Thursday, December 31, 2009

"...the hand of the LORD is mighty..."



This morning I have been reflecting 2009. It really has been a BIG year, full of growth, full of blessings, full of beautiful stones!

My mind often goes to the people of Israel and how in the book of Joshua they must have looked at the full rushing banks of the Jordan and said...God wants us to do what?! Maybe some did, but it is written that the priests picked up the ark of the covenant before the people and TRUSTING God stepped right into that overflowing river. They faithfully stepped forward!


"And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." Joshua 3:17


It was only when they trusted and stepped forward in faith that He made the waters stand up. And then they didn't have to sink and wallow through the mud...it was DRY GROUND they walked across!!


You may be thinking...what does this have to do with reflecting back on 2009??


This year has been one wonderful, frightening, God trusting footstep at a time!! You wouldn't think that making dolls would be such an adventure...but when you truly devote your life/ministry/every ounce of this life into the Lords will, what a GLORIOUS adventure it is!! It's scary to take each step, but when you look and see the dry ground below your feet... only praise can be given!! THANK YOU LORD!


"Now it came about when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command the, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.' " Joshua 4:1-3


And that's just what they did!! And that is what I would like to do now!

We're pickin' some beautiful stones from within the year to share with you!


~~~

January was one busy month!! After wrapping up the holiday season we started the month off with a wonderful give away over at my sweet friend Angie's blog, Bring the Rain. I never would have imagined that the Lord would allow us to make so many dolls spreading His Word through one little giveaway...I can only praise Him and pray that He has been glorified!

We supported Carley Hoffman again the month of January as our Give a Blessing recipient, which by the way...PRAISE GOD has had a miracle of healing this year! On December 6th, 2009 they received word that Carley is N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) Praise God!!!! CLICK HERE to catch up with Carley and her family!!

~~~

February & March were beyond crazy trying to balance the blessings of many orders!! Our Miss Laura was busy busy busy answering all your emails and getting scripture patches ready for me to print! Miss Lori was by this point helping weekly as well. At first she helped me cut, but it wasn't long and I drug her into sewing!! =) I've held on and haven't let her go yet!! We appreciate how understanding you all were during this time!

It makes me smile how God works and we were humbled and blessed to work with Mary Beth Chapman in designing a Cinderella doll!! Not sure yet what the Lord has in store yet, but it was a wonderful project and we come to know a little more of the wonderful giving hearts of the Chapman family!

~~~

In April the Lord allowed us to send some Lambs to India! As an extra blessing, we were able to go to a Selah concert and deliver the lambs directly to Angie who was traveling to India through Compassion. We had our very first "parking lot doll deal" complete with a Ft. Wayne officer! He gave all our kids fake badges and was very sweet!

God answered our prayers when He gave us Denise to sew all the Lambs and Lamb Bundles!! I praise the Lord for bringing her to us. She lives right here in town and always encourages me with words of wisdom!! Thank you Denise!!

~~~

In May we officially named our doll outreach Blessings of Hope. We are currently praying that the Lord will show us who He desires us to make these sweet little blessings for next. We pray they show His hope and tell of His truth!

~~~

June and July introduced the BbB doll blankets and diapers, along with starting something that is near and dear to my heart...the Living Proverbs 22:6 blog posts on Thursdays! We also used Chipin for the first time and helped Give a Blessing to Lindsey Dean!

~~~

August was our very first Christmas Cart and there are simply no words to express it, but again...PRAISE GOD! Only He could carry us through making the 100+ orders we received in the 15 minutes we had our carts open!! It was very overwhelming and humbling for me to step back and try to see how the Lord was using Baby be Blessed. But where the good Lord guides, He provides and by this time He had wonderful hands and feet all around me! Laura was still busy keeping emails and scripture patches going, my sister Michelle was an arm/leg sewing machine =) , Denise was busy on the lambs and bundles and Lori's machine couldn't keep up with her so she had to buy a new one!! =) and there were many others along the way to help fulfill every need!!

~~~

September was our first Cut and Trace for Blessings of Hope, which again was a huge blessing to see the body of Christ come together for His glory! We were able to cut out 125 lamb bundles that day!! In October, my sweet husband Keith made the very first Baby be Blessed doll bed!! They are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself!! We switched the process on how we print our scripture patches and also designed and ordered new tags for the dolls!

~~~

In November, Laura's Aunt hopped on board to make some outfits- which you will see more of soon! We had our 2nd year uptown at the Christmas in the Village and Lori and I took a trip to TN to deliver the lamb bundles to Mary Beth and attend the Show Hope Benefit! Lots of fun!!

We've also were able to Give a Blessing to so many children and families because of all of you!! Thank you so much for all your prayers and financial help!! May God bless you for your giving!

~~~

These are just a few of the glorious rocks that were added to the pile this year. They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes, colors and shapes...Thank you Lord!

The main reason on why I'm sharing all this with you is not to boast or glorify anything or any one of us!!!! It is only for one reason...

"When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' " vs 21

We will say....

"...that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever." Joshua 4:24

God is SO GOOD!! It is not what He can do for us...but it is what we can do for Him!

May all the peoples of the earth know that the hand of the LORD is mighty!!

We pray that the Lord will continue to bless and find favor in Baby be Blessed throughout 2010! We once again, humble ourselves to His will in order that He may be glorified in all we do!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Much love~Tina


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry CHRIST*mas!!

{Scroll down and pause music}









Merry CHRIST*mas Everyone!!
Much love~Tina

Christ?...mas




My daughter Natalie came to me last week, "Mommy...what is X-mas?" I explained to her that sometimes people write down X-mas as shorthand for Christmas. After pondering that for a little while, she said "Well, it's like they are X-ing out Christ."


Now, my Miss Natalie is nine years old and how my Momma heart swells to know that she is thinking and pondering in this manner.


I really don't feel that all people are intending to X out Christ when they write X-mas but it does give you something to think about, doesn't it??


As CHRIST*ians isn't it another way we can really proclaim the true meaning of celebrating the season?


And what about all the craziness of the season? Can't we so quickly X out Christ by getting caught up in all the hustle and bustle? For me personally, I have been struggling with keeping my mind and heart focused on celebrating the true meaning of the birth of Christ, and not on my long "to do" list of everything that needs to still get done. Its been hard for me to realize how much "wordly influence" I've allowed to define the season. That's hard for me to even type...but it's true. It really is a daily, moment by moment choice. Our Lord just wants to be first on our hearts and minds...and not just around the CHRIST*mas tree, but throughout the whole year.


And what about all those gifts??


Think about those gifts under the tree. Are you excited about them? Are you excited to watch your children open them?? Well, lets look at them a little differently...


What if CHRIST*mas morning your children ignored them? What if they just sat unopened all year. Your children know that their gift is sitting there...they know that you gave them a gift...but they simply just chose not to open it. Or, what if they grabbed up that gift and threw it out by the curb for the trash man. They didn't want to acknowledge or see the gift that was given...so they simply toss it out so they don't have to look at it. How would you feel about that??


Well...our Father has given a gift. It is the gift of salvation. That gift came as Jesus Christ to the world to pay the price for all of our sins. It is a precious gift...one that we could never match. Have you opened it or is it still sitting under the tree?? Have you tossed it out by the curb so you don't have to look at it because you think you might have to change something or give up something if you open it??


This was shared on Sunday at our Fellowship. Gives you something to think about doesn't it? We are visiting friends and family that haven't opened that gift!! Maybe they are even holding it in their hands and are not sure how to open it!!


None of us know when our last day will be.

When it comes, there will be no running back to the curb.


Don't X out CHRIST in CHRIST*mas!!


Use this season of opportunities to reach out, pray and boldly speak of the only Hope we have!!


Much love~Tina


Monday, December 21, 2009

Gift Certificate Winner...




WE HAVE OURSELVES A WINNER!!

Congratulations, Chelsea!!


Chelsea P said...
Awesome.Chelseacac331@yahoo.comMerry Christmas!!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Last Minute Gifts??


*whew* It has been a busy last few weeks! Where does the time go?? Where did 2009 go??A good reminder for me to make sure I'm using my time wisely and in a Godly manner. We can so quickly get caught up in the "to do" lists and our own agenda's!! Man...I am so guilty about that!

I wanted to mention this morning, that if you were not able to purchase a doll in time for CHRIST*mas and still wanted to give one as a gift, we always have gift certificates available. There is still time to get those mailed out...so if you've been thinking about it, please order them as soon as possible.

And...as a last minute (well maybe not last minute but the last Yay...FREE FRIDAY this year) gift to all of you, how about one of those gift certificates??!!

For a chance to win a $55.00 gift certificate, please leave your contact information under this post today through Sunday. We will pick the winner on Monday and get your gift mailed out to you just in time for CHRIST*mas!!


BE BLESSED and use every opportunity given to BLESS OTHERS!!
Much love~Tina

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Give Clean Water for Christmas


We are so blessed! Without realizing it, I take for granted everything around me! Our home, food on the table 3+ times a day, clothing....If we have a need or a want, we simply go to the store and get it! We have a safe yard in which our children can play and when they get thirsty, fresh clean water to drink.

I know that I usually don't give a second thought to having an endless supply of clean, fresh water to drink. Man and when I think of the water that we waste...yikes! Stop a moment and think about that... What if you didn't have clean water?

Remember sweet Lexi??





This Christmas season, Lexi encourages you and I encourage you to go give the gift of clean water!! $20 will give water to one person for 20 years! I think that some don't get involved because everything seems so big and we as one person don't feel we can do much to make a difference. So let me type it again....

$20 will give water to one person for 20 years!

That is a trip to McDonalds for our family...I think we can spare some inches around our waist and give someone water for 20 years instead! =)

Please pray about donating to this cause. Please pray for Lexi as she continues to move forward in this ministry! Wow...how God has used this young woman to encourage me!

We ALL can make a difference!

GO HERE AND DONATE TODAY!

For Lexi's blog CLICK HERE!

*OH YEAH....and if you make a donation of $20 or more, please forward us your donation information to babybeblessed@gmail.com for an extra little stocking stuffer!!

Much love everyone!
Tina

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Too Cute...Tuesday!





Leila loves her doll. We told her that we got her a present for being
such a good big sister, and she was so excited to open it. This was
the first time she knew what a present was in order to get excited so
it was very cute to us. She is doing well adjusting to having a
sibling, but has her moments :) Since getting her doll though she
will feed and change her and sleeps with it all the time....


**************************************

Do you have a picture for Too Cute...Tuesday??
Have you sent a picture that I haven't used yet?? Let us know!! Please email babybeblessed@gmail.com

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."John 13:34-35
Much love everyone! ~Tina

Saturday, December 5, 2009

2010 Fabric Collections









These are the newest fabric collections that will be
available starting January 2010!!

Which one is your favorite??!!


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

November Giveaway Winner!


I bet your all ready to see who won the November Giveaway!! Those who were entered made a donation to sweet Paxton, who was our Give a Blessing recipient for November. For each dollar donated, they received a chance to win our giveaway! For example $5 = 5 numbers or chances.

First Place winner...will receive a twin boy/girl doll gift set which will include 1 boy doll, 1 girl doll, 2 matching blankets, 2 diapers, 1 boy crown and 1 girl crown.

and the winner is..................

**********

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:234
Timestamp: 2009-12-02 13:04:16 UTC

**********

Are you number 234??!! Please email me HERE with your number confirmation from Laura and your shipping address! CONGRATULATIONS!! =)

**********

Second Place winner...will receive a beautiful bow set donated by our sweet friend Jennifer! To view more of her bows, please visit her Etsy shop at: http://www.EnchantedJennifer.etsy.com



and the winner is......................

**********

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:48
Timestamp: 2009-12-02 13:13:26 UTC

**********

Whoo Hoo...number 48!! Is that you?? Again, please email me HERE with your number confirmation email along with your address. I will forward your information to Jennifer, and you will receive your bows directly from her!

Again, we praise God for each of you who supported Paxton and his family!! Give a Blessing is now a bi-monthly opportunity to reach out another in need! If you have a child/family that you would like to nominate for 2010, please let us know!

Much love~Tina

Monday, November 30, 2009

Thank You Lord!


Thank you Lord!! What a wonderful surprise to read on the West Family blog that Paxton was released from the Hospital the evening before Thanksgiving!! What a wonderful praise!! Read more about it here.

The end of the month is here already, and we thank all of those who have helped the West family! There is always something we can do to help another in need! The Lord calls the body of Christ to join together! Pray! Help encourage with God's powerful word! If you can give financially...give! Thank you -thank you for doing these things for this little boy and his family! But just because it is the end of the month, doesn't mean you should stop. Continue praying, continue encouraging through His word and keep giving to whoever the Lord places in your path and on your heart! Be still and listen to His leading...sometimes that is hard to do in this busy and loud world we live in.

15 people donated $679 over this month... AWESOME! THANK YOU!! Please know that we are never asking for handouts...we never want to pressure others into giving. We don't like to focus on the dollar amount, but encourage you to have a good and pure heart in however the Lord wants to use you! He knows who will get what before it happens anyway. We only desire to be an open vessel for Him to work through.

Please continue following along with the West family! May God continue to bless them and guide them mightily through this time! Please specifically pray for Paxton's check-up today at St. Pete, and that he is doing well enough to stay home.

Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!
~Tina

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Want to win this???


CLICK HERE to find out how!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Paxton David...



We are way over due for an update on our little Paxton! He had surgery on Friday...here is a little bit from his mommy, Jen:

He did amazing through surgery. Here is his post op picture for those who haven't seen it. As I have said before and I will say it again, I post these pictures so you all can really see just how amazingly brave and strong our son is. No baby should ever have to endure all that he has, but Paxton does it with a grace that brings me to tears. I should also note that this is the FIRST picture of Paxton with zero tubes on his face since the day he was born two months ago. How beautiful to see his entire gorgeous face!


I encourage you to visit their blog to keep up to date on little Paxton...and please continue to PRAY!!

We want to praise God for all of you who have donated to this family! We have reached the half way mark..YAY!!!! I want to apologize for not having the giveaway dolls pictured yet on the site! This week, I PROMISE! For every dollar you donate you will receive a chance to win a Baby be Blessed twin boy/girl doll set with some extra goodies!! AND...we have a wonderful donation for a second place winner as well!! Check it out HERE!!


Hmmmm....we love to give back to all of you who give, so today through Sunday (the 30th) if any of you donate $20 or more we will be sending you a little something!


But what should that something be??!! Any ideas?? Let us know what you might be interested in... a free crown or doll accessory?? Maybe a coupon or something of that nature?


Let us know your ideas under this post!!
I love to get the creative juices flowing!!

Much love~Tina


ps...Don't forget to forward your chip in to us!! Not only will you get a freebie for donating $20 or more, but you'll also get your name in for the giveaway's!!


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Adoption Website 2009 Fundraiser


Today go visit the MY ADOPTION WEBSITE FUNDRAISER!

A CHILDREN'S CLOTHING SALE AND AUCTION TO BENEFIT AN ORPHAN'S WISH!!


Hurry...Hurry!!! If you win an item, or even place a bid on an auction item, you'll be entered to win a Baby Be Blessed Doll! CLICK HERE to check it out and don't forget to keep this amazing ministry in your prayers!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Too Cute...Tuesday!

Here's our Miss Carly!!

**************************************

Do you have a picture for Too Cute...Tuesday??

Have you sent a picture that I haven't used yet?? Let us know!! Please email babybeblessed@gmail.com

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love oneanother,even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all men will know that you are My disciples,if you have love for one another."John 13:34-35


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Drum roll please.....

Okay...so the winner for Steven Curtis Chapman's newest CD, Beauty will Rise is.............

Jessica said...
Looks like a fun time! Thanks for the wonderful give away. God bless!


Congratulations Jessica!! You will need to email me ( babybeblessed@gmail.com ) your shipping information and I will get that right out to you!!

*********************

In other BbB news, we are off to Christmas in the Village, right here in town. If you live in the area and have some BbB goodies on your wish list, you will have to stop by! We will have lots of stocking stuffers and even will be taking a few personalized orders yet for Christmas at a discounted price. There will be lots of wonderful ladies displaying their product...be sure to bring your holiday shopping list!

Christmas in the Village brings good news to all of you Internet shoppers as well, because whatever doesn't sell will be listed on the website in perfect time yet for those Christmas purchases!!

Be sure to follow us on twitter for little snid bits of our Christmas in the Village day!!

Much love~Tina

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Too Cute...Tuesday! ~Interupted.

We interrupt this Too Cute...Tuesday to give you some updates on what is going on here behind the scenes!! As we round up and finish off some things, we have yet much more that we are working on. Whew...really more irons in the fire than what I would like, but I keep telling myself that this is where the Lord has placed us TODAY. No worries, it will all fall into place as it always does!

First and foremost, ALL Christmas Cart orders have been sent out as of last week! We have one international order that we still need to receive SH and one domestic order that we still haven't received a scripture patch confirmation. Those are the only two pending orders from the Cart. If you haven't received your order, PLEASE contact us so we can run the tracking number now so we can locate your package. If you are one of the two orders above, please contact us asap! We've tried several times to email, but maybe it is going to your spam folder...let us know! =)

Next on the list are those orders placed Sept. 25th. You all got put in the line-up behind the Christmas cart. Some have shipped. We have 35 yet to go. This is a combination of orders and giveaway dolls. Lori has 10 that are sewn and ready to be finished, and another 15 that she is working on this week. I have 10 doll orders/giveaways to cut yet, then will go to Lori to be sewn after the bunch she has now. Then we are done for the year. Did all that make sense?? ;) Bottom line is...they will all ship by the end of November, so no worries for Christmas, but I apologize that is has been longer than the original mention of six weeks when you placed the order. We truly are moving forward as quickly as we can while keeping our focus where it needs to be...God first, family second.

Orders for 2010...Thank you - Thank you for all of you who have confirmed your scripture patches already! Most have been already printed and placed with your order to be cut. The new WORD for WORD personalization method, has cut our back and forth time down tremendously!! Thank you! I know Laura thanks you as well!! We haven't quite tacked down the number system we are going to use yet, with everything going on...but we will be in touch with that in December so you know exactly where your order is in the line up. I can mention however that we have around sixty orders in house. So if you would place an order today, would put your shipment mid to late February.

Things that are coming:
~We have Christmas in the Village, here in New Knoxville on Saturday (more on that tomorrow)
~The dolls for this months Give a Blessing Giveaway, will be pictured next week...along with a wonderful donation for a second place winner!!
~More stocking stuffer items will be available starting next week!!


Well, I better get going!! We have a sweet woman stopping by this morning for a doll outfit sewing lesson! I'm so excited!!

Please continue to pray for Baby be Blessed! It has been an awesome and sometimes hard journey...but God is so good and faithful! I praise Him for these times of growth! We will continue to move forward in His leading, praying that He would use us for His wonderful work!!

Much love everyone!!
Tina

Monday, November 9, 2009

Our weekend travels....

Happy Monday Everyone!!

We were so blessed to be invited down to the Show Hope Banquet this weekend! Lori and I left Friday evening around 5:30 pm on the six hour drive to Franklin, TN. The Lord blessed us with safe travels, and I must say that we were pretty giggly and slap happy by the time we arrived! Since we drove down in the dark it was awesome to wake up Saturday morning and take a look around...I have no word to describe the area other than BEAUTIFUL!!

Saturday morning we spent time reading in Proverbs, praying and just enjoying fellowship time together. We made prior arrangements to meet Mary Beth around 11:45 to deliver the lamb bundles. We arrived at the Marriott Hotel there in Franklin to to meet up with her after a meeting she was attending. Everyone was so friendly!! Everyone you met had a smile on their face and a kind word coming from their lips! It was refreshing! We walked in the conference room and were like two little wall flowers... =) The meeting was over and everyone was visiting with each other, so we waited our turn and finally met Mary Beth!

We left the bundles in my vehicle so in true Baby be Blessed tradition it seems...we went out and had our parking lot exchange! This makes me smile because when we delivered the lambs for the compassion trip it was also a parking lot, out of the back of my suburban doll deal! =) I wish we would have gotten a picture that time, but I made sure we grabbed one this time! Here is Lori, Mary Beth and myself with the lamb bundles that will be heading to China...



I praise God and give Him all the glory for this opportunity! May He use these lambs mightily to show His love, compassion and truth to others!

After we made our delivery, we wanted to find The factory where the Show Hope Banquet was being held later that evening. When we arrived there was a farmers market outside...yum! Lori over heard someone say..."Man you could eat your way right through this place!" Lori and I did with some delicious double chocolate chip bread! Did I mention Yum!! We then went to take a peek inside...I was so surprised to find what was in there!!

We are walking up the side entrance looking for the Banquet Hall....

WOW...it was like a little shopping mall inside!

Here is the Antique Mall there...

Many Artists! I took this picture for my Natalie, she loves horses!


We also found some really nice people! This sweet gentleman though was trying to whisper sweet nothings into my ear...By the look of the picture it was working! =) But no worries Keith!!

Lori kept us in line! Here she is telling this gentleman that it is a sin to try to pick up married women!! =) Sorry, we were still giggly!


Lori and myself!

Oh, and Show Hope has their offices here!!

Miss Lori...


They have a second hand store! Lori found some pants that matched her shoes she wore to the Banquet! Love it!!


Here is a little shop in which you can pick out and paint your own piece of pottery and they will fire it for you! My kids would have LOVED that!!

So after running around and having fun all afternoon, we went back and got ready for the Banquet. We arrived PLENTY early, since honestly Lori and I do not know how to read a fancy invitation...seriously. But better early than late! I had a little trouble with my camera due to the lighting, but here are some photo's.



Here we are!

The tables, oh and check out the centerpieces.
Took my breath away!
We sat at table #57.
Real butterflies!
It was so beautiful!

Here is a picture of the International Children's Choir...they were so awesome! I could watch them all day!

Lori and I again...
The whole evening was wonderful! To hear them share what work God is doing through Show Hope is simply amazing! Thank you Lord!!

On a final note....we each found a little treat on our chair! What a blessing to receive Steven's new Beauty Will Rise CD!!!! Around it is tied a little butterfly seed paper which you can plant in dirt and wait for little sprouts to appear!!

But guess what?!

I'm going to give my copy away to one of you!!!
Are you excited?! I am!!
So leave your contact information under this post and on Friday, I will pick the lucky winner!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers this weekend for Show Hope and also for Baby be Blessed! Hope you enjoyed the little snidbit of our weekend travels!!

Have a wonderful and blessed week!!
Tina



























Thursday, November 5, 2009

Maria's Big House of Hope!











We're heading to Show Hope this weekend!!

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever. Amen
1 Peter 4:10-11

I really have no words to describe the praise in my heart! Many many hands, feet and hearts came together to make these lambs for the children at Maria's Big House of Hope!!


May God be glorified!


Please pray for all the children that will be receiving these lambs!
May they feel the love and hope we have in Jesus Christ!

~Tina