that the only person there is me, I’m thinking ok It was my imagination then I’ll just drink it, then He (Love) God Whispered Don’t drink it.

I’m Thinking maybe I’m going mad as there’s no one here but me and a cup of tea that nobody needs or is drinking, moments later I looked up to see a very unshaven Homeless person was heading my way’ Thats who its for!  I waited until he sat on the pavement beside me and said Hear you go I bought this for you I’ve been waiting for you.

It seems that I now call ex-armed bank robbers, the violently inclined, people with all manner of addictions and social problems brother and sister as in homelessness that is. What is even more unexplainable is I absolutely Love them Not because I should or have to, I just do,  I believe that is a mighty big miracle of His (Love)God’s grace because I would not go near people that were In My old stupid selfish and fearful opinion, dodgy.

My day is filled with thoughts and concerns for their wellfare all through the day even when not present with them.

Now I find myself in the midest of them, eating with them praying for them looking for ways to love them listening out for His (Loves) God’s whisper in my heart to do and say what he asks of me.

My Dear Sister Shay from www.Project5050.com Promised me it would be an adventure of a liftime and I’m not dissapointed in the least.

I’ve realised to a large degree that my in previous walk most of it was theory and knowledge,but now it’s living inside my heart and as real as the air a freely breathe.

I can honestly say I would not go back, neither could I, and neither do I  want to, I’ve been ruined to that past life, and the human comforts that come with that life, they are no match compared the real Comforter.

I’ll be honest I don’t understand it all or whats happening entirely but I still wouldn’t swap back.

With my own homelessness I had it all mapped out what I was going to do, that’s all in tatters on the floor now  coverd in dust, I did try and pick it up once a little while ago He (Love) God whispered NO! Trust me!

So that’s what I’m doing trusting Him (Love) God each day.

Another thing I discovered that’s different, I knew in my old life I should pray and I did but it was a really big burden, now its effortless and a great joy.

I went and found out the name of the Homeless Lady I once called the Bag Lady,
it’s Evelyn I call her Princess Evelyn to others but to her I always call her Evelyn.

Ian

I’ve had a few interesting days that have further defined my outlook and focus.

May be better to read the post below first so this bit makes sense.

I posted annother new post called “Love and I” on my Blog http://thehomelessblogger.org/291/love/

I mention my foolish thinking in providing second best when best is better, regarding a flask that I was going to give to a very dear homeless woman. Thank fully He (Love) whispered to my heart before I carried out my intended deed.

The next Day at the homeless shelter I bumped into the same dear homeless lady again, she gave me a thank you present a Cd that she didnt want and when I saw the artist Shirley Bassey and I thought I can see why, as I didnt want it either but had enough grace to be polite to her and not reject it.

I had the most brash attitude towards that gift really. for which I am now mightily ashamed.

The Homeless lady was very keen to tell me how much she loved her flask and that she was now able to have a hot drink late at night.

I’m still quite shocked at how a simple thing impacts me when I don’t expect it.

I sat there thinking away minding my own business when He (Love) whispered into my heart, Look at the Cd, Which I did, I almost cried out allowed “Lord forgive Me” when I saw the Title, The Cd is Called  “THE POWER OF LOVE” Of Course now I love Shirley Bassey and will never part with it unless directed to, I feel as if He (Love) God gave me a Little thank you and reminder of the power of love.

I’m at the library writing and very tearful with much joy over that homeless lady.

Another lesson to be learned
Please pray For me as Its all so new and I seem to be goofing up with this, I dont want The Lord or you  to feel ashamed of me because of my blunderings.

I learned that Amy’s  friends mother died yesterday abandoned by her daughters and family and friends with much unresolved hurt still and only alchol as her comforter.

I didn’t know her awefully well but it has made me really think about things deeply,

#LoveNow for some don’t have tomorrow #LoveNow.

At the shelter today they have a box where you can help your self to food for later like cans of soup and stuff like that,
I thought yummy I’ll have some of those and there was a tin of rice pudding I so wanted that can of rice pudding badly, I loaded up a carrier bag full of things I loved, I went and sat down then He (Love) God whispered “why are you stealing their food, go put it back, you have money” so I emptied  my bag looking longingly at the rice pudding can as it slipped from my hand in slow motion to prolong the agony of letting go of MY rice pudding, with the ehco of the clunck as it hit the other tins in the Box ringing in my ears i sat back down.

I sat for 10 minutes Then He (LOVE) God, again, Whispered to my heart, go back to the box pick out 5 cans to give away to who I tell you too,  make a donation to the shelter don’t take them.
Whilst getting some cans I handed the rice pudding to someone else who was looking through them as well, I found another rice pudding and took that for who ever it is I’m going to give the cans to.

There Is a homeless lady who I previously called the bag lady who everyone avoids because of the strong fragrance that reflects ones own attitude.

She resides about the town  It seems that she is the person who is going to get the cans so  off I go with the cans. I find that all her things are in one of the spots that she sits at but she isnt there anyway I left the bag with the cans  on her fold up chair, I felt to write her a note saying Much Love but had no pen paper or anyway to get that so didnt. But I believe that, that was a mistake again not to left a note. Why am I just not following better. GRRR.

I will visit her again and  take her some flowers with a note. One thing I feel Is I need to find out her name as I can’t call her the Bag Lady she has a Name.

Ian

I’ve had a few interesting days that have further defined my outlook and focus.

May be better to read the post below first so this bit makes sense.

I posted annother new post called “Love and I” on my Blog http://thehomelessblogger.org/291/love/

I mention my foolish thinking in providing second best when best is better, regarding a flask that I was going to give to a very dear homeless woman. Thank fully He (Love) whispered to my heart before I carried out my intended deed.

The next Day at the homeless shelter I bumped into the same dear homeless lady again, she gave me a thank you present a Cd that she didnt want and when I saw the artist Shirley Bassey and I thought I can see why, as I didnt want it either but had enough grace to be polite to her and not reject it.

I had the most brash attitude towards that gift really. for which I am now mightily ashamed.

The Homeless lady was very keen to tell me how much she loved her flask and that she was now able to have a hot drink late at night.

I’m still quite shocked at how a simple thing impacts me when I don’t expect it.

I sat there thinking away minding my own business when He (Love) whispered into my heart, Look at the Cd, Which I did, I almost cried out allowed “Lord forgive Me” when I saw the Title, The Cd is Called  “THE POWER OF LOVE” Of Course now I love Shirley Bassey and will never part with it unless directed to, I feel as if He (Love) God gave me a Little thank you and reminder of the power of love.

I’m at the library writing and very tearful with much joy over that homeless lady.

Another lesson to be learned
Please pray For me as Its all so new and I seem to be goofing up with this, I dont want The Lord or you  to feel ashamed of me because of my blunderings.

I learned that Amy’s  friends mother died yesterday abandoned by her daughters and family and friends with much unresolved hurt still and only alchol as her comforter.

I didn’t know her awefully well but it has made me really think about things deeply,

#LoveNow for some don’t have tomorrow #LoveNow.

At the shelter today they have a box where you can help your self to food for later like cans of soup and stuff like that,
I thought yummy I’ll have some of those and there was a tin of rice pudding I so wanted that can of rice pudding badly, I loaded up a carrier bag full of things I loved, I went and sat down then He (Love) God whispered “why are you stealing their food, go put it back, you have money” so I emptied  my bag looking longingly at the rice pudding can as it slipped from my hand in slow motion to prolong the agony of letting go of MY rice pudding, with the ehco of the clunck as it hit the other tins in the Box ringing in my ears i sat back down.

I sat for 10 minutes Then He (LOVE) God, again, Whispered to my heart, go back to the box pick out 5 cans to give away to who I tell you too,  make a donation to the shelter don’t take them.
Whilst getting some cans I handed the rice pudding to someone else who was looking through them as well, I found another rice pudding and took that for who ever it is I’m going to give the cans to.

There Is a homeless lady who I previously called the bag lady who everyone avoids because of the strong fragrance that reflects ones own attitude.

She resides about the town  It seems that she is the person who is going to get the cans so  off I go with the cans. I find that all her things are in one of the spots that she sits at but she isnt there anyway I left the bag with the cans  on her fold up chair, I felt to write her a note saying Much Love but had no pen paper or anyway to get that so didnt. But I believe that, that was a mistake again not to left a note. Why am I just not following better. GRRR.

I will visit her again and  take her some flowers with a note. One thing I feel Is I need to find out her name as I can’t call her the Bag Lady she has a Name.

Ian

Every once in a while during ones life time we hear of, or may even meet personally, an  individual or individuals that influence us deeply, often in a most dramactic way that we that we usually never expect or are even prepared to consider.
Recently I had such an encounter myself, which was unexpected and neither was I remotly prepared for what followed this seemingly unusual encounter. Which I now call The Shay Kelly Encounter.

As you may already know if you have been following me on Twitter, Facebook or on my Blog here, I’m now a Homeless person, which is something that I have known was coming to me as a choice since the end of May this year 2011.
It’s not something that scared me a great deal, though I knew nothing about homelessness or homeless people back then, apart from you should try and avoid homeless people as they beg because they are too lazy to find work.

As I think back to before May about my heartless attitude towards the homeless, I can only humbly ask my fellow homeless brothers and sisters for their undeserved forgiveness for my stupidity, I offer no excuse because I have none.
I was completely blind to the scale of homelessness hear in the UK and worldwide and pitifully ignorant to the everyday battles that are faced by each homeless person.
That was all about to change for me as I realised I would soon become homeless, I just wasn’t sure of the date yet.

I spent much of my pre-homeless time investigating on the internet, I can honestly say I was appalled at what I found there.The scale of the number of homeless men, women, children, families totally shocked me, the variety of individauls that have found themselves homeless is countless.

I came across many websites and blogs written by both the homeless and ex-homeless people during the next three months most of them I found to be very good and some I found very helpful.
I resolved that I would make my homeless journey an adventure and something that would somehow benefit others just like some of the websites and blogs I had already read.

I love anything to do with marketing and business and can see opportunities in most experinces that can be utilised in other ways and have a uncanny knack for finding great idea’s.

So armed with these weapons I sought to stage my social and finacial come back documenting it all for the benefit of other homeless people or anyone stuck in poverty, using my marketing knowledge and business brain.

My resilience was cemented I had a plan that had to be folowed no matter what, and I  eagarly looked forward to Homeless Day as I called it, though having an 17 hour part time Job and living in my car meant I was significantly better off than 99.9 percent of the worlds homeless people.

Nevertheless despite sleeping in a Car and a Part-time job it still requires much imagination and inguinuity to survive day to day, just the simplest of task’s like washing, toileting, sleeping safely, eating, money spending/saving, changing clothes, washing clothes, and countless other task’s that I  took for granted before, now became major planning events.

As well as I could prepare, I thought about most things before Homeless Day eventually came, which did help me avoid a lot of nasty surprises.

During my pre-homeless  research somethings happened, that changed my whole life, non of it was pre-planned if anything I was avoiding one issue in particular. The God Issue, which was on my much in the future, to do list.

I choke now, when I think how rediculous that atcually sounds.

I marvel now at His sense of humour, Grace, Mercy and Love he extended towards me, depite my own foolishness.

As I was conducting my afore mentioned research which was mostly random internet searching, or so I believed it to be back then. Now I know I was unknowingly being lead along an perplanned path to one particular website that would influence my life for all eternity.

That Website can be found here http://project-5050.com/main

Little did I realise the far reaching effects of such a site and its author Shay Kelly would have upon my “I’ll do it my way” lifestyle.

When you read Shay Kelly’s entire blog ( Website address here) as I have you’ll discover a rather remarkable young woman also a Wife to Shane Patrick who is equally as remarkable who now accomapanies Shay on the journey.

The vision that Shay has for the Homeless in the United States and across the world will resonate with the most caring of us and challenge the rest of us who are or were like I was engossed in our own lives and self interests.

Throwing the odd penny into a charity collection box does help collectively which is something I have done with out much thought care or love in the past, save to feel like I’m helping in some way and have somehow done my bit towards society.

Shay consistently speaks of Love and it’s importance throughout her blog, at first I found it hard to take in, but as I read more I discovered from Shay and the documentation of her first journey through 50 states in 50 weeks, that Love is an action word not a cute fluffy cuddly hearts and kisses kind of word, Love is full of true grit, passion, faith, self sacrifice, committed action and seldom easy, but very beautiful to see and experience.

Love is what empowers Shay and Her husband Shane to do what they do, traveling from State to State collecting food, clothes, shoes, hygine kits, and many other essential items (Click her to see what they need to help the homeless- you can make a difference too) to give away to the poor, and homeless and suffering in the United States.

They are not an everyday young couple, Shane is a handsome young man Shay is a pretty young woman, who both have given up promising careers that would easily transform their lives into the realm of the wealthy very easily.
I doubt many young women would give up all the prettiness of being a young woman, such as the newest fashionable clothes, spa’s, fake nalis, hairdressers, shopping trips, girlie nights out, fake tans, hordes of applied make up, eloquent wines, exotic holidays,countless pairs of shoes and a huge selection of vital handbags, bubble baths etc.

To ride around the country side and cites of America in a pick up truck, sleeping in it each night often wet and cold with the smell of a wet dog for company ( Zuzu, Shay’s dog that smells when wet, Not her Husband Shane) eating the same types of food as their homeless brothers and sisters, forgoing the comforts most take forgranted, to show sacrifical and amazing Love, effectively making a difference to countless live all across America, delveloping relationships with one lovely person at a time.

I could easily recount many of Shay and Shanes adventures and maybe I will later on but I would perfer that you discovered them for yourself first hand like I did here. (Project5050 website address Here).

As this is what changed my eternity.

Both Shay and Shane are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and trust him totally for their own provisions and adventures, not that I knew that when I first discovered their website.

He is the source of their Love and lives, It’s not a human type of love but God’s Love passing through human hands feet and words that brings hope and comfort to the hurting, lost and homeless in their counrty.

For myself their example of love, His, God’s Love, apart from Jesus himself is one of the best I have ever seen.

Having just seen Shay and Shane go through a somewhat difficult experience that was meant to discourage them and pour water on the fire that burns within them, and see Him turn that water into a highly combustable liquid that has caused them be even more ablaze for Him, was a sight to behold and of great encouragement to me.

Having had my own life completely transformed by His Love, Grace and Mercy it still shakes me to my very core, everytime I think of it, and for that I’ll be forever grateful to them for taking the paths that they have, and to the Lord Jesus Christ for coming to look for me and finding me and taking me back to Fathers house.

I feel i’ll equiped and too foolish for the path ahead of me, that I believe he would have me take, and I only hear Him say, I only choose to use the foolish and base things. Gee that’s such a comfort.
Availability triumphs over ability every time.

To wake up each morning and hear the voice of a Loving Father, rather than what I had wrongly thought a very angry dissapointed God in me, now it is awesome, knowing he gives me all I ever need to walk before him and with him every task he asks of me, he  provides all in it.

He Loves Me.

So I’m about to start a glorious adventure myself.

If you are looking for a lifetime of adventure, you can, by Loving others, to see examples of His love in action Visit
Add Urls for below.
Website Project5050. http://www.project-5050.com/main/     http://www.project-5050.com/main/in-kind-donations/
http://www.project-5050.com/main/2011/05/05/the-good-stuff/
http://www.project-5050.com/main/2011/08/10/gregorys-bible-a-back-story/ <— This page Changed my Life forever.

FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Project-5050/189641574908
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/Project5050         https://twitter.com/#!/ShanePatrick50

Dedicated to My Dearest Sister Shay to My Dearest Brother Shay’s (Husband) –>Shane, and My dearest Brother Rob and Shay’s Dog Zuzu, …..Love YOU P5050

Your Brother Ian