2012 In Review

I would have to say that 2012 was a very difficult yet blessed year for me. Financially, it was once again very hard. I was hired in by four different employers over the year and lost all of them. Three which were within a week and a half. It was very trying to get past the loss of the jobs but I made it through. The Lord has provided my daily manna, no more and no less. Just exactly what I need.

My Boaz

In January I started spending time with Gary whom I met at Tent City in October of 2011. We spent much of our time together laughing and struggling yet overcoming many obstacles together. Even though we both have had a few setbacks we know that together we can and will overcome anything Satan throws at us. He has been my encourager, protector, my friend. He helps me to see and understand my worth. He Is my Hosea, my Boaz, and someday, Lord willing, my husband.

Locks of Love

In March of 2012 I was invited by my friend Katie to the Huntington Center to see Casting Crowns in concert. She took me out to lunch and then we got to enjoy an amazing show. It was so much fun. I really enjoy Christian music and was so thankful that she asked me to join her.

In April I decided to cut off my hair. I had all I could take of finding my hair all over the house. So I decided to donate it to locks of love. I found a salon that has Christian values that donates to locks of love and they did an amazing job. I will never have long hair again.

High Level Bridge

Over the year I got to spend a lot of time with my children. We had fun fishing, swimming, climbing trees, walking trails, playing four-square, pogo-sticking, garage sales, and we even got to watch the Holiday parade downtown. I watched their choir concerts, football and soccer games. Jacob was even in the school play! When we were not out having fun we would simply eat yummy food and hang out in the apartment. One day we even ventured out and walked across the high level bridge! The kids and I loved it.

I started attending the Human Trafficking Coalition meetings as a representative of the Free2BMe Project. In June I was able to attend the signing of the Safe Harbor Bill into law. It was monumental in making it so women are no longer criminals in prostitution that they are victims. It puts the focus on the men that are purchasing the women.

Sleeping in my car

Also in June I became certified with the Community Emergency Response Team after taking a 20 hour basic training course. I then took a defensive driving course and CPR/AED courses and became certified in all three. I also became a member of the Disaster Action Team with the American Red Cross in which I deploy locally and Nationally.

I once again joined the Tent City Planning Committee to get ready for October. It ended up being very successful. I was a guide. I was able to take people  around to the different resources we offered. Gary and I spent the entire duration in my car. It was very cold but we endured it. It was so much fun to spend our second tent city together one year after we met there. Praise God!

October 5th was the anniversary of me being in my apartment for one year. It was a great milestone because I move so often that it was nice to not have to move again. It has taken a year but the apartment has finally come together how I like it. It is nicely decorated and cozy. Thank you dad and thank you God.

Lifeline Team and Friends

On the second week of November I had the opportunity to travel to New York via the Lifeline Ministries bus with a group of 18 men and women to bring supplies to the victims of super storm Sandy. We traveled over 1700 miles, the team handled, moved and delivered 22 tons of water, 7.5 tons of food and 5.5 tons of clothing and hygiene products. The nurse helped somewhere around 60 patients (I was her assistant). We represented New Harvest, Life Line, the ECC and Toledo. While there I had the honor and privilege to baptize one of the team members. I also had the opportunity to minister and pray with a gentleman whom accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. My first baptism and ministering someone into the kingdom was an amazing way to celebrate my first year as a volunteer Chaplain & Biblical Advocate. Praise the Lord!

Emergency Response Vehicle

I no sooner got home from my trip with Lifeline when I got deployed to New York again with the American Red Cross. I was deployed to New York for super storm Sandy from November 21-December 30. I worked in client casework for the first two weeks of deployment then I received my Emergency Response Vehicle driving certification and drove for the rest of the duration of my deployment. I would do search and feed and deliveries to community shelters. I met some amazing people and had the opportunity to help many, including ministering another gentleman into the kingdom! I was able to experience Central Park, taxi cabs and subways in which I loved! Thank you God for allowing me to have this experience.

Gary and I

I caught a plane and flew back just in time to bring in the new year with Gary. 2012 started with a new friendship with him and 2012 concluded with him and I in a relationship. In the beginning of the year I had no idea what the year was going to hold. Now as I look back it was full of blessings.

Now it is 2013, and once again I have no idea what will unfold but so far so good. Great times are waiting!

Pamela Renee Schneider

Lord I pray for wisdom as to how to follow you, strength to make it through the trials of this life, and love to build my relationships even stronger. Lord show me how to give and receive love in 2013.