Exciting News!!!

Ever since I was child I had an unbelievable love for animals. I started riding horses ever since I could remember on the dairy farm my aunt owned. I then had the opportunity to be the care giver of 3 horses which then gave me full access to ride as often as I liked. I can remember playing King of the mountain on horses, running them in fields and even a wild ride holding the tale as I was being drug through the ditches and ponds around Pinellas Park.
To fast forward through the years, my husband and I launched a church 3 years ago. Ministry is very rewarding however can me physically & mentally draining. I needed to have an outlet to relieve the stress of ministry, mother of 5 children and being a wife. My friend Lisa Sapino led me on to a horse farm that needed help. I really just wanted to be back on a farm, and back around the smell, and everything that had to do with horses.
I landed at Rockin Horse Farm in New Port Richey. I remember meeting Amy the owner for the first time. I talked to her through the front gate passing paperwork through the open slits of a fence so I could volunteer. I drove away that evening so excited just even smell manure again. If you’re a horse lover you totally get it.
Before I knew it I was volunteering 3 nights a week mucking stalls and feeding 18 horses. I was in heaven to say the least. I was re living what I had a child once again. I always was a care giver of a horse but never had the opportunity to own my own horse.
December last year my child hood dream was made a reality. The Owens family purchased my beautiful “Bella”. She is a 3 year old percheron/throughbred. She is a beauty. Bella is full of life and stubbornness. She is just like me to say the least. To this day I am so amazed that my dream as kid to have a horse of my own is a reality. Rich, Dorine & Jonah made my hope & dream a reality!
I was asked one Saturday to volunteer for Horse Connections. This was the therapeutic riding side of the farm. I remember even telling a friend I‘ll help but this is not my thing. Well…………God had something else in mind. Ever since that day I had not stopped living & breathing therapeutic riding. I would watch you tube video after you tube video and learned about every different rider and every different disability and the effect the horses had on them. I grew more & more excited about each session. Amy is the founder of horse connection and she gave me the reigns to run the program. I was a volunteer but that what OK. In my mind I could do these classes 7 days a week and never earn a dime. The reward I was receiving just seeing miracle after miracle was enough.
I decided after the end of last fall session  I needed to take this to another level. I began to start school and go through a national certification process to be certified to instruct and run a therapy center.  This has been one of the most exciting things out side of ministry I have ever done.
I have been in prayer for some time in regards to having a farm. I knew that I needed lots of experience to even attempt this. However, meeting and spending time with Amy had defiantly been a priceless time for me. I not only discovered I had a friend I also had a wonderful mentor to help me along.
The farm brought many things to me…..Lots of good times, sad times and never ending friendships. I am so thankful for all the volunteers students and of course Annette.
One of the dear people I met on this journey  is Jennifer Shade. We were two women who loved horses as kids and looking for the joy that we once had as little girls. Jenn & I were instantly connected in many ways. She is a Mom, served in ministry and loves the Lord with all her heart. We have prayed together, cried together, lots of laughs together. However, we have found that we both have a love for therapeutic riding.
Jenn & I started a journey of exploring what it would take to open a therapy center that would be faith based to help the kids and a place to do ministry.  We spent day after day , weekend after weekend looking for the perfect place. This farm had to cover many functions. It needed to provide an environment for therapy, a place to do summer camps, birthday parties, and  the home for G.A.N.G gone WILD. This was a endless journey of barns & more barns. We needed a place to call home for our for profit business of “Kiddy Up Farms” and our non profit  Lite the City Therapeutic riding center. That’s right………….Lite the City now has a therapeutic riding program.
We found a barn that sits on adequate land and has all the right things for everything we want to accomplish right now. It needs lots of TLC, but we are confident you will love it!!! I am happy to say that Amy & I will continue our life journey together. We will be at separate locations, however still sharing in our love for horses & people. Rockin Horse will always be a home for me. It’s where I had my start. I will always be more than thank ful for everything that I learned & loved there.  I will finish classes there and then will be moving into our new farm. Grand opening will be in January.
We have lots of work to do, so if you have a hand to lend I sure will take it. This is a HUGE project, but I believe that much in what we do.  If would like to know more or can help in preparation please feel free to let us know. You can reach me at 727 418-6219. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the farm & therapy center. Thank you for praying for us , and allowing me to share my heart & dream with you.

God Bless,
Tammy Farris

Seriously Scott?

I have had the privilege to work with the most amazing people. People who are handicap or those in who help the handicap. This email I am about to share is from a Mom of two of the children in which we provide therapy riding for. Please watch her broadcast tomorrow.

Dear friends,

In light of the extreme cut backs Gov. Rick Scott has done to the services and salaries of those who work with disabled individuals across the state of Florida, our behavior specialist asked if I would allow ABC Action News to come and interview me with footage of the children this afternoon.  Camera man was here for about two hours and I wish I could have been a little more eloquent with my words, but he got it done and it should air tomorrow, April 13, 2011 on Channel 11 (brighthouse) on the 5 O’Clock news.

Many folks have come forward to rally , send emails and call legislators , lets hope and pray that Gov. Scott resends the cut backs and returns people back to their jobs and back to the children and adults who need them so much.

Love you all,

Elizabeth

Fish bowl life!

In recent discussions with other families I have found a very similar trend in the life of a child who is a pastor’s kid. It seems to be a pretty universal situation and just thought I would share with you some of the things that I have found. I work weekly with kids who are father less/motherless, or even just plain out neglected. They each have a story, but what about the kid who from the outside seems like they have it all, and no one seems to notice what they are going through.
The life of a pastor’s kid can be very rewarding however; can have many challenges that are unseen as well. Recently my girls have had conversations with me & we discussed my husband’s up bringing along with the challenges that they have to endure. You would think that from the outside it would be great for your family to be in ministry fulltime. However I have been really doing my best to see it through their eyes.
My husband will often tell stories on Sundays how he got in trouble at his dad’s private school and was always told he should have known better because his Dad was a pastor. He was never given the chance to be just a kid with a mischievous side. It was the immediate dis appointment not for being a kid, but because he was being measured by his Dads status.
We are church planters, so many hours and often times 7 days of week of work are put into this church. We love it…..it is our calling on our family. However, I wonder how often we overlook the kids who are sacrificing for the kingdom. I am not just referring to my own kids but kids of pastors & missionaries all over the world. For us often times there are meetings in the evenings in our home. So, the kids have to be quite, and can’t run around in there jammies & just veg on their couch and relax. There every Sat. is setting up the church and knowing the weekend is here but both days are a work day for our family. Every Sunday getting to church early and being the last to leave because we have to tear everything down. Being the last to get a snack or participate in a game because they should be last so everyone else will have a turn first.
Recently I asked my oldest daughter to give me insight to this life through her eyes. She explained the most difficult side is being in the fish bowl, everyone knows our personal life. She expressed I don’t offer the news of being a pastors kid. I asked why? She said because everything I do at this point is now being looked at, and measured by an expectation I may not be able to up hold. She said it is often times a lot of pressure to know that people are looking at everything you do because you are a pastor’s kid.

On Sunday Ryan our kid’s ministry leader did a segment on thinking small. I could not help but to think of the kids all over the world being called to the families of ministry. I wonder how the statistics would differ of the 18-24 year old dropping out of a church would differ if we would let these kids be just a kid.

Could You?

Recently I have embarked on some new things in my own life. I have started volunteering at a barn about 6 months ago. I do barn chores like feed the horses & also shovel manure. Some of you may be reading this thinking there is no way in heck I would ever do that. I am one of those who actually enjoy it. Anyways this isn’t just any barn. This is a farm that actually helps adults & children with disabilities. So, each Sat. at 10am I get the privilege to assist these angels. They learn balance, confidence & flexibility. The funny thing about all of this is that when I signed up to help I thought I was helping them.
However what I have found is how much they are helping me. We run so fast & get caught in the most ridiculous things that we often forget what life is really about. We get upset over things that in 5 min, 5 days, 5 weeks and 5 years won’t make a hill of beans difference. We condemn one another and even think we have a right to judge people. Could you imagine doing life in a wheel chair, or braces on your feet and legs? Could you imagine? I have been so blessed to be with them on Saturdays. They have really helped me to see things that I was not seeing before. Of course I knew them, but really never was seeing it the way God has revealed to me.
Life is precious & each day that we have to live it is a true gift. These angels that I see are so excited to see one another; they are so thrilled to see each volunteer. They encourage one another & cheer them on when the other is trying a new task. Their love for people & life is admirable. Each Sat, they ride horses to help them with their therapy, I suggest that if you’re letting life get you down come visit Rock in Horse on Sat. and these kids & adults will help you with your therapy. I have not really set a 2011 goal, but today I think I did. I want to help as much as I can, I want to see life the way they do. I want to look at life & people and really see it the way God does. Anyways, just a thought after being with these kids today. I will post pics one day and you can see the angels that I get to serve.

Stinky Thinking!

A few years ago I went through a real hard time with fear and rejection. I found that it was overwhelming most of my days. I found myself in many situations where I could not see the good in any situation or anyone including myself at this time. I had been in past relationships that tainted me so trusting and finding good was not even in the same universe as me.

This way of life became very tiring for me and my family. I was always unhappy and my husband now was paying for everything that had happened to me years prior to him coming into my life. I had what some call… Stinky Thinking. I have found that way of thinking and the overwhelming control of fear was very similar to my panic attacks that I suffered from for 10 years plus.

I am a very passionate person which can be good and often times bad. I have a very strong mind so if my mind is in Stinky Thinking mode watch out!!! I learned that over the years that I had to actually change my mind from negative thoughts to positive ones. This was not easy, however I could not live with myself this way any longer.

Years after living this way, my husband Christian printed a verse from the Bible for me and told me this is what you need to think of each day. Truthfully, I was in no mood or really wanting help as I was now comfortable or let’s say used to this way of thinking. I thought…. OK, Pastor do you really think this is the miracle verse I need? Seriously, you think this is going to magically fix all my fears and way of thinking? I am sure that you could imagine the attitude that came with this.

He was so persistent he actually printed the verse and made about 10 copies of it. I remember blow drying my hair and laughing to myself in the mirror as he was printing. I was laughing because I needed to laugh before I just broke down and cried. It really was getting bad again.

The other problem I had was that my husband is a Pastor and to find that one person you can trust to let them see your imperfections was not very near to me with the exception of my best friend Tammy. I had to keep it together because if someone saw the pastor’s wife with negative thinking what would they say? or how would they think of the church? I never want to be a stumbling block for anyone.

When I was going through my panic disorder the first part of my life, Philippians had my life verse in there.Phl 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. I held on to that verse. It’s highlighted in my Bible as it was the one verse I memorized and would say over and over.

Now, years later my husband is taping up a printed sheet of paper with another verse in Phl. I was so clouded by negative thoughts I could not even understand what this verse meant. I looked at him and said….. Really? You think this is the magic medicine that I need?
Well, either way it ended up on my bedroom mirror, my bathroom mirror, my fridge, my microwave, where the toilet is and even in my car. Wherever I would visit throughout the day I found that verse. Phl 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true , whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellant or praise worthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put into practice. And the peace of God will be with you. So here is was…. The verse that could change my Stinky Thinking. This is now my life verse and as life changes and so do we, so does the verse that God wants us to dwell on.

I often find myself now giving others this verse to think about. How many times do we find the bad in a situation or we are so quick to make fun of others? How is it that we get our security from bad thoughts or by belittling others? This verse has encouraged me to change some bad thinking habits and that has changed my life. Starting with myself I fix my mind on the things that are true, noble, pure, lovely, excellant, and praise worthy. I can’t possibly think that about others if I am not even thinking those things about myself. I have found my negative talk and my negative thought was only a direct reflection of how I saw myself.

I am growing everyday and I am liking myself more everyday. I am starting to see what God sees in me, and I am seeing in others what he sees as well. That sure does make life a whole lot brighter and I encourage you to try what this verse says. Fix your mind on the good and not the negative. The outcome of a situation may or may not change, but what if they say is true… Attitude is everything then I would say you have EVERYTHING!

Have You Guys Seen This Yet?

My Inheritance !

The Legacy series at church has really made me think of my parenting and what kind of Legacy I am leaving for my girls. I am sad to say the first part they will always remember is a divorce. Not living with both parents at the same time. Sharing holidays, birthdays and not sleeping in the same bed for 7 consecutive days.  The world and the opinions of the world really can make that sound horrible. We like to say that we are blessed for them to have two sets of parents that love them, 2 beds, double holidays & lots more presents on birthdays. I use to feel like a failure and what kind of Mom was I not to stick through the kind of marriage I was in? Couldn’t I have stuck it out until they were grown?

God always appears at just the right time, or should I say , I decide to listen at the most convenient time.  Knowing the legacy that my father has left for me helps me to see this matter completely different. I have a earthly daddy, by the way who has been a wonderful father. But today I am referring to THE DADDY!! My heavenly father. You know the one who created the entire universe.  I have a inheritance left for me that no one can take away. Not a divorce, not my past or anything else. I am a daughter of a king. I deserve respect and take complete honor in being a King’s daughter. I belong to the most merciful, gracious, loving and giving father. WOW!!! Talk about legacy…..

So if this is what I receive being his daughter, and he has entrusted me with daughters myself, how serious is this legacy thing? I am guessing pretty serious. I told you a few weeks back about visiting my granny’s grave. I don’t remember or even care to talk about the job she had, the house or car. However, I can take you out for a Grande Mesto with extra whip and fill hours up of conversation of a Grand Mothers love, joy, laughter and un believable sense to see the best in others. She left me no money, no jewels or land. But she did leave me the stuff money can’t buy. The stuff that won’t turn into dust or have moths eat.  So, as we journey together in this Legacy series. Ask yourself what does that look like for you & how does it compare to what God has left for you.  I encourage you to commit to the next 3 weeks of this series. It’s a small investment for a life time of Legacy.

Do you really love me?

I hear people say I love you all the time. You read it on face book post,  you hear them say it on a holiday card or even when they hang up the phone. You even shoot over a text and say those three words.  I wonder if this is just a few words that we use loosely or does it really mean something. I know we get caught up in the moment of the feeling during a happy time or difficult time, and we say I LOVE YOU! But, why do we say it so freely however,  we are not following through with what love really is?

Do you know what Love is? Do we really know what it is to love a parent, a friend, a spouse or boyfriend or girlfriend? It’s  real easy just to say “I love you” but what would it be like if we really went beyond just saying it.

I put myself through a love test, and wanted to see if what God says love is. God says that  ; Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

How many times do marriages fail or relationships are hindered, because they failed the Love test. What if before we said those words we actually thought about the true meaning of love. God teaches us this and since God is love how do we follow his example with this Love word. What if the world actually had an attitude of love and we all were more patient, not proud and we could actually be selfless? I wonder what this world would be like?

The next time you have a fallen out with a friend, a spouse or neighbor. Ask yourself…. if I am commanded by God to love one another, am I following the example of what he had set for me? The next time a friend betrays you are you keeping score? How about the unfaithful person that you say love, can you love & trust them again? How about the person who wronged you, can you really hope the best for them?

What is love to you, and how does it compare to what love is to GOD?

Remember When

Have you ever stopped and said to your self…. What is happening? How did my life get here? Or the World is just going to Pot? Do you ever look at our mothers & grandmothers and think they never had it as bad as we do ?

I visited my grandmothers grave for the first in years the other day. I was taking my daughter to her dive meet, literally across the street under the big oak tree was the grave of the women who I admire the most in my life. My granny did not have elaborate life by any stretch. She worked hard as a cook, often times came home with 1^st & 2nd degree burns on her arms from the grease. She had 6 kids of her own , lived in a 2 bedroom house and fostered over 200 children. Makes me cry every time I think of her. She was the essence of a women to me. She always greeted you in her home with a glass of sweet tea, and something ready to come out of the oven.

I remember at Christmas time having to always to wait to go to Granny’s for Christmas dinner. She was up at 4am, and arrived home Christmas day at 2:00pm. She had meal fixed for all of us to gather around the table. Never did she complain, or mutter a grumbling word. However, I often times would sit next to her as she took a little cat nap on the love seat. Lol, she was precious.

I was very blessed with the most admirable grandmothers. I loved each one with all my heart. Not one of them had it easy. They provided , the mothered, they cleaned, some were abused, others were poverty stricken. The one thing I can say they taught me was that at the end of the day the only thing that really matters is Love. Nothing to them was more important than God and the people they were able to love & serve.

I look around and see the things I often put effort or worry into, and feel silly. I looked at the dash in between the two dates at my granny’s grave. The one was the day God blessed us with her, and the other was her homecoming to be with him. Not one time in the —- did I see what she had bought, the car she drove, the home she lived in, or the things she worried about. All I felt was total appreciation for the love that she had shown to me, and the good she did on this earth in Jesus name.

So the reason for my blog today is to tell you… Take time to love one another, serve one another. At the end of your life, all this stuff we put effort into doesn’t make a hill of beans difference. The life that you impact through God’s work is the only thing that will have a lasting impression. The imprint on my heart from this Godly women is not one that money, status or anything of the world could have bought.

If your day is caught up in worry,or you have UN forgiveness, or your working to keep up with the Jones. Then re think your purpose here under the sun.

I dedicate this blog to my granny Anna Lee Holland.

Out of Control

Have you ever had a moment or maybe moments in your life that you question God, and ask why do you allow some of these situations to happen? Or why can’t I get away from certain people or places in my life? I had that happen this week. Even to the point of being really kinda upset with God. You know the self pity party… I do your work, I serve,my family gives up our home, our time , our finances, everything for the church. So, therefore

God I really don’t get why you allow things to happen to me that frustrate me. I prayed and really revealed to God my confusion and lack of understanding. I asked him to please reveal to me why this is happening. I wanted the plane to fly over my head with the writing on the sky. If anyone knows me at all, the one thing that you all know is that I like to have control over the situations in my life. If something shakes that it shakes me too. So after 2 days of pleading with God, I got up did my devotional . I opened my lap top to the proverbs 31 ministries and there it was!!! OMG……………..I almost fell out of my chair. God revealed to me what I needed. I asked him, and he showed me a truth. The verse is one that I know , however God so gently moved it to the forefront of my mind this day.

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

I then realized two things. I have no control over anyones actions or attitude except myself, and bottom line is my struggle is not with the individual. I am taunted by the things that I allow the enemy to use to defeat me and detour me from God’s work. He knocked me out of the field for 2 days over it. Praise God not out of the game!!! I am that person that must learn everything the hard way. I am a action person as well. Not a good combo. This means words don’t convince me much, however action does. So naturally instead of just taking God’s word for stuff, he usually teaches me through experiences. Admitting to areas of weakness, can help you & allow God to work on those things with you. I have learned that with every battle that GOD has equipped us with a full spiritual armor. The other verse that was revealed in that same devotional was

Phl 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

God did answer, he revealed to me his truth. Now it’s up to me to live out this knowledge.