Thursday, September 11, 2014

Does your Internet Provider give you Rewards?


It's Thursday and that means time to save some dough! My local telephone and internet provider Windstream just came out with a nifty new program. Designed to "Thank You" for your business by giving you a "gift" for accumulated points. If Windstream is your carrier, you can sign up for the program here. Here's how it works:

It's Easy. Get Points for: Account Services, Loyal Customer, Interact with Windstream Online
Use points for rewards: Account Credits, Gift Cards, Gear & Equipment, Plus More
My favorite reward is ACCOUNT CREDITS! I might also save up for a gift card or two. Windstream can't thank you unless you join. If your carrier isn't Windstream, call and ask if they have a rewards program. If they don't, you should surely suggest it! Mention what Windstream is doing to make their customers happy! Saving money and great communication services are a win/win! BA, BA, BA, BA, BA I'm loving it!

Get money, Be happy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap 


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Weirdly Weary

photo credit: learntocookbadgergirl.com
I am weirdly weary this week, are you? So much going on in the world. My community suffered 5 tragic deaths from auto accidents in the last two weeks, one of the victims was my cousin. I had another cousin to pass away yesterday, in his early 30's. Sickness all around. Court battles. Divorce. Terrorists. Pandemic scares. Weak leadership. Paperwork confounding progress.  I'm sure I've left something out that may come to your mind.

Michele Obama mandated Chickfila sandwiches be taken out of school lunchrooms because they are 90 calories too much for a meal. Never mind the special needs and budgetary gaps the profits from the sandwiches filled. Have you seen the junk served in school cafeterias lately? Approved by The White House. I had an awful thought last week. What if the Obama's are trying to raise a weak, sickly generation who are too weary to fight a wicked administration.

Now, when I get to thinking these things, things must be pretty bad. Alas, weary travelers, there is Hope with a capital H! The Bible says in the famously quoted scripture of Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  Jeremiah 31:25-26 reminds us "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me."

The battle marches on. Good soldiers never quit. Fuel and refuel that weary body, mind and soul with words of victory from scripture. As Winston Churchill said "Never, never, never give up!" And as June from last week's newsletter said "I've read the book. The good guys win!"  Please, please, please make sure you're on the winning side.

Be sure to read the miracle below that was shared by Denise Griffin. Thanks so much for sharing Denise! If you'd like to share your very own miracle and have it published here next week, please email me at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com.

As told to me by Denise:

After a devastating time in my life when I lost my husband, I thought I was at my wit’s end.  After most of the emotions of the grieving process, I finally told God, if this is the way you want me to live my life – alone – then I will just trust you God.  It was all I had left.  I had cried and prayed and cried and prayed to the point of exhaustion.  And when I turned it over to God, he sent me Tony Lotspeich.  I didn't know how blessed my life was going to be – but God knew better.

In my heart, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that this was my miracle, and it makes me cry to just think about it.  Only God could have orchestrated our meeting – we didn't even know each other.  Tony followed only what he knew to be God’s direction in contacting me for no other reason than to watch his house while he was out of the country and he knew I walked by every day.  He didn't know me – just knew that I was an honest person and that I came from a good family.  But God knew that we needed each other.  After talking through messages for about 5 weeks, we finally met when he came home from Nova Scotia.  All it took was one touch of a hand to know that this was meant to be.  God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!

Renewed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Saturday, September 6, 2014

"Extra" Words in Our Crazy Made-up Family Language Epparksford


The word of the day = "x-tree"

Before you get all concerned, no, we are not against trees or trying to eradicate trees. Our family loves trees! We live in the middle of several 100+ year old hardwoods. We should probably cut them down so they don't fall on our house but we just can't part with them. We are definitely "for" trees.

But, we do take a little xtree cream in our coffee and wish we had a little xtree spring in our steps! Xtree is our slang for extra. I'm not sure how this happened in our family. Every time someone says a word incorrectly, backward or just plain southern, the new word form becomes the norm around our gang. So.much.fun. Like my Dad calling my mom One-nater instead of her proper name Juanita.

My favorite "xtree" phrase is "Do you have any xtree change?" Talking about money of course. Who carries a specific amount of money with them so they might have extra to change larger bills or even coins (if the need arises)? Not me, for sure. I never have any xtree money, do you? I wish money did grow on trees then we would have xtree for sure!

Does your family use this word? Leave me comment and tell me your family slang for a common word.

Xtree crazy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Miracles ARE Happening: Read 4 here!

Remember that special prayer request for my dear friend Angie last week? Thank you so much for your prayers. God performed a miracle. Her pre-op scans were clear, her biopsy surgery was cancelled and she's praising Jesus her Savior! I am too!

My husband Steve goes to pulmonary rehab 3X a week due to pulmonary fibrosis. His resting oxygen saturation was up the last two weeks which is a miracle also. I praise God for every victory, big or small! I went with Steve Friday and met the most precious lady. She told me about two miracles I just have to share. But first, I have to tell you how I got to talking to her.

Her name is June. She was sitting by a lady that was spreading doom about pandemics and terrorism. I happened to sit down beside June and couldn't help but hear the doubt/fear in the woman's voice. I politely said "If you ladies don't stop that talk about pandemics, I'm going to have to move!" June sweetly smiled saying "I've read the book, the good guys win. Do you like to hear about miracles?" I replied "I've read the same book. ABSOLUTELY! Let's hear them!"

She told me of a friend of hers that was cured of cancer as miracle #1 being very bold in giving God all the recognition for his healing. She continued to tell me about her granddaughter that had never met her father. They didn't know who her father was. I didn't ask for any explanations. I just listened in awe. The granddaughter prayed for years to find her Daddy at the right time, God's time. She started law school last year, at age 27. June said God worked it out for her to attend school in Virginia. She found her Dad too....3 streets over from her college! She's now living with her Dad and his wife while attending law school. Only God could work out something that perfectly!

June stood up to leave. She is a small lady. She turned to me and the other lady on the bench and stomped her right foot turning it from side to side if she were squashing something in the ground. She looked at me and said "Know what that means, don't you?" I said "God said he'll put our enemies under our feet!" June smiled at me knowingly. The other lady on the bench sourly said "Well, he better hurry!"

Recognize the miracles in your life today. I'd love to hear yours. Shoot me an email. Give God the praise he deserves.  I don't think He need be in a hurry to conquer an enemy he's already defeated. Do you?

Holding out for a miracle,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Does God Care What We Wear?

clothesline
photo credit: thedollclothes.com
Does God care what we wear? It's a touchy subject especially in my family. My mom was raised to strictly wear a dress to church, absolutely no pants and God forbid shorts! She's changed her thinking in recent years but still has family that frowns on wearing anything but a dress to God's house. You may disagree with their thinking, I do. To show you just how deeply rooted this tradition is, my aunt was returning from a doctor appointment in Chattanooga. She dreaded stopping at the funeral home, on her way home, wearing pants. She wished to avoid attack by her sister whom she knew was there. Honestly.

I can't wear pretty shoes. I just got fake calves in 1991 with my amazing prosthetics. I always felt ashamed and uncomfortable wearing dresses with boots during the summer or long dresses which weren't in style to cover my lack of nice shoes.  I know firsthand God wasn't worried about my shoes or dress. We talked about it a lot. But I had to please people, right?

I Timothy 2:8-10 says "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."  I believe the shamefacedness here means not brazen or bold; modest. I don't think it means to feel ashamed about what you have on, unless it's not modest. For example, pants are more modest than a short dress. I fear men and women may have missed the mark in this passage.

Thankfully, this is where Jesus steps in. A man came to him naked in Mark 5 and he clothed him. I can't remember a parable about Jesus teaching fashion, do you?  Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden. The important point about their nakedness was spiritual not physical. Their ashamedness was two-fold. They knew they were naked on the outside but more significantly they realized they sinned against God and were naked on the inside. No covering or forgiveness available between them and God.

God does care what we wear. Isaiah 61:10 says "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for the hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." The garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness are the only clothes required in God's church and the only pre-approved dress code for heaven

Wearing what matters most,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Now it's your turn. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!