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
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