A Pair of Bartletts

Ding Ding Ding---We Have a Winner!

Hey there everyone!  I'm SO SORRY that I'm SO LATE posting the announcement of the recipient of the giveaway from yesterday's post.  But, better late than never!  Well, do you want to know who it is?  Well, I used a random-- number generator and our very blessed recipient is...LIZ....from Be Encouraged! Congratulations Liz!   Liz has got some great music coming her way!  And, if you would like to own a copy of the music that Liz will be receiving, you can check out 33Miles CD's on their website by clicking here.  AND, you can click here to check out our church's CD's "God Hears" and "Believe".  Liz will be getting a copy of "One Life", from 33Miles and a copy of "Believe, with Jason Breland and the North Mobile Worship Choir"!  YAY LIZ!

And, a HUGE HUGE thank you to everyone else who left some very encouraging and very sweet comments for my sweet guest author, Joy.  Joy, thank you SO MUCH for blessing us with an encouraging and very inspiring word (for the girls and the guys!).  You are a special lady and as one of our readers said before, it gives all of us insight on how we can specifically pray for you as Chris travels.  And Joy....WE MISS YOU HERE AT HOME!  But, we all know the calling that has been placed on you and on Chris and I'm so happy to see what God is doing for both of you for being faithful to His calling!

Well, are you ready for more?  I hope that you are.....because next week, we have another special lady who will be sharing a word with us on Christian adoption.  I will tell you, due to an open relationship with her child's birthmom, we are going to let her post with a little bit of some anonymity.  God knows the details and that's all that matters!  I hope that you will come back and join us for a special time with this sweet friend as she shares her heart and the experiences of her (and her husband's)  journey down the road of adoption.  And guess what?  I know that when this special series started, I guess I had set a time limit of the month of August.  Well, I believe that the Lord still has more that He wants to share with everyone because a door opened up for another friend to do a very special post for us.  So that means that we will spill over into the month of September!  And trust me, YOU CANNOT AFFORD to miss his post!  Yes, I said "his" post.  I will give you a formal introduction later, but for now, I will tell you that he and his wife are friends of ours and I PROMISE that you will be blessed by the word that he has for you!

I pray that the Lord will continue to richly bless all of you!  Thank you again for joining in this special series!

Married to a Musician on the Road

I am SO thrilled to have you here today for Bee My Guest!  We have a super sweet special guest with us today, Joy Lockwood.  Joy is an incredibly gifted vocalist, as is her sweet husband, Chris.  It just so happens that Joy has become the stay at home mom to Ella and help meet to Chris as he travels with 33Miles.  But--that's what she's going to tell you about now!  Grab some coffee, prop your feet up and be ready to be blessed, blessed, blessed!  DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR JOY!  YOU WILL BE ENTERED INTO A RANDOM DRAWING TO WIN "ONE LIFE" BY 33MILES AND "BELIEVE", BY JASON BRELAND AND THE NORTH MOBILE WORSHIP CHOIR!  THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MARRIED TO A MUSICIAN ON THE ROAD

In December of 2005, Chris and I drove up to Nashville to meet with Jason Barton and the beginning of 33 Miles was ignited.  I use the word "ignited" because after that meeting, things started to move pretty fast.  We had no intentions of Chris being a Christian music artist.  Our options were more about serving on staff at a church or graduate school.  Although music has always been Chris's passion and career path, I just don't think either one of us expected him to be called to the world of the Christian music industry.  I use the word called because for us, it had to be a "calling".  Chris traveled on the road once before with another Christian music group, Truth, and so we knew what it meant for him to be "on the road".  We spent several months praying about whether or not this would be the path God had for us.  It was definitely a "calling" not just for Chris, but for the both of us.  

As Chris's "helpmate", my part of the call is more about the home-front, more about being supportive...more about trusting God.  If I'm not fully trusting God for His provision in the moments that I begin to think that my life is lacking something simply because my husband isn't at home, then I'm missing out on the blessings that come with leaning on the Father.  We are designed to help and support each other, yet there is only one that will never fail to meet our needs and to support us.  We have to look to God first before we can fulfill our roles as husband and wife.

Too often, I find that we depend on our husbands or other people to meet our needs and fulfill our expectations.  That only leads to disappointment and bitterness.  We have to rise to the occasion of seeking God first (then all these things will be added, Matthew 6:33).  For me, sometimes, it's a need of feeling like I'm not alone in this.  Other times it's an emotional need.  Sometimes it's the need for peace on a restless night as I'm praying that Chris is safe as they are driving through the night; or peace in knowing that even though there's a raging storm outside, that God is our ultimate protector.  Often it's the need for strength to get through the day with a toddler and never getting the relief from a husband coming home that evening to at least entertain the kid for five minutes!  But in those moments I continually discover that God is my provider - He is my strength!

One thing that is particularly important to me is that the guys in 33 Miles are all committed to their families and most importantly to God.  They are the real deal.  They all have a vibrant relationship with the Lord, and they all hold each other accountable.  That means a lot to me because I appreciate the fact that Chris is on the road with committed Christians.  It's important that they have boundaries and that they are trustworthy.  I don't know if I could handle the thought of Chris being on the road without the peace of knowing that, amidst a tempting world, he is completely and totally committed first to God and thus, to us.  His devotion to the Lord is my ticket in knowing that I can trust him with our marriage.  Praise God for a godly husband!!!

The challenges of being the wife of a guy that is on the road have been magnified for me lately because we moved to Nashville leaving family and friends that have been a huge support and diversion.  The weekends and the evenings are always the loneliest.  Everyone else is doing things with their families so it's easy to feel somewhat estranged from the rest of the world because our lifestyle is different.  I probably struggle even more because this lifestyle can be an emotional roller coaster.  Almost every week is different.  There's not really a consistent schedule of when Chris is home and on the road, so when Chris is home, it's the highest point of "Yay!  Daddy is home!", and then when he is gone, it's a downer.  I'm often envious of the consistency of other families of knowing that Daddy is home every night and home on the weekends (the way it always was in my home growing up).  Sometimes there is the perk of Chris being home for an entire week...only to have him gone all the next week.  I'm not a "fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" personality, so I long for a consistent schedule.  However, God reminds me that happiness and order are not found in a schedule or in knowing what to expect...  happiness and order are found in Him, even when things feel completely OUT of order and unsettled.  

It all comes back to trusting in God and relying on Him for our joy and our peace.  Throughout the past few years, friends have said in a well-meaning manner, "I wouldn't want to do it"...or "I wouldn't let him do it" referring to their husbands being gone all of the time, but the difference is that this is God's will for us.  I have found that when God calls you to something He provides in every way that is needed...He also blesses us beyond our needs.  Sure, I wish Chris came home every evening and that we could have dinner as a family every night.   I have also found that whatever pleasures you think you're missing out on because you have been deprived of something you want, that you can trust that God is able to make it up to you.  He is able to be your help, your company, and your strength.  It doesn't matter what kind of lifestyle you have or what your situation is - there are ALWAYS pro's and con's.  Always.  There are always things that you wish could be different.  It's our fleshly nature to think the grass is greener on the other side.  I challenge you to let your delight be in the Lord regardless of your circumstance.  Whether your husband is home every night (or you wish he wasn't sometimes, lol!), or whether your husband travels a lot, or whether you are a single parent with nobody coming home to help at all - may we all be able to say with Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)."

Blessings in Christ,

Joy Lockwood

You can keep up with Joy and Chris and their family adventures at chrockwood.blogspot.com. 

To learn more about 33 Miles and to preview their music, please visit 33milesonline.com.

Today's Bee My Guest Article Submitted, Courtesy of Joy Lockwood.

Don't forget tomorrow!

Are you ready for a BIG BLESSING and a BIG GIVEAWAY tomorrow?  Join us right here tomorrow for "Bee My Guest!   You will be blessed!

"Bee" With Me In Week 3! (and a 33Miles giveaway!)

Week Three! It's here!  Bee My Guest has another great post coming to your inbox! Up until now, it's YOU--all of you readers that have made this possible!

My sweet friend, Joy Lockwood, will be joining us this week....and gracious, are you IN FOR A TREAT!  Joy will be sharing her heart this week about her special position in her home of wife and mother. But, she's not just any wife and mom. You see, Joy and her husband both have a VERY unique calling from the Lord on their lives.  Since Chris is a traveling musician with the newest Christian band on the scene, 33Miles, Joy has the special task of being at home somewhat  "solo" sometimes while Chris is on the road.  To some, they may say "that's not fair"!  But to Joy....she approaches the task with a God given calling and a very sweet attitude that could only come from her walk with the Lord.  I can't wait for you to read her post and hear her very special perspective!  We all know how much work marriage is on a daily basis.  And, even being a Christian, it's still full of it's daily challenges and struggles.  Struggles and challenges aside, Chris and Joy approach their circumstances with the grace that only their Lord can provide to them.  Folks, this couple is SOLD OUT TO CHRIST!  Did you hear me?  I mean--SOLD OUT! Chris is sold out to ministry for the Lord and Joy is too as the sweet help meet of her precious mate. They are both called and they are both being obedient to the Lord's calling.  

I hope that you will come back on Tuesday to hear from Joy.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.  And, THERE WILL BE A GIVEAWAY TOO!  What Bee My Guest post would be complete without a giveaway?  So, by leaving an encouraging comment for Joy on Tuesday, you will be entered into a random drawing to receive 2 great CD's!  NOT 1 BUT 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The random person chosen will receive a copy of 33Miles CD, "One Life" and also a copy of "Believe", with Jason Breland and the North Mobile Worship Choir!  You don't want to miss this! 

Week 2 Winner!!!! (Bee My Guest)

As we say here in the Deep South, "Hey Y'All"!  I am SO appreciative of ALL of you who stopped by "Bee My Guest" this week and left an encouraging comment for Heather.  I would also like to thank my sweet friend, Heather, for taking time out of her schedule to write a post for this series.  Heather is a wonderful girlfriend, a wonderful mother and a wonderful wife.  I am SO thankful that God is using her life in such incredible ways in ministering to others!

So, without further delay, I am pleased to announce that Shannon Locklear is our week two winner for this inaugural series of "Bee My Guest" posts!   Congratulations Shannon!!  A copy of the CD "God Hears", as well as a copy of the CD "Wonder" will be going out to Shannon.  If you would like to purchase a copy of "God Hears", please click on the picture of the album cover above.  Also, if you would like to purchase a copy of Heather's CD, "Wonder", please email me at [email protected] and I will relay the requests to Heather.  

Well, there is still MORE to come with Bee My Guest!  Please make sure and come back next Tuesday for sure!  Another special guest and friend will be joining us to share her heart.  Mark your calendars and come back to read a guest post from Joy Lockwood.  Joy is a homemaker, a mommy and wife to full time musician, Chris Lockwood of the fabulous new Chrisitan band, 33Miles.  Next week, we will be giving away a copy of 33Miles new CD, as well as a copy of another of our church's CD's called "Believe"!

So...there is still a lot more to come!  I hope that you will continue to visit and I especially hope to see you next Tuesday for Bee My Guest!

Won't You "Bee My Guest"???

It's almost time....the clock is ticking!  "Bee My Guest" has almost come to total fruition.  I am BEYOND excited about this series...words just can't express how thrilled that I am to have such an INCREDIBLE group of some real women of faith to call on to be a part of this special time.  I am SO glad that all of the coordination of this project has already been done.  As a matter of fact, I'm ECSTATIC that it's been done, since I'm writing this post as I recuperate from surgery yesterday!  I had to undergo a laparoscopy for endometriosis yesterday morning (Thanks to all of you who have been praying!).  I'm not going to fib to you and say that it was a walk in the park...it was actually excruciating.  But, to God be the glory, I came through it fine and now have the task of just recuperating from the procedure. I'll have to tell you,  I have a wonderful physician and I have had the constant support of my sweet husband and family.  I am so thankful for that, more than I could ever express.  Actually, I cannot imagine being by myself and not having that support, which gives me a new perspective on those having to go through surgeries and procedures without anyone, BUT, that is another entire blog post itself, so I'll file that one for now.  

Back to "Bee My Guest".....

So, as you know, my friend Beth White will be the first guest author on Tuesday, August 4th (that's just 3 days away folks!).

There will be a great giveaway on Tuesday, so make sure and leave an encouraging comment for my dear friend and you'll be entered into a drawing to receive a personally autographed copy (to whomever you would like Beth to autograph to) of her newest book, "Tour de Force".   If you would like to read my introduction of Beth and her background, you can read my last post about it here.

If you read that last post, then please forgive me for getting some of my dates out of order!  I gave you the introduction for another dear sister, Joy Lockwood,  who will be posting also, but to make a correction, that post will be up on Tuesday, August 18th.  Joy's post will be about the experiences, joys and challenges of being the wife of a (travelling) Christian artist (Chris Lockwood of 33Miles).   SO....On Tuesday, August 11th, the guest author will be another precious friend, Heather (Fath) Messick .  Heather and I have known each other since about 1990, when we met and sang together in choir at Mobile College (now known as University of Mobile).  Heather and her husband Mark have got three BEAUTIFUL little ladies at their house.   Their third and most recent child, Victoria, was born on March 10, 2008.  She was born with Down's Syndrome and some serious very heart defects as well.  Heather will be posting about her experiences as not only a mother, but the mother of a special needs child.  Mark and Heather went through some incredibly scary times with the birth of Victoria and her subsequent heart surgery.  But in ALL of those times, as Heather will tell you, GOD WAS THERE.  He was not only there, but HE CREATED VICTORIA!  He formed her.  He thought of her.  He dreamed about her.  He sent her to this earth!  Hallelujah!! What a Savior!  And when you see this little angel of a girl, you'll shout "Hallelujah" as well....you can't help but shout it when you see that INCREDIBLE smile of hers.  

Just to give you a sneak peek, if you will go to this link, you can watch a video that was put together by a friend of ours (Dave Simpson). The video is set to the music that Heather wrote, praising God for Victoria's life.  Heather penned a song called "She is God's Child" after Victoria was born.  DISCLAIMER FROM THE AUTHOR:  YOU MUST GET KLEENEX BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AND WATCH THIS VIDEO.  Not only did she write it, but you will hear Heather singing it as well.  Heather has an incredible gift from the Lord with the voice that she has been given.  She uses that voice to constantly praise her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  So, for now, I will let you listen.  Please come back for a visit on Tuesday, but make sure and make it back for Heather's post on the next Tuesday, August 11th.  I will also be holding a very special giveaway for her post, as I will be for doing for all of them.  Heather produced a CD called "Wonder", which will be one of the giveaways from the day of her post.  I will also be giving away another copy of "Believe", one of our church CD's (Jason Breland and the First Baptist North Mobile Worship Choir), on which, Heather is featured singing the title cut, "Believe".  And, if that were not enough, I will be giving away a very special "surprise" gift that will be specifically in honor of little Victoria and all that she means to her parents and to those of us in the church.  Her story has touched MANY lives since her glorious entry on March 10, 2008.  She is not only the love of her parents' lives, but that of her big sisters, Elyssa and Natalie also!

SO....look at how much you have to look forward to here at A Pair of Bartletts!  I know that you are going to be SO blessed by these special ladies.  So, mark your calendars!  Grab your Starbucks and join us for some very special times!  

((Hugs)) to you

What's all the BUZZ??? Great Christian fiction AND 33Miles!

I am So incredibly excited that we've almost made it to the first "Bee My Guest" post!  Next week on Tuesday, August 4th, the inaugural post of "Bee My Guest" will be led by a sweet friend, fabulous Christian fiction writer and most importantly a dear Sister in Christ, Elizabeth "Beth" White. And if that were not enough, there will be a GIVEAWAY too!  I will be giving away an autographed copy of Beth's newest book, "Tour de Force"!! 

 All you have to do to qualify is leave an encouraging and uplifting comment for my guest authors...that's IT!  It's that simple!  Once you have left your comment, I'll  be choosing a random winner and will announce the winner the next day. 

And....if that hasn't whetted your blog post appetite enough, there's more!  More you say?  YES MORE!

On Tuesday, August 11th, another dear friend, and another faithful Sister in Christ, Joy Lockwood, will be guest posting on "Bee My Guest".  Now, you may know Joy's husband, Chris, but I'll get to him in a minute.  For now, let me tell you a little about Joy.  If you have ever wondered what the voice of an angel sounded like, then Joy would be your girl.  Her voice is an incredible gift from the Lord and one that she has used to minister to so many people.  She has a heart for ministering to others and has a great word to share with you in her post.  You DON'T want to miss out.  In the meantime, back to her hubby, Chris.  You may know Chris from one of the BEST Christian groups on the Christian music scene, 33Miles .  Chris Lockwood is Joy's faithful companion and both are parents to a beautiful little girl, Ella.  If you haven't listened to 33Miles yet--WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WAITING ON?  If you would like to hear them for FREE, then go to the link below and download "Jesus Calling" FOR FREE!  This MP3 will be available to you through this link until August 11th, so GO NOW!

But, make sure and come back to read Joy's post, because I will be giving away a copy of their new CD, "One Life". 

ALSO---since Joy is opening up her heart to us in her post, I am also going to give away a copy of one of our church's CD's "Believe", with Jason Breland and North Mobile Worship Choir (from First Baptist North Mobile), on which, you will hear Joy singing "I Will Rejoice" (Surprise Joy!  You didn't know about that part!  Sneaky huh?).  I will give the winner the option of receiving these two albums by CD or you can pick up your prize instantly if you want both of them sent to you in iTunes.  How cool is that?  You have a choice!

Well, I hope that this has geared you up for the great things that are coming to A Pair of Bartletts!  And this is not all folks....I'll be filling you in on the other posts coming after these...so stay tuned!