As some of you know, I work for the Dawson McAllister Association as the Volunteer Program Coordinator for TheHopeLine ministry. There are some really exciting things going on with TheHopeLine that I wanted to share with you all! The following is a copy of a memo that Dawson sent out today about the happenings at DMA and the urgent need for prayers from fellow Christians:
Tomorrow (Thursday, May 28th) is an urgent day of prayer for our ministry. In my 41 years of ministry, I promise you what I am about to tell you can only be described as a God-given opportunity...
The LORD has given us astounding favor with Clear Channel radio (the largest chain of radio stations in the world). Top executives there are actively encouraging stations to begin airing Dawson McAllister Live. This push on our behalf began a couple of weeks ago and has already resulted in commitments from stations in Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburg, St. Louis, Columbus and Portland. A few days ago, one Clear Channel executive told me we could see up to 50 more stations, some from very large markets, signing on in the next few weeks. Friends, I do not say this lightly, this is a miracle. Our listening audience could multiply times three by the end of the summer. Please start your prayers with praise and thanksgiving for what God is doing for America's teenagers and young adults.
This miracle also brings us a huge challenge. When our listening audience triples, our HopeLine will need to triple its capacity to answer calls and chats. Pray that hundreds volunteers would be moved to become HopeCoaches, and that our staff will have the wisdom and energy to manage this God ordained growth.
Third, like many churches and ministries the rapid fall of the economy has hurt us financially. Gifts are down from last year, yet God has chosen this moment to grow our impact by 300%. Here's the bottom line. We need $110,000 by Friday to finish our bills and make payroll this month. Pray that God will provide at least the $110,000 we need now, and some indication of how we will fund this opportunity in the weeks and months ahead.
Finally, pray that my staff and I will rise to the occasion of what is happening. That God will give us wisdom and courage to do our best with every radio station, every dollar, and every volunteer He sends us. Up to today, God has met all of our needs. We are grateful for His faithfulness. He has already answered your powerful prayers of the past. In confident dependence, join us in trusting that God, according to His perfect plan, will provide all we need to Reach, Rescue and Restore America's young men and women to the Father who loves them so much.
I can't thank you enough for your urgent and heartfelt prayers. Let us agree together, that what God did for the children of Israel, He will also do for us. "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or night." Exodus 13:21
In the midst of opportunities and challenges like we have never seen before, may God find us faithful. Stay tuned...
Your Friend,
Dawson
I am super excited to be a part of such an awesome ministry! God is working miracles daily as we strive to reach thousands of teenagers and young adults for Christ! As I stated above, I serve as the Volunteer Program Coordinator for TheHopeLine. This means that I guide applicants through the application process to serve as HopeCoaches on TheHopeLine. If you feel God calling you to serve on TheHopeLine, please visit our volunteer website at http://www.volunteer.thehopeline.com/. You can also contact me directly at mryan@dmlive.com or (931) 489-6057. TheHopeLine is open 7 nights a week beginning at 7 PM CST, and we need volunteers whenever we can get them!
Please keep TheHopeLine and the Dawson McAllister Association in your prayers in the coming weeks and months. Our financial need is great, but God has sustained us so far in these tough economic times, and He WILL provide for our needs. Our need for volunteers is also great, but we are confident that Godly men and women will come forth and volunteer with TheHopeLine. God is truly working miracles at DMA, and I can't wait to see what other miracles await us!!
P.S. Check out http://dmlive.com/ to find out more about the Dawson McAllister Association, the Dawson McAllister Live show, and to find out if the show airs in your area (if you live in the Nashville area, it airs on 107.5 The River on Sunday nights at 10 PM)!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Worst Mommy in the World!!
Have you ever had a day when you wished you could get a "do-over," a chance to go back and redo something you did (or in my case, something you did NOT do!)?? Well, today was one such day, and it left me feeling like the worst mommy in the world!
Sydney's last day of school is this Wednesday, the 20th. When I picked her up from school today, there were a few things that I noticed that made me realize I had goofed BIG TIME today. First, in Sydney's backpack I noticed a little goodie bag. I thought to myself, "Oh, how nice! Someone gave Peeps a goodie bag on one of her last days of school for the year!"
I didn't think much else about this little incident until we got home, and I started going through Sydney's backpack and lunchbox. I noticed that she hadn't eaten any of her lunch, even the cookie I had promised I would pack for her at breakfast this morning. I couldn't believe Sydney hadn't eaten! Then, I noticed her sippy cup was filled with juice, and I had sent her to school with milk. The pieces of the puzzle then started coming together, and I thought, "Oh, no!!"
I then looked at Sydney's activity sheet for the day. Her teachers send home a sheet every day that tells what the children did that day, what they learned, if they ate/slept, etc. The first thing I saw was, "We had a great party today!" My heart immediately sank, and I realized what I had done. I had forgotten Sydney's end of the year party!! I thought the party was going to be on Wednesday!! I immediately ran upstairs to look at one of the activity sheets from last week, and on it plain as day it said, "Our end of the year party will be on Monday, May 18th!" How could I have overlooked this?!?! How could I have forgotten Sydney's FIRST end of the year school party?!?!
It was then that I realized (1) the goodie bag was from the party, (2) Sydney did not eat the lunch I had packed for her because they provided lunch for the children, and (3) there was juice in Sydney's sippy cup because they always have juice at their parties. Sydney had fallen asleep in the car on the way home from school, and as I looked at my precious angel sleeping so peacefully, I felt like the worst mommy in the world, like I had let my baby down on a very special day for her. What did her teachers think of me, what if I was the only mommy that was not at the party, what if Sydney felt left out because her mommy was not there today?? I called Todd, then my mom, and just about cried. I later apologized to Sydney for forgetting her party, to which she replied, "Mommy miss party?" I'm not sure she really realized what had happened (at least let's hope not!).
The ironic thing about this whole episode is that just last night I finished reading a book my mom gave me for Mother's Day (my mom is so sweet that she gives ME gifts for Mother's Day!). The book is called "Mommy Grace: Erasing Mommy Guilt," and it is written by Sheila Schuller Coleman, daughter of Robert Schuller (pastor of Crystal Cathedral in California). The book contains short stories of Sheila's own experiences with guilt as a mom trying to raise four boys, as well as a few stories of other moms who have dealt with guilt as they have tried their best to raise happy, healthy, children. The book is all about realizing the grace of God even when we make mistakes with our children. I remember thinking to myself several times while reading the book, "I don't think I struggle a lot with mommy guilt." Boy, was I WRONG! I think God let today's incident happen to teach me I DO suffer from mommy guilt and that I need his GRACE every day!!
Years from now I am sure that today's little incident will pale in comparision to the other mistakes I will make as a mommy. I am just happy that God's grace is sufficient to cover my mistakes and that my child will (hopefully!) love me despite my imperfections!
Sydney's last day of school is this Wednesday, the 20th. When I picked her up from school today, there were a few things that I noticed that made me realize I had goofed BIG TIME today. First, in Sydney's backpack I noticed a little goodie bag. I thought to myself, "Oh, how nice! Someone gave Peeps a goodie bag on one of her last days of school for the year!"
I didn't think much else about this little incident until we got home, and I started going through Sydney's backpack and lunchbox. I noticed that she hadn't eaten any of her lunch, even the cookie I had promised I would pack for her at breakfast this morning. I couldn't believe Sydney hadn't eaten! Then, I noticed her sippy cup was filled with juice, and I had sent her to school with milk. The pieces of the puzzle then started coming together, and I thought, "Oh, no!!"
I then looked at Sydney's activity sheet for the day. Her teachers send home a sheet every day that tells what the children did that day, what they learned, if they ate/slept, etc. The first thing I saw was, "We had a great party today!" My heart immediately sank, and I realized what I had done. I had forgotten Sydney's end of the year party!! I thought the party was going to be on Wednesday!! I immediately ran upstairs to look at one of the activity sheets from last week, and on it plain as day it said, "Our end of the year party will be on Monday, May 18th!" How could I have overlooked this?!?! How could I have forgotten Sydney's FIRST end of the year school party?!?!
It was then that I realized (1) the goodie bag was from the party, (2) Sydney did not eat the lunch I had packed for her because they provided lunch for the children, and (3) there was juice in Sydney's sippy cup because they always have juice at their parties. Sydney had fallen asleep in the car on the way home from school, and as I looked at my precious angel sleeping so peacefully, I felt like the worst mommy in the world, like I had let my baby down on a very special day for her. What did her teachers think of me, what if I was the only mommy that was not at the party, what if Sydney felt left out because her mommy was not there today?? I called Todd, then my mom, and just about cried. I later apologized to Sydney for forgetting her party, to which she replied, "Mommy miss party?" I'm not sure she really realized what had happened (at least let's hope not!).
The ironic thing about this whole episode is that just last night I finished reading a book my mom gave me for Mother's Day (my mom is so sweet that she gives ME gifts for Mother's Day!). The book is called "Mommy Grace: Erasing Mommy Guilt," and it is written by Sheila Schuller Coleman, daughter of Robert Schuller (pastor of Crystal Cathedral in California). The book contains short stories of Sheila's own experiences with guilt as a mom trying to raise four boys, as well as a few stories of other moms who have dealt with guilt as they have tried their best to raise happy, healthy, children. The book is all about realizing the grace of God even when we make mistakes with our children. I remember thinking to myself several times while reading the book, "I don't think I struggle a lot with mommy guilt." Boy, was I WRONG! I think God let today's incident happen to teach me I DO suffer from mommy guilt and that I need his GRACE every day!!
Years from now I am sure that today's little incident will pale in comparision to the other mistakes I will make as a mommy. I am just happy that God's grace is sufficient to cover my mistakes and that my child will (hopefully!) love me despite my imperfections!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
More Easter Fun!!
We had a busy, fun-filled Easter day! First, when Sydney woke up she got to see what the Easter Bunny had brought for her! She got lots of goodies, including candy (of course!), lip gloss, books, CDs, and a lamby. Next, we went to church to celebrate the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ's resurrection!! After that, we traveled to my parents' house in Hendersonville for lunch with them and with my best friend, JoAnna, her husband, Will, and their precious little boy (Sydney's future hubby!), Ian. It was a yummy lunch!
After lunch, we headed over to Todd's aunt and uncle's house for an Easter egg hunt. It was loads of fun, and Sydney got a lot of loot!! Once that was over, we headed back to my parents' house to decorate Easter eggs! By this time, Sydney was exhausted. She hadn't had a nap all day! She was a trooper, though. She loves spending time with Ian, so she didn't mind missing her nap!
When everything was said and done, we headed home with one tired little Easter princess. She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car!
Here are some pictures from the day's festivities:
The Easter Princess. :)
After lunch, we headed over to Todd's aunt and uncle's house for an Easter egg hunt. It was loads of fun, and Sydney got a lot of loot!! Once that was over, we headed back to my parents' house to decorate Easter eggs! By this time, Sydney was exhausted. She hadn't had a nap all day! She was a trooper, though. She loves spending time with Ian, so she didn't mind missing her nap!
When everything was said and done, we headed home with one tired little Easter princess. She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car!
Here are some pictures from the day's festivities:
I think the Easter Bunny came for a visit!
Thanks, Easter Bunny!
The Easter Princess. :)
Having lots of fun at the Easter egg hunt!
Just chillin' with my beau, Ian!
LOOK at my loot, Mommy!
Whew! Hunting for eggs makes a little princess TIRED!
Decorating eggs with Ian and getting very, very tired!
Ooooooo..... stickers for the eggs! I LOVE stickers!!
Just chillin' with my beau, Ian!
LOOK at my loot, Mommy!
Whew! Hunting for eggs makes a little princess TIRED!
Decorating eggs with Ian and getting very, very tired!
Ooooooo..... stickers for the eggs! I LOVE stickers!!
Check out the chocolate-covered mouth (and a little blue on the inside from trying to drink the dye- YUCK!!)!
Soooooooooo tired, but had soooooooooo much fun!
We had a great time with friends and family, and we are thankful for a beautiful Easter day!!
Soooooooooo tired, but had soooooooooo much fun!
We had a great time with friends and family, and we are thankful for a beautiful Easter day!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Easter Fun!
Today Sydney and I had BLAST with our friends Jennifer and Emma Grace! Jennifer said she had a surprise place she wanted to take Sydney and me to, and boy was it FUN! After some yummy lunch at Chick-Fil-A, we went to Phillips Toy Mart in Belle Meade to see the live bunnies! Sydney and Emma Grace LOVED them! Here they are enjoying the bunnies!
Thanks, Jennifer and Emma Grace, for such a FABULOUS Easter fun-filled day! We'll have to do it again next year!!
After seeing the bunnies, we "hopped" on over to Cheekwood where there were a multitude of Easter festivities going on today! The girls had so much fun seeing all of the beautiful flowers and Easter decorations. They got to go on an Easter egg hunt which was great! Miss Emma Grace had her picture taken with the Easter bunny, but Sydney was a little afraid of him and wouldn't get close for a picture. She enjoyed looking at him from afar, though! The girls had a GRAND time (BTW, for some reason my daughter likes to look very serious in pictures. Trust me, she had a ball!). Here are some pictures of the festivities!
Thanks, Jennifer and Emma Grace, for such a FABULOUS Easter fun-filled day! We'll have to do it again next year!!Wednesday, April 8, 2009
This Week's Bounty
I did my weekly shopping yesterday, and here's my bounty for the week (didn't get a chance to take pics, though):
Publix- Spent $62.97/ SAVED $82.13:
5 pkgs. Pillsbury breadsticks
5 pkgs. Pillsbury French bread loaves
2 pkgs. Pillsbury pizza crust
6 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent rolls
2 pkgs. Kraft cheese singles
2 pkgs. Kraft block cheese
3 pkgs. Birds Eye vegies
3 pkgs. Land 'O' Lakes butter
2 pkgs. Lipton tea bags (24 family size each)
1 Publix sugar
1 Domino's sugar
4 cans Dole pineapple
2 jars Ragu pasta sauce
2 16 oz. tubs Friendship sour cream
2 pkgs. Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop popcorn (6 bags each)
4 bottles One-A-Day Women's Vitamins- this was my BIG deal- they were $6.99 each (2 bottles had 100 capsules, and 2 were a value bottle with 120 capsules), and I had $18 worth of coupons for them- FINAL COST was $2.49 EACH (a little over $.02 per capsule!)- WOO HOO!!
Kroger- Spent $51.59- SAVED $36.09 (I almost always save more at Publix!):
2 12-can boxes Mountain Dew (for those of you who have been keeping up with my Lent sacrifice of giving up Mountain Dew, these were NOT for me- I have not had a DROP of Mountain Dew since Lent began!)
2 12-can boxes Pepsi
3 large cans Folgers coffee
2 pkgs. Knorr pasta sides
1 60-load bottle Downy fabric softener
1 60-load bottle Purex fabric softener
1 105-sheet box Downy dryer sheets
1 105-sheet box Bounce dryer sheets
1 bottle Softsoap hand soap
1 16-oz. tub Daisy sour cream
All in all, I spent $114.56 and SAVED $118.22! I also got some good deals at CVS and Walgreens. At CVS, I spent $2 and got $1.50 back in Extra Care Bucks, so it was like I spent $.50 and got a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid and 2 cans Glade air freshener. Not bad for a day's shopping, huh?!?!
Publix- Spent $62.97/ SAVED $82.13:
5 pkgs. Pillsbury breadsticks
5 pkgs. Pillsbury French bread loaves
2 pkgs. Pillsbury pizza crust
6 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent rolls
2 pkgs. Kraft cheese singles
2 pkgs. Kraft block cheese
3 pkgs. Birds Eye vegies
3 pkgs. Land 'O' Lakes butter
2 pkgs. Lipton tea bags (24 family size each)
1 Publix sugar
1 Domino's sugar
4 cans Dole pineapple
2 jars Ragu pasta sauce
2 16 oz. tubs Friendship sour cream
2 pkgs. Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop popcorn (6 bags each)
4 bottles One-A-Day Women's Vitamins- this was my BIG deal- they were $6.99 each (2 bottles had 100 capsules, and 2 were a value bottle with 120 capsules), and I had $18 worth of coupons for them- FINAL COST was $2.49 EACH (a little over $.02 per capsule!)- WOO HOO!!
Kroger- Spent $51.59- SAVED $36.09 (I almost always save more at Publix!):
2 12-can boxes Mountain Dew (for those of you who have been keeping up with my Lent sacrifice of giving up Mountain Dew, these were NOT for me- I have not had a DROP of Mountain Dew since Lent began!)
2 12-can boxes Pepsi
3 large cans Folgers coffee
2 pkgs. Knorr pasta sides
1 60-load bottle Downy fabric softener
1 60-load bottle Purex fabric softener
1 105-sheet box Downy dryer sheets
1 105-sheet box Bounce dryer sheets
1 bottle Softsoap hand soap
1 16-oz. tub Daisy sour cream
All in all, I spent $114.56 and SAVED $118.22! I also got some good deals at CVS and Walgreens. At CVS, I spent $2 and got $1.50 back in Extra Care Bucks, so it was like I spent $.50 and got a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid and 2 cans Glade air freshener. Not bad for a day's shopping, huh?!?!
Inspiring Video
Recently, a co-worker sent this video to me. I had seen it before, but it was a wonderful reminder of God's love for us. The love that the father has for his son in this video is only an INKLING of the love that our Heavenly Father has for us! Watch this video and enjoy:
My Redeemer Lives- Team Hoyt
My Redeemer Lives- Team Hoyt
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Bounty
I went to Publix yesterday and saved a TON. Thanks to my friend Angel's Faithful and Frugal class, I learned how to use coupons and save a bundle on groceries! Yesterday I spent $67.46 and SAVED $98.28! Woop Woop! Here's what I got...
8 6-packs Mott's applesauce cups
8 6-packs Mott's applesauce cups 8 4-packs Dole fruit cups
10 packages Green Giant vegies
4 4-packs Yoplait Plus yogurts
5 4-packs Yoplait Fiber-One yogurts
2 Smart Balance spreads
1 Smart Balance sticks
6 packages Knorr pasta and rice sides
6 bottles All Small & Mighty detergent
1 8-roll package Sparkle paper towels
1 roll Publix paper towels (the penny item for the day)
4 sweet potatoes
2 packages grape tomatoes
1 head broccoli
1 package strawberries
1/2 gallon chocolate milk
1 package Peppridge Farms stuffing mix
I LOVE saving money!!! :)
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