Fall is Here

There is a certain excitment in the air when you know fall has arrived.
Things start changing, colors POP, there is a shift in how we act.
I have noticed people start pulling things in closer to home, preparing to hibernate for the winter months. Nothing like spring and summer where windows come flying open and everything is set free. Just make sure everything is back by Sept...... for FALL!

Can't wait to visit the pumpkin patches- harvest festivals.

What is a favorite fall memory- is it the smells, the flavors, your favorite coffee comes out, the kids in school, pumpkins, jumping in the leaves, puddle jumping.

HOPE

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.[1] Hopefulness is somewhat different from optimism in that hope is an emotional state, whereas optimism is a conclusion reached through a deliberate thought pattern that leads to a positive attitude.
When used in a religious context, hope carries a connotation of being aware of what Christians see as spiritual truth; see Hope (virtue). In Christian theology, hope is one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and love[2]), which are spiritual gifts of God. In contrast to the above, it is not a physical emotion but a spiritual grace. Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism. The term false hope refers to a hope based entirely around a fantasy or an extremely unlikely outcome.
In some religious contexts hope changes from being a verb to a noun. For instance, when Christians say they have hope in God they are not saying they hope God will give them good things and make their lives happier but that God is in fact, their hope.

That is what the WIKI says about Hope.

The past week Hope has been a theme that has played over and over again. Either a song, scripture, a show, a devotion.. the word Hope is what remains constant. In the past it has been Faith, Grace, Mercy, trust but not this time. So I wonder what is Hope and what does it look like, Feel and how do we have Hope when we struggle.

I always thought I needed to have Faith in God and my walk with him but I am finding I need to have Hope.

TodaysMama Cricut Giveaway

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site! http://bit.ly/FWcud

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Greece
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? Letting Go-
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? shopping spree with my kids- then hair- makeup- spa packages and then a night out at a great restaurant and seeing the city (which we would fly to)
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Turtles (Carmel- chocolate)
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? London
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Fearless
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Notebook
8. What is your favorite local escape? downtown Woodinville
9. How do you escape on a budget? Camping
10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation. Taco Soup

Book Review of Fearless

I received a copy of Fearless by Max Lucado from Thomas Nelson publishing. My duty as a book review blogger is to read the book earlier then release date and post a review. I love this opportunity and think it is great that they do this.

I was very excited to receive this book. I immediatley started reading it. Wow by page 6 in chapter 1 of "Why are we Afraid" I was crying. Max is an amazing writer and just really knows how to capture you with the words and how to speak to your heart.

This book is truly a must have for everyone right now during these times of unstablity and doubt. With Chapter titles like Fear of Violence and Make Believe Money. I think we all can relate on any level with fear of losing our jobs, houses, lives, relationships etc... Max takes a really close look at that and really pulls back the wool and makes you realize how trapped we are and how we need to leave the darkness and step out into the light and stop living in Fear.
Be Fearless.

I love the passages and reference to Jesus and the bible- this is great for any christian who is doubting God during these times. In the back of the book there is a discussion guide that leads you with some very thought provoking questions and scripture to help you seek

Please go pick up this book- it will be worth your time and money. so step out and stop living in fear

Hummingbird

Lana- one of my friends in Colorado took these pictures Friday/Saturday and posted these on facebook and labeled them all Tammie’s Hummingbird….
She also sent me a message - She knows God uses Hummingbirds to speak to me.

Little did she know this weekend at my house there was a hummingbird that was "hanging" around. It would fly up to my sliding glass door and hover. Like it was starring at me, watching me, waiting for me to notice. 3 times this little hummingbird did this over the 2 days. I love watching them there is just something about the hummingbird that takes my breath away and gives me shivers.

Lana's note:
Just had to write a note to say hi and that you have been on my heart this week end. It started with the hummingbird..."Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established." Pro. 16:3 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness....Eph. 6:12Not sure this helps you today, but felt led to send it. Blessings to you my lovely friend. Lana

Devotion I received today :-)

Is My name not called the Son of Glory? I come in this time to call you forth into the fullness of My kingdom, says the Lord. You have walked around the edges of it and you have partaken of it somewhat, but I say unto you today there is a fullness, a full manifestation of the glory and the revelation of My kingdom that must be birthed in your heart. For not only am I the Son of Glory, but I come to bestow that glory upon you; that it may change you; that it's light may adorn you; that it's splendor may captivate you. That that which I bring in this season will cause you to turn your eyes from the world and turn your eyes fully upon Me, says the Lord. For it is written and it is true that I am the author and the finisher of your faith. So come today. Come, I say. Come in your weakness; come in your helplessness; come with whatever it is that is holding you back. For My intention is to anoint you with the Spirit of My Glory that you may rise up and become exactly what My word says you will be, says the Lord God of Glory.

So God- Father- the ever so mysterious wonder- Bring on the GLORY!!

SLAM!!! or so I thought

That is what it feels like right this moment- that a very large- thick heave door has been slammed shut in my face.
Well that was yesterday- I had posted the post below about 12:50pm 08/26/09 and seriously not more then 20 minutes later everything was coming down around me or so I thought.

I received this devotional very early in the morning
Get seriously quiet before Me, says the Lord, for you are approaching a turning point where you need direction and guidance. This will be a break-away moment, a line of demarcation that will separate the past from where you are now and where you are headed. Your past experiences will have very little relevance to what is upcoming, but do not be afraid. This is not a bad thing; it is only a course correction that will produce kingdom destiny in your life. Look forward to all that I have prepared for you.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

This came at 1:43pm
Come Monday I have no daycare for Aaron (6 months old) nor can we afford anything. To have him in daycare is about $1000+ a month. Which Julia is $800 a month. We had Julia tested for kindergarten and she passed with flying colors so we registered her and thought WOW this is it if she gets into full day kindy then we can have that $800 to pay for Aaron's daycare needs. Well door today SLAMMED shut- she is still on the waitlist for Full Day and per the school all spots within the full day class have been confirmed and unless someone drops out of full day which they don't see happening she is in 1/2 day- which with Marco and I both working we just can't do 1/2 day kindergarten. 9:30-12 or 12:30-3:30- it doesn't work.

I thought also God was calling me to apply for this new position and really felt everything being confirmed and then today door slammed again in my face.

so now what do i do- Aaron has no daycare come monday- julia doesn't go to kindergarten Tuesday but back to daycare which is just another "heart" issue for me since it isn't the best place for her but we can't afford "better or best"

1:50pm i got this

subject line in a new email is : Words of encouragement are inside

inside the email:
Ever notice how the top headlines in the news are often the most discouraging? It's a good thing that we have other positive things to read like a daily devotion or God's Word. Here's a passage that has encouraged me this week. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 (NIV)

at 4pm I got this email:

4 Tips for Living a Fearless Life

If there is one thing I've learned in this recession it is that I don't have to live in fear. This is an amazing realization, actually... especially for me. As a general rule, I don't like to admit that I am afraid. I am sure that I am not alone on this. Let's be honest, we live in a fear-based culture right now. "Uncertainty" is the new buzz word for fear. When fear hits you, it can steal your joy and paralyze you. It rears its ugly head in the form of frustration, withdrawal, or outbursts of anger. You can break free from the grip of fear!

Here are four things you can do to position yourself to live a fearless life:

1.Articulate what you are afraid of to someone you trust. Calmly unpack the root cause of your frustration.

2.Start living for today, and stop worrying about tomorrow. "Each day has enough trouble of it's own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

3.Remember that it's not about how much you have, but who you have. Reorient your priorities around building meaningful relationships.

4.Put your trust in God. Acknowledge that God is your source, and he is in control. "Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

Today early AM I got this

The enemy is fighting for control and will not give up easily, yet he is already defeated. Refuse to allow discouragement to come when you have a minor setback because this is his last ditch effort to keep you in bondage just before you break forth into unbridled liberty, says the Lord. You are above and not beneath; he is beneath and not above you. Be strong and courageously keep pressing through. Victory is assured.

Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

So then I went to go read a blog I follow and found even more inspiration check it out

MckMama

What's the lesson here and the story that's being told..... I'm not to sure but I know it's in there.

It's not about me, there is a larger story we are in so get out of the small story.

Stand strong in my Faith

Never Doubt or become disappointed or discouraged.

I will sit and wait and be patient and rest.

Next Steps

Get seriously quiet before Me, says the Lord, for you are approaching a turning point where you need direction and guidance. This will be a break-away moment, a line of demarcation that will separate the past from where you are now and where you are headed. Your past experiences will have very little relevance to what is upcoming, but do not be afraid. This is not a bad thing; it is only a course correction that will produce kingdom destiny in your life. Look forward to all that I have prepared for you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
I am at a Crossroads in my life and I am quite lost on where to place my next step.
My heart hurts, its stirring, it confused, its displaced but still alive and racing faster with every beat.

Have you ever felt like that? Like your whole life was about to be turned up-side down and there was a certain calm and peace about it. That you had enough Faith, Trust and Belief in our Father that he would come through to rescue you if needed. Have you felt that? I believe well I am pretty sure I KNOW that is where I am at. I have Faith, Trust, Belief that he will come through. He knows my heart, my desires, wants and needs. Yet here I set unsettled wondering really what is next?

We Shall See......