Monday, October 20, 2008

Give Away - Isaiah 61:1-3

Seven months after my daughters death someone shared an author and book title with me that was a catalyst in bringing major changes to my life... changes I thought were unchangeable.

I was very scattered during that time, having great difficulty concentrating long enough to read, much less retain anything. Once I began reading the recommended book, I found myself filling it's pages with hi-lighter and post it notes. After the first reading, I went back for a second.

During the course of both readings my Ugly Bible got uglier as I cross checked, highlighted and flagged passages against what I was discovering.

God began doing a big work in me.

Light reached into the darkest recesses of my heart, the reality of who I was in Christ, the depth of His love and sacrifices crashed over me in waves that left me breathless.

Through discussions with my loving friend I learned there was actually an excellent Bible study based on this same book I had covered in graffiti - she urged me to do the study as well.

I did.

Under God's direction we went into some of the deepest, blackest and hardest parts of my life. Once there I faced a world of heartache, hurt, sin, shame, disappointment and grief. Chains were broken, forgiveness embraced and strongholds torn down. Working this course was the beginning of realizing there was Light at the end of the tunnel and freedom unlike any I had known before.

The book-study was
'Breaking Free' by Beth Moore



Along with in depth daily homework, the study includes 11 video lessons.

The video sessions of Breaking Free, originally filmed a few years ago are now being redone. These sessions will be filmed next month at the same location as the original series, the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church between November 10th -15th.

This study has great significance for me. God willing I will be attending the remake of these new sessions. My birthday falls during that week and my sweetheart is gifting me with the trip, but we would like to gift some of you as well.

I have 2 additional tickets. If you are able to join us in Nawlin's next month please post a comment including a way to contact you, through the your blog link or leave an email address with your comments. I will leave The comments open until this Saturday October 25th at 5 pm. The Winner will be listed and contacted Saturday evening, so you have until then to enter.

Looking forward to hearing from ya'll
have a blessed week!
tammy

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A-maizing Fun and Prizes!

A couple of weekends back Kyra and I decided it was time to welcome fall. So at Miss K's insistence, the two of us made multiple trips up and down the attic stairs - bringing with us a few of our dearest friends...at least in the fall.


After an hour or so spent making over our garden pals, shoving stuffin here, attaching a nose there, tying up britches and pasting down hair, our little fall-en family was ready to take their places of honor in the front yard.

Please take note of that littlest pumpkin there in the middle...we kinda favor her most :)
The following Sunday we decided to check out a local corn maze our optometrist had recommended. As corn mazes go, it was supposed to be very kid friendly.

"Oh yah," the Doc said. "We love it! We take our little ones and let them wear themselves out running around in the maze" Dr. B went on to add how her kiddos, loved playing on the inflatables and perusing the petting zoo.

Dr. Braum insisted this place was home to a smaller maze the little ones could navigate themselves. If the kids get too tired or just impatient, the parents would go in and bring them out.
Unlike the local favorite monster maze frequented by many, our eye doc urged us to patronize this smaller gem the

Kernel Kob Corn Maze
So immediately after church and lunch we headed out to the country-over hill and dale, winding down the sweetest of little valley's to find this quaint family owned farm.
Once we arrived we purchased tickets for the works! Corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides and inflatables baby! Look out!

Before we began our fall festivities, we stopped for a quick snap shot or two at this corny vignette.


As you can see, Kyra was already having a painfully good time!

After several failed attempts to get a squintless photo we moved on to the main event, Kernel Kobs Corn Maze.

The maze consist of 3 miles of paths cut into a large corn field. The view from above lets you see how the maze resembles an eagle.

For the record, the lighter areas that outline the eagle, that is your path, the rest...is corn....lots and lots of corn!

Prior to entering this maze-o-corn, we were each given a map and instructions that as we made our way through the maize we should encounter 12 numbered stations. Each check-in along our way was equipped with a special hole punch. Each stations punch would be distinctive in shape and exclusive to that post.

Should you locate each station and punch each accordingly, you could enter into a drawing for prizes. There were to be different shaped punch outs for each particular spot. There would be no faking having found each site, either your punches would match, or they wouldn't.

Got it?

We were also warned that at anytime, if we grew weary or lost, there was no need to panic, just follow the ribbons found throughout and they would lead us out again.

With map and ticket in hand we were on our way!

In hindsight, it may have been wise to pay a bit more attention to the disclaimer at that greeted us as we set off.


We were fearless and certain this would be as elementary as Dr. Bram had described. Besides, we had a secret weapon and his name is Bruce!

Have I ever mentioned my husband was is a Boy Scout? An Eagle Scout to be exact.

Yep! A dandy!

He can best be described as a cross between

Indiana Jones and Marlin Perkins .


Imagine a fedora worn in this profile verse the ball cap above...see it?

The man knows a lot about so much and a little about everything. If he doesn't, we are off to the library to look it up. At times he drove his children crazy when they ask him. His standard response

"Well, let's look that up" instead of just giving them an answer.

Mr. B is the epitome of logic, patient, calm and cool. Rarely do you catch him off guard or reactive, unlike say...um....a certain sweetie of his? Personally, I think we balance each other, and this is a very good thing!

So, secret weapon by the hand, our trio barreled in.


We were not too far into our journey before realised this could be a lot like work. Thankfully I had the good sense to leave my luggage also called a handbag in the car, carrying instead the essentials - camera and phone. If I could do it over again, I would have brought a bottle of water or some other cold beverage.

We kicked up a lot of dust as we hurried along, and the sun was beating down on us pretty hard.

We immediately were turned around, finding ourselves going in circles. Places we thought we would find a punch and post, were dead ends. After 10 minutes of wandering along I admit to keeping an eye open for that ribbon we were told to follow should the need arise.

Yes, with each dirty step, that yellow ribbon was looking better and better.

It was just about then that we turned a corner to find this



Not the Holy Grail, but cause for celebration in our group...that day. It was post number 9. How and where we missed the other 8....I still have no clue.

We punched our card (a rectangle hole), Indy recalculated then moved quickly on, while Marlin calmly explained the nature of maps and navigation to Kyra with me doing my part to document it all.

Before long, we were on a roll, finding numbers 4, 3, 7 and 5, few in chronological order, but hey we were finding them and the sweet smell of success was getting strong.

As we wondered along in this field of dreams, we couldn't help but hear fellow sojourners crying out in the stalks. At times it got ugly and at least one group resorted to cutting through the rows to bust out the sides achieving freedom at last.

Almost an hour later, with 7 holes punched and a little gal anxious to get on with the rest of this day-o-fun, our Paw Paw man lead us out, grabbed all the punch cards, a Diet Pepsi, and headed back to finish the task.

While Mr B continued stalking the stalks, baby G and I headed round the circuit, beginning with the petting zoo.



Pot Bellied Pigs

the dog


the hen



the goat

(think that goat has had his picture taken before?)



the duck...AFLAC!!

After exhibiting much patience and self control, little Miss was invited to ride a trusty steed


Clyde

Clyde's barn mate was named


Bonnie of course!

The next leg on our tour a corn took us to the tower slide and

boy did we slide!

It had been about 45 minutes when we saw Mr B exciting the maize and taking all 3 punch cards to be checked and added to the drawing. Apparently they will be giving away a gift card of some kind.

We are excited about our chances!

As the sun was going down and our steam was waining, we picked out a nice assortment of the most beautiful carving pumpkins.

Mr. Jones then packed up his pumpkin's, his girls and we all headed home.

Awwwwe! I love fall!

How 'bout you?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

In case you missed out the first time

So this last week has been quite a whirlwind of a ride.
Had some photos and stories of our latest adventures in grand parenting, with plans of posting both when a swing around cyber-ville put all those plans on hold.

Melinda pulled the emergency brake on all frivolousness and set our hearts and minds toward an infinitely greater calling.

Sharing a word of hope, healing and freedom by way of
Surrendering the Secret , a wonderful new study by Pat Layton.

Pat is repeating the give-away Melinda had last week, so if you missed the opportunity to enter or want another shot at winning this study




please head over here and leave a comment, make a link whatever you feel lead to do. In some way help do your part to share the word and support this mission of healing the heartbreak of abortion.

I was fortunate enough to win a full Leaders Kit and a set of group books. Lord willing the fellowship I attend will be presenting this study for anyone who would like to take part.
I'll be posting our adventures in the corn maze real soon. In the meantime read up and pass it on.

love ya'll
















Sunday, October 5, 2008

Surrendering the Secret

About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, as a result more than one-third (35%) will have had an abortion by age 45.

That's one in every 3 women.

These gals cross all races, socio-economic groups and beliefs. If you have not trod this path, then chances are that woman next to you has.

1 in 3.

The reality is there are millions of women out there - believers and unbelieving, that because of the nature of their situation are reluctant to
to reach out and believe they have reason to hope.

My dear friend Melinda at Traveling the Road Home has an incredible give away.
Please stop by her blog, leave a comment and see what you and yours can do to help spread the word about Surrendering the Secret .


I am praying that everyone that swings by this page has the courage of conviction to Do something. Don't click away and pretend you didn't know or understand...not this time.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

I Dare You!

My friend Cheryl is currently posting each day of Dare, as presented in the Love Dare book. The Love Dare book is based on the book, 'Fireproof' in theaters right now. I have not seen it yet but we are going this weekend and everything I have seen and heard encourages me to tell others.

So what's keeping you...just click over and follow along.


I DARE YOU!





Thursday, October 2, 2008

Signs of the Times

Our little man has been spending more time recently with his Mama. This is exciting for everyone, baby steps if you will - as my eldest daughter dips her feet into single parenting. We are encouraged at this latest development. We will of course, continue to 'spot' her as she acclimates herself to this new full time role.

It has been about 2 weeks since the little guy moved in full time with his Mommy. Prior to the move, he would spend an occasional weekend or overnight with Mom and by all accounts seemed to absolutely loved it!
You see, like so many weekend parents or grandparents do, when Mr. K went for his visits with Mom, every whim he had was indulged. With his Mama, the little guy could do and explore to his hearts content with little to no restraint or resistance - all the while being heralded for his ingenuity and cleverness as these must surly be signs of great brilliance and intelligence.


Yes! Like any good grandparents, we concur our baby grand is a very intelligent fella.

In the past when The K Man spent time with Mommy he often returned more determined than ever to exhibit his developing skill and talents, as he strove to be granted total access to...well...everything.

After all, the little guy had just come from his house of dreams...every two year olds' paradise. A place where he was encouraged and applauded for his vast array of navigation and engineering skills. In this Shangri-La for tots, he was allowed to figure out the finer points of cell phone use, remote controls, television tuning, the use and operation of water faucets and light switch's, all while being bathed in a flood of validation and adoration.

Um! Life was Good!

Mr K was the master of all he surveyed...no door was closed to him baby!


More often than not he was applauded, praised or laughed at as he scaled the tallest bar stool and danced a jig on the counter top like some modern day Sir Edmund Hillary, conquering his Everest and planting his flag.

Every new skill acquired was encouraged as proof of his developmental growth and intelligence.

Once the little guy returned to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house he found himself stymied as his exuberant quest to pretty much do whatever he wanted was quickly squelched.

Oh the mournful wailing cries as he was frequently met with much resistance and little to no applause.

What was wrong with these people?

Didn't we know...couldn't we see that his genius needed to be fed?

Maw Maw and Paw Paw were no fun...and kept puttin those pesky toys in his face as if THAT was any kind of good time.

Apparently our little guy has aspirations to work in the computer field...as the boy quickly ascertains which button opens drawers, reboots and reconfigures any computer, modem or data port. His explorations have forced us to acquire many new skills as well as revisit some old ones.

We've learned:

  • Computer key pad replacement
  • Fast and fun ways with baby gates

and a personal favorite

  • The reemergence and execution of the lost art of string...

or in our case, rubber bands.


Now that our little man has begun spending his days and nights with his mother, these previous acts of genius are proving to be less adorable to her.

My daughter shared concerns with me recently that our baby boy was being more obstinate than normal. Refusing to take 'no' for an answer, getting into her belongings and cupboards, destroying an assortment expensive cosmetics all while reenacting his rendition of Waterworld in her bathroom.

Seems Mr. K has no use for the kiddie toys that litter his bedroom and new home.



No...this little guy is interested bigger and better entertainment.


How did I counsel to my daughter?


Welcome to parenthood!



Life as you previously knew it is changed forever.


On another note:

My K's sister has been addressing her own boundary issues.

Seems her Paw Paw...tired of having his office invaded, used and abused by the wee folk around here, posted a sign on his door stating as much.


The sign read:

NO DOGS
NO KIDS
NO MESSES




A few days later, returning home from a business trip, Mr B found the following posted on Miss Kyra's door:



The Amended and Hijacked Sign



Seems at 5 1/2 we have learned the power of print.

in case you missed it...the 'fine' print.