Baby be Blessed Giveaway!

Guess who is giving away a custom BbB doll?!Head on over to Bring the Rain and enter!! Contest ends tonight at midnight...so HURRY UP!

Back up and running....

We are back in business people!!

Laura and I are excited to be back in the swing of things! Our custom shopping carts have been down since October 15th and we pushed hard to make it through the Christmas season! I'm so very happy to tell you all that we are back open and ready to take all of your custom orders once again! A few things have changed over at the shop. First we will now offer three kinds of dolls: Finished, Personalized and Custom. Finished dolls are pretty self explanatory, they will be finished and ready for shipment. Personalized dolls are dolls that are pre-cut and ready for assembly, but you are still able to personalize them with the name and scripture of your choice. Custom dolls will be our full blown design process...the possibilities are endless!

As we finish up the year and prepare for 2009, I praise God how this little ministry has grown. It started with a simple desire the Lord placed on my heart and now has grown from one person to beyond five!

Once again we will have Laura heading up the Customer Service! She is always busy working side by side with me to fill any need that needs to be met along with working along with each of you to design the exact doll you are looking for. Laura...I absolutely could not do this without you!!!

I praise God for Cheryl, who now helps me sew! Let me tell you that your orders would have never made it without her! She is willing and ready to help us sew lots of babies! Thank you so much Cheryl!

We are also very thankful to my sweet Mommy! She has helped me endless hours with cutting, preparing our packaging and even cleaning out my fabric cupboard (which took a whole afternoon!) Thanks Mom!

My good friend Lori and her daughter has also helped me through the holiday season! What a blessing to sew side by side with her on my kitchen table while her daughter helped stuff. We are looking forward to having "work days" throughout 2009.

Last but certainly not least...I wish to thank everyone who helped us through. Ladies from my community donated their time to sew and stuff arms and legs. Many offered prayers and words of encouragement.

THANK YOU!! Together we work as the hands and feet of Christ!

Once again I ask for your prayers! As we start this new year I pray that we be about the LORDS business not ours! We simply want to be humble servants blessing children with God's word. Please pray along with us for each child that will be receiving one of our dolls! May He use these simple little dolls to plant seeds of truth deep within each heart!

Happy 2009 and many-many blessings to you and your family!

~Tina

*Pictured is a sneak peek of new doll designs that will be coming!!

Don't Forget!!

As we thankfully organize and put away our gifts from this season of celebration, please don't forget about our little Carley and the entire Hoffman family! I praise God that they were able to spend CHRISTmas at home together! Joel, Carley's daddy, shared an awesome experience on their Caringbridge site! God is so good and uses everything for His glory. Please visit here to read what happened and also to encourage...let this family know that you are praying for them!! We are getting down to the final days of our Give a Blessing donations for Carley and her family. PLEASE help us at least reach our goal of $200 by making a donation today! If each of you donated just $5.00 each, imagine what that would total up to! Regardless please keep this child and her entire family in your daily prayers! May God bless you and your family as we wind down 2008 and prepare for a new year! ~Tina

Merry CHRISTmas!

WHEW!! It seems like the past few weeks have flown by and have been filled with many blessings. I praise God for this past year and for everything He has allowed through Baby be Blessed and my own personal walk. It has been pretty busy and a little blurry along the way with much learning. I must say that it was very uncomfortable at times, but through it we rise up stronger than before. As we take this time to celebrate the awesome gift of our Savior, please keep in perspective what really matters. May God bless you and your family and may we be faithful servants to our calling and bring many blessings to our Father throughout 2009!

Merry CHRISTmas!

~Tina

*Card was illustrated by my Tristin, age 9

Celebration of Christ ~Day Sixteen!

Did I say day sixteen?!

Is CHRISTmas next week already?!

I apologize for tucking my head in again for a few days, and I expect that I will do it here over the next two days. Working hard on finishing up all the CHRISTmas orders which need to be mailed out by tomorrow!! If you follow me on twitter, I will have the doll countdown! Please pray for the Lords provision in all things to get through this last bunch...

Here is another idea that is so great!

-Bake bread for neighbors and give it to them with a small note reminding them of the "Bread of Life". "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." John 6:35

The kids and I helped with the bread ministry at Church and were so blessed to bless new visitors and members with this kind gesture...this gift with a true message!

So one more pondering thought that has been on my heart this week. This time of year can be so crazy and even a burden of how to get everything done and everything paid for! I let this sneak up on me as well, but if we allow ourselves to believe in truth all that quickly fades away. It is not about what you do or what you buy. We can all say it...but are you living it?? Do you have the heart and mind of Christ or are you focused on all the other craziness that the season can bring? Are you focused on having the picture perfect Christmas with all the presents and fixins? What does your heart want this CHRISTmas?? A wise friend not too long ago told me that Satin wants you to want what you can't have. It's a big trick of the enemy, a notorious trick that has caught me many times. Since she has spoke those words to me I quickly check my heart when I have the poor me attitude. I don't have time for that or we can't afford that....Oh, how I wish I had that. Or how about, they have that so I need to have that! So my question to you and always for myself is... What do you have? What has the Lord given you and are you content and with peace with it. Are you praising Him for it? I pray that whatever situation we are in this CHRISTmas season finds us in the heart of THANKSGIVING!

Thank you Jesus for everything you provide!

~Infinite Love!

Gods wonderful plan of salvation was motivated by His great love for us. He desires to have an intimate relationship with us now, and for us to be with Him for all eternity. That's why Jesus was born in a manger and died on the cross: to provide a way for us to reach the Father.
To receive this gift of salvation, all we have to do is believe and receive. Now, believing is not based on how we feel. Believing is a response to Gods truth. And we act out our belief by making the decision to turn from our sins and receive Gods forgiveness.

Believing in Jesus as Gods Son, in His sacrificial death on the cross, and in His resurrection promises us something amazing: salvation and eternal life. Gods infinite love for us has provided a way for us to be with Him forever. And that's definitely something to celebrate!

*From the Woman of Faith newsletter

~PLEASE remember little Carley today as she undergoes surgery!! ~
And...as Abigail's Mom would say, "Come on people..."! Let's come together and help this family financially! If everyone would give just $5.00 imagine what that would add up to!

Thanks in advance for your heart to give and reach out to those in need!! ~Tina

Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

Check this out......

*I was hesitant to post today because I want you all to focus on yesterday's prayer request for Carley. So if you haven't yet read it, please read below and lift up these children and their family!

...THANKS SO MUCH!

Celebration of Christ ~Day nine through twelve!

As we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I ask for all of you to have the heart and compassion of our Savior by reaching out to those in need...to everyone around you that might need prayer, a helping hand or a word of encouragement!

Here on the BbB home front have an urgent prayer request and we need all of you to help us lift up our Give a Blessing recipient, Carley. Laura received a phone call from Carley's Mom yesterday and we found out that Carley will be having surgery Friday 12-12 at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis she will be having a tumor removed from her chest. The extent of the surgery is not known at this point Carley's but mom said that it will not be able to be done laparoscopically. At this point this is another tumor that has shown up on the scans that may require a possible 2nd surgery. Also, Carley's baby brother Ethan who is 3 month's old is also having some health concerns. Ethan's one eye has been dilated and is not changing.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers!

It would mean a lot to them to know that you are praying and thinking of them and I encourage you to visit Carley's Caringbridge page to leave them your encouraging words! Will you join with us to pray and help this family financially during this great time of need?! I praise God for all of you and that we can come together as the body of Christ to help and encourage one another!

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

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Help us raise money for Carley Hoffman. Add a widget to your site! http://www.chipin.com/mywidgets/id/67df445efaf78bab

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Celebration of Christ ~Day Eight

Today I will give you a couple of ideas

that are Thompson favorites!

1) Save up your used toilet paper rolls. Use scraps of Christmas wrapping paper or tissue paper. Roll your toilet paper tube in the paper and glue seam closed with a glue stick. Tie one end closed with yarn and fill with candies or small toys/trinkets. Tie the other side closed with yarn so they look like little firecrackers. We add a ribbon to so we can hang them on the tree or doorknobs along with a little to/from and scripture tag! So easy and the kids love it!! Let your children give them to their friends at school, bus drivers and the mail lady! Drive around to family and friends and leave on their doorknob!! Let your kids sneak them on the tree of each house you visit throughout the season!! What a great treat for them to find! Have fun with it!!

2) Make your own Christmas cards! Have one of your children draw and color a Nativity scene. Scan it into your computer and print off your own cards on card stock paper with a message of Christ. We've done this several years. Pictured is our card from last year which were drawn by our little Miss Lola. I think this year it is Tristin's turn. Inexpensive, meaningful and fun!!

Have a great day everyone!

~Tina

Celebration of Christ ~Day Six & Seven!

As I sit here this morning in front of the computer, I'm thinking of all that I have to do on the big old "TO DO LIST"! The past couple of years have been a struggle for me.... I remember being able to sit by the fire and drink a cup of coffee and just be still with the Lord. I think He misses that. I KNOW He misses that. I long for that again! In going through the craziness of life lately and through the work HE has me doing there is a balance, and through this year the Lord is showing me where that balance is. So today if you haven't already, put up the tree and watch the joy of your children decorating it. Hang your stockings and drape all your twinkle lights. Take time out of the craziness of life and sit back by the fire with a hot cup of coffee and be still with the Lord, with your family, and do it all with the heart of celebration!

Celebration of Christ ~Day Five

He is Jesus.
The One and Only.
Transcendent over all else.
To know Him is to love Him.
To love Him is to long for Him.
To long for Him is to finally reach
soul hands into the One true thing
we need never get enough of.
Jesus.
Take all you want.
Take all you need.
Till soul is fed.
And spirit freed.
Till dust is dust.
And Face you see.
Jesus Christ.
He's all you need.

As I was reading Jesus, 90 days with the One and Only by Beth Moore this morning, I was brought to tears. This isn't the first time as I daily read this great devotional. As I was pondering about what I could blog about today for our Celebration of Christ, I was holding this book in my hand. Beth Moore is a great vessel and obedient servant for our Lord! She has a great way of taking words that you have read many times and bringing them visually into your heart. Day one takes you into the mind of heart of Mary... Can you imagine?! She asks the question, "What if you had been Mary, how do you think you might have responded to this pronouncement of His name, especially at this declaration of Mary's involvement in His birth?

WOW...I'm not sure what my reaction would be, stunned for sure!

So as we continue to celebrate Christ I encourage you to get into His word everyday and involve yourself in a biblical Bible study, devotional or book to increase your understanding of Christ and to draw yourself nearer to Him!

You can find Beth Moore's book here!

Celebration of Christ ~Day Four

We are in day four of our Celebration of Christ!
Here is another great idea plus a new song.......

Great Idea:
-Have a "Jesus Tree" that is decorated with ornaments that all focus on the names of Christ. Some examples were simply balls painted with the names of Christ. Others were things like a little lamb representing the "Lamb of God", a bottle of rosemary, a King, a dove- "Prince of Peace", etc.

Which goes along with the new song I was talking about...

Messiah, Creator, Baby Born To Be Our Savior...Father, Redeemer, Hope Of Glory, Friend Of Sinners...All Knowing, All Powerful, Forgiving, Oh So Faithful...The Helper, My Maker, Living Stone, Our Mediator...Sinless High Priest! Messenger! Prince Of Peace!Bread Of Life! Holy One! Counselor! Beloved Son!King Of Ages! King Of Kings! Ruler Over Everything!Immanuel! Cornerstone! Morning Star And Lord Of Lords!

All names of Christ which can be found in Take no Glory's new Christmas song!
Download your free copy here.

Send me some of your ideas or family traditions! Also email me some of your favorite Christmas photo's and they just might be featured right here on the blog!

Have a great day everyone!
I'll be back again tomorrow with more!!

Tina
babybeblessed@gmail.com

Celebration of Christ ~Day Three

Santa is a FUN THING right?! That is what I always tell my kids. I received this little poem through an email and really liked it so I wanted to share! What a great thing to read to your children to keep Christ first in their hearts during this month of Celebration and throughout the entire year!!

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you".
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season!

You can purchase the Santa kneeling down to Jesus from HERE

Celebration of Christ ~Day Two

I think this is a really cute idea!

Make your own Nativity!

I'm thinking about doing this on my front porch!!

What You Need: Three clay or plastic pots (the ones pictured above are one 14" and two 18" plastic pots); three 7"- 8" balls; light brown spray paint; burlap or other fabric (color of your choice); hay or natural fiber (I used coconut tree fiber); heavy-duty tape, hot glue and glue gun; scissors.
What You Do: Spray paint balls, allow to dry. Turn the two large pots upside down. Tape two balls to the top of each pot. Drape fabric over balls to form veils. Cut two long strips of fabric to form headbands. Tie headbands to hold veils in place. Apply hot glue to sides of pot to hold veil (Make sure you don't touch the balls with the hot glue or they will pop. Unfortunately I can testify to this!) In the smaller pot fill the bottom with hay or natural fiber (You can fill the bottom with plastic bags, then place the hay on top). Place the third ball in the smaller pot.
To display at night, attach a star with lights to a pole and place it behind the nativity. Wrap a string of white lights one time around the nativity and the rest of the lights around the top of the manger.
Copyright 2004 Sarah Keith

You can find it here

Celebration of Christ ~Day One

First off...thanks to everyone who played along with our Yay Free Friday!
Congratulations to the Winners!

1st Place- Carrie Kight
2nd Place- Erin Crews
3rd Place- Sara Linkert Burfeind

Answers-
1. Tristin, Natalie, Lola, Kolton
2. Put me in the Zoo
3. Carlsbad, Boo, Thunderbootie or NightHawk Ninja
4. Jan 1, 2008
5. 1974 Grass Green Spirit by Urban Chiks
6. Diet Coke
7. Justin Boots
8. Aug. 16 2008
9. Lola
10. Keith and Chris
11. Natural colored line chenille
12. Janessa
13. May
14. Revelations 7:17
15. 19 months

Today we are officially kicking off our Celebration of Christ here at the BbB blog! We will be offering little tidbits and fun ideas to help keep the focus on Christ throughout the holiday season. Our first idea is one that I love!

-Wrap a baby doll in "swaddling clothes" and put in a basket by the front door. This will remind you each time you walk past that Jesus is really the focus of the holiday.

I plan on putting a little tree by our back door. We have a lot of traffic coming and going daily, so what an awesome idea to put a little doll in one of my old baskets and leave it by the little tree to remind everyone who enters the TRUE reason for the season...

Yay Free Friday CHRISTmas Kickoff Giveaway!!

Welcome To the Yay Free Friday CHRISTmas Kickoff Giveaway!

This is an online scavenger hunt. All of the answers can be found on Tina's blog, Laura's blog or the Baby be Blessed website. It may require some searching. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 entries with most correct answers. Entries will be judged in the order they are received.


1st Place- Finished Lamb
2nd Place- Fabric Crown
3rd Place- Free S&H on your next order


Email your answers to order.babybeblessed@gmail.com

Good Luck! Let the search begin.....


BbB Yay Free Friday Quiz

• 1. Name Tina's kids oldest to youngest?
• 2. What is Laura's daughter Carly's favorite book?
• 3. What are the Aliases of the "Vandal" that struck the Swymeler house.
• 4. When did Baby be Blessed begin?
• 5. What is the name of fabric C169?
• 6. What is Laura's favorite drink?
• 7. What kind of boots does Tina wear?
• 8. On what day did Tina's daughter Natalie get baptized?
• 9. Who is pictured in the left upper corner of the BbB website banner?
• 10. What are the names of Tina's and Laura's husbands.
• 11. What is the body Fabric of Doll A101?
• 12. What is the name of the first Give a Blessing Recipient, September 2008.
• 13. In what month did Tina's old sewing machine "the Green Beast" finally break and she had to purchase a new one?
• 14. What is the bible verse on the lamb that Tina made in honor of Laura's son Matthew?
• 15. How old is the miracle child Brianna Botts now?

Give a Blessing!

Do you know a family or a child that would benefit from our

Give a Blessing Ministry?!

Please nominate a child or family in need!

Celebrate Christ With Us!!

We are THREE days away from the start of our Celebration of Christ!! I am so excited to take this time and give glory to our Lord...to CELEBRATE our Savior!! This is beyond just an online open house, but a time to share ideas and encourage each other during this time of year that Christ can be left far behind and forgotten in the business of the Holiday season. I invite you to share your ideas with all of us! How do you keep Christ center focus in your heart and within your family during Christmas?! Let us know!

Hide and Seek

I have been tucked away behind the scenes for pretty much the whole month of November. Honestly I had been struggling to keep up with things, balance and prioritize what the Lord has given me to do. I have control issues. I have fleshly Tina traits that I lay down at the feet of Christ and then run right back over and pick up again. I have big ideas, in which all have good intent and maybe purpose but can't be carried out because I get all jumbled up with trying to do more than what I'm actually called to do. I try to steer my own direction. I haven't let go of my steering wheel of life. I have white knuckles because I hold onto that wheel...afraid that if I do let go I'll spin out of control and crash. But guess what. I chose to let go of that wheel!! Praise God that I ran down into the ditch but I didn't crash. He just gracefully brought me back onto the road and I moment by moment choose to let HIM steer. It is very hard to step back and allow Him to do that. Doesn't that sound so silly! I know that the Lord knows what's best but so many times I push Him out of the way and take over without even realizing. The life of a believer is hard! We have a higher calling for our life and when we fail or fall short we are so hard on ourselves. At least I am. That is one area that I allow the enemy to sneak in. I allow him to whisper "failure!" in my ear. Praise God for His word that the TRUTH is Christ's blood washes me clean!! CLEAN!! So through my hiding this month I am seeking. And guess what?! When you seek Jesus you find Him! Many things have been taught and reveled to me about myself, and this ministry of ours. Good things are coming and I thank all of you who have stuck along with us!! At the first of the year I will be starting a new blog. The Baby be Blessed blog will be used strictly for BbB and Give a Blessing news, along with prayer requests and praises from all of you! The new blog will be more personal, almost a documentation of my journey in faith. I can't decide what to call it..... What do you all think? I have three idea's down on paper. Maybe you can help me?

1-Broken To Be Blessed

2-Blessfully Broken

3-Blessings of Brokenness

You can see they all have pretty much the same theme so it is hard to decide. Let me know what you think!!

Have a great day everyone! Let Jesus take the wheel! (I love that song!)

~Tina

"Mommy it's snowing!"

Rain turned into our very first snow on Saturday. It was raining pretty good and Lola starts yelling for me..."Mommy, Mommy!" I answered but she didn't seem to hear me over the wad of clothes I was shoving into the washing machine. "MOMMY!!!! MOMMY!!!....MOMMMMYYYY!!!" Finally, I pop my head out of the laundry room "WHAT Lola?!" I thought she was going to tattle (has been going around here lately). "IT"S SNOWING!!!!!!!!" So, I'm like "wow, it is?" and look out the window...WOW -IT IS!!!!" I couldn't believe it! With as wet and yucky as the ground was and being only 40 degrees...IT WAS SNOWIN'!! I had to take a picture for Laura...she only had the yucky rain at her house. She lives an hour west so usually she gets the weather before it hits us. But this time, it must have hopped over her. Sorry Swymeler boys!! So of course, there is snow and they had to go play out in it. I'm getting scroogie old and the Lord reminded me of that Saturday. When they say play in the snow, I hear....a half hour of getting ready and then two loads of wet clothes to wash. But who cares about that right?! So I told them to go on out. Lola was back in ten minutes later fingers cold and wet to the bone. "I'm cold...can I have my hot chocolate?". Oh, yes...the hot chocolate. I was thinking we didn't have some -but we did! Yesterday the snow melted away and again this morning I wake up to a white ground with the flakes still a fallin'. I guess winter is finally here!

Freedom...

We take for granted the freedom that we have here in the United States...I know that I do. The one thing that I don't take for granted is all of the willing soldiers who have fought and who are fighting for that freedom we have. I thank them so much! My husband Keith is currently in the Army reserves and was gone for 18 months serving our country in Iraq. It has been three years since he has returned home, but it is always in the back of my mind that he could get called up at a moments notice to leave again....and he would go without question. This is one of my favorite pictures of him! It was the hardest time in my life but yet the Lord used it for His glory. I praise Him for that! There are many opinions on war. I agree and disagree, but one thing is for sure...we will continue to be in war throughout these final days. It is a biblical truth. It is soldiers like Keith that I am so very proud of and support! They sacrifice their lives to give us freedom! Please take the time to thank a veteran and their family today! May God bless them!!

He Gives the Good Gifts of Life

"I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him." Ecclesiastes 3:12-14

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Though man cannot understand all of God's plan, there is nothing better for him to do than to resolve to do good, to enjoy the gifts of God in life, and to fear Him. Ryrie Study Bible NAS

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Thank Jesus for the work He has for you today.

Embrace it with a joyful servants heart!

~Tina

No words...

I really don't have much to say today...mark it down people =) but I felt lead to leave you a post. VERY busy here on the home front of continuing through all of the custom orders and trying to sneak in a finished doll from time to time. I'm sure on your end it doesn't seem I am up to much, but believe me its pure craziness on my end. Please take the time to go voice your vote for our country today. Throwing all the political tactics aside, please make sure you are giving a biblical voice. One that honors the foundation that this country was founded on. I want to leave you with this sweet little voice....

*Turn off the blog music to hear....

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat!

We've got Farmer Kolton....
Cameo Boy Tristin, Princess Lola & Cowgirl Natalie

Here they are in action!!

Here's Kolton's action! No treats for him. If you put something in his bucket he'd throw it out. The only item that was bucket worthy was a pack of M&M's. We had a beautiful day considering how cold it was earlier in the week. They had a great time!

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I will be taking a Yay Free Friday break through the Holiday's. Hopefully when I get caught up with things I will sneak a giveaway in here and there, but the days are getting away from me and I need to make sure all these babies are out by Christmas. Thanks so much for entering each week...it won't be gone forever! Have a great weekend!! ~Tina

Help us Give a Blessing to Lisa Jane!

2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."

We really need your help! We are in our second month of Give a Blessing. I have no doubt that the Lords blessing is upon this act of giving and He has given me peace about being more forward in asking for others to reach out as well! Along with Baby be Blessed our Give a Blessing is constantly on my heart and in my prayers. I was discouraged this month however in the lack of giving. As of yesterday we have not received one donation to help little Miss Lisa Jane. I started questioning if we should even be reaching out with our Give a Blessing if we aren't able to help. But God's word quickly reminded me His truth....

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." Isaiah 40:27-29

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9

As believers in Christ we are called to help one another!

"He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses." Proverbs 28:27

"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1-2

"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2

"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1 John 3:17

Baby be Blessed gives $100 to every recipient. That is not even a drop in the bucket to the amount these families need to cover medical and household expenses. Please help us reach out to this family! I have a shopping cart set up for $5 donation here, or donate through ChipIn below.



If you are able to give...we thank you so very much!!

~Tina

Blessings...

Blessings...

I have been messing with this silly slide show almost all day! I guess I can't post the slideshow and comment in the same post...who knows! Anyway, many blessings have been given to us over the weekend! First, my sister's wedding! It was a beautiful day in every way! Sorry I missed Yay Free Friday! Maybe I can make it up to you all with a double giveaway this week. I'll be back soon....promise!!

Flashback Thursday

As I was flowing through photo's for Flashback Thursday,

I came across these...~Enjoy!

Keith and I back in 1997 before we got married...

Six years later our little Natalie-3 and Tristin-4!

{Do you have a Flashback Thursday? Give us your links in the comment section!!}

Free to Be Yourself

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:6a

There's an often-told story of a young boy who walked the local beach looking for starfish. Whenever he found one of the little sea creatures, he would carefully pry its legs from any rocks before tossing it back into the sea. Under his careful watch, hundreds of starfish were returned to the water.

One day an older man noticed the young boy carefully throwing starfish back into the sea. Intrigued, he couldn't help but ask the boy about his ritual.

"Why do you throw the starfish back into the sea?" the old man asked.

"Because the starfish will die if left in the hot sun on the shore," the boy explained.

"But there are millions of starfish, and multitudes of shores with countless beaches upon which you will never walk," the man contended. "On each of those beaches there are throngs of starfish you will never save. Why do you bother?"

The boy looked down at the sand and picked up a starfish resting nearby.

"Because today, this day, this one will live," the boy replied. And he threw the starfish back into the sea.
The man watched as the boy continued his practice. Then, he reached down himself, picked up a starfish, and threw it into the sea.

The story is a rich reminder that in a world of needs, one person can make a big difference. It's also a lesson in the importance of doing what you are uniquely created, gifted, and called to do. Like so many others, the boy noticed the starfish dying on the seashore, but unlike the others, he made a decision to do something about it. He used the abilities God had given him to make a difference. Like the old man in the story, not everyone will always understand or get what you do, but regardless of the response, you are called to use the talents and gifts God has given you for His glory.

1. Make a list of five things you are naturally good at doing. Then, make a list of five things you are passionate about.

Now, take a moment and reflect on ways in which you can combine your gifts and talents with your passions and interests. In other words, how are you uniquely wired to make a difference in the world around you?

God designs every person differently. He gives us different personalities, different strengths and weaknesses, different gifts and talents. All of these differences can be used to help build His kingdom. In the Old Testament, God chose specific individuals with unique gifts to build the tabernacle.

1. Read Exodus 31:1-11. Make a list of the unique talents of Bezalel.What was Oholiab's role?How did their gifts and placement complement each other?

2. Read Exodus 36:1-2. What qualities did the craftsman called by Moses need? Do you think it's possible to have one of those qualities and not the other? Explain. Why are they both important?

Sometimes fear can hold you back from using your talents, gifts, and even yourself to help others. You may be afraid of failure or afraid that you won't fit in or afraid that what you do won't really matter. But God makes it clear that everyone has a role to play in His kingdom.

1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-26. What will happen if one part of the body chooses not to function properly or shuts down completely? What will happen if one part of the body spends all its energy trying to pretend it's another part of the body? Why is it so crucial that every part of the body perform as it's uniquely designed?

2. Do you have any talents or gifts you're not using? Are there any areas in which you spend your time and energy trying to be someone you're not?

3. Take a moment to feel your fingertips. Just as everyone's fingerprints are one-of-a-kind, so are our personalities, strengths, and contributions to the body of Christ. No one on the planet has the exact same blend of gifts, talents, and passion. Reflecting on the story of the boy and the starfish, who is God calling you to reach? Where is He calling you to make a difference right now?

Digging Deeper
Sometimes when we step out in faith and use our talents and gifts for good and for God's glory, things don't always go according to plan.Read Galatians 5:7-8. How do you respond to those who are trying to discourage from fulfilling the call on your life? What steps do you need to take to surround yourself with people who will encourage you, challenge you, and pray for you.

Ponder & Pray
Take a few moments to reflect on your life so far. Are there any talents or gifts that you used in an earlier age or stage of life that you've packed up and put away? Do you have a gift for music or art or math or science or any other that you haven't been using? What steps do you need to take to begin using that gift once again? How can it be used to bless and encourage others.

I LOVED this!! It is from the Bi-weekly Bible Studies from Woman of Faith and Friends!

NEW! Baby be Blessed Rompers!

I absolutely LOVE these rompers and can't wait until Kolton gets his! I know I've had them on the website, but I wanted to flash them over to my blog readers. They are just so sweet!!

They come in four colors and various infant sizes. They are $17.50 each and with each purchase $5.00 goes to our little Lisa Jane! You can purchase them here!

Marvelous Monday!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! It was a busy one around here! Saturday was a day spent here at home trying to catch up on things. Sunday morning stared with a trip to the ER. Poor Kolton has been fighting a cold and it turned into Croup, which I'm very familiar with but the thing that scared me was his breathing. Chest X-rays, a breathing treatment, a shot and hours later we were back home. Anyway, he is doing better but is still fighting it out. Between everything going on here at the Thompson household, I'm still plugging away at the sewing machine making up your little custom babies one by one.

So for the winner of our weekly Yay Free Friday Giveaway....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:10
Timestamp: 2008-10-20 12:21:48 UTC

sarahyang226 said...
I am still hoping to win for my birthday girl and this doll is extra cute, I love the hair!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thanks again to everyone who entered, and please check back this Friday for another Giveaway!

Have a wonderful week!! ~Tina

Yay...It's Free Friday!

Miss Emma

For our Giveaway this week I have the redesigned Miss Emma. I introduced her a while back but still thought she needed some changes. So here she is once again ready to be adopted into her new home! She measures 15" tall, has muslin face/arms/legs, pink chenille body and Amy Buttler prints for her quilted hair and dress. The scripture patch on her belly reads, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" Jeremiah 1:5. She has safety eyes and handstitched lashes and mouth. I finished her off with blush on her cheeks and pink bows trimming her piggies and dress. Little Miss Emma will arrive in her own Baby be Blessed gift box ready to be loved!

Okay...the rules: To enter please leave your contact information in the comment section under this post. You may enter only once Friday-Sunday and I will pick the winner on Monday.

Have Fun Everyone!
Tina

Flashback Thursday...The Good, Bad & the UGLY!

I want to thank my sweet Laura for starting her Flashback Friday! Go check out her pics from last week...so cute! So since I always offer my giveaway on Fridays, I'm going to try to keep up with Flashback Thursday! So in honor of my very first post on the subject, I give you a few of myself. It was so fun digging through the old photos!

So here we go....

The GOOD...this photo was taken June 1979, which makes me 4 years old. I'm trying to see which one of my kids look most like me then. Hmmmm, I'm not sure.

The BAD...okay here we go to the 5th grade. I can't remember much about this picture except that Walt the Barber was cutting my hair at the time. I think I trimmed my bangs before pictures because they definitely are not straight.

And last but not least...the UGLY! Here is myself at 13 years old back in 1989! Whew girl...this is UGLY!! And what is up with the pin on my sweater? I'll have to try and find a good one with the big bangs...not too shabby here. I don't know how many times I went to school with a curling iron burn on my forehead, and more hairspray the better!!

So what is your GOOD, BAD, & UGLY! I challenge you to dig out the old photo's and leave your blog link in the comments. Are you brave enough?! =)

~Tina

A Bit of Advice...Wednesday!

So instead of Wordless Wednesday, I'm going to have A Bit of Advice...Wednesday!

A few posts back I announced the newest member of the Thompson family, Lucy. She had been a good little guinea pig and Natalie loves up on her daily. She totes her around the house and we've had issue with the little turd droppings I have found {we won't go there because it raises my blood pressure}. So my bit of advice for you new guinea pig owners, besides the turd issue is...don't let them go...not even on a you think it's safe area! There I was just simply checking email on the computer when Natalie sets little Lucy on our desk. She scared the dickens out of me because out of the corner of my eye I catch a big rat on the desk. So they think it's funny they scared Mom and when she goes to pick Lucy back up she runs in the printer. Still kind of funny...funny enough that I grab my camera for a few shots. First time I've ever had a guinea pig in the printer and I wanted to capture the moment.

So here she is...just hiding her little eyes in the paper tray. So what do we do? Try to lure her out with a carrot.

Which come to find out now, that really apples and popcorn are her favorite treat. So the carrot just wasn't cutting it so I just try to grab her. Who knew that a printer would have so many great hiding places!!

So the more I try to get her the more she crawls in! This was the last photo that was taken because by then it was not too funny anymore. Here I am trying to unplug the printer because the ink cartridge was flying back and forth and the darn pig was completely inside. You couldn't even see her. I pick up the printer and shake it around and finally two little back feet drop out. I grab them and Lucy was brought once again back into the world. I told Natalie...NEVER AGAIN!! She is NOT to put her down EVER! In all it worked out and we now can chuckle about it...kind of. Just the week before Keith found Clarence, our cat in the refrigerator in the garage. One of the kids put him in there! You know that kid...It wasn't me, I didn't do it! He/She runs around here a lot causing trouble! But don't worry about sweet Clarence...he made it through just fine. Praise God that Keith heard him because he would have not made it until morning. Hopefully it was a lesson learned!

So I guess maybe my overall bit of advice for you is...

If you come to visit, leave your pets at home!!

=) Happy Wednesday!