Meet Robert, Our Answer to Prayer....

Yep, We prayed for a Guy that can HELP us with the many computers we needed to repair, rebuild and sell in Our Thrift Store. Then God answered our prayers and Robert Shenfield walked in with his Dad. I remember that day well, Robert's Dad DJ asked "Do you think Robert will be able to work here one day?" I said, Robert I have been praying for you, and here you are...can you start Tuesday?"

Robert is a Joy. He knows MORE than I ever will about computers and anything electronic for that matter. I can talk to Robert about any subject and time of the day, this guy is ready AT ALL TIMES to chat. Robert is our main liaison between us and Tech Pros our local computer store that HELPS us a Ton. http://www.tech-pros.com/ Tech Pros get computers people trade in for new ones and they donate their old ones to us. Robert then works his Magic on them wiping them clean and reinstalling the operating system and WALLA, we sell complete systems in Our Thrift Store for $99.00. Just one more job created by talented young adults that SHOW up.

Robert's favorite hobbies are watching movies, scale model trains (he says that got expensive) building scale model cars and boats, and Playstation 3....Drop by sometime and say HEY to our newest miracle-Robert.

Meet Natalie

Natalie is such a Joy. She works upstairs and LOVES to help us by sorting hundreds of hangers. She lovingly awaits an escort to get up the Two Flights of Stairs and we ALWAYS have someone standing by to assist in the pleasure. Natalie likes working at Our Thrift Store, Music, Horses and PERFUME. Natalie always has a story to tell if you simply ask. Natalie has worked with us now for almost 4 years. We love you Natalie.

Meet Paul Chadwick Sharp

It's TIME to meet One of GEAR's Most Valuabale Assets, Paul Sharp. Paul has been with Our Thrift Store now for almost 5 Years. Paul now works half of his time at Our Thrift Store and Half of his time at Our Fulfillment Center next door helping our partner GetCertified- Packing and Shipping Socks all over the U.S.

Paul is always in the mood to talk to ANYONE at ANYTIME, Period. He loves Starbucks Coffee drinks, reading his bible, and telling jokes. Paul is also famous for sayings like "that is cleaner than a whistle dipped in Clorox" . Paul is THE MOST SOCIAL young man I have ever met, which makes him Paul.

We Interrupt this BLOG for a Miracle Announcement

Well, this weeks BLOG is about featuring ONE of our special young adults....Not specifically....It's ALL about my prayer to ONE day open a Furniture and Appliance Business for our Special Needs Kids to work in. It just seemed to me a God idea, a Big Store where my young LIFTERS could help learn to fix, clean, and deliver Furniture to those customers that needed a Deal on typically expensive Stuff. Unfortunately after weighing the cost of picking up STUFF and Insurance, and Lifters, and RENT, the couch or two that we would sell for $30.00 did not make business sense. BUT God...

I absolutely knew it was NOT a go, but little did I know that the Lord was saying "Not Yet" and "Not that way" Today, he said "YES" and "NOW" but His Way.....

We received a call from The Wyndham Vacation Resorts in Nashville that they approved the donation of 300 remodeled Vacation Resort Condos. You see we had a chance to show them what we are all about, brag on our kids, and even the Resort Manger came by a few Saturdays ago to see our unique program first hand, they were impressed with our program and specifically our differently-abled young adults. You see this donation fits perfectly with The Wyndham Vacation Resorts Green Initiatives and the Recycling of their beautifully maintained appliances and Furniture. It makes a BIG dent in the unemployment rate for Special Needs Young Adults here in Davidson and Williamson County. Exactly what are we getting? Get Ready!

How about:
- 90 Refrigerators
- 90 Washer Dryers
- 90 Dishwashers
- 90 Microwaves
- 90 Garbage Disposals
- 94 Stoves
- Lamps – light bulbs will be removed – 320 total
o 2 BR Units – 160 lamps
o 1 BR Deluxe – 96 lamps
o 1 BR Suite – 64 lamps
- 85 Sofa Beds
- 100+ Wingback Chairs
- Artwork – approximately 384 pieces
- Drapes – 96 units
- Mini Blinds – 64 units
- 10’ ceiling to floor drape and valance – 64 units
- 76 Bedspreads

So do you think other Hotel Resorts might read the article in the paper and say " We can do that and help special young adults with disabilities" Please pray with me on THAT ONE. I think this is just the beginning....

PS If you are staying in a Hotel soon, PLEASE consider the Wyndham, they have a Heart for Our kids....ALL of OUR Kids.....

Why We are ALL Here - Sara The Matriarch

OK, it's time to introduce you to our matriarch - Our Daughter Sara. It was 2004 when we found ourselves trying to find a job for Sara who was graduating from High School. Sara had worked at different short term jobs with very low pay and no serious long term solutions. There was always hope when she started with a new job but the support necessary and required for gifted young adults disappears soon after the first day.As prayerful parents we knew God had a plan and a place for Sara and her gifts. We had NO IDEA that the Lord would not only answer our prayer for Sara but also for almost 20 other families prayers for their children by bringing into fruition " Our Thrift Store"

Meet Sara. Sara LOVES her Independence, loves her job and takes ownership of every task. She also VOLUNTEERS one day a week for a needy non profit to give back. Sara Loves and Cares deeply for others and is always friendly. Sara could easily manage other young adults because she not only knows the task needed to be accomplished but how to complete them. Sara enjoys home movies, music, church and her dog and best friend Lexi.

Sara is also a Prayer Warrior and spends much time praying for her friends at Narrowgate http://www.narrowgatefoundation.org/ as well as many other friends she knows or meets. Sara has an incredible memory and often wakes up to remind us it's someones Birthday.

Not a day goes by without Sara calling a Cousin, Aunt, Uncle, or friend to say hello or ask a question because she HAD to know or simply to touch base because it was necessary to her caring heart. Sara is our special gift and as her parents we could not EVEN put into words how we have been polished because of our Princess Sara.

Meet Josh - KING of Everything EBAY

Joshua has been working at The Gear Foundation for over two years now. He loves his job and the people he works with. He started working in the Ebay store when he first arrived. There he sorted through items, listed them on Ebay, and shipped them when they sold. He also works in the Thrift Store when they need extra help tagging clothes and carrying bags back and forth. He is a fun loving guy, who has no equal in the characterization department. He hopes to go back to Vanderbilt (where he stayed, when he had leukemia) to work and play with the kids there, while their being treated.

If YOU have NOT visitied our EBAY Store, its on the main website on the lower right.

Meet Keith...

Well, another MONTH ...WOW, where Does the time go? Well, this month I am SO excited to introduce YOU to Keith. Keith has worked with us for TWO years now and he is a fantastic, HARD working, diligent young man. Keith just happens to be a wheelchair user. To ME, Keith is My Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4) Keith IS the whole reason we started a EBAY Business

(http://www.ourthriftstore.org/ )

Ya know there are times when God brings someone special just for YOU to be a blessing to. YOU KNOW....Folks that Don't Have What YOU do, and out of YOUR abundance you can help them? Well Keith is my Gift. Keith deserves MY very BEST. It is such a privilege to employ Keith and when we found out Keith had NEVER SEEN the ocean or swam in it, we sent him on the vacation of his dreams! ? Click here to see great video of that miracle trip!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeZ4OroA5M
Friends chipped in after hearing about our plan, and we sent him to Florida, Beach House, Walking Around Money (as my Dad put it) and a Private Pool. You GOTTA See the Joy on his face! His FIRST Vacation....Wow.

Well THIS year we decided to fulfill another dream for Keith. Keith has NEVER been to Disneyland. WHAT? My family GREW UP at Disney in Anaheim. Our parents would literally drop us OFF for the day in the Magic Kingdom. So, after sharing our "PLAN" for Keith's MOST EXCELLENT VACATION 2009, a certain MOTOWN Music Star said "HEY, Let's fly him down since he has NEVER FLOWN BEFORE" , Then a certain Country STAR said "HEY, I have the Disney V.I.P Passes handled, then while discussing this PLAN with a certain donor named CHUCK, he said "I have the Universal Studios Passes handled", so as we speak, Keith is wearing out DISNEY and Universal Studios ALL EXPENSES PAID, Just like King David did for Mephibosheth.....Just LIKE God's Heart for Keith.... and US.....

Thanks for reading ....thanks for your prayers that KEEP us going and making a difference for the Kingdom of God and folks like Keith.....The "Least of These" Jesus talked about...

Can I Challenge you with something? May I HUMBLY ask that you seek out a Keith in your life that you can bless? Just think if we all had ONE Keith we gave a hand to........what a ripple effect in our world.... Wanna make God SMILE?

Meet Employee #1 Nathan

Well, it's time to meet the FIRST Employee GEAR ever had, Nathan. Nathan and I started painting mailboxes WAY before Our Thrift Store ever appeared. The week we started our Non Profit called "The Gear Foundation" we hired our First employee. Nate has been with us now for 5 YEARS! Wow, if you look at the beginning days at Our Thrift Store, it was Nathan who was side by side with me as we stripped,polished floors and cleaned up. Nathan also has an incredible talent for photography and has sold many calendars at Our Thrift Store. Nathan is a MAJOR outdoor enthusiast. He hunts EVERYTHING and LOVES to talk all about it. I am SO thankful for our friend and the one I always introduce as "Employee #1". Happy Anniversary Nate!

Meet Clay

Who better to introduce us to Clay than his very proud parents Bob & Karen Sircy.

"Clay loves to "GO TO WORK". His job at Our Thrift Store is a major highlight of his week. Friendly faces welcome him, and patient voices guide him throughout the day. His desire is to work hard and his accomplishments are celebrated. In this place, kindness takes residence. For our family, the culmination of a job well done can be BOTH seen and heard - Nothing is more exciting for Clay than ripping into his paycheck that comes in the mail. Wow! Because just like his brother, Clay has earned his own spending money...and the glow on his face is radiant and contagious. "

Meet Beth

Beth & Sara

Beth is the oldest of the kids we employ at Our Thrift Store, but don't let that fool you. Her child like charm and love for life is off the charts and very contagious. Nothing makes her happier than finding MONEY in any of the pants, shirts or coats she hangs up-When she does LOOK OUT! Her joy can be heard all through the store.

Beth has worked at OTS for almost 4 years now. She has just moved into her own group home from an apartment and she LOVES IT! We are so proud to have Beth with us and she LOVES her job. Another interesting fact about Beth is that she KNOWS EVERYONE in Franklin. Truly...EVERYONE.
The coolest part of living in a small town was again demonstrated when we heard the Tornado Sirens going off. They seem to really frighten Beth. When she got scared she called to talk to her favorite dispatcher at the Franklin Police Department, and the Chief sent a car to pick Beth up and she spent the night right there in Dispatch. Now that's small town service with a heart and such a testimony to Jackie Moore our Police Chief.
You will find Beth diligently working upstairs so drop by sometime to say hey if you are one of the FEW folks in town that has not met Beth.....yet

Meet Paul

Paul & Phil Vasser

Paul Chadwick Sharp
His name is Paul Chadwick Sharp. Heʼs 22 years old. Heʼs been working For the Gear Foundation for about 2 years and 10 months, he going to be on his 3rd year soon. He puts out carts, cleans products, and puts out donations, and basically anything else heʼs asked to do. His hobbies are fishing and reading. His favorite food is Italian and Sothern foods. He has a dog named Daisy. His goal is life is Middle School Pastor.

2009, Here we GO, 2008 is History

OK, what a Blur....Our "Countdown for the Cause" Fundraiser was a TOTAL Blast as expected. Someone at church said today " I am amazed on how much fun we had" Isn't that CRAZY we forget to HAVE FUN along the way? Man our employees Danced ALL Night, along with my Sara who stayed on the dance floor until WAY After 1AM.

We had SO many silent auction items. THANKS to all the local businesses that gave to the cause. We raised a few more dollars for the Arc of Williamson County and our GEAR Foundation which IS the frosting on the cake. I ABSOLUTELY Have to Thank my fund raising committee - Angela and David, Tina and Don Tackett, and Sandy my ANCHOR Wife. They pulled off bringing a TON of Silent and LIVE Auction Items to the event.

All was going just fine, until I was told there was a bidding WAR going on.Surprisingly NOT for the Week stay in the Cayman Islands (Sunshine Suites) or the Aqua Marine 14kt Gold Ring (Walton's Antique Jewelry) BUT with the "Cake a Month Certificate" This was 1 Cake or Pie a Month for 12 Months and MAN these Pies and Cakes are OUT OF THIS WORLD. We LIVE auctioned this one to settle to WAR- We sold these for a touch under $200.00 when all was Said & Done. Debbie Gerstenberger started a business dong these and she is UNBELIEVABLE. The Apple Pie that she brought by the store was VIOLENTLY attacked until every crumb was eaten like a HOOVER Vacuum Cleaner. If YOU EVER wanted something Special for someone that is a Gift of LOVE, email Debbie at pastorbob@crossgenerations.org

We are now celebrating our 5th Year serving young adults with disabilities in both our businesses - Our Thrift Store and Our Fulfillment Center. I could not be ore blessed to DO what I DO for these young adults in creating jobs for them in a safe and caring environment.

BIG PLANS for 2009

1. PLEASE pray as we STEP out in Faith Again on Two New Businesses that I believe with ALL my heart the Lord wants us to start that will allow us to SERVE even more young adults with disabilities. We will talk SOON about these as soon as the doors open on these opportunities.

2. I can't WAIT to introduce you to our newest Hire Ashley. Ashley is a spectacular writer and does not fit real well in the working world because of her vision problems. Ashley will be helping me make THIS a Fantastic place to visit every week. We have a STORY to tell and Ashley was brought to us to help tell it. The Lord Knows I can't write.

3. YOUR Homework... Read Proverbs 3:27 - We MUST fulfill this scripture in our lives. THIS year we will ALLOW the Lord to POUR MORE thru us.

We can't look forward without saying goodbye to 2008 and the Blessings we particpated in, can I brag a Little on God?

Last Year we:

- Gave over 50,000 pieces of clothing AWAY
- Supported 7 different minsitries with STUFF they needed WE had
- Processed enough STUFF to support 30 employees

God is Faithful. I pray he shows you "What he has set aside for YOU" in 2009

What are you doing New Years Eve?

Well have we got a invite for you!! What better way to ring in the New Year than with dancing, great food, a silent and live auction and all proceeds going to a great cause! The Gear Foundation and Williamson County ARC celebrates another successful year with our Annual Fundraiser called "Countdown for the Cause" New Years Eve at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Tickets are $100.00 each or $175.00 per couple and includes Food, Alcohol, and a Champagne Toast at Midnight. Tickets can be purchased at "Our Thrift Store" Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM or by visiting http://www.franklinis.com/ to purchase online. Come join the fun! You'll be glad you did.

"Our Thrift Store" Launches A Blog...

OK, so here we go. Blogging 101..This will be my first of many apologies, because I do not write, and I have terrible grammar.I use run on sentences, poor pronunciation,And I need spell check ALL THE TIME, etc etc. BUT...I have a need to tell the story of ALL that God has done thru Prov 3:27, Yes, Scripture. It all Started when my wife Sandy and I tried to find a job for our autistic daughter Sara. Sara was graduating from High School and looking for a job, ANY job. We found out that Sara was 1 of 750 disabled UNEMPLOYED young adults in Williamson County out of 1400 total. That is a 50% unemployment rate. Unfortunately Tennessee is #50 out of all 50 States in services for adults with disabilities. So We prayed........"Lord, what are we going to do?" We needed to help Sara become dependent and have a real job, and one day even live on her own.Wow God answered! God dropped a bombshell on me almost 5 years ago. I was, for the first time out of a job. I could NOT find a job for anything. Months went by. I have ALWAYS been able to find a job, I have had plenty of options, but NOT THIS TIME. I believe God cleared my plate for a reason. After many months, I asked the question "Alright Lord, what IS my Purpose?" and what I heard changed my life ! FOREVER. What I heard was, "I want you to Create jobs not just for YOUR Sara, but for ALL the Sara's". This is our story....and the chapters are still being written.All that God has done needs to be shared for His glory.We now employ many wonderful kids and have been amazed to see all that God has done to answer our prayer. This blog will be the place to share our news! Please keep our ministry in prayer. And if you are in the neighborhood of our Franklin location please stop by! You will leave with a heart for the kids, and maybe even a few great treasures!