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...