Just a note to specifically THANK the three (amazingly generous and sweet!) people (especially the anonymous one!) who gave us gifts to help with Choza’s final expenses. I don’t know what else to say other than thank you! I’m just overwhelmed. Thank you and love you!  — Tara B.  

Hey–don’t you think it’s time for some sort of EXOTIC location for a women’s retreat? I have some frequent flyer miles to burn … anyone interested in having me out for a women’s retreat or conference? 🙂 !! Seriously–I have no idea why I’m even posting this. And yes–Mississippi and Texas ARE exotic, but that’s not what I had in mind. I was picturing some sort of adventure in 2007 for Fred and Tara … Ah, that’s probably why I’m even daydreaming a bit about this. Boy! Fred and I have just not had much time together lately. And then when we are together, we’re both completeley wiped out. (I’m…

(I ventured over to this phenomenon of “YouTube” just to be able to show you some Choza & Sophia  videos. Hope you enjoy! I miss her so much.)

(So how DO you train a Golden Retriever to differentiate between HER toys and the (hundreds?! just feels like hundreds?!) of baby toys that have suddenly arrived in your house? Pavlov Schmavlov! Here is one of my favorite Chozie videos … what a sweet pup.) (You know–I can’t believe that it was RIBBON–stupid quarter inch on every balloon and package in our stupid house–RIBBON that killed my beloved, sweet dog. I feel like Sleeping Beauty’s parents … I would’ve taken a cue from the spinning wheel banishment and removed every single ribbon from our LIVES if I had only known they posed a chewing temptation and risk to her!!!!! But…

‘Grace has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through  the Gospel.’ 2 Timothy 1:9-10 ‘In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.’ Ephesians 1:7  

I just found out that my radio interview today (10:00AM Mountain time) will be broadcast on the internet … so you can listen in if you’d like: www.lifetalk.net today from 10:00-11:00AM (Mtn.) I’ll also be on the same show next Tuesday (same bat time, same bat station). (Soph and I were up at like 4:30AM because she has a bad cold — we tossed and turned until 5:15 but thought poor Fred needed some sleep … so now we’re downstairs in cuddle/tissue/Cinderella mode.) Happy, blessed Tuesday to you, my friends!  Here’s to a good day– Love, Tara B.  

Choza Barthel 2003-2006   We miss her already.  

In surgery today, Dr. Lain saw that the obstruction had already perforated her intestine and begun to be infected (very not good) — so he had to remove over 18 inches of her intestine. The risk of toxicity or toxic shock is very high. He puts her chances of pulling through this at around 50%. If she survives the next 24-48 hours, then things look a little better. We are praying for her comfort (not even a sparrow falls without the Lord knowing, right?) — and also that God might allow her to fend off this infection and live. But mostly we are praying that we will have grateful hearts…

I’ve been praying for a dear friend who was struggling in a conflicted relationship and recently she sent me this wonderful praise report. I thought it might bless you all–so with her permission (and changing the facts to guard their confidentiality), here it is: Tara– Just have to share the whole thing because God is just so amazing :)…. As you know this conflict has been dragging on for over a year. Within the last 2 months I sensed that God was directing me to pray about the situation (I was previously ignoring it). I had an unusual encounter with someone this person knows. She happened to mention that Carol…