What's Going On?!?

So many things are happening right now, I don't know where to begin!  I guess I can just give my thoughts, opinions, views, etc on each one, but that could take all day week.  I'll do my best to keep it brief.

*My church, Rio Dell Baptist Church has a Facebook page.  If you click on the link, it will take you to the page.

*We have been having revival services all week at church and the Spirit of God has filled the building each and every night.  We have a different speaker each night and it's amazing to see God working through each of these men.

*Our AWANA group is gearing up for its annual yard sale and the donations are starting to pour in.  Lots of work, but well worth it when you realize the money will go to promote the gospel in our community and to help children memorize scriptures and come to know the Lord.

*A local church is experiencing some difficult times.  One of its deacons recently was arrested for DUI and when the pastor of the church asked him to step down as deacon, many in the church became angry and said the the pastor had no right to do this.  It was none of his business.  What is wrong with this picture!?!  A pastor has an obligation to the members of his church, the community, and GOD to do what is right and take a stance against Christ's bride looking like the rest of the world.  Please pray that this church body will be restored, that the exiting pastor will be encouraged, and that the deacon will receive the help he needs.

Till next time...xxxooo!

For This Child I Prayed

Like Hannah in the Old Testament, I prayed for a son.  Unlike Hannah, I was not barren and had every reason to feel happy and blessed.  It was 1992, and I was a mommy to 2 1/2 year old Molly and 1 year old Callie.  I had two precious little girls that I loved and adored, and yet like Hannah, my heart yearned for something more.  A little boy.  In my selfishness  prayed, petitioned GOD to please, if it be HIS will, let us have a little boy to add to our family.  In GOD's infinite wisdom, He chose to grant my request.  Before I even conceived, God promised that I would have a son.  On March 12, 1993, Levi James was added to our family.  Throughout the pregnancy I had continually told other's of God's promise to me.  Even though I had no sonogram, no genetic testing, I was convinced, because of God's promise, that I would have a baby boy. Others doubted, but I knew.

Tonight my recently-turned-17 year old son came to me and we had a conversation unlike any we have had before.  Without going into too many details, I let my children down in a really big way a little over 4 years ago.  It culminated in the divorce of the family they had come to know.  I changed their world beyond anything I can even comprehend.  Although God has forgiven me for the mistakes and sins I committed during that time, and even though I have sought my children's forgiveness, I have a hard time forgiving myself.  My children still bear the hurts and the scars of that time.  Speaking only from my own experience, there is a reason GOD has a plan or marriage to be the way He says.  That is for a different post.  Anyway, my son and I had a very emotional and grown-up conversation tonight.  While my heart is aching for him in several ways, I want to say that my son is an amazing young man.

While he is not perfect, he is growing up to be someone I can say I'm proud to know.  Only because God has chosen in His matchless grace to bless me, do I have an intelligent, hard-working, thoughtful son.  He is nearing the end of his junior year in high school and he has major decisions to make in the next months and upcoming school year.  Only God knows the perfect plan He has laid out for my son.  Please join me in praying for this young man that I love beyond measure.

My baby is #64

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."

1 Samuel 1:27

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

My Thomas Paul Matryoska Tote

 Thomas Paul

I was recently given the opportunity by CSN.com to choose something from their over 200 stores online.  The only thing required of me was to write a review of the product I chose.  I chose a tote bag designed by Thomas Paul.  To be more specific, I chose the Thomas Paul Matryoska Tote in red.  The bag recently arrived, so here is my review.

The colors on the bag are outstanding and the graphics is absolutely adorable.  It's a little hard to tell in this picture, but the pink part of the matroyska's dress is a little woodland scene with deer.  It reminds me of Jan Brett illustrations.  The handle is sturdy and the zipper is a good quality zipper.  The tote is also nice and roomy, measuring 14" x 16".  It's made from canvas so I can throw it in the wash if I need to.  I haven't done that yet.  The only thing I would say that is negative is that the canvas is not very thick.  Yes, that makes the bag lightweight, but I'm not sure how it will stand up to wear and tear.  The cost for this tote from csn.com is $36 which includes shipping.  That's a good price, I suppose, for a designer tote.  However, I'm a cheapskate and I would never have bought something for that price, no matter who the designer.  I did appreciate being contacted by CSN stores and love my tote bag.

And in case you don't know what a matryoska is, according to wikipedia.com, it's a Russian nested doll or a babushka doll.

I Am Surrounded By Geniuses

I don't know how I got so blessed...but God's ways are not my ways so who am I to try to figure it out?

I have to start by saying...it feels like  have been away forever!  You know I was busy for awhile helping Starla put together the fashion show for Ruth's Room (still waiting on the pics for that, ugh!)  Then I was attacked by a cold/flu bug that still has its little germs in me and while I was fighting that I had a dental emergency that required me to take antibiotics.  Which caused me to break out!  After spending $94 on them!  Now on a 2nd antibiotic and doing well.  The sun has been shining all week and I have been enjoying the time spent with BunBun.  Next big project?  The annual AWANA yard sale that I am spearheading.
Anyway...back to being blessed.

I've told you all about Gail and her amazing shoe-painting talent.  And I've told you about Roger and his amazing air-brush painting talent.  And now comes Starla and her amazing refashioned apron-making talent.

Gail recently bought a book/magazine called "Altered Couture." 

She brought it to Ruth's Room and we all oohed and aahed over the different projects.  Starla recently borrowed Gail's book and refashioned some military shirts into some adorable aprons.  Go check out her blog, ReFashioned Threads, and see for yourself.  And these amazing aprons are for sale! 

...now if I can just get some of this talent that surrounds me to rub off on me somehow....

A Sweet & Spring-y Giveaway

I want to introduce to you one of the sweetest people I have met in the Blogsphere.  Her name is Miss V and she is the creativity and hard work behind Sweet Vees Tees.  She also writes a blog, The Adventures of Miss V, where she writes about her daily adventures of being a young wife and a mother to a busy little boy.  I love how Miss V lets you see a bit of herself on her blog.  She writes honestly and openly and I admire that.  I have gotten to know this beautiful lady a little bit through our conversations in email and comments and I'm so blessed to have gotten to meet her.  She is a strong Christian woman and I know she will pray for me when I ask her. 

Now to the giveaway.  Miss V has agreed to give one of my readers any shirt from her sweet little etsy shop!  Let me tell you a little about what the winner will be receiving. 

All of Miss V's shirts are:

*long or short sleeved plain white cotton tee

*exclusive designed applique
*zigzag stitching in a coordinating thread
*available in onesies sized 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, 12-18 mos.
*available in toddler t-shirt sizes 18-24 mos and 2T-4T
*available in adult sizes S, M, L, XL

The winner will get to choose long or short sleeves, any size, and any design customizable for you!

My two current favorites are the Psalm 139 tee and the Handmade by God tee.  Just too stinkin' adorable!

All of Miss V's shirts have an $18 value so this would be a great gift for a baby shower, first birthday, or tucked inside an Easter basket.  (Remember they come in adult sizes too!)

So how can you win one of these adorable shirts? 

MANDATORY ENTRY

Go to Sweet Vees Tees and tell me which is your favorite design.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (only count if mandatory entry is done)

*Tell me who is going to get a new tee if you win

*Become a subscriber to Tally's Place in a reader or tell me you already are

*Blog or tweet this giveaway and leave me the link

*Become a follower of Tally's Place or tell me you already are

EACH ENTRY REQUIRES A SEPARATE COMMENT. 

Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, March 23 at 9 AM pdt and will be notified by email.  Winner will have 24 hours to confirm by email and info will then be forwarded to Miss V.

Good Luck!  Now go check out Sweet Vees Tees.

                                                                                   

I Just Finished Reading..."Why You Say It" by Webb Garrison

Thomas Nelson Publishing  provided me with a complimentary copy of this book and 100 % of the opinions given here are my own unless otherwise stated.

This book explores the origins behind many of our everyday phrases and words.  It gives a brief look into the past and explains why certain phrases became popular in the first place and why they have managed to stay in the lexicon of current usage.  At 348 pages of actual reading material, the book covers topics from entertainment to food to conversation starters.

I love anything to do with words.  Word puzzles, word origins, definitions, you name it.  This book seemed like something I would enjoy reading and knowledge that I could add to the database inside my head.  As I stated before, the nineteen chapters in the book cover a wide range of topics.  I enjoyed reading some of the chapters, but seemed to plod on.  A version of this book was originally published in 1955.  The author explains in the introduction that in putting together this book he included words and phrases not even in use in 1955.  However, I still found some of the material dated and obsolete.  Does anyone still use the phrase "screaming meemies" to describe nervous or anxious behavior?  First of all. I always thought the phrase was "screaming meanies" and referred to a group of loud and rambunctious youngsters.  According to the book it was a phase that came into usage during WWII and often referred to case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

While this isn't a book that I will probably read again, it is a book that can be picked up and read in short bits.  It gives an interesting look at why we use some of the phrases we use and the information just might come in handy for games like Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy.

R.I.P. Merlin Olsen

Today Merlin Olsen died at the age of 69.  Many of you may recognize the name from his pro football career with the Los Angeles Rams.  I remember him as Jonathan Garvey from the television show, Little House on the Prairie.

Thanks for the childhood memories Merlin Olsen.

My Johnny Love

On March 11, 1940 one of the most-influential men in my life was born.  Today is my dad's 70th birthday.  I can't believe that so many years have passed since this was the number one man in my life.  I am the oldest of 3 children in my family.  For the first 3 1/2 years of my life, I had my parents to myself.  Looking back, some might say I was spoiled, but I knew I was loved.  I held my daddy's finger as we crossed the street.  I stood by daddy in front of the church as he let me "help" him sing songs by The Happy Goodmans or The Blackwood Brothers.  My dad taught me about the forgiveness and salvation found in the Bible by living it every day.  My dad wasn't and isn't perfect.  But he taught me that no matter what is going on, a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing a person can have.  My dad is a wonderful story teller, a prayer warrior, and a faithful servant of GOD.  I am so thankful that God in His infinite wisdom chose John Fred Mock to be my earthly father.  Maybe that's why I have a thing for Johnnys.

On my wedding day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You all know of my adoration for Johnny Depp, as I have posted about  him a few times in the past.  I'd like to share a couple of pictures that I recently had taken with Johnny as the character of Captain Jack Sparrow.

That's right!  I'm givin' him a big kiss!

This awesome portrait was painted by my brother in Christ, Roger Sanderson.  Roger has a business where he does custom air brush painting.  He has been painting portraits of famous people for commissions and to place in a newly opened local shop that specializes in local artists and crafters.  Unfortunately, this was not painted for me, but I was thrilled to get to hold him for just a second.

Not the best picture of me, but hey, I was there to work!

So how did I get my hands on this artwork for even just a second?  Roger is the wonderful worship leader at our church.  He was at the church this day to help Starla and I set up he sound system for the fashion show.  I spotted Johnny riding along in the front seat and begged for a picture with him. 

So there you have it.  I love my Johnnys.  Happy Birthday Dad.

Not Much To Say...

...but i wanted to put this out there.  i don't really feel like capitalizing right now, so please deal with it if that kind of thing bugs you.  i have all sorts of wonderful things to post this week, but i was sort of weary yesterday morning.  the anticipation for the fashion show was high and satan and his minions were ready to attack.  GOD is always victorious though.  so...before the fashion show began, i gathered the girls and two of our helpers in a back room to pray while starla went to spiritual battle.  the power of the holy spirit took over during the prayer and i felt like i was about to fly through the roof.  GOD IS ETERNALLY VICTORIOUS!  that's all i have to say, except i leave you with the following scripture.

this translation is taken from the complete jewish bible; if you would like to read the scripture in another translation, visit biblegateway.com.

romans 12:9-21

don't let love be a mere outward show. recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good.  love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect.  don't be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the LORD with spiritual fervor.  rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer.  share what you have with God's people, and practice hospitality.

bless those who persecute you-bless them, don't curse them!  rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  be sensitive to each other's needs-don't think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends.  don't be conceited.  repay no evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good.  if possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.  never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God's anger; for in the Tanakh it is written,

"Adonai says, 'vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.'"

on the contrary,

if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. for by doing this, you will heap fiery coals of shame on his head.

do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

A Brother Who Sins Against You

matthew 18:15-19

niv translation

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

matthew 22:35-40

new king james translation

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Have You Seen This Hat...Re-post

This is a re-post of an earlier post.  No, I didn't really change much.  But I have a lot more followers now and I'm hoping maybe someone knows something about this chapeau. 

Over at Ruth's Room we are getting ready for a fashion show (ONLY 2 MORE DAYS!)...we want the entire community to see all the wonderful clothing and treasures that can be found FREE OF CHARGE!

We came across what we believe to be a vintage hat. There are no labels and it is made of felted wool. The color is ivory and the accents are black. If you have any suggestions as to its origin, designer, etc, PLEASE leave your ideas in the comments section. Here is the wonderful couture hat.

Love Is In The Air

We were laughing hilariously at Neal and Karen Montgomery (the guest speakers) when this was taken.

This is a photo taken at the Valentine's Dinner our church recently held.  Not the best picture, but shows how much we do enjoy laughing.  It was a fun evening (BunBun admitted in front of 50 people that his butt is his best feature.)  Neal and Karen are hilarious and so friendly.  The meal was great...prime rib, baked potatoes, green beans, green salad, rolls, cheesecake...yum!  Except I got sick the next day.  From the meat.  No one else did, but BunBun reminded me that the last time I ate seasoned meat the same caterer.  No barfing but just feeling like it.  REALLY BAD  ALL DAY AND NIGHT.  So that is how we spent this year's Valentine's Day.  With friends, each other, and thanking God for one another.