Anita here We thought we’d change this month’s newsletter up a bit and have it come from me.  And so I thought what better time to write this than on a plane home from Los Angeles where I just ran my FIRST 1/2 marathon. What an amazing accomplishment from someone who used to be 50 pounds heavier and hated the thought of running. I remember a time when running 1 mile in 12 minutes was a huge thing for me. And yet, I just ran 13.1 miles in 2:22:02 (10 min 51 sec / mile). I believe very much in Phil. 4:13…”I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”  What victory I felt when I crossed that finish line!

It’s amazing to think that 2012 is only 2 months away. Time flies…that is for sure. What an amazing journey I have been on these last 9 years of working for Tammy…and 2 years prior when I started to get to know her when Trent was still gracing the Earth.  I have seen the world with her as we have been to over 20 countries together…either in sharing the love & hope of Jesus as TT ministers on stage or in just simply having fun & experiencing new things like only best friends can do. And through it all, my life has become richer because of the love of Christ that is rooted deeply in her.

Yet, to everything, there is a season…

My heart is having a hard time even thinking about typing these next words. But at the same time, there is much joy in knowing that God’s plan is perfect. 2012 is the beginning of a new season…a new season for both TT and I. Her decision to take some much needed time off, means that I will need to find a new job. I think the recommendation that Tammy wrote for me to go along with my resume says it all…

from TT…

“My life has been in a series of transitions ever since I can remember. However the most challenging and life altering transition came in September of 2001 when my whole world shifted.  My full time music ministry was in full swing with my husband Trent Lenderink at the helm managing every detail of our lives and ministry, until tragically he was killed in a scuba diving accident.  While he never returned to the water’s surface that fateful afternoon, my soul fought to return as I stood on the edge of the water in that moment asking God, “How will I ever survive? Where do I go from here and how will I ever do this on my own?”

I certainly couldn’t see the bigger picture of the next season of my life at that point but I know now that God had already begun to paint a beautiful canvas that would involve the crossing of two lives that would forever be changed by the love and colors that went into perfecting that painting.

God carefully and thoughtfully chose a woman of great character, loyalty, work ethic, leadership, humility, sensitivity, passion, teach-ability and a deep commitment to Him that would be able to tenderly walk along side me in ministry and the next season of my life.  I hired that girl January 1st, 2003.

Her name is Anita Rundell and she is one of the greatest gifts the Lord ever blessed my life with.

There is nothing she cannot do. There is nothing she cannot accomplish. There is nothing that is too big for her to achieve. There is nothing that she cannot figure out.  I’m convinced she is Wonder Woman!

She has been thrown into some of the most challenging and intense situations one can imagine and I continue to witness her handle things with great ease, class, calm and character.  Anita literally takes care of every detail involving my ministry, which keeps everything running smoothly in the office and allows me to be fully effective out of the office for the Kingdom of God.  From handling all the calls that come into my office regarding bookings, to booking the dates, contracts, fronting dates, travel arrangements, web design, monthly newsletters, road managing, running sound and all multi-media production, taxes, legal matters and even bringing me lunch from time to time!

Anita is a woman of God who walks closely to the Father’s heart and who has covered my life and ministry in prayer before we ever met.  Her commitment to the call on her life is matchless and if that involves you and working for you potentially one day then I believe you to be one of the riches people in the world to have Anita Rundell on your team.

My life and ministry has grown because of Anita’s influence surrounding this office and the platforms that God has called me to.  She continues to challenge me in every area of my life, ministry and relationship with God because she has a heart that cares deeply and strives for excellence and the things of God.

After reaching a personal ten year milestone this year, I have decided to take a year-long Sabbatical in year 2012 and I’m only doing a few select events.  During this time off the road, I will be working on a TV show and a new book as well.  This decision has been one of the hardest of my life and the feeling of “losing” Anita in ministry can leave me speechless most days when I have to describe the journey God has called us on together the last 11 years and thinking of this chapter ending.

So it is with great pride and honor that I would be asked to write a recommendation for not only a partner in ministry, but one of my closest friends who has helped to take my ministry and life to another level.

Anita Rundell.  I am forever grateful and so is this ministry.

Tammy Trent”

And so it is with GREAT HONOR that I also say “thank you” to Tammy. My life has been forever changed.

It also would be my honor if any of you would recommend me to anyone/any place you hear of that has a job opening that you think would be a great fit for me. If you could have them email me at anita@anitarundell.com, I would be forever grateful.

God’s Greatest Blessings,
Anita Rundell

I’ve been shaken to the core and still I stand with my fist held high proclaiming that I am unshakeable in this moment. But that’s just it. Sometimes we go from moment to moment, day to day, season to season. Even in chaotic uncertain times we can be assured that our very lives are in the grip of a loving God. We can completely rest in His love and presence, but also His unending attention, commitment and faithfulness to us.

When I stood on the edge of the water 10 years ago I could hardly breathe….I was overwhelmed with grief and loss…I’ll never forget crying out to God to come rescue this broken heart and scoop me up in His arms because I couldn’t stand on my own. As the scriptures say it best, He was close to the broken hearted and He saved me, whose spirit had been crushed. (Psalm 34:18) I once again realized my great dependence upon God and just how very real He is.

Many of our moments, days and seasons have been shaken, but today I am a woman speaking over my life AND yours if you feel like you’re being shaken at this very moment….Our hope and our refuge is firm because of Jesus! (Psalm 92:2) We are heirs of everlasting life! He is in full control when life seems out of control.

I have learned my hardest to embrace whatever season God has me in, even if it doesn’t seem like He “knows what’s He’s doing” (LOL) But peacefully, I do…I DO believe the Lord knows what He’s doing and is fully aware of His intentions for our lives. If God has called you to a place of waiting, then choose to learn patience as you trust His plan for your beautiful life. If God has called you to a place of movement, then choose to move with boldness as you trust His plan for your beautiful life. Either way, stay sensitive to His voice, for in that you will surely be walking in His will. He will always guide your willing heart and cover any missteps with His grace. What a gift.

And just like He whispered to me 10 years ago in the worst moment of my life, He whispers the same to you today, “I’m here! I’m here! Breathe! You are not alone in this! I have it all worked out. You just need to walk it out!”

A fellow traveler,
Tammy Trent

Maybe it’s our priorities and simply thinking that our situation is way more important than our actual relationship with Him. Like our attention is totally misdirected perhaps. It’s like our desperate prayers and thoughts are so fixed on our need that we begin to shift away from Him and all He’s brought us through already. Maybe God is delaying His answer until we are in a place of truly focusing on Him. And honestly other times I believe it’s just God’s timing and waiting on certain things and people to line up in our lives.

I believe it is in these times when God ultimately is trying to stretch and grow our faith as we see Him responding to us no matter how fast or slow.

And let’s not forget the ever popular “wrong motives” and our “sin nature” that may keep God from His answer until we are ready to make things right.

Soo much to think about really. But the bottom line is that God is STILL in the business of answering prayers. The question is, are you and your personal life ready for Him? Clear away the debris today and any extra trash that might be blocking Him from doing what He really longs to do….which is….BLESS YOU LIFE WITH ANSWERED PRAYER!

A Fellow Traveler,

Tammy Trent

And scripture says that’s exactly what happened. The sun stood still until Joshua completely finished off that army. God interrupted the entire universe just because one man was bold enough to ask and believe. It was his faith that was big enough to go beyond ordinary faith.

Are you believing big? Are you dreaming big? Is your faith bold enough? Dare to ask God for big things that line up with His will today for you life and then speak in faith that is will come to pass.

Blessings all around you!

A fellow traveler,

Tammy Trent

Ok, so here’s some food for thought. And just like it does for me, may it speak directly to you at this moment!

May you take heart in knowing that God is preparing you for what He has already prepared for you! There is a new season that is already waiting for you. As you allow yourself to take on the fullness of God’s processing in your life, He is doing a work in you already, even if you can’t see it, so
that you will be ready for the day when God opens up all the doors and allows you to walk into that new place. Maybe it’s time to “clean house” so
you can be fully ready for it. Don’t let anything or any person hold you back from God’s perfect will in your life right now.

I don’t believe God gives us impossible dreams or unreachable desires. He gently takes us through life step by step so that when we face each new
opportunity or challenge, we are ready in faith to choose to keep moving forward, always towards truth.

Your challenge right now is not to ask God why things around you are changing, in transition or falling apart, but rather perhaps to ask, “What’s
next? What can I learn from this?” There’s a reason and purpose in our struggles or time of difficulties. The thing is, we have to find out what
that is and begin to see our difficult time in perspective and how God is using it to prepare us. Search my friend. Search. The answers aren’t all
that far away. Some times we just like to keep circling the questions hoping we’ll land on the “right answer” WE were hoping for. Trust God in
this moment, that HE is STILL in control of your next season.

As true believers, we must never forget that God does not send “bad things” but He certainly uses them. And wow, do I sure understand and know that for my own life.

Thankful for you all today!

A fellow traveler,
Tammy Trent

P.S. And a big HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for me this year. I am completely honored for the second year in a row. I just found out today that while I was ministering in Cali Colombia South America this week end, I was given the award for the Female Inspirational Vocalist of the Year from the Christian Music Hall of Fame. Truly, I don’t take any of it for granted and this is just one of those moments that feels like a sweet kiss from heaven. So thank you! Thank you all for believing sooo much…not just in me…but the call on my life. A call to hope!

P.S.S. The Log Family is finally available to order on my website store.

P.S.S.S. (How many time can one DO THIS P.S.S.S.S. stuff-LOL) I have a new original Christmas song that was shipped to radio a couple weeks called CHRISTMAS IN COLOR and it has such a beautiful traditional Christmas feel with a live orchestra. Soooo nice. So please call your local radio stations to request it and buy your copy of the song on itunes today to help support that project.

So here’s my kick in the pants and reminder to all of us. Turn! Turn! Turn! Moving on is a process, so stop waiting for what you wished had happened different. It is finished. It is time. The wait is over. So jump in and start that process today. God has given and placed in you GREAT ideas, hopes, solutions and dreams for your life. Pray for courage and wisdom to step up and step out and then begin to take back your life and allow God to fulfill the dream He birthed in you. But you cannot do it alone. God is your helper and as the greatest leader in your life you have NO reason to be afraid anymore, especially of man or unGodly voices in your life. Listen to the Holy Spirit, His voice brings peace. Trust the word of God and let it light your pathway.

Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. I John 4:4

A fellow traveler,
Tammy Trent

P.S. Our (Trent and my’s) new children’s book, THE LOG FAMILY is currently at the printer. Yay. I’ll keep you posted and will make an announcement as soon as the first shipment arrives. You will be the first to order it here before it ever hits the stores.

I was at a girlfriends house last night and she handed me this new devotional that she got by Sarah Young titled JESUS CALLING. Holly said, “honestly there isn’t a day that goes by when it doesn’t speak to my life on some level”. I thought, OK cool. I’m gonna open up this book and put my hand on a page and see if it works for me because God knows everything right!! (Why is it so easy for us to assume He’s forgotten us)

“I have much to communicate to you, so many people and situations in need of prayer. I am training your to set your mind on Me more and more, tuning out distractions through the help of My Spirit. Walk with Me in holy trust, responding to My initiatives rather than trying to make things fit your plans. I died to set you free, and that includes freedom from compulsive planning. When your mind spins with a multitude of thoughts, you cannot hear My voice. A mind preoccupied with planning pays homage to the idol of control. Turn from this idolatry back to Me. Listen to Me and live abundantly!” John 8:36; Proverbs 19:21; John 10:27

OMGishGosh! If I weren’t in that room with three others girls, I would have cried my eyes out. This was exactly what I needed to read last night. And I KNOW it’s NOT just a word for me. Can I get an AMEN!

So I wanted to simply share it with you too and allow the Lord to speak to your life through it as He did mine. Keep praising God. Keep trusting God for your next breathe. Satan hates praise. It reminds him that God is still supreme in spite of all his evil efforts. It rubs in the fact of his inferiority and limitations. And remember, as children of God we are NOT limited. But the devil is! (laughing) I LOVE that. We have soo much more power than the enemy because we are not limited in our victories.

So, go get yours today! Go get your victory and set your mind on Christ as you begin to listen more closely to His voice and what He’s trying to say and do in your circumstances today. Stop trying to make a plan. Release it and let God work it all out on your behalf. Trusting is hard, but it sure is freeing!

Be blessed,
Tammy T

http://www.tammytrent.com

Psalm 121 gives us a really clear picture of the way God cares for us in such a personal way and on a very personal level. “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (vv.1,2). The psalmist seems to say, just like many of us are probably saying today, (or screaming today) “I don’t know where to turn for help”. But then, I love this part, it’s as if the light goes on, “Oh wait, I just have to look up and see that the Creator of absolutely everything will help me in any situation!”

He will. Rest in that assurance even if your situation seems so over the top impossible today. We have a God of Impossibles. Look up, let the healing waters flow and trust that God will catch every fallen tear and that each tear will be fully understood by the Father.

We need you Jesus because YOU are our only hope on this journey of life. You bring life as you rescue us time and again. Come quickly Lord. Come quickly!

Peace like a river my friends! A little Calgon in your bathtub never hurts either!!! (smiling)

Tammy Trent

I have definitely had issues with anger from time to time that I keep thinking is getting better. But then something always reminds me, nope you’re still allowing anger to rise up and take control. I probably don’t need to give you any examples of that! (laughing) But I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant manager (laughing) when she told me, “We are sooo sorry but we JUST ran out of SHRIMP, would you like something else?” Now you have to understand that this kind of thing ALWAYS seems to happen to ME and it had happened twice, two days in a row, during my vacation in Orlando. So, I was NOT happy. I mean really, BUBBA GUMP…it’s a SHRIMP joint! You JUST ran out of SHRIMP?!?! I said, “No, I don’t want anything else. I’ll just sit here and eat my crappy salad!” (laughing) And then I told her I felt better just calling my salad crappy! But when I got back to the hotel later that day, I looked at Anita and said, “That lady at Bubba Gump’s probably didn’t know I was a Christian, did she”. I honestly felt bad because of the way I reacted. I realize I have no excuses, because the spirit of God inside me is always present to help me. Why is He always the last one we call on for help.

May we be more aware of the presence of God in our lives during times of anger this year. I’m not talking about the righteous kind. But the kind that is NOT character building! Nor Godly!

So my confession…our confession today should be, I confess that the Holy Spirit is producing His fruit in me and my character. I am filled with the mind of Christ; therefore, anger and outbursts have NO place in me. I am self-controlled, patient and kind. When others do or say something to me that hurts or seems unfair, I will respond in love. And by faith I will guard my heart and mind more closely so that the devil can no longer gain access to my life. Amen Amen. (Now this is where I insert, “OFF with your head devil-be gone!”)

Ephesians 4:26, 27 Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil.

Happy Wonderful Miraculous Adventurous Life Giving New Year. Let’s stay close to Him in 2010.

Tammy T

The night continued on and we celebrated life, love and hope in Christ as we danced like crazy women in the front of the stage to MY IRREPLACEABLE and EVERYBODY MOVE WITH IT. I laugh thinking about it, cause I LOVE to see God’s Girls Free and having fun and knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that we’re loved and cherished JUST AS WE ARE! Soo cool.

As we brought the night to a close, Norma Jean Mainse of 100 Huntley Street jumped up to grab to the mic to give us all the amazing news. That precious women who was crying out was able to release some of the greatest pain and heartbreak her heart had ever known. Losing both of her sisters within the last 6 months took her very breath away and she didn’t know how to live again without them. She screamed, she shouted and she cried out to God in totally release that He would come and rescue her. With open arms she let go and with open arms He surrounded her, and the healing began. What I love more than anything, is that following those deep painful tears, she began to smile until she laughed out loud in that prayer room. The Joy of the Lord was beginning to bring her back to life again. Praise God for this new day in her life. She was soo brave to stop holding it in…to let Go…and to let God! I was sooo honored to be apart of it in some small way. It gives my own pain purpose.

My message last night was clear. He is a God who doesn’t just pull us from the fire, but some times He walks through the fire with us. We need to know Him in BOTH ways. We need to know him as the instant deliverer and also as our ever present help in time of need as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

And whether you’re believing for instant deliverance or asking God to walk this out with you, you win either way, because God’s presence causes us to rise up with wings like eagles and to run and never faint, to not get weary…and to win…to make it.

If you’ve waited and prayed for instant deliverance and it hasn’t happened, you realize that God has chosen to walk through this with you. And in the midst of it He says I’m here and I’m gonna give you the strength for your next step. I’m gonna give you the courage for your next breath. This might not change real quick, but in the midst of it you’re gonna enter into the fellowship of my sufferings and you’re gonna know me in a deeper way.

Christ wants us to know Him in both places. Instant miraculous deliverer and He who is ever faithful in His presence as He walks with us. Take heart of who He truly is at this very moment in your life.

Praying for an outpouring in your life,
Tammy Trent