Time is Short

Good afternoon friends,

We pray this message finds you well and preferably cool :)

Well, with last minute fabric donations and many willing helpers we were able to complete and deliver a car load of colorful fleece blankets to the 51 foster care children (ages 6- 12) attending the FBCW Royal Family Kids Camp.

Last Tuesday, my granddaughter and I set off to deliver the furry wraps and then go home but instead, we stayed all day fellowshipping with the campers by way of attending a girls grand tea, (which included a full out dress up, makeup, hairstyling and fashion show event all rolled into one!)

While the girls indulged in fruit, a chocolate fountain, delicate finger sandwiches, and baby pink punch, the boys did the same (well...not so much pink punch and make up) but all the rest while being outfitted in white Karate gear and garnering life training Mr. Miyagi would be proud of. Oh what a joy to see the delight these activities brought to each campers life.

After the tea it was more swimming, fishing, canoeing and cool down, before a spaghetti dinner, more games and evening service by way of Shine ministry. By 8pm we were calling each child by name to pick up their blanket.

On a side note: As my grandma use to say, it was 'hot as blazes', sweaty flesh in every direction, yet by all the fuss you would have thought we were giving away ice cream cones and water slide rides, not hot and heavy fleece blankets.

We shared with the group how each blanket was hand made, prayed over and surrounded with knots of love by loving folks made especially for each one them. We also made it clear while each of us did not know them personally by name and face, God surely did and that any time they might need a God hug, a big ol reminder of how crazy He was about them to wrap their selves in their blanket.

As we called each camper one by one you would have thought a rock stars were in the house, this is no exaggeration. With each name called applause broke out and we were met with thousand watt smiles that simply melted our hearts and humbled our spirits. God is so incredibly good y'all!

Looking back into the patiently waiting (and sweltering) crowd we spied smiling boys and girls bundled up in colorful fleece relishing Gods tender embrace that very night! Would that each one of you could have shared this presentation with us. Life changing, kingdom building moments y'all.

You all I know how I love a good photo or two (three or three dozen :) to share with a post, but sadly we are unable to take photos on our own as there are actually children attending these camps who have been abused by photography - so trust me when I say my words are so inadequate in describing the delight and joy expressed by these young ones.

Over the weekend Mary and I were contacted (again) by the director of the RFKC of Athens, Georgia. The Athens director was at the blanket distributions Tuesday and is very prayerfully asking that our group might provide blankets for their 50 foster kids. This group hails from Fulton, Delkalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Athens-Clarke, Greene and other Georgia counties.

We have explained the lack of funds and material currently on hand, and asked them to pray that resources be provided to meet this need.

We ask that each of you prayerfully consider sending blankets or funds for us to purchase fleece so we may be a blessing to yet another tender group of young ones needing physical reminders of their Heavenly Fathers love for them.

Time is very short and we apologize for the extremely short notice. Please give in some way yourself and be sure to share this with those in your own circle of influence so they may take part in this kingdom building blessing.

Much love and many blessings,

Tammy and Mary



"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5: 2-3

Dear Blog

Dear blog,
Despite indications otherwise, I have not abandoned yea!

Let me begin, by saying it has been all shades of crazy busy around here. Undoubtedly the biggest struggle has been all the work keeping the ol laptop up and running, as we battle all manner of 2010 sickness (even before 2010).

I have a new respect for the ability and limits to my trusty Blackberry and personally believe there should be a special kind of punishment for those tech devils who create and distribute viral illness's for the sole purpose of vandalizing.


Okay, with that out of my system:

When last I blogged, we had just finished up the blanket drive for the Christmas mission to McDowell County, West Virginia.

Within days of leaving for McDowell, Mary and I were honored to serve up a special luncheon for many of our core group of workers and friends who helped see more than 15 football fields worth of fleece made into 500 plus blankets for our Appalachian neighbors.

The display a homage to

Susan May Warren's

'The Great Christmas Bowl'

Some of the most precious ladies I know

Good Company!
Good food

Great fun!

How I love these gals!


Dear Mary, thank you for inviting me to join in this blessed adventure in fleece.
So many lives touched by a simple gift and our huge God.

Two days after the luncheon, I joined 21 others as part of a mission team to bring a little Christmas to several hundred families in McDowell County, WV.

I have never been so humbled in my life. Assisting with the big Christmas bash held for more than 500 that weekend paled in comparison to the privilege of spending time in these Appalachian hills and hollers visiting many proud people and hearing remarkable stories of perseverance and courage in the face of incredibly challenging circumstances.

Deborah shared such a story

Mother of three, grandmother to several, Deborah and her family live outside of Welsh in this newly built home. When we visited, Deborah, she and her youngest son (not pictured) had just moved into this roughly 800 sq foot home 4 months earlier.

Prior to that they were living in their family home a few yards down the hill

Deborah's husband was a Vietnam veteran, had health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange and ultimately killed himself, in this home in front of his children.

Deborah's only daughter was murdered in North Carolina after moving there to become a nurse. Deborah's youngest son was born with his umbilical cord around his neck depriving him of oxygen for some time. Deborah was told he would never be fully functional. The boy was recently diagnosed with dyslexia but according to Deborah, has a photographic memory, with complete recall of anything he is read, shown or instructed. He should graduate high school this year and hopes to be accepted to technical trade school to become a licenced mechanic like his older brother.

Deborah says the children were raised that there is no such word as 'can't'.

Deborah proudly displayed how self sufficient they are with gardens she cans and freezes from, their ginormous hog, goats and a pen full of chickens.

This family is so grateful for their many blessings. Deborah says their new house (built this past summer) is like her home of dreams. For the first time in her life she has built in closets and stays very warm and dry. This grandmother shared that up until a week or so before we visited it was so snug inside they had no need to even turn on the heat; that's how well her new home is insulated.

Last winter, Deborah and her son lived in a small corner of her old family home, as the majority of the structure was unlivable and had caved in due to leaks in the roof. Deborah would not allow anyone in to visit at her old place as the floors were full of large holes she had resourcefully packed with clothing filled plastic trash bags, and this embarrassed her. Deborah and her son physically huddled around a single heater last winter to survive the elements.

You can hear such pride when Deborah talks about her Mama's amazing wood cook stove (she has preserved under tarp in the old house). To hear her tell it, her stove is better than any Viking or La Cornufe and nothing beats it for canning, especially keeping her jars just right for packing. The only missing in Deborah's house o dreams is a small shed to house her two freezers. As you can see, these appliances are currently set up and operating out in the open.

This was our view as we trekked up the winding path of Deborah's homestead bringing sack lunches, meeting Deborah and some of her family for the first time. After visiting with Deborah and hearing her testimony we sang some carols and invited the family to join us for Christmas fellowship on Saturday.

oh, and

Deborah's eldest son, daughter in law and 2 grandchildren live in this RV at the base of the hill.

The next day......

We went to Iaeger Elementary School to celebrate Christmas with hundreds of folks from the community.

In the beginning

Everyone registered

were given sack lunches, vouchers for use at the Hope Chest thrift shop

The party guest loved this:

Everyone got a free photo taken. Folks could pick up their print later in the week.

For many, this might be the only family group photo they own.

Finishing their lunches and waiting for the show to begin

Another Georgia church provided Christmas entertainment

The tables are set and ready for shoppers

Look at all the happy faces!

Socks!!! Socks!!!

Glorious Socks!!!!

more than 1200 pair....Woo Hoo!!!

and what a blast it was to let everyone and I mean every one choose a fleece tie blanket!!!

( i about got in trouble because of hold ups in the line because

there were so many beautiful choices)

Precious!

Look what she picked out for Christmas

A wonderful group of new friends, great cooks, hearty carolers, adequate drivers (grin grin) and big hearted lovers of all peoples and Christ. What a blessing you are!

To be continued....

I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places

Please check out the

ginormous

blanket tying marathon affectionately titled a

Heven-ly Harvest Hoedown

benefiting the

West Virginia Christmas Mission!


When? November 21st, 2009 from 8:00 am ‘til 5:00 pm

Where? First Baptist Church of Woodstock
In the Basement of the “B” Building

You do NOT have to spend the day with us!

You can if you choose, but you don't have to.

If you do nothing else, bring your family, friends and neighbors - spend a portion of your day tying some love knots, signing a few cards and sending up some thoughtful prayers for our Appalachian neighbors.

There will be music, fun, games and food!
The only thing missing is

YOU!

• Please bring can goods to help our local food pantry

• Stop by the Cornucopia Canteen *

for delicious homemade soups, baked goods and beverages courtesy

of Diane and Augie Oberkrom of The Soul Food Market

Be entertained by a terrific group of performers

including the musical talent of

Heather Richardson as she debuts her new CD "He is Good"

Many local Fleece for the Flock members plan to attend.

But we will need a host of other blanket angels to complete the task.

If you can tie a knot, sign a thoughtful card or say a prayer, then make the time and get yourself there. If your schedule prevents it, let others know who CAN make it. Let them fill in for you.

With every ones help, we can be the hope for

McDowell County this Christmas!

For all you flock members unable to attend in body, continue to pray for the rest of us and the folks receiving each

blanket, scarf and socks.

Young, old, everyone is welcome and can help in some way.

Come share our bountiful blessings with our neighbors near and far.
*All proceeds from The Cornucopia Canteen will go to our local Church on the Street ministries.

Email us for further information

Dear ones, God has blessed us all with so much more than any of us could ever deserve and we should all be reminded of what Jesus said,

" I tell you the truth, whatever we did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me"

"If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again."

to be blessed by the full text check out Isaiah 58

Old-Fashioned Pure Religion

Here it is...the Good Lord willing, another Multitude Monday.

No need to look far, as I am surrounded by great gifts and an abundance of blessings with no apparent end in sight.

#106) This week officially begins an event called Loveloud09. My family and I were blessed to take part in this local community activity last year. I say 'officially' because the message of Loveloud '08 continued long after the 3 day event ended last October.

For my family, Loveloud has become a favorite new word in our vocabulary. We just love to Love Loud!

Take a look, here's why

LOVELOUD 2009 from Dallas White on Vimeo.

This year (due to plans made before LoveLoud 09 was scheduled), we discovered we would not be able to take part in the official event.

All who know me will attest to how sad this has made me.

Despite the fact that it took me a solid week to recover last year, I could hardly wait to go at it again in 2009. Glutten for pain I am!

Want to hear something really neat?

This would be #107)

Some of my precious family in the faith have let me know they will be Lovin a little Louder for me...in my absence this year. I know these folks well and they will do a far better job than I ever have at being the hands and feet of Jesus this week to those need.

They will indeed do it BIG and Loud!

So for all my FBCW peeps, thank you for setting such an amazing example. With whole hearted love, through what you DO and not by what you say alone.

"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea what they look like. " James 1: 22-24

I love you guys! You will be in my prayers this entire week. I'm looking forward to hearing how God blesses as you Love Loud this October weekend!

Soooo this cool Monday in Georgia, I find myself gushing with gratitude for gifts more abundant than this wretched gal would ever deserve.



#108) Cold snaps that turn a Hotlanta fall into something more like my hometown back in Missouri.

#109) Sunday's at church with my family and friends. I missed being there yesterday...savored the message online...even still...not the same.

Makes me all the more grateful for the privilege.

and blessing of...

#110 ) Old-Fashioned Pure Religion

Would that each week began so well!

A word from the blistered hands and feet

Well folks, on Sunday night church services for the evening were canceled so members of our fellowship who participated in Love Loud 08

could...well...recover.

Simply put: Epsom salt and Alieve...They're a very good thing!

Love hurts...In places and ways I hadn't planned on when signing up for this adventure.

Now you might assume I'm only referring to the blisters on my feet, my arms that are nearly numb with the pain of muscle aches, or this overall complete exhaustive state I find myself in.

No.

Those things just serve to remind me that despite hauling kiddo's around like I'm still some 20 something chicky, I am not in the best shape necessary for these kind of weekend projects.

Just so you know, we do our own yard and house work. I regularly run up and down two flights of stairs while carrying in excess of 40 lbs both ways. More often than not the extra baggage is composed of carry alls, book bags, groceries and a small child or two. Not always at the same time, but on many occasions...yes, all of the above.

Still, this aerobic and strength training did not prepare me for stepping outside my comfort zone and pitching in on a few Love Loud projects this weekend.

The little mobile home park our Sunday School class adopted was described best by my granddaughter who said it looked: lost and forgotten.

Just getting to park proved a challenge as there was no easy and direct road in. Following an older county road with several blind curves we passed the occasional abandoned trailer and automobile as we finally turned off the main drive looking for the office.

My grand girl and I were met by a friend Marcy, who was there taking photos of the site and projects. Marcy passed on a warning given to her, she advised us to consider parking at the entrance and walking in or continuing with great caution, as the road was so bad it could cause us to break an axle.

The managing office was quite a ways in, and as we were delivering a truck load of food and hygiene boxes for the residence, we opted to risk the drive.

Creeping along at a snails pace we navigated up what passed as a road, in and around treacherous deep ruts that scarred the length of this barren dirt drive.

As we inched our way in, we could not help but be taken aback by the living conditions that these residence called home.

Many so proud to HAVE a home.

Once we arrived at the staging area we were met by an enthusiastic crew of volunteers.
The mix included residence of the park, guys and gals from our membership as well as folks from area churches of various denominations. Seems Love Loud compelled many to lend a hand to these and other works going on all over the county.

Throughout the three days we were actually on site at the mobile home park the ruts in the road were filled and a mixture laid down that should greatly improve mobility as residence travel in and out of the park. Land was cleared and cleaned of debris of all kinds, a picnic area was created-complete with a set of 3 newly built tables. A resident with MS had a ramp added to her home to make it wheelchair accessible.

Besides delivering boxes of food and hygiene products to all the residence, clothing was brought on site for one and all. Many of the neediest folks were ferried back and forth for free medical and dental care.

We filled prescriptions and purchased additional soft foods for some as there was more that 21 teeth pulled from at least 3 residence alone in those short days.

It was during those taxied drives that I was privy to an assortment of stories as to how each of these folks found themselves living in such a state.

Like so many today, several were one paycheck away from losing their homes and once they became unemployed, these pay by the week units became their only option. Others shared that it was illness and poor life choices or a combination of both that drove them here.

Without exception, each felt sure that with a hand up they could see a little light at then end of their tunnel and pull themselves out.

The situation lent itself to many opportunities to share the message of Jesus Christ and we did. Besides the gospel packets that were distributed, and various Bibles and other reading material we had on site, we discovered some in the community would love to be attending church if they had transportation, others would welcome the possibility of partaking in Bible Studies. In each of these situations it was a matter of transportation or something as simple as being ask.

The needs are overwhelming.

We can not and were not meant to be any ones savior, that lies purely with the One and only Son of God, Jesus Christ. A personal relationship with Him is their only hope. Just as it is for us.

Our job, if we choose to accept it, is to continue to:

• Love Loud
• 'Give a Mouse a Cookie'

and

Be willing to follow where God would lead us in this great mission field....right in our own backyards.

What do say? Any thoughts on Lovin Loud?