• Relationships & Peacemaking

    Peacemaking Mama???

    I’m thinking about putting together a book proposal for my publisher on the topic of Peacemaking Mamas–Growing in Grace Through the Childrearing Years (or something along those lines). Just brainstorming, I was thinking that the “peace with God, others, and within” structure might still be good and would lend itself to topics like: PEACE WITH GOD 1. Questioning God 2. Doubting My Identity 3. Failing in (& Returning to) the Disciplines of Grace PEACE WITH OTHERS 4. Childrearing is Hard 5. Parenting and Marriage 6. Other Interested Parties (Like In-Laws!) 7. Friendships Change (or Disappear?) 8. New Relationships (Often with Unbelievers) 9. The Joy of Redemptive Relationships PEACE WITHIN  10.…

  • Uncategorized

    Not crazy … just sad.

    I couldn’t sleep last night. I won’t bother to list out all of the “reasons” why … but it was hard and scary and I was incredibly troubled in my spirit. At one point, I turned to Fred and said, “I think I’m going crazy.” To which he replied: “You’re not crazy, Tara. You’re just sad.” I could never merit this husband! This friend. Such kindness and mercy. All of my freakiness not driving him away–but even back in our courtship, just bringing out more of his stable, solid, patient love. Thank You, God, for Fred! And thank You for Your kindness and grace, reflected in my husband.   Blessed…

  • Grace in Daily Life

    Go to sleep in peace …

    Mrs. A. posted a great quote over at PeaceGals: “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” Victor Hugo (It was especially timely because I couldn’t SLEEP last night.) Thanks for the reminder that God is awake, Mrs. A!   OK–back to work. Love to all, Tara B.  

  • Grace in Daily Life

    Progress …

    Ahhhh! A little progress. A tiny glimpse of God’s work of sanctification and growth in grace in my life. Ahhhh! Thanks, God. What a gift. Here’s what happened … I was looking around my–organized but dusty–home trying to figure out what toys and books had to be moved in order to make room for our small group … And I saw poor Deac (“Deke”). Deac is the PLANT that my family sent Fred when he was ordained as a Deacon in our little Presbyterian church. (Hence the name–Deac). Apparently, my ability to keep plants alive rivals only my ability to (not) cook … And there sat ol’ poor Deac with…

  • Uncategorized

    Thank you, AW!

    (BEFORE my previous morose post … 🙂 ) My friend sent me an email today and one line said: “And His banner over us is LOVE!” What a great reminder. And what a friend too.   Remember that His banner IS over you! And His banner is love. Amen.  

  • Uncategorized

    How would you respond if your wife and children were robbed and BEATEN?

    We pray for and support a missionary in Iraq, “RL.” He led the short-term missions team I was on to Outer Mongolia in 1991 (his family stayed on full-time and moved to Iraq soon after our brave forces liberated those precious people). A few weeks ago, robbers broke into their home when RL was away teaching at a Bible conference. The robbers stole pretty much everything they had and then went on to BEAT Mrs. RL and their three children. I wept as I read their letter last month. And now I’m weeping as I read the one that arrived today. Do you know they’ve been responding to the robbers…

  • Uncategorized

    Congratulations “MowHouse!”

    Congratulations “MowHouse”! You won the Hawaii event drawing for the $99 Peacemaker Group Study! Hope you enjoy– Yours, Tara B.   PS I still have some FREE copies of The Peacemaker and When People are Big and God is Small to give away! I hope that you’ll consider joining our “new & improved” PeaceGals discussion board and then email me your snail-mail address to let me know you’ve joined PeaceGals and POSTED SOMETHING. The first 10 people who join and participate will get a free book! (Don’t forget–I NEVER give your contact information to ANYONE! I think people who do that are just awful.)  

  • Uncategorized

    THE way to blog …

    (Don’t worry! I promise not to turn this blog into the “all Goldens all the time” blog … but I REALLY wanted you to see this picture. 🙂 ) Is THIS the way to blog or what? I had no idea I could type and hold a Golden on my chest too. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Thank You, God, for Lili.    

  • Hope in Suffering

    Grief is a strange thing …

    I am in a VERY odd place physically right now–having been up since 6AM Wednesday morning in Hawaii; being up right now at 10:15PM Thursday in Montana and about to leave for the airport to pick up our new Golden Retriever puppy, Lilikoi (“Lilly”); and having to wake up at 4:30AM (tomorrow? my body wonders what DAY IT IS!!??!!) to take my parents to the airport to head home. Seriously. I set three alarms: one for 10:00PM (get the puppy); one for 4:30AM (take parents to airpot); and one for 7:30AM (must get Fred to a meeting!). Weird. ANYWAY … I’ve been thinking a lot in my sleepless state about…