Hi friends and supporters. I pray that this Armor Up update finds all of you happy, full of joy, and overflowing with peace. We had a wonderful CHRISTmas and New Years full of festivities, fun, and friendship. And of course, lots of good food too. We are praying here at Armor Up that all of you had a beautiful CHRISTmas and New Years. I am believing this new year of life that God has given us to be victorious in every way and that it would be a year full of overflowing love, laughter, and life to the fullest, for us at Armor Up and all of you who partner with us and pray for us. Thank you so very much for our amazing, generous, caring supporters who helped our women at Armor Up have a CHISTmas they will always remember. And that is what this Ministry is all about, creating good, new memories for a lot of these women who have not have had that in a very long time. Thank you to Christian Help, as always, and a very special thank you to the women at St. Luke’s United Women in Faith, we appreciate you. Please scroll down to the bottom see pictures of our CHRISTmas and New Years festivities and fun.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you his peace” – Numbers 6:24
Giving Tuesday
I want to thank each, and everyone of you who donated to Armor Up’s giving Tuesday. I pray that God blesses you 100 fold for your heart and love for this ministry.
We actually exceeded our much needed goal. God is so good. Thank you for everyone who shared the fundraising post and for the huge donation we got from an extra special friend Teri and Tim Benjamin we love you and thank you for everything you do for us at Armor Up! A special shout out to Iliana Payne , who did an amazing job with every email and every post that went out about giving Tuesday you are amazing! And to Leigh minter! I have loved you from the first time I met you and I just knew we were gonna be forever friends Armor Up and all of our women are so grateful for you. You are the great connector and I value greatly all u do for ARMOR UP! for Helen Bruso thank you for the money you raised for Armor Up on your personal page. All of these women are a huge part of Armor Up and I appreciate you greatly, and God appreciates you greatly, and so do all of the women at Armor Up, hopefully we can open another house soon and I know the women are going to have an amazing Christmas. Thanks to you amazing women and all of your generous supporters out there. Thank you and God bless you for furthering the kingdom.
Feet Washing Ceremony
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
John 13:12-17
I can not put into words how great of an honor I had during our Thursday night bible study to follow the example our Lord has given us and humble myself in a beautiful foot washing ceremony. I had the privilege with my sponsee Rhonda to do as Jesus did and wrap ourselves in towels and wash the feet of each and every woman, praying blessing over them while covering them in special anointing oil. In return my 3 beautiful sponsees Frankie, Rhonda, and Addison came together at the end to wash my feet. How blessed am I? It was an incredible, Holy Spirit filled, anointed, and emotional night. I would have never imagined in my addiction that God would have me where I am now, leading these women closer to Him and teaching them how to become happy, joyous, and free. I am only able to do what I do by continually submitting to him and being obedient in every direction he leads me. It brings me great joy to do what I do, but it is a even greater honor to make known to each of these women that I have been where they are and I am no greater than they are, I am only but a humble servant to our Lord.
Annual Christmas Party
Merry CHRISTmas ! We had another amazing annual Christmas party with all the FREEDOM AND VICTORY HOUSE girls, the women of Armor Up, and SOME of our graduates! Lots of laughter, food and fun. We have some amazing chefs. Our annual costume contest is my favorite. Some of these girls you would not believe just go ALL out every year. Frankie and Rhonda every year you out do yourselves. Thank you for being so much fun and getting the girls all excited every year. Addison and Lisa, Frankie and Rhonda awesome skit and costumes were incredible. Everyone needs to watch the videos I’m gonna post it is so good. Wanda and Iliana amazing as Cindy Lou and The Grinch. You all were awesome. Then Courtney and Honore were our beautiful, adorable snowmen. So creative. We know how to have fun clean and sober, don’t we ladies? We remember it all the next day and we wake up feeling great, right? The food was incredible. We had our annual ornament making contest, and Sharell, Sandy, and Lisa where are crafty winners. Lots of other raffles, contests and prizes and then of course the most fun, white elephant gift exchange. I love you ladies I thank you for another beautiful memory and thank you that I get to do this Christmas with each and everyone of you. Thank you Jesus for the gift of your birth, life, and your work on the cross just for us. Merry CHRISTmas to all.
Ornament Contest
Costume Contest
Party & Food
Freedom & Victory House Christmas
What a wonderful Christmas Armor Up was able to provide for all of our lovely women at Freedom and Victory House. Thank you to everyone that helped us be able to shower our women with very special gifts and stockings. We had a awesome meal that we all prepared for each other . I know that this is the beginning of beautiful memories at Christmas for each and everyone of you women. I love you so much. They got lots of gift cards and a new robe and new Jammie’s and each a huge box full of all the things they love most! So fun, so good, Merry CHRISTmas ladies, and to all of you
Christmas in the Streets Toy Drive
Our toys in the streets Outreach on Christmas Eve was beautiful and powerful. Thank you to everyone of you who donated to our brothers, sisters, and the little ones in the streets of Orlando. We are so blessed by Christian Help. Thank you for all of the toys that you donate. You’re such a big part of this ministry on Christmas Eve. It was a rainy dreary day but that didn’t stop God from working and moving and I know a lot of those children have Christmas because of Armor Up and all of your generosity. There were salvation prayers prayed and lives, turned over to Jesus. We handed out a ton of Bibles and got to disciple and love all who came our way. Grateful we got to be used by our Lord in a mighty way. We were able to be his hands and feet to the most broken hurting people that are literally our neighbors. Every year it just humbles me to know that that could very easily be me down there and by the grace of God, it’s not. Us women at Armor Up were so honored and blessed by what we got to be a part of on Christmas Eve and the people that God lead us to. The beautiful smiles on their faces will forever be with me and keep me going until the next time. We did take a couple of different women from Victory and Freedom House a second day because we had a lot of coats and jackets and blankets and some toys left to give because of the rain on Christmas Eve. God worked powerfully on that day also. Thank you to all of you who prayed for us and supported this ministry. You touched a whole lot of lives and I know we planted a whole lot of seeds and spread a whole lot of love. I love you all. God bless you and may it be a happy new year to come for all of our old friends and new friends and friends to come!
Armor Up New Years Party
We had such an incredible New Years Party at Victory House. It was such a blast to come together with all the girls in the houses, some of our graduates and their kids, and friends. We played board games on the back porch and each woman brought a delicious dish for us to enjoy. So wonderful to ring in the 2024 with our Armor Up family!
Christian Help Better Work Better Life
Congratulations to these brave, excited women who graduated recently from Christian Help’s Better Work Better Life Program. Thank you to Christian Help for coming and mentoring our women in all of the facets of the resume and application process and choosing the right job and career and keeping and maintaining it.
Armor Up Bingo Night
Please join us for another Armor Up Bingo Night on February 11th from 4-7pm at Christ Church Longwood located at 151 W. Church Ave, Longwood, FL 32750. We will have multiple rounds of Bingo, fun raffles, food, and so much fun. You can also win up to $1,000! Click Here to purchase your tickets today!
Get Involved
As always, we rely on your support to make these things happen. If you have it in your heart to give, please visit our Get Involved page to see ways that you can help support our mission, either financially through PayPal and Venmo or through volunteering.
Thank you again for all you do for ARMOR UP and our girls! We could not do it without you! We appreciate all your love, support and prayers!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
May the LORD bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
May he turn his face towards you and give you his peace!