UPDATED December 2025

Building Faith, Family, and a Future for Marie & Peanut

Over the past several months, life has taken some unexpected turns. Desiree and her child have chosen a different direction, seeking opportunities elsewhere. While we had prayed she might stay here and find the peace and stability she needed to continue her education, sometimes the Lord redirects our paths. We wish her and her little one only the best, trusting that God is still writing her story. And even in these changes, His purpose continues to unfold.

Marie and Peanut, Hope Taking Root

Marie (who prefers her middle name) and her sweet baby girl, whom we lovingly call Peanut, are still with us and thriving in ways that can only be described as miraculous.

Peanut is now 8 months old, growing beautifully and full of joy — the laughter, the smiles, the little moments that remind us daily that love and stability truly matter.

Since coming under our roof, Marie’s transformation has been nothing short of inspiring. Her school grades have improved by nearly 40%, placing her near the top of her class. Her dedication and resilience shine every day, and we couldn’t be prouder. This November, we toured the local college together, where she hopes to study nursing. She has a servant’s heart and a genuine desire to care for others, a spark we believe God Himself placed in her spirit.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, we were able to take Marie and Peanut to the Dallas area to visit my family. Of course, they were welcomed and embraced as one of our own. Now, Marie and Peanut have a plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins — an extended family they can call their own for life.

The Vision, Creating a Home of Hope

Our next step remains both focused and prayerful: we’re working to raise $10,000 to hire an architect and begin the design plans for an addition to our home. This is the critical first step in creating a safe, permanent space for Marie and her baby, Peanut — a place where faith, stability, and independence can take root.

The planned addition will include:

One modest bedroom for Marie

A small nursery for Peanut

A comfortable family bathroom

And a simple kitchenette where meals — and memories — can be made

This project is more than construction; it’s the blueprint for stability and the foundation for a young mother’s fresh start. Every dollar raised will go directly toward this essential planning phase. Once the architectural plans are complete, we’ll be ready to move forward with materials, permits, and building work.

The total estimated cost of the full project is $150,000, but this initial $10,000 is the key that will open the door to everything that follows. When complete, this addition will give Marie and Peanut a safe and secure place to call home — a sanctuary where Marie can continue her education, nurture her child, and build a strong and lasting future.

The holidays have slowed progress somewhat, but our faith remains strong. God has never failed to provide when we’ve stepped forward in obedience, and we know He won’t stop now.

✝️ A Shepherd’s Calling: Reaching the Next Generation

Since Marie came into our lives, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and speak with several young mothers at her high school. These conversations have opened my eyes and my heart to the deep need for mentorship and godly guidance among our young people.

It’s become painfully clear that many of these young women have never been shown how to recognize a good man, how to choose a partner who will cherish them, lead with integrity, and love them as Christ loves His church.

But what’s even more sobering is this: most of the young men don’t even know how to be men. Love, humility, respect, strength, and responsibility are rarely modeled anymore. In so many homes, fathers are absent, and even where fathers are physically present, their example is not always one worth following.

This reality has stirred something profound within me, a calling I can’t ignore. As much as I am committed to helping Marie and Peanut find their footing, I now feel a strong pull from the Lord to reach out to young men as well. Because if we can teach young men to lead rooted in faith, humility, and respect, everything changes.

That’s why I’m starting a weekly men’s Bible study. I believe this is the first step toward rebuilding what’s been lost, teaching these young men what it truly means to walk as sons of God, future husbands, and fathers.

While I recover from my upcoming rotator cuff surgery, I’m praying and preparing for this new mission. We plan to begin in March, trusting God to move mightily through it.

I humbly ask for your prayers, for wisdom, patience, and a gentle spirit. Those who know me know I can be straightforward and direct, and I ask that the Lord give me the grace to speak truth with love, always leading with compassion.

Join Us, Be Part of This Mission

This journey is about so much more than building walls; it’s about restoring faith, rebuilding families, and planting seeds for a stronger future.

When you give, you’re not just supporting a project, you’re helping change lives. You’re helping one young mother and her child find stability, and helping countless young men rediscover purpose through faith.

Please share our journey with others so that they may help us if they find it in their heart. Every prayer, every share, and every donation brings us closer to fulfilling this mission, to build faith, family, and a future grounded in love and service. From our family to yours, may God bless you richly for your compassion and support.

“Love in Action, Faith for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”