Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Hitting the Reset Button

Happy New Year to you all. I pray that the Lord provides you with much blessing during the year.

I don't know about you, but the New Year is a time for reflection here. I don't like making resolutions, but definitely look at January 1st as a time to hit the reset button--especially in light of the things we have been studying in our class.

And this year was no different, with the exception that I have heavily felt the conviction to really take care of some business here and let go of the past. It's time to move on with a new start and make sure that everything I do is unto the Lord. Some things will need to be removed from my life and others will need to be improved, all for His glory.

For the past efforts, I apologize. I was not ready to do things I said I was and I was unable to provide what I said I could. I had chosen to do things not always asking the Lord if I should, relying instead on what flesh wanted to do. It was an immature decision to say or do things that I was not released to do/say. It could be a great example of what not to do. I am tremendously sorry and pray forgiveness.

For the future, only the Lord knows what is in store, but I hope that you walk with me as I go forward in renewed conviction and renewed purpose to do everything for His glory so that I can fulfill the life He has made for me and my precious family.

New Year Blessings and Much Prayer!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Free Walgreens Photo Book

Today only--for FaceBook fans only--Walgreens is offering coupon code for a free 4.5x6" purse photo book (not including sales tax, etc.)

If you are interested, make sure you log into FaceBook, click "like" on the Walgreens page then go to the Free Photo book tab. Follow the directions/links.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Our God Reigns...

So, I woke up this morning and almost immediately upon waking this wonderful song was playing in my mind...

I don't know if it's in regard to issues that are being dealt with or to let me know that no matter what happens this week (new) that He is in control, but I just love that our Father will take something so simple and fill a heart with encouragement and hope with a few simple words.

I pray that each of you have a great week and that you remember the hope you have in Him whenever something wants to cause you to stumble or that you just have the joy of knowing nothing touches your life--good or bad--without His knowing it.

Have a fantastic and blessed week!

Tamara

Monday, August 16, 2010

Verse for the Day - Proverbs 10:12

We are struggling right now with friends in need who are dealing with pot-stirrers and mischief makers. The enemy is working overtime to bring about dissension. The next verse I am trying to memorize and live out comes from Proverbs 10:12...

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

(emphasis mine)

If Christ loved us enough to die for us, we need to love our fellow man. If God can forgive us for the multitude of wrongs we have done toward Him and our fellow man, surely we need to learn to forgive as well. When Christ was asked about forgiveness He said seven x seventy times. Our flesh doesn't want to, but perhaps that's part of the maturation process. When we walk in Christ all things are new, new meaning we don't always understand, but we should strive for obedience even when our own minds don't understand.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Crop Night




Well, Friday night was my first night as leader of the crop (through our church group). It was "movie" night so we watched (most of) Pride & Prejudice while we cropped away.

The above page was one I created for a challenge that I issued to the other scrapbookers. This is a page for our homeschool co-op picnic (earlier this summer). My youngest is in the first (upper-left) photo in front.

I'm looking for ways to reach out with this group and have some plans in place. If you have any ideas, would love to hear them. Preparing the upcoming year and would like to have some goals ready and waiting.

Bless you all!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Afternoon Musings

Wow, what a busy day so far. I was up and down most of the night because of some things on my mind. It's difficult to be honest, but here goes...right now I'm struggling to find contentment in my sacred calling as wife and mom. I keep praying and pressing through, but it's not always easy to do and sometimes my family ends up paying the price and I get the (non)joy of dealing with the condemnation I heap on myself.

Why do we women do this? I know that we don't fight flesh and blood and the enemy would love nothing more than to have us defeated and discouraged. Let's face it, that adage of "if mama ain't happy..." rings too true in the whole of the earth today. If we are blessed enough to be married, then we have the wonderful blessing of a husband to lead the home, but I honestly think we women are the heart.

Proverbs 31 reminds us of the woman we all strive to be and it says that her children call her blessed. It's hard to be "blessed" when you are constantly struggling with the kids, the clutter and the mess. It's hard sometimes to be grateful for those things, even. We really should though, as I often remind myself. Each person and thing in our life is here to teach us to grow the fruits of the spirit. Patience when the puppy used the kitchen chair for a chewing post. Self-control when you realize how out of balance things are and you need to get rid of the excess. Love, true Godly love, when you are at your wits end with your family's quirks.

So, now that I've spouted off for the day, I'm going to put some praise and worship music on and just concentrate on the Lord and change the focus of my mind today.

God bless you all!

Verse of the Day...Deuteronomy 29:9

Each day (or least every few days) I've been attempting to learn a new verse. Right now, this is the one I'm praying on...

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. ~ Deuteronomy 29:9

In Deuteronomy, Moses is giving the Children of Israel the law again, reminding them of all that they have endured and that the Lord has provided those forty years while they wandered in the wilderness. Even with all they have witnessed, the Children of Israel still need to be reminded that they should not forget the Covenant with God. I am reminded how Moses told them in another passage of Deuteronomy, that when they reach this land of plenty, beware lest they get so used to the blessings they forget to praise and worship Yahweh and end up walking away from their source of strength and prosperity.

My prayer is that we continue to keep Covenant with the Lord, seek in in all that we do and follow after Christ's example so that we can say all is well because He is our God.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Update on L-A-T-E Prizes and notifications

Again, thank you for the prayers and understanding. The names have been collected and drawn by my children. Some names drawn did not leave me any way to contact them, so I will post those names here and those people will receive a little something if they respond to the post with their email. If you see your name/blog below, please respond with an email so I can get you a goody!

I am in midst of responding to all entrants so I can send just a little something to say thanks for your patience, as time allows.



Right now, here are the prize winners:

Grand Prize (set of 10 handmade Christmas Cards w/envelopes) goes to: Lenetta!

Prize - set of five (5) handmade Christian-themed cards (w/envelopes) goes to: Kate!

Prize - set of five (5) handmade Christian-themed cards (w/envelopes) goes to: Harter

Prize - handmade altered composition notebook journal goes to: NeeNee383

Prize - Handstamped ornament goes to: The Mangerchine's


If you left your email in the original post, then please keep an eye out for an email from me (winner or not) so you can claim your goodie.


These are the entrants that I cannot get ahold of:

~ Liz
~ bglosser
~ Jeremiah and Stephanie
~ Sonja (at Granola Girl at Heart blog)
~ Audra
~ Megan
~ Shonda/jsknowlton (at The Knowlton Nest blog)
~ Lorrie/Lorrie Briggs (at Natural on a Budget blog)
~ Brandi (at Adventures with Couponing blog)
~ Melanie (at Out of the Miry Clay blog)
~ Nickilynn (at Back to the Basics blog)
~ Traveling Pilgrim (at Truth be Told blog)
~ Happy2bHome (at Happy2bHome blog)
~ Dawnette
~ Meg (at The Wehmeyer Family blog)
~ Jason and Christina
~ Sandi (at Fostering Faithfulness blog)
~ Aiming our Arrows (at blog of same name)
~ Denise (at Because He trusteth in Thee blog)
~ Audrey (at Audrey Shake's Photography blog)
~ Serenity

If you are one of the people named above...please post a comment with your email below so I can get in touch with you, please!

Always,
Tamara

Saturday, June 26, 2010

IMPORTANT

I cannot apologize enough for falling down on the job and pray that you forgive the lapse.

If you participted in the FALL carnival giveaway, you will be contacted by me. I will be awarding the prizes in the upcoming weeks and will also be attaching extras as a way of apology. I will also make sure that each and every person who participated will receive something as a thank you for their patience.

thank you for your prayers and be on the lookout for more messages in the near future. The Lord has been working overtime on me lately and reminding me of the importance of humility and this is just the start.

Bless you all!