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!


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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!!

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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!

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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!!

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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!

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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!

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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!!

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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!

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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!

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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....


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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

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

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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

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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